Solar panels are expected to last around 25-30 years on average. After this time, however, the solar panel won’t just cease working. It will simply start to be less effective in producing energy.
So, let’s have a look at the average lifespan of solar panels in some more detail, as well as some tips on how to keep them going for as long as possible!
Lifespan Of Solar Panels
The efficiency of solar panels tends to decrease by about 1 percent every year that they are in use.
What Can Shorten The Lifespan Of Solar Panels?
Poor Installation
If your solar panels were installed in a poor manner, such as some wires were left exposed during installation, or physical damage was inflicted on them during the installation process, this will immediately reduce the lifespan of your solar panels.
Ensure you get them installed by a trusty professional to prevent this from happening
Type Of Solar Panel
Different solar panels will have different life spans, so you should have a look at this before you buy, see some guidance on this later on.
How They Are Maintained?
You should have your solar panels inspected at least once a year to ensure that there are no small damages that can be easily repaired. It is best to fix these problems before they get bigger and shorten the lifespan of the panels!
Weather
The weather that your solar panels are exposed to will affect their lifespan. For instance, extreme weather conditions, temperature changes, high winds, snow and temperature changes will all have an effect.
Sun exposure will also shorten your solar panels’ lifespan, as it means the solar panels will be working harder!
Average Solar Panel Warranties
On average, manufacturers offer a 25 year warranty. Check the warranty that you are being offered to ensure you are getting a good deal!
Most commonly, the warranty will ensure that your panels will produce at least 80% of the output that they were producing when they were brand new.
The warranty of your product is very important as, chances are, over the 25 years average warranty, you may need to get in touch with the manufacturer for some help with damages.
Lifespan Of Different Types Of Solar Panel
Depending on the type of solar panel you have, they tend to have different lifespans. If you have a monocrystalline solar panel, you can expect it to last a very long time. These last from 25 to 50 years.
A polycrystalline solar panel is more likely to have reached its end after 25 years. The thin-film solar panels have a lower lifespan of around 10 to 20 years.
Can You Increase The Lifespan Of Your Solar Panels?
There are some things you can do to slow down the degrading performance of your solar panels and keep them going for longer. Read on for some tips and tricks on how to achieve this.
Tips To Increase The Lifespan Of Your Solar Panels
While the lifespan of your solar panels is mostly out of your hands, there are some things you can do to increase the chances of your solar panels living as long as possible! These are:
Clean The Panels
Keeping your solar panels clean is a very good way of ensuring their lifespan. It removes threats and increases efficiency.
rd droppings reduce the overall lifespan of a solar panel because they can be corrosive to the product. Debris on the surface can stop the UV rays from reaching the solar panels.
Get Them Inspected
Make sure you get a professional in every now and again to check them over for any problems that you may not be able to spot yourself! This will definitely increase the lifespan as they can fix any small problems before they become big ones!
Purchase High-Quality Solar Panels In The First Place
While it might be tempting to get the cheapest panels on the market, there is something to be said in getting a slightly more expensive manufacturer.
When you’re looking to buy, have a look at what is available, what kinds of warranties they offer, and the expected lifespan of the specific product! Going for the absolute cheapest one on offer may not always be the best decision for you.
Final Thoughts
You should now have all the information you need on the average lifespan of solar panels, as well as top tips on how you can protect your solar panels to keep them going for as long as possible!
While solar panels are very expensive investments, they do pay off in the long run because of their extremely long lifespan!
Hi, my name is Joe Danner and I am a keen believer in using renewable energy before it becomes a must. Currently, the majority of the world is still using fossil fuels while solar panels and wind turbines are a minority.
However, what people are seeming to skip over is the fact that solar panels are becoming cheaper every year. But what is going to happen when everyone needs a solar panel to power their homes? The prices are going to soar again.
I started my renewable energy journey 11 summers ago, and the savings that I have made have been unbelievable. My solar panels are set to pay for themselves in just a few months!
I will recommend renewable energy to anyone, as there are so many new products coming out to be used with it. That is why I have created this website, to reach a larger audience and try to convince you that solar panels are the way forward!
Get onboard before the price of these amazing products skyrockets again. Trust me - you won’t regret it.
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