Homeowners who are looking to go solar have a lot of questions. It’s a big decision and serious investment, so, naturally, they want to understand every last detail about buying and owning a new solar system.
Today, we’ll be answering one of the most popular customer questions:
How long will my solar panels last?
This is a huge question when it comes to buying versus leasing solar power systems. If solar panels didn’t last that long, you’d be at risk of being stuck with an ineffective and broken down system that becomes more of an expensive hassle than a money-saving necessity. Luckily, this isn’t the case.
Buying a solar system is an investment that won’t die on you in a few years. But let’s dig into the details on the life expectancy of solar panels.
How Long Do Solar Panels Last?
Solar panels are made to last several decades. In fact, the first modern solar panel is still producing energy more than 60 years after its creation, which is pretty promising. Every year, solar panel manufacturers discover new tech to incorporate into their panels, making it impossible to know exactly how long the latest and greatest panels will last.
Despite this uncertainty, most solar installers provide their customers with warranties of 10-25 years. These warranties can guarantee energy production, cover install repairs, and protect your panels from defects or malfunctions.
Thus, it is safe to say that your panels will last for many years and probably several decades, providing you with a powerful source of renewable energy. However, it’s important to ask and answer this question: Will solar panels maintain their energy production throughout their lifetime?
Solar Panel Degradation
Just like any product, gadget, or source of energy production, solar panels will slowly become less efficient at producing electricity, no matter the brand or provider. This reduction in production, known as solar panel degradation, occurs when tiny cracks build up within the solar cells, causing electrical connections to deteriorate. These “microcracks” are caused by humidity entering the system, freezing of the solar cells, flexing from heavy winds, UV damage, and thermal cycling, which occurs when materials within the solar panel expand and contract at different rates due to temperature change, straining the joints between materials and causing deterioration.
Left out in the elements, all solar power systems are prone to normal wear and tear. However, with proper installation and simple maintenance, most solar panels can avoid major degradation and failure. In fact, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory found that most solar panels have degradation rates of only 0.3-0.8% per year, depending on panel quality.
This means that over a 25-year span, a panel is expected to have an energy production rate that starts at 100% efficiency and drops incrementally to about 80% efficiency by the end of that time span. So even after 25 years, you can still count on your system for a significant power output. Fortunately, with careful attention and proper maintenance, you can increase the life of your solar panels and prevent serious degradation.
What Can I Do to Increase the Life and Efficiency of My Solar Panels?
All solar panel owners can extend the lifetime and efficiency of their system by performing 4 easy actions:
- Monitor solar panel output – You can do this by simply checking the panels’ output each month. Monthly solar panel output gives you insights into how well your panels are functioning; and be sure to report any serious reduction in output to your installers. Being aware of the energy production of your solar panels is one of the easiest ways to detect potential problems.
- Rinse panels with water – Generally, with a quick wash any dust, dirt, or pollen will be removed from your panels. Clean panels will absorb more light and produce more electricity. If you keep your panels clean and rinse them often, it’s far less likely that buildup will harm the solar system or prevent optimum production.
- Remove snow and ice carefully – Snow and ice are tricky because they can block valuable light from getting to your panels; however, they can also be dangerous to remove, both for your panels and you. Thus, it is important to buy and use proper tools to remove any snow or ice to make sure you avoid scratching or damaging the solar panels. Panel owners can also wait for the sun to melt the snow off their panels, which is perfectly safe and often the best option. Snow and ice melt off solar panels faster than off the ground or even your roof because they generate a bit of heat, which clears them off faster. However, in cases of extreme snow and ice, be careful when cleaning the panels.
- Visually inspect the hardware – Because most systems come with a 25-year warranty, it is a smart idea to routinely make a visual inspection of your panels. By performing routine checks on your panels, potential problems can be prevented or lessened. Some problems to look for include: rusted mounting bolts, solar panel defects, or fraying wiring, among others. If there seem to be any problems with your panels, call your installer and have a professional come give them a look.
With a few routine checks and simple cleaning, your solar panels will continue to perform at their highest capacity, cutting the cost of your electric bills and saving you money. See how much you can save today by using our Estimate Savings Calculator, where you can receive an accurate, zero-commitment savings report on going solar.
About Shop Renewable Energy
Shop Renewable Energy started because of a simple question: Which company should we go solar with? As we navigated going solar for our own roofs, we discovered that there were dozens of local and national companies offering different discounts, solar panels, ownership agreements, and more. With hours of research, we made our decision, but we recognized that many homeowners are choosing their solar installers blindly. That’s where we came up with the idea for Shop Renewable Energy. As a small business, we look to improve the lives of our customers by making the solar journey more simple than ever. We do this by connecting homeowners with the best local solar companies in your neighborhood. We hope that you can utilize our business to shop for the best renewable energy in your area!