One of the best known doubts on the subject of solar panels is their duration. The useful life of solar panels It is a conditioning aspect to take into account when installing one. You may have heard that solar panels typically have an effective lifespan of 25-30 years. This does not mean that solar panels suddenly stop working after that time.
In this article we are going to tell you everything you need to know about the useful life of solar panels and what aspects must be taken into account to care for them.
What is the useful life of solar panels?
It can be difficult to understand the initial cost of solar power without knowing how long your rooftop solar panels can generate enough power. Solar panels will be able to offset decades of your electricity use, but it's also important to understand things like degradation rates.
As we said, Solar panels generally have a useful life of 25 to 30 years. Thereafter, solar panels will continue to generate electricity, but in smaller amounts. In fact, solar panels will continue to work for decades because they are able to withstand the force of the wind, as well as other external factors. This is mainly because they have no moving parts. They rarely break from the inside and are usually only damaged by external forces, such as improper installation or bad weather.
A good indicator of durability is the warranty offered by your manufacturer. On the one hand, you have an equipment or product guarantee that protects you against manufacturing defects, and on the other hand, you have a performance or production guarantee that ensures that your panels do not fall below a certain generation capacity. The equipment warranty period is usually 10 or 12 years, while the production warranty period will reach 25 years, with a performance rate of 70% or 80%. This is talking about standard solar panels.
Causes of degradation
A key factor that affects the durability of solar panels is called the degradation rate. Reflects the percentage degradation of solar panel performance per year. Ten years ago, the degradation rate of a standard solar panel was around 0,8% per year; 25 years later, we are talking about a 20% reduction in production. So, the solar panels will continue to function at 80% of their initial production after 25 years.
More efficient technologies have been developed over the years, with newer panels reducing energy production by just 0,5% per year. This way, they achieve a power generation rate of about 87,5% after 25 years.
To determine the performance of a solar panel after a certain number of years, simply multiply the degradation rate by the number of years you want and subtract that number from 100%.
Sustainable solar panels
If you are interested in renewable energies, it is probably because you are interested in caring for the environment, in addition to the savings opportunities they represent. If so, don't worry because you will not only be using technologies suitable for clean and renewable energy, but you will also have sustainable products.
Solar panels have a useful life of 25 to 30 years, much longer than their "Energy Payback Time" or EPBT. EPBT is the time it takes for a solar panel to generate enough clean electricity to "pay for" the energy originally produced. A 2010 Brookhaven National Laboratory study found that solar panels had an EPBT of only six months; that number has certainly gone down in the past eleven years as solar panel manufacturing has become more efficient.
How can you extend the useful life of solar panels?
Generally speaking, solar panels are very durable. Most manufacturers test their panels to confirm that they can withstand strong wind and snow loads; many solar panels are specifically tested to ensure that they can withstand hail storms. Additionally, solar systems typically have no moving parts and require very little maintenance.
The best way to consistently extend the life of your solar panels is to work with a trusted installer who provides reliable service to their customers. It's also important to buy solar panels with strong warranties: many panel manufacturers offer their panels a 10- to 12-year equipment warranty that covers defects and environmental damage, as well as a production guarantee that usually lasts about 25 years.
Additionally, keeping your solar panel system in good condition reduces the annual degradation rate and ensures longer performance from your panels. Here are some things you can do to extend the life of your solar panels:
Keep solar panels free of dirt
When you first install them, the installer will make sure there are no large trees or other objects that could block or collect leaves or other debris. This is important not only to prevent performance degradation, but also to avoid accelerated deterioration of the panel itself due to hot spots. Therefore, to prolong the useful life of solar panels, it is recommended to clean them at least once a year.
As long as you can avoid physical damage to solar panels, they can continue to generate electricity for many years, probably well beyond the 25-30 year "lifetime" of standard models. You can even purchase special products to protect panels from specific types of physical damage; for example, guards to prevent animals such as squirrels and birds from nesting under the panels, which can damage them.
Have an installer inspect regularly
The best way to ensure that your solar panels will last is to have your solar system inspected regularly by an installer or O&M provider. Periodic inspections can detect potential problems, such as loose items, exposed wires and other necessary troubleshooting.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about the useful life of solar panels and what aspects must be taken into account to extend it.