What is the Lifespan of Solar Panels?

Solar panel manufacturers put a lot of effort into making their solar panels robust. They need to be able to withstand heat/cold cycles and heavy weather. However, solar panels are not perfect and they will inevitably age. In the quest for cheaper and cleaner alternative energy source, solar energy is becoming very popular among commercial institutions today.

However, the decision to use solar power as an alternative energy source to power commercial units can be challenging who are new to solar power. This can give birth to several questions such as the cost associated with installing and maintaining the solar panels as well as the lifespan of these panels. The rated power output of solar panels typically degrades at about 0.5%/year.

Most people follow the general rule that a solar panel will degrade by approximately 1% per year. All things considered, that is a fairly low percentage of degradation. According to research by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), most panels manufactured before the year 2000 are more susceptible to degradation than panels manufactured after this date. The good news is that in both cases, panels degrade at a slower rate than we thought.

Typically, established solar panels tend to pay for themselves during the first 10 years in service. In states that offer good incentives for going solar, the solar panels can pay for themselves in less than 5 years. This means more savings for the commercial owners and a cleaner environment for everyone.

When considering how long solar panels will last, it is important to know that majority of these solar panels come with 25 to 30 years warranty. This means that they are built to last for that duration of time and beyond.

According to a study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), solar panels tend to lose up to 0.5 percent of its efficiency annually. This means that some the solar panels can lose approximately 12.5 percent of its efficiency after 25 years or produce about 87.5 percent of its original capacity after 25 years. Some panels were even producing more than 87.5 percent of its original capacity.

In order to extend the already lengthy life of a solar panel, it is important to ensure that the panel will not suffer direct physical damage. Trees and bushes should always be trimmed to avoid scratching the panel, which will perform weaker when the surface area of the panel is damaged.

Since these solar powered systems can still continue producing energy efficiently for several years after the warranty period, it is best to consider the maintenance cost rather than the lifespan of these panels. It may be a good idea to ensure that the panel is sheltered from the elements as much as possible — consider installing it in a façade. By regularly cleaning panels and keeping up maintenance, it is easy to extend the life of your PV panels by a few extra years.

In some cases, the inverter, which is used to convert the direct current (DC) from the panels to alternating current (AC), may need to be replaced. These inverters can last anywhere from 10 to 25 years depending on the type.

Nevertheless, commercial unit owners who decide to go solar can relax knowing that it is an investment that is worthwhile. Not only will they help reduce pollution by encouraging cleaner, safer energy, but they will also enjoy tremendous savings in the process.