There is no doubt that solar panels can need a significant investment but their longevity and potential benefits can mean that paying for them is considered to be a very sound investment.
Lifespan Explained
Solar panels typically last for 25 to 30 years, according to industry standards. Many manufacturers even offer warranties for production lasting 25 years or even more. Considering that many solar panel installations can cover their own value in less than 10 years, this demonstrates one of the major plus points for this type of energy generation. You should be able to enjoy around 25 years before any significant degradation occurs or before you start to notice any reduction in energy production.
Even after this period, solar panels don’t just stop producing energy. Many will continue for much, much longer but they are likely to be less efficient than they were when new.
Warranties
Along with solar panel production warranties, a lot of manufacturers also offer shorter cover for the equipment related to the panels. This could help to cover issues such as extreme weather damage.
Solar inverters do not generally last as long as solar panels, with a typical lifespan of 10 to 15 years. This is down to how hard they have to work, but they are fairly affordable when it comes time to replace them. Read more about how solar inverters work on the HIES website.
Longest Lasting
The quality of your solar panels may well influence how long they last. There are three categories, with Tier 1 being the highest quality with the likelihood of higher outputs after 25 years than the other two tiers. An NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) study has found that the average output for all solar panels will still be around 89% of their original output even after 25 years of operation.
How and where your panels are installed can also affect their lifespan due to factors such as climate or the effects of incorrect positioning or racking. Maintenance can also help increase lifespan.
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