How long do Solar Panels last?
Solar panels have become the best solution where sustainable energy is required. They continue to play an integral role in ensuring clean energy that reduces pollution. Whether you're a business or an individual looking to invest in solar panels, you need to find out their lifespan first. By knowing how long your solar panel can last, you can find out whether you'll get the value for your money. This article can help you know what to expect when it comes to the overall lifespan of your solar panel.
How long do solar panels last?
On average, you should expect your solar panel to last between 25 and 30 years. This is just an estimate and is based on the general Solar panels degradations. It is a process that happens gradually, and you might not do much to prevent it.
Today, manufacturers provide warranties that promise a certain level of performance you can get when you choose their products within a certain period. During this period, your solar panel shall have degraded to at least 80% of its primary efficiency.
What Factors Influence the Lifespan of Solar Panels?
There’re several factors that can determine your solar panels lifespan. We have mentioned some of them below.
1. Quality of Materials
There are many materials that can be used to make your solar panels and they can determine how Solar panels degrade. The lifespan of these materials can easily affect how long the panels will serve you to the best level. Materials like polycrystalline and monocrystalline are the best due to their resistance to wear and tear.
2. Manufacturing Process
Solar panels can be manufactured in different ways, and these methods can affect how long your solar panels can get to serve you. If you’re lucky enough to get solar panels that are manufactured through quality control measures, then you should expect them to serve you longer. There’re also some advanced technologies that can be used to manufacture the panels, and this can also affect their longevity.
3. Environmental Factors
The environment in which you install the solar panels might also have an impact on their lifespan. Temperature fluctuations, extreme weather conditions and exposure to other harsh elements might greatly reduce the lifespan of the solar panels. It’s true that your solar panels are naturally designed to withstand harsh weather conditions. However, prolonged exposure to such conditions and the method of bird proofing might corrupt their overall performance.
4. Maintenance
Did you know that you should maintain your solar panels on a regular basis? This is the only way to ensure that they last between 25 and 30 years. You should always get rid of debris, dust, and dust so that they do not accumulate on the surface of your solar panels. These elements are also bad as they might reduce the amount of sunlight that gets to your solar panels. You can optimize the functionality and performance of your solar panels by periodically getting quality cleaning solutions.
5. Physical Damage
You'll normally install your solar panels on a raised surface. This exposes them to things such as hail or falling branches. These can greatly reduce the performance of your solar panels with time. By installing your solar panels correctly and taking the right protective measures, you can improve the lifespan of your solar panels.
Improvements in Solar Panel Technology
The technology used in the manufacturing of solar panels is ongoing. This is due to the thorough research and studies on how best to improve the efficiency of the panels. This has also seen a great improvement in the durability and overall performance of the panels.
Tandem solar cells are one of the latest technologies that have been applied in this industry. The other one is known as the perovskite solar cells, which have led to improvements in the longevity and performance of the solar panels.
It's worth mentioning the fact that tandem solar cells leverage multiple layers to attract and capture a broader sunlight spectrum, which then boosts the overall efficiency of the panels. On the other hand, perovskite solar cells are famous for flexibility and low cost of production. But they still need to be improved in terms of durability and stability to make them a great option for modern solar users.
These technologies continue to grow, and the rate at which they're being adopted is impressive. Since they only keep getting better, it's safe to mention that the lifespan of solar panels should go up in the next few years.
Warranties and Performance Guarantees
To show a certain level of confidence in their products, solar panel manufacturers normally provide warranties that cover a given number of years normally ranging between 10 and 15 years. These warranties usually indicate that your solar panels will meet a certain level of performance for the mentioned years.
As a consumer, it’s vital that you carefully go through these warranties to ascertain that you’re investing in a good product.
Performance guarantees, on the other hand, can indicate that your solar panel will provide a certain level of energy throughout their lifespan. Suppose you purchase the solar panels and they fail to meet a given performance standard, then the solar manufacturer can replace them for you or even do the repair at no cost on your end.
What birdblocker does
Bidrblocker is what ensures that birds don’t go underneath your array. It’s also an element that you can use to ensure a perfect ventilation so that your solar panels work optimally at all times. This is a very easy and lightweight material that can be installed in a matter of minutes.
End-of-Life Considerations
Solar panels generally have lifespans that can go on for several decades. However, you also need to think about what happens to them once their time to serve you is over. For instance, for the sake of the environment, you need to ensure that you dispose of your old solar panels in the safest manner possible. You don’t want to do something that might negatively affect the environment.
Through the years, the decommissioned solar panels have greatly increased in number. It is, therefore, important to come up with cost-effective methods for recycling them.
Today, to recycle solar systems, things like glasses, silicon, and aluminum are separated and recovered. Through research and innovation, this method only keeps getting better by the day. Efficiency is a vital factor to consider so you need to embrace a perfect disposal method that is safe for everyone.
Why Do You Need Solar Panels
Even if your premises are connected with good electricity, you might still need to install solar panels due to the benefits they come with. For instance, it’s a great idea to embrace a source of energy that is both renewable and inexhaustible. This is one of the main reasons why you should consider having solar panels in your home or business premises.
Also, it’s important to mention that today, solar panels only keep becoming affordable. Thus, they are the best option if you want to save money in the long run. The cost of installation might seem high, but after some time, you’ll learn that the money you have saved is a lot.
Solar panels are also a good alternative if you want to increase the value of your home. If you plan to sell your home in the future, then you might need to install the solar panels. You’ll get many suitors and most of them will make impressive offers.
Final Thoughts
The average lifespan solar panels is between 10 and 25 years. However, this duration can vary greatly, depending on how well you take care of the panels. You can also improve the longevity of your solar panel by maintaining it and ensuring that it's not exposed to destructive elements. Suppose you feel that your solar panel has a problem, then it's vital that you see a technician. They'll figure out where the problem is and come up with the most cost-effective solutions.
FAQs
What is the average lifespan of solar panels?
Your solar panel has an average lifespan of between 10 and 25 years, which also depends on the manufacturing company.
Which solar panels last the longest?
Solar panels that last longer are those that are made using the latest technology.
Can you make your solar panels last longer?
Yes, you can make your solar panels last longer by taking good care of them and avoiding prolonged exposure to destructive elements.