How Many Years Will A Solar Panel Last

Properly maintaining your solar panels will help ensure they last longer.

How many years will a solar panel last.

Sunlight that reaches the solar panels generates electricity that is stored into the solar light batteries and is used once it is dark outside. In the years since this 2012 study was conducted more efficient technologies have been developed and many newer panels have just a 0 5 percent yearly decline in energy. In reality solar panels can last quite a bit longer than that. A study by nrel shows that the majority of panels still produce energy after 25 years albeit at slightly reduced output.

However just as the lifespan of solar panels has increased significantly in the past decade it is expected that solar batteries will follow suit as the market for energy storage solutions grows. That being said the federal trade commission estimates that many solar panels last for about 20 years. A solar panel sold today will last for 25 years. Of course that number is just an estimate.

To put your mind at ease studies have proven solar panels can last anywhere between 25 to 30 years or sometimes more. Most solar panels last 25 years with an average annual degradation rate of 50. At vivint solar however we work with the best manufacturers and they re so confident in their panels that they offer 25 year warranties. When you re considering investing in a solar installation wondering how long home solar panels last is a question that inevitably pops up.

The warranty typically guarantees panels will work above 80 of their rated efficiency after 25 years. Solar panel degradation rates are constantly improving as solar panel technology gets better over the years and degradation rates below 1 are common throughout the industry. If you install a solar battery today you will likely need to replace it at least once to match the 25 to 30 year lifespan of your pv system. You will know that it is time to change parts when the lights are unable to maintain charge to illuminate the area during the night.

After your investment is paid off your solar panels will continue to generate clean electricity for free and will continue to do so for as long as your equipment lasts. Solar panels do not go bad and very rarely are they faulty or break. But by that. Generally speaking the batteries in outdoor solar lights can be expected to last about 3 4 years before they will need to be replaced.

Of course that number is just an estimate. The leds themselves can last ten years or more. Solar inverters and solar batteries will need replacing within the 25 year solar panel lifespan. The only way we will know the actual performance of a solar panel over 25 years is by monitoring it for 25 years.