At Amco Renewables, we’re dedicated to making the planet a cleaner, greener place with solar technology, and solar panels are a great start to reducing reliance on the grid, greater energy independence, and clean electricity with lower electricity bills.
When you install solar panels in your home, you may wonder how long your solar PV system will last—5, 10, maybe 20 years? The lifespan of your solar panels rely on a few key factors: the initial installation, the solar panel quality, and which solar panel manufacturers you used.
In this blog, we’ll talk about solar panel efficiency as they age, how long solar cells can last with professional solar installations and maintenance, and the average life expectancy of solar panels.
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Solar Energy: The Road To Free Energy
Solar panels are a key component of solar energy systems, and solar panels work by generating energy from sunlight to power homes and businesses. Solar panels help to reduce electricity costs in your home or business, and contribute to sustainable energy production.
When solar panels convert sunlight into energy, this becomes renewable energy which lowers energy bills and carbon emissions, making the world (and your wallet) a better place.
Key Factors Affecting Solar Panel Lifespan
The lifespan of solar panels is influenced by several factors, including installation quality, environmental factors, and maintenance routines.
High-quality panels, such as monocrystalline panels, tend to have a longer lifespan than lower-quality options. Proper installation and maintenance are key to ensuring solar panels operate efficiently and effectively, and for many years to come.
Adverse weather conditions, such as extreme weather events and high winds or high temperatures, can negatively impact the expected lifespan of solar panels. Extreme weather conditions can be based on location, and high humidity can cause physical damage to your solar panels, reducing their expected lifespan.
Understanding Solar Panel Degradation
Solar panels do indeed degrade over time, with most solar panels experiencing a degradation rate of 0.5-1% per year. By comparison, a standard boiler is around 1-3% in its first year of operation.
Solar panels degrade due to many reasons, including light-induced degradation, potential-induced degradation, severe weather conditions, and temperature changes. These events may produce micro cracks, which can lead to an enhanced degradation rate.
Average Lifespan of Solar Panels
The average lifespan of solar panels is around 25-30 years, although some panels can last longer with proper care and maintenance. Not to worry though, as many solar panels come with a warranty guaranteeing efficiency over a specified period, typically 25 years.
High-quality panels and proper installation can help extend the lifespan of solar panels.
Amco Renewables are proud suppliers of high-quality solar panels from reputable solar panel manufacturers. Browse our range of solar panels today.
How Long Do Solar Panels Last?
Solar panels can last for several decades, with some panels still producing electricity at 80% of their original efficiency after 25 years if installation quality, environmental conditions, and maintenance routines are high-quality. Regular maintenance and inspections can also help to extend the lifespan of your solar panels.
Understanding how long solar panels last is crucial for determining their value and potential return on investment.
Benefits of Solar Panels For Your Home
Solar panels offer numerous benefits, including reduced electricity bills, increased energy independence, and a lower carbon footprint.
Solar panels can also increase property value and provide a sense of security and control over energy production with clean energy. With the total cost of solar panels decreasing over time, they have become one of the most accessible and affordable renewable energy options.
Installation and Maintenance
Proper installation is critical to ensuring solar panels operate efficiently and effectively, and can produce how much electricity you need for as long as possible.
Regular maintenance, including cleaning and inspections, can help extend the lifespan of solar panels. Installation costs and maintenance requirements should be considered when investing in a solar panel system.
Environmental Considerations: Helping The Earth
Solar panels are a clean and environmentally friendly source of energy, producing no emissions or pollution, compared to traditional energy sources.
Solar panels help to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to a more sustainable energy future.
Understanding the environmental benefits of solar panels is essential for making informed decisions about their own energy production.
Battery Storage and Solar Panels
Battery storage can be used in conjunction with solar panels to store excess energy generated during the day for use at night or during power outages. Storage can help maximise the benefits of solar panels and provide a reliable source of energy.
Maximising Energy Production
To maximise energy production, solar panels should be installed in a location with optimal sunlight exposure, and undergo regular maintenance and inspections to ensure the solar panels are operating efficiently and effectively.
Factors that affect energy production, such as temperature and shading, can help optimise solar panel performance if dealt with properly.
Solar Panel Life Span FAQs
How often do solar panels need to be serviced?
Our recommendation is to maintain your solar panels with reputable solar panel installer every three to five years.
What is the life expectancy of solar panels?
Typically, a high quality solar panel can last 25-30 years if properly maintained.
How efficient are solar panels after 20 years?
Using the degradation rate info above, we can estimate that most solar panels maintain at least 80% of their original efficiency after 20 years.
