How Long Do Solar Panels Last

Sunpower Systems Are Longer

SunPower panels come with a Complete Confidence Warranty, which promises that your panels will not decline more than 8% over 25 years. This makes them a much better long-term investment for saving on utility bills than conventional brands because you can accrue more power savings over a longer period.

Ways To Increase The Lifespan Of Solar Panels

Generally, solar panels appear to be extremely durable and come with a good warranty. During their production, each solar panel passes through extensive and rigorous quality tests. These tests ensure that solar panels are capable of withstanding extreme wind, rain, hailing, and other natural phenomena.

In order to increase the lifespan of a solar panel, the first thing to consider is the choice of a qualified installer. Such a service provider must offer solid customer care. Moreover, you must only buy the panels that come with robust warranties.

Talking about the warranty, you should ask about both the equipment as well as performance/efficiency warranties.

It will allow you to claim a replacement in case any kind of defect appears after a few years of installation.

In addition, by maintaining your solar panel, you can lower the degradation rate. Besides, here are some of the tips that you should follow to ensure that your solar panels last for a longer period.

Do Solar Panels Lose Efficiency As They Age

On average, newer models of solar panels can expect to lose about .50% of efficiency each year they are in operation. Most panels are warrantied at 25 years, meaning that solar panels will still operate at 80% of their original power output.

The main reason solar panels are only warrantied for 25-30 years is that they stop producing as much electricity after this point. Solar panels create less energy with each year of use, called the panel degradation rate.

In 2012, a study found that solar panels produce, on average, 0.8% less electricity each year. Because this study is older, its likely that most solar panels produced nowadays have a lower degradation rate. In fact, many high-end solar manufacturers advertise a 0.3-0.5% degradation rate.

The degradation rate tells you how much electricity your solar panels generate in a given year compared to their output in the first year. For example, a 0.5% degradation rate means that, in the third year of use, your solar panels will produce 99% as much electricity as they did when you first bought them.

For more on solar panel efficiency, check out this article.

Read Also: What Is The Federal Tax Credit For Solar

Which Type Of Solar Panel Lasts Longest

Both monocrystalline and polycrystalline silicon solar panels last for a long time, with lifespans that go beyond their 25-year warranties. However, there are pros and cons to both.

First, lets see how you can tell them apart.

Monocrystalline silicon panels are the most efficient type of panel for harvesting solar energy. They are dark, with solar cells shaped like squares with cut-off corners.

However, their high efficiency comes doesnt come cheap, as they are typically more expensive than polycrystalline panels.

Monocrystalline silicon panels

Solar panels last about 20 years, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The great news is that, with proper maintenance, your panel may actually run for as long as 40-50 years.

Polycrystalline silicon panels

Polycrystalline silicon panels, on the other hand, are blue in color. They look as if they have shiny confetti inside, which are actually silicon crystals. Between these crystals, there are gaps that trap some of the electrons, which make these panels less efficient than their monocrystalline counterparts.

Find Out How Long Your Solar Panels Will Last

Hint: It’s not forever.

How many years will you get out of your solar panels? Let’s find out.

The usage of solar panels has increased dramatically in recent years and has brought a slew of perks to homeowners who make use of the sun’s rays: reducing energy costs, increasing the value of their home and reducing their carbon footprint. But solar panels also come at a steep price up front. And before making a large investment in buying solar panels, homeowners naturally want to understand how many years of use they’ll get out of them.

Below we’ll answer the question of how long solar panels last, as well as some of the factors that affect their lifespan and how you can make them last longer to capture the most rays for your money.

Also Check: How Big Is My Solar System

How Long Do Solar Panels Typically Last

Modern solar panel energy systems can provide clean, sun-generated power for 25 years or more, if certain care and maintenance guidelines are followed. As with other household systems such as roofs, a certain amount of degradation over time is to be expected. Dont let this deter you from investing in photovoltaic energy, though. Despite the fact that panels, inverters, and other components may eventually need replacing, a state-of-the-art solar energy system offers an excellent ROI while reducing your carbon footprint.

Tip #: Team Up With A Trustworthy Solar Provider

The best thing you can do to ensure your solar systems longevity is to find a reputable solar installer. Although solar systems require little regular maintenance, some solar providers offer comprehensive maintenance packages for the life of their products to ensure they efficiently continue generating clean, affordable, and reliable energy for decades.

Sunrun has over 20 years of installation experience and partners with only the most highly-trained installers in your neighborhood to provide you with worry-free energy.

Recommended Reading: How Much Do Solar Panels Cost In San Diego

Do Solar Panels Ever Wear Out

On average, solar panels degrade about 1% in efficiency each year. Their lifespan can be affected by poor installation, such as a faulty racking system or exposed wires, or physical damage from inclement weather. Solar panel life spans can also vary depending on the type, how regularly the panels receive inspection and maintenance, how they were installed, and your environment. You can tell solar panels are on the decline when they begin to produce less light and electricity.

How To Make Solar Panels Last Longer

As you can see, some of the factors that lead to solar panel degradation are controllable, while others aren’t. Luckily, there are plenty of steps you can take to get the most of your solar panels.

One of the best ways to make your solar panels last longer is to work with a trusted provider. First, a trusted provider will make sure you get high-quality panels made from quality material. Additionally, a good provider will ensure the panels are installed correctly. Finally, a good solar provider will provide regular maintenance checks to ensure that everything is working properly.

There are also things you can do yourself to make your solar panels last longer. For example, be sure to remove debris that may end up on the solar panels from tree branches, snow, and more. Keeping your panels clean is one of the best ways to extend their lifespan.

Read Also: What Can A 100 Watt Solar Panel Power

When To Consider Replacing Your Solar Panels

If after the 25-year period you notice that your energy bill is creeping back up, it might be because your solar energy system is not functioning efficiently. In the event this happens, you might need to invest in new solar panels.

Many solar companies offer apps or physical trackers that monitor your solar electricity generation monthly or even daily. Having a grasp of the typical amount of the energy output of your panels will help you notice if something is off.

For example, if your solar panels generate 35 kWh of clean electricity per week and you notice that over the years this reduces to 32 kWh, then 30 kWh – and there is no visible debris or increase of shade cover over your roof – this can indicate that your panels are beginning to degrade.

When your panels are no longer producing the amount of electricity your home needs, it becomes time to replace them.

Find out how much solar panels cost in your area

What Is The Average Solar Panel Lifespan

If you dont know the average solar panel lifespan, you may be wondering if solar panels are worth it. Normally, solar panels are warrantied for about 25 to 30 years, but they can continue to produce energy at a high capacity after this point. PV panels at this age typically produce electricity at 80 percent of their initial capacity or less. In many instances, this is sufficient, but for others, the panels may no longer be economically viable and may have to be replaced with newer panels that can produce more energy at higher efficiencies.

Also Check: How To Replace Roof With Solar Panels

Monitor The Efficiency Of Your Solar System

Another way to check your solar system is to look at the energy its putting into your inverter. If you keep a regular written performance record, you can understand how much energy your system should produce in different weather conditions. Then if there is any sudden reduction in power production, you can identify and deal with issues as they arise.

Following these nine simple steps will help you to extend the life of your solar system and continue to enjoy free electricity from the sun for decades to come.

Perform Regular Checkups Of Your Solar Panels

You will need to clean and service your solar panels regularly, but before you do this, its a good idea to just take a look at them once in a while. If your system is on your roof or in an out-of-the-way position, be careful about your safety when checking. You could consider placing one of your CCTV cameras, if you have them, somewhere overlooking your panels, offering an easy way to check them.

But you should take a look at your panels regularly and check for any obstructions or damage. Dealing quickly with any issues will help you extend the life of your solar system.

Recommended Reading: How Solid State Relay Works

How Long Do Solar Panels Last Solar Panel Lifespan Explained

The industry standard for a solar panels productive lifetime is 25-30 years. However, a solar panel wont die after 25-30 years, rather, their output will decrease a significant amount below what the manufacturer projected. Its hard to understand the upfront cost of going solar without knowing how long you can expect your rooftop panels to produce ample energy. Your solar panels will be able to offset your electricity use for decades, but it is also important to understand industry projections and degradation rates.

How Long Does It Take For Solar Panels To Pay For Themselves

It can take anywhere from a few years to more than twenty depending on the size of your system and how much electricity you use. Unlike other forms of renewable energy that generate power at their peak production rates and then decrease over time as they age, solar panel efficiency will continue to increase year after year with just a gentle degradation in performance. This means your investment can last decades and continue to produce the same amount of electricity.

Also Check: Can You Take Solar Panels With You When You Move

Buy New And Reputable Solar Panels

You should consider your solar panels an investment in your home, which means spending more upfront to ensure you get the best return on investment possible. Avoid used solar panels, which likely will not last as long, and opt for higher-quality panels from reputable companies, which should have warranties lasting as long as 25 years to ensure you get the performance you paid for.

Ology: Our System For Ranking The Best Solar Companies

We collected data on dozens of solar companies and created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings, grade each company and provide objective findings to our readers. The result of weighing a wide range of factors is a cumulative score for each provider.

We called companies and spoke with representatives to understand their products, services and solar installation processes. We also reviewed each companys product, production and workmanship guarantees in detail, and we closely examined customer reviews to understand the customer service experience with each provider.

All company data is monitored on an ongoing basis so that all rankings and information remain up-to-date.

Once we gathered all relevant data, we used the following scoring system to grade each moving company on a 100-point scale:

Read Also: How Does A Solar Ppa Work

How Long Do Solar Panels Last

As a general rule, solar panels last for about 25-30 years. However, this doesnt mean that they stop producing electricity after 25 years it just means that energy production has declined by what manufacturers consider to be a significant amount.

Solar panels will continue to work for many decades, given they arent physically damaged by wind, debris, or any other external factors. This is primarily because solar panels dont have any moving parts they rarely break from within and are usually only damaged by outside forces like a poor racking setup or inclement weather.

Do Solar Panels Work At Night

No. Solar panels only produce energy when the sun is shining and, as a result, electricity can be generated at reduced levels during cloudy days or in low light locations such as winter months. This isnt a problem for solar panel owners because they have their own grid-tied inverter that converts power from DC to AC which then gets distributed to the home.

Recommended Reading: Who Is Eligible For A Solo 401k

Solar Panel Lifespan Guide: How Long Do They Last

Green Coast is supported by its readers. We may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you if you buy through a link on this page. Learn more.

How do you know the lifespan of a solar panel? Our thorough guide will highlight all the important topics of how long solar panels last.

How Long Do Solar Panels Last How To Extend The Life Of Your Solar Panels

Are you curious about how long a solar panel will last? Solar panels are a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and save money on your energy bill, but you may be wondering what the life expectancy of a solar panel is. In this blog post, well answer that question and give you some tips on how to extend the life of your solar panels. Lets get started!

Recommended Reading: What To Wash Solar Panels With

What To Do If My Solar Panels Stop Working

If your panels are under warranty your solar company can help you with this. Often, the solar company you work with will do a complete inspection of the solar panels and other equipment in your solar system, including your solar micro inverters and the roof racking system.

In the unlikely case your panels stop working before the end of their typical lifespan , you should be able to have your solar installation company repair and/or replace the panels. This is why its important to have a warranty on the panels themselves and a power production guarantee from your solar panel installer. Then, you wont need to worry about this throughout the duration of the warranty.

Once your solar panels eventually stop working, they will need to be recycled and replaced.

Buy The Right Kind Of Solar Panel For Your Location

If you live in a hot place, you should look at the temperature coefficients of different solar panels and choose one rated to work best under extreme temperatures. This will increase your day-to-day electricity production and also allow you to get the most extended life from your solar panels.

If you live in a place with high wind or other extremes of weather, this may present a risk of damage to your solar panels, so its a good idea to consider buying rugged, high-quality panels which will last longer.

Read Also: Is Non Small Cell Lung Cancer A Solid Tumor

How Long Do Solar Panels Last On Average

Most solar panels available on todays market typically last between 20-30 years . The inverter mainly drives solar panels . This is a component of the PV system that converts the suns rays into an alternating current, preparing it for use by the U.S. electric grid.

The inverter consists of several pieces, including:

• Active switches
• Thermal management mechanisms
• Weather-resistant packaging

All these elements are degradable. Once the inverter and its parts wear down past a certain point, it requires more repair and replacement than its worth. At this point, its more environmentally and economically responsible for replacing the panel altogether .

Solar panels on the market today can last for 20-30 years and now its time for their power electronics counterparts to evolve to help PV systems last even longer.

However, not all solar panels are of the same quality, so this range may change depending on your panels make and model and whether its been damaged or not. Knowing the average degradation rate for most solar panels can also help form your expectations for when you might need to look into a replacement for your energy system.

How Long Do Solar Panels Last What You Need To Know

• Pete Ortiz

The industry standard for the lifespan of a solar panel is 25 to 30 years. After this lifespan is up, the solar panel will continue to work, but the output will decrease significantly. Until this point, solar panels are very durable and only require minimal care and upkeep.

Because solar panels are such a significant investment, its critical to know all that you can about their life expectancy. Keep reading to learn more about how long solar panels last.

Recommended Reading: What Is The Benefit Of Llc Over Sole Proprietorship