Everyone knows that solar panels are a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and save money on your energy bill. With that, they do cost a lot to install so one might wonder how often they need to be replaced. And what happens if they do need to be replaced? In this blog post, we will answer all these questions and more!

The lifespan of solar panels

Solar panels are an important part of any home or business that relies on solar power systems to meet its energy needs. But how long do solar panels last?

Most solar panels have a warranty that lasts for 20 to 25 years. However, this does not mean that the panel will stop working after this period of time. In fact, solar panels continue to produce electricity for 30 years or more. The exact solar panel lifetime depends on a number of factors, including the quality of the materials used and the conditions under which it is installed and operated.

A study, named "PV Lifetime Project" conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has found that the average lifespan of a PV module is about 25 years. However, some modules have been found to still be producing power after more than 30 years. The study has also found that about 20% of modules fail within the first five years.

In short, how often do solar panels need to be replaced? The answer depends on a number of factors, but most solar panels should last for at least 20 years. If you are concerned about the lifespan of a solar system, consult with a qualified installer to get an estimate of their expected lifetime.

Solar Panel Degradation

Like every piece of machinery, the solar systems also degrade as years go by. The degradation process of a solar panel is cumulative, meaning that every day the panel produces less power than it did the day before.

How much power a solar panel will produce in its lifetime decreases by 0.45% each year. However, most manufacturers use a standard degradation rate of 0.75% each year.

Now if you're like most people and have your solar panels installed on your roof, then you probably have 30 to 40 years of production. But how much power the solar panel produces in 30 to 40 years is a fraction of what it originally produced when the solar panel system was new.

What affects the solar panel degradation rate?

While there are numerous factors that contribute to the degradation of solar panels, the common factors are-

1. Temperature and Weather
2. Lack of Maintenance
3. Partial Shading by Clouds or Dust
4. Quality of the Solar Panels

To read more about all the factors that affect solar panel degradation rate in detail, click here!

How to extend the life of solar panels?

As solar panels become more popular and affordable, it's important to ensure that they last as long as possible. Solar panels can have a lifespan of up to 25-30 years but there are steps you can take to extend their life even further.

Regular Cleaning

How long solar panels last? The answer depends upon how often you clean it! The best way to extend the life of solar panels and make the solar panels last longer is by regularly cleaning your solar system. This step will help remove any dirt, dust, or debris that may have accumulated on the panel prevent it from causing further damage, and even reduce the degradation rate of your solar system. You can either clean them yourself or hire a professional to do it for you.

Regular Maintenance

You can also increase the life of your solar power system by properly maintaining your solar system. Make sure to keep all cables and connectors tight and free of corrosion, and check the inverter for any signs of overheating.

Full Sun Exposure

Ideally, solar panels should be in full sun exposure for maximum performance. Partial shading will decrease the output of your system and may cause the panel to overheat. Make sure your solar panel installer uses solar design software, so your panels are positioned perfectly, leaving no room for shading!

Quality Panels

The best way to ensure that your solar panels last as long as possible is by purchasing quality panels from a reputable manufacturer. Cheap solar panels might sound attractive, but they will degrade a lot faster than good-quality solar panels. So make sure you research well before investing in solar panels.

Replacing Solar Panels

Now that we know how often solar panels need to be replaced, the next question is what happens when they do? The most common option for replacing solar panels is to buy a new panel and install it alongside the old one. This can get expensive quickly since a single solar panel can cost upwards of $200.

Another option is to buy a solar panel kit, which includes everything you need to replace solar panels- the panel, inverter, wiring and more! This can be a great option if you're looking for an upgrade or want to add additional panels to your system.

Finally, some companies offer a warranty for solar panel replacement. So if your solar panels do degrade below their warranted power output, the company will replace them free of charge!

Repairing Solar Panel VS Replacing Solar Panel

If your solar panels only have a few broken or damaged cells, it may be more cost effective to repair them instead of replacing the entire panel. This is because repairing solar panels is much cheaper than replacing them.

You can either find a company that specializes in repairing solar panels. But before you decide to repair your solar panels, make sure you weigh the costs and benefits carefully. Sometimes it's just not worth it!

What other solar panel components need repair or replacement?

Solar panels are not the only components of a solar energy system sold in the solar industry that need to be regularly maintained. The inverter and mounting system also require regular inspection and, if needed, repair or replacement.

The inverter is responsible for converting the Direct Current (DC) electricity produced by the solar panels into Alternating Current (AC) electricity that can be used in your home or business. If the inverter fails, it will not be able to convert the DC electricity into AC power and you will lose all of the benefits of having a solar energy system installed.

The mounting system is what holds the solar panels in place on your roof or in your yard. It is important to make sure that the mounts are secure and properly aligned so that the solar panels can collect as much sunlight as possible.

If you are experiencing any problems with your inverter or mounting system, it is best to call in a professional to take a look and make the necessary repairs or replacements. Trying to do the work yourself could result in further damage and costly repairs down the road.

To keep your solar energy production at its peak, be sure to have it inspected and maintained regularly by a qualified technician. Solar panel replacement is not typically required very often, but it's important to stay on top of all of the components that make up your solar energy system.

Conclusion

In the end, remember that reputable solar panel manufacturers will provide a warranty for their products. Depending on the brand and type of solar panel you purchase, warranties vary from as short as five years to as high as 25 years. But ideally, at the very least, they should last for 10 years. So before making your purchase, check with the manufacturer to see what kind of warranty they offer and how long it is.

So in case, your solar panels are malfunctioning they can be easily replaced or repaired and you don't need to pay a lot for repairing or replacing them. If you do not receive a warranty on the panels you buy, don't be surprised if it becomes difficult to find someone who can repair them when they break down. Cheap solar cells usually mean that cheap manufacturing processes are used which leads to poor quality and increased degradation rates which means that your panels won't produce as much power as a good quality solar panel.

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