Part of the purpose of turning to renewable energy sources is to improve sustainability, but even solar panels cannot last forever. When planning their installation, you may need to consider their likely lifespan.
Expected Lifespan of Solar Panels
Solar technology is constantly improving. Some panels today may last for 40 or 50 years, although that does not mean they will maintain optimum performance for that long.
On average, you should expect your panels to remain effective for between 25 and 30 years. Warranties should last for around half the expected lifespan of the panels and generally guarantee that they will retain at least 80% effectiveness for the duration of the warranty.
Factors Affecting Degradation
Over time, your solar panels will experience a natural degradation, but this may be accelerated or delayed by a range of factors:
Light-Induced Degradation
When the panels are first installed, they enter a power stabilisation phase. This is caused by minuscule amounts of oxygen within the silicon wafer. The degradation rate is between 0.25% and 0.7% annually.
UV Exposure
UV radiation can lead to degradation in the encapsulation material, which can cause more widespread deterioration in the panels as a whole.
Weather
Extremes of wind, rain, humidity and temperature may damage the surfaces, contaminate the cells or harden the silicon. Rapid changes in temperature, known as thermal cycling, can create tiny cracks by expanding and contracting the panels. Panels in very cold, snowy areas degrade quicker than those in more moderate climates.
Potential-Induced Degradation
This is when high temperatures are combined with high voltage to cause currents to leak. This kind of degradation can cause a 30% reduction in energy production.
A solar panel installer such as /gsmlimited.com/services/solar-panels/worcester may be able to advise you not just on the expected lifespan of solar panels Worcester, but also their maintenance requirements so you can continue to maximise their performance over many years.
There are a variety of factors that can affect the degradation rate of solar panels. However, modern installations should last decades, and have warranties commensurate with that expectation.