How Long A Solar Panel Will Last

How long do solar panels last.

How long a solar panel will last. This stark difference is probably due to how well the different technologies deal with moisture and salt corrosion. As a general solar industry rule of thumb solar panels last about 25 30 years. If you re considering switching to solar as a long term investment then traditional monocrystalline or polycrystalline panels are the way to go. You can count on most photovoltaic solar panels to last 25 years before they begin to noticeably degrade.

Sunlight that reaches the solar panels generates electricity that is stored into the solar light batteries and is used once it is dark outside. The batteries in solar lights typically last for 2 years before they have to be replaced as they are no longer able to hold enough energy to provide lighting. They will last at least 25 years and definitely give you a return on your investment especially if your utility company offers net metering. Portland s maritime climate gives crystalline panels an average degradation rate of 0 56 per year and a lifespan of nearly 36 years.

In reality solar panels can last quite a bit longer than that. 1 however this doesn t mean the panels on your roof will stop producing electricity after a couple of decades. Investing in solar energy is a long term commitment. A panel s degradation rate materials temperature coefficient warranty and caliber of installation all influence how long it ll hold up over time.

Polycrystalline silicon panels on the other hand are blue in color. However this doesn t mean that they stop producing electricity after 25 years it just means that energy production has declined by what manufacturers consider to be a significant amount. Of course that number is just an estimate. At vivint solar however we work with the best manufacturers and they re so confident in their panels that they offer 25 year warranties.

Solar panels last about 20 years according to the federal trade commission. The great news is that with proper maintenance your panel may actually run for as long as 40 50 years. Most solar panel companies will provide a standard 25 year warranty for the expected life expectancy of the solar panels. Some solar panels are built to last 10 or 15 years while some perform for decades.

To put your mind at ease studies have proven solar panels can last anywhere between 25 to 30 years or sometimes more. A study by nrel shows that the majority of panels still produce energy after 25 years albeit at slightly reduced output. That being said the federal trade commissionestimates that many solar panels last for about 20 years.