How Long Do Residential Solar Panels Truly Last?

Are you considering investing in solar panels for your home? To help your money go further, you should understand everything that affects a residential solar panel’s lifespan.

At RxSun, our team of experts can discuss everything you should know about residential solar panels. Keep reading to benefit from their expertise and gain all the knowledge you need to make an informed decision.

The Average Lifespan of Residential Solar Panels

How long does the average solar panel last? You can expect an average life expectancy of around 25 to 30 years.

A process called photovoltaic degradation remains the most important factor in determining a solar panel’s lifestyle. Degradation reduces the energy efficiency and output of your panels, eventually requiring you to replace them.

Factors Contributing to Solar Panel Degradation

Most solar panel degradation occurs at a rate of about .5% per year. That means after 25 years, you can expect your panel’s efficiency to drop to around 87%.

How does this affect the lifespan of residential solar panels? Once your efficiency drops below 85%, your solar panel warranty will likely expire, and you’ll save more money in the long term by upgrading to newer panels.

Aging

Age is the major factor in power output degradation, and certain types of panels can have a degradation rate of up to .8%. As the panel ages, it experiences more hail, snow, and adverse weather effects that wear down its ability to produce power.

Certain Light Effects

Light-induced degradation occurs during the first year of your solar panel’s life. During this time, the sunlight increases the oxidation that occurs in the natural defects that all solar panels have. The phenomenon typically affects mono-crystalline silicon panels the most.

Excessive Current

Potential-induced degradation occurs when you string several cells together, creating a difference in current between two points. It results in power leakage that slowly degrades the efficiency of your panels. However, because it requires a large number of panels, the phenomenon usually only occurs in commercial and industrial installations.

Backsheet Failures

Backsheet failures can affect a residential solar panel’s lifespan. The Dupont analysis estimates up to 16% of solar panels experience this defect.

The back sheet consists of the top layer of your solar panel and helps protect it against weather, dust, and more. It fails when the sheet cracks or peels and can no longer protect your solar panel.

What Happens When Solar Panels Degrade?

When solar panels degrade, they significantly reduce the power they produce and their performance ratio. For example, a new solar panel operating at 100% efficiency can produce about five-kilowatt hours of power per day.

As the efficiency drops to 90%, it will only produce about 4.5 kWh. The average person uses about 20 kWh of power every day, so if you have 10 degrading solar panels, you’re losing a large percentage of your power requirements.

Extending Solar Panel Life

To get the best results from your panels, follow these tips for extending solar panel life:

• Clean your solar panels regularly and promptly remove snow accumulation.
• Schedule an annual inspection for your panels.
• Seal any gaps around the edges.
• Cover your panels during extreme weather.
• Protect them from intense temperatures with shade and equipment.

Importance of Regular Solar Panel Maintenance

Solar panel maintenance is the most important way of extending your module lifespan. Regular maintenance imparts the following benefits to your solar panel:

Prevents Early Degradation

Solar panel maintenance extends a residential solar panel’s lifespan because it helps prevent early degradation. Your panel will still lose efficiency at the normal rate, but you won’t worry about replacing it early from damage or back-sheet failure.

Improved Safety

Damaged or faulty solar panels can expose you to various safety hazards, including shock or an increased risk of fire. By scheduling regular maintenance, you ensure your panels stay intact and function as an asset rather than a liability.

Saves Money

While you’ll spend money investing in maintenance, you’ll save in the long run. You won’t replace your panels early, and with enhanced efficiency, you won’t have to spend money buying electricity from the power company.

3 Tips to Make Your Home Solar Panels Last Longer

What are the three most important tips for extending the lifespan of your solar panels?

1. Monitor your system’s electrical output and schedule service if you notice an unexplainable drop in efficiency.

2. Inspect your panels for damage after a storm.

3. Clean your solar panels at least twice a year or after every heavy rainfall.

Schedule Service for Your Solar Panels Today

When you want to maintain the lifespan of your residential solar panel, contact RxSun. Our experts use the highest-quality products and the most reliable installation methods, so you always protect your investment. We love answering questions about solar panels, so ask everything you’re wondering about.

To obtain a quote for solar panel installation, call 800-607-9786. Learn more now.