How Long Do Solar Panels Last?
The oldest known surviving system in Europe is located in the canton of Ticino in southern Switzerland. This 10 kW power generation system, known as TISO-10, installed on the roof of a laboratory at the Swiss University of Applied Sciences and Arts, has been operating almost uninterruptedly for 40 years since it was connected to the grid. The construction cost of the power plant facility was about $475,000 (currently about $309,000) and the cost of all 288 PV modules for the project was about $37/watt.
Generally speaking, solar panels have an expected lifetime of about 25-30 years. However, this doesn’t mean they stop generating electricity after 25 years – it just means that energy production has dropped by what manufacturers consider to be a significant amount. Solar panels will continue to work for decades because they are not subject to physical damage from extreme weather, wind, debris or any other external factors. This is largely because solar panels don’t have any moving parts – they rarely break from the inside and are usually only damaged by external forces such as poor racking setups or harsh weather conditions.
Solar Panel Warranty:
Solar panels also come with a number of different warranties that will give you an idea of how long the solar panels will last. The manufacturer’s warranty will include an equipment warranty and a performance warranty to guarantee that your panels will produce a certain amount of power. Be sure to note that defects beyond the manufacturer’s control (for example, if the damage was caused by a fallen tree branch) are usually not covered by the warranty.
When looking at the expected degradation rate of your solar panels, you need to look at the performance warranty. Typically, a performance warranty is a 25-year warranty that will guarantee that your solar panels will maintain a certain percentage of their original output each year. Here is Maysun Solar’s product Quality Assurance
How To Increase The Service Life Of Solar Panels
In general, solar panels are very durable. Most manufacturers test their panels to confirm that they can withstand high winds and heavy snow loads Many solar panels are specifically tested to ensure that they can withstand hail. Maintaining a good solar panel system can reduce the annual degradation rate and can ensure longer panel performance. Here are some steps you can take to make your solar panels last longer.
1. Choose A Reputable Installer And Quality Equipment
Having a long-lasting solar system starts with your initial installation: The best way to keep your solar panels working for a long time is to work with a reputable installer that offers reliable customer service and a labor warranty. As mentioned above, it’s also important to purchase high-quality solar panels with a strong warranty – to protect your solar investment, you need to make sure the manufacturer of your solar panels guarantees that they are free of defects and will perform well over time.
2. Have Your Solar Panels Inspected Regularly By Your Installer
To ensure that your solar panels last a long time, make sure your installer or operations and maintenance provider regularly checks your solar panel installation. A professional maintenance inspection can reveal potential problems such as loose shelves, exposed wires and other areas of concern. Inspections of solar panels may also include inspections of other equipment involved in the solar installation, namely solar inverters and rooftop racking systems. In terms of shelving, it is always important to make sure that the panels are securely mounted on the roof so that they do not come loose, move around or fall off completely.
3. Protect Your Solar Panels From Damage
When you first install your solar panels, your installer will make sure that there are no large trees that might cast shadows on your panels or drop branches. As long as you can avoid physical damage to your solar panels, they will continue to produce energy for many years, possibly well beyond the 25 to 30 year “lifespan” of a typical solar panel. You can even purchase special products to prevent specific types of physical damage to the panels.
Maysun solar has been focused on manufacturing quality photovoltaic modules since our founding in 2008. Choose Maysun Solar, we have quality solar panels to meet your needs, contact us to build a green future together!