How long do solar panels last

Solar panels are built to last. Most come with a 25 to 30 year manufacturer warranty, but the reality is they typically perform well beyond that. There are first generation solar panels still in service after 40 years producing a substantial portion of their original output. According to NREL, only about 5 out of every 10,000 panels fail annually, making them one of the most reliable energy investments a homeowner can make.

Solar Panels Last, But Lose a Little Efficiency Over Time

Over time, solar panels gradually lose a small amount of their efficiency through a process called degradation. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, modern high quality panels degrade at a rate of just 0.5% to 0.8% per year. At that rate, after 25 years your panels will still be producing between 82% and 87.5% of their original output. Premium tier-1 panels can perform even better, with some degrading as little as 0.3% per year, meaning they could still produce over 93% of their original capacity after 25 years.

How Solar Panel Longevity Affects Your ROI

Most online calculators use the standard 25 year warranty period as the basis for projecting your return on investment. But here is the thing: if your panels outlast that warranty, and most do, every additional year of production is pure added value. The longer your system runs, the better your return. The best way to protect that investment is simple maintenance.

How to Maintain Your Solar System So It Lasts

Keeping your solar system performing at its best requires very little effort. Occasionally dusting off your panels and keeping nearby trees trimmed so shade does not reduce your output is really all it takes. Solar panels are remarkably low maintenance by design.

Inverters are a different story. They are typically warrantied for 10 to 15 years and will likely need to be replaced at some point during your system’s lifetime. If you are a Freedom Forever customer, you do not need to worry about monitoring your system for signs of trouble. We do that for you, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Freedom Forever’s 25-year production guarantee means worry-free power

Freedom Forever goes beyond a standard equipment warranty. We guarantee the actual power output of your system for 25 years. If your system ever produces less power than your agreement promises, we will fix the problem and reimburse you for any lost energy savings. No other solar company backs their systems with this level of commitment.

* Based on the terms and conditions of your agreement

Reference

Dirk Jordan and Sarah Kurz. (2019)  Photovoltaic Degradation Rates — An Analytical Review National Renewable Energy Labs.

Web 22 Apr 2019 https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy12osti/51664.pdf