How long does your solar panel last?
Solar panels are becoming increasingly popular in recent years and has brought a slew of perks to homeowners who make use of solar energy: reducing energy costs, increasing the value of their home and reducing their carbon footprint. But solar panels also come at a steep price up front. And before making a large investment in buying solar panels, homeowners naturally want to understand how many years of use they'll get out of them. This page not only details how long solar panels last, but also how you can keep them from deteriorating.
As a general rule of thumb, solar panels last for about 25-30 years. However, this doesn’t mean that they stop producing electricity after 25 years---it just means that energy production has declined by what manufacturers consider to be a significant amount.
Solar panels can continue to work for many decades, given they aren’t physically damaged by wind, debris, or any other external factors. This is primarily because solar panels don’t have any moving parts---they rarely break from within and are usually only damaged by outside forces like a poor racking setup or inclement weather.
There are a variety of factors that can contribute to the productivity of a solar panel and either increase or decrease its lifespan. Some of those factors include:
Just like leaving your car sitting outside at the mercy of the elements, it’s almost certain solar panels left without maintenance will fall victim to failures. But don’t despair. Here are three tips that could add years to the life expectancy of your solar power system.
Tip 1: Team up with a trustworthy solar provider
The smartest way to ensure your solar panels work for a long term is to partner with a well-respected solar installer who offers solid customer service.
Tip 2: Keep your panels clear of debris and other damaging materials
When your panels are free from leaves, dirt, pollen, dust, bird droppings and falling branches, this gives them the perfect scenario to generate the highest amount of solar energy possible. You can also read more on how to clean your solar panels today.
In case your panels are obstructed or damaged by any of these elements and you don’t have the proper training or equipment to take further action, please contact your solar provider to receive assistance.
Tip 3: Make sure your panels are regularly monitored and maintained
A healthy solar system is a happy system. Doing routine maintenance checks will help keep your solar system’s panel performance, meters and other parts running at maximum efficiency.
Solar installers all want to make their solar panels work as long as possible. As we mentioned before, you can find a trustworthy solar provider. Road Smart has released new product---Solar Panel RS Series, which is of high quality and have great performance. If you are interested in this new series of product, please contact us.
As a general rule of thumb, solar panels last for about 25-30 years. However, this doesn’t mean that they stop producing electricity after 25 years---it just means that energy production has declined by what manufacturers consider to be a significant amount.
Factors that affect the lifespan of solar panels
There are a variety of factors that can contribute to the productivity of a solar panel and either increase or decrease its lifespan. Some of those factors include:
Quality
As with most things, the quality, materials and type of solar panels you install will impact how well they work and how long they last. While low-quality materials may be more affordable, they may also degrade more quickly.Climate
Extreme weather can reduce the life of a solar panel. If you live in an area with cold temperatures, heavy rain, snow and hail, you might find that your solar panels degrade more quickly. For example, rain can create corrosion on your solar panels if they are not installed correctly. This corrosion can reduce your panel’s ability to convert the sun’s rays into clean electricity.Installation
The way your panels are installed -- and the racking system they are installed on -- can impact their degradation rate.Maintenance
Just as anything else of value you buy, solar panels last longer when they are well-maintained. Panels may degrade more quickly if they are dirty, have debris on them or don't undergo regular maintenance.Three tips to make your home solar panels last longer
Just like leaving your car sitting outside at the mercy of the elements, it’s almost certain solar panels left without maintenance will fall victim to failures. But don’t despair. Here are three tips that could add years to the life expectancy of your solar power system.
Tip 1: Team up with a trustworthy solar provider
The smartest way to ensure your solar panels work for a long term is to partner with a well-respected solar installer who offers solid customer service.
Tip 2: Keep your panels clear of debris and other damaging materials
When your panels are free from leaves, dirt, pollen, dust, bird droppings and falling branches, this gives them the perfect scenario to generate the highest amount of solar energy possible. You can also read more on how to clean your solar panels today.
In case your panels are obstructed or damaged by any of these elements and you don’t have the proper training or equipment to take further action, please contact your solar provider to receive assistance.
Tip 3: Make sure your panels are regularly monitored and maintained
A healthy solar system is a happy system. Doing routine maintenance checks will help keep your solar system’s panel performance, meters and other parts running at maximum efficiency.
Solar installers all want to make their solar panels work as long as possible. As we mentioned before, you can find a trustworthy solar provider. Road Smart has released new product---Solar Panel RS Series, which is of high quality and have great performance. If you are interested in this new series of product, please contact us.