In the last 10 years, solar energy installations have grown by 42% every year! We’re becoming more eco-conscious, seeking out alternatives to fossil fuels that’ll eventually run out.
If you’re thinking about getting solar panels for your home, then you might be wondering how long they last. That way, you can budget better and figure out if they’re worth your time.
Read on to find out the average solar panel lifespan and what can affect their longevity.
The Average Solar Panel Lifespan
While many factors will change the lifespan of solar panels, expect the average to be around 25 years.
And this doesn’t mean the panels just give out after a few decades either! Once they get up to 20+ years old, you’ll get solar panel degradation and they won’t be as efficient. However, even after 2 decades, the output should still be around 90% of their original output, which still isn’t bad at all!
If you’re wondering about the price of solar panels, check out blueravensolar.com/blog/price-of-solar-panels/ for more info.
Now, let’s cover what can either shorten or extend the lifespan of your solar panels.
Brand and Quality
Like almost everything else in life, what you pay for is what you get.
For those who choose to do in-depth research and spend a little more on high-quality brand names, this will pay off in the future. That extra bit of money spent will increase the chances of your solar panels lasting for much longer.
In fact, high-quality panels degrade as little as 0.3% per year, while lower-quality ones degrade at 0.8% per year! So opt for Tier 1 solar panels if you can.
Weather in Your Area
Weathering can deteriorate your solar panels, sometimes quicker than usual. For example, if you live somewhere that gets lots of hail or strong winds, the hail and debris can cause microcracks to appear on your panels, as well as flexing. As a result, they might break down completely in the near future.
Quickly changing extreme temperatures can also cause solar panels to weaken, due to the contraction and expansion of materials.
Maintenance
As with your car and HVAC system, it helps to have periodic maintenance checks on your solar panel system. That way, if there are any small issues, professionals can diagnose and fix them before they become larger and more costly problems.
Keeping up with maintenance means your solar panels will be in tip-top shape, which can help fend off deterioration.
Install Solar Panels on Your Home
The average solar panel lifespan is about 25 years. And even after that, the panels don’t completely break down. They’ll still work, just not at the same efficiency as before.
So if you’ve been on the fence about installing solar panels, we hope this article has convinced you to bite the bullet. Do your part in looking after our planet!
For more articles about eco-friendly solutions, take a look at our blog page now.
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