How Long Do Solar Panels Last? Your Guide

Solar panels do not last forever, so there is a good chance you may see a drop in efficiency after the first few years of use. There is no place for panic, as this is normal. The solar panel’ efficiency normally drops by about 0.5% a year. This means that they will still have around 80% of their nominal efficiency left after the warranty period. Let’s have a look at what maintenance measures you can undertake to slow down your PV degradation.

How Long Do Solar Panels Last? 

Solar panels generally last 20-30 years – after they’ve reached that age, it is generally advised that you purchase a new system. However, you will still be able to use the old system if you do not decide to replace. With this approach, you will be drawing some power from the grid, but the majority of your power will keep coming from the PV system. In fact, the materials that they are made of – aluminium, glass and most of the internal components, have been designed to last even past the ripe age of 30. So, why do they degrade?

Why do Solar Panels Degrade?

The exposure to the elements can significantly impact the durability of your solar panels. Needless to say, wind, rain, temperature differences and mechanical abrasion can all leave their mark on your PV system, but the panels themselves are designed in such a way to withstand this damage for a long time, and provide you with peace of mind that your investment will pay for itself multiple times during its lifetime.

• Sun – The sun’s rays can harm the panels just as  , despite being so essential for every PV system to work properly. Installing panels at an appropriate height above your roof will help cool them down and reduce the degradation rate, 
• Wind and rain – dust and mineral deposits that come with these can cake on your panels and partially shade them, reducing the total power output 
• Exposure to too much dust and wind – as these two can damage the outer casing of the panels and cause long-term deterioration due to light dissipation, rather than deterioration of the light-sensitive layer within. 

Furthermore, Eexperiments done in India have shown that extreme heat can cause a degradation in the power output as high as 1.54% per year, while only around half as much occurs in the colder regions.

How Quickly Do Solar Panels Degrade? 

In regular weather patterns, you can expect an average set of solar panels to degrade at 0.5% every year. Some more expensive models by renowned producers can have degradation rates as low as 0.3% per year, while cheaper panels degrade the fastest. However, this does not mean that your PV system will not be usable after 2-3 decades. – On the contrary, it will keep working, albeit at around 80-85% of the nominal output at the beginning of its work life.

Table: Percentage of Usable Power Remaining at the end of each 10-year cycle

Source: RechnerOnline

Warranty on Solar Panels 

With this in mind, seeking higher quality panels will ensure that you get the longest possible lifespan of an investment. Investing in brand-name panels will ensure you pay less on electricity, have an increased home value with energy certificates and can rely less on the grid, and do so for a longer period of time. This is especially true if you couple your PV system with a good solar battery. Being able to charge your EV and break with the ever-increasing fuel prices is another benefit to consider.

Here are some of the best solar panels on the market, coupled with their efficiency rates and warranties:

Solar Panel Manufacturer	Module Efficiency Warranty	Power Warranty
Trina Solar	25 years	30 years
Jinko Solar	25 years	30 years
Canadian Solar	25 years	30 years
Longi	12 years	30 years

How To Get the Most out of Your Solar Panels 

Finally, taking care of your solar panel system and performing regular inspections are an essential part of owning a system like this. However, this work best left to professionals. Volteam provides maintenance and inspection solutions tailored to your system and to your needs. Our team works hard to ensure quality, longevity and overall safety of your system and family members. Contact us today for the best possible solar panel cleaning services in Brisbane.