Are you looking to install solar panels in your home on a budget?
Solar panels offer a green, affordable way to power your home. They allow you to turn your electricity on while reducing your carbon footprint.
You might have a few questions if you’re new to clean energy. You might be looking to install solar panels because of their sustainable energy. If so, knowing how long they last is a big decision.
Keep reading to find out how long solar panels last.
Quality of Materials
How long the panels last depends on the quality of the materials used. People who want to get the most out of their long-term investment usually choose better materials, which tend to last longer and be more stable.
When making their solar panels, companies that use better quality materials tend to use tempered safety glass, metal frames, and galvanized or stainless steel junction boxes that can last for a long time.
This ensures that the panel’s power output stays at its best for longer. This makes solar panels made with these materials a safe, long-term investment.
Panel Design
Solar panel design has a significant influence on the lifespan of a solar panel. In recent years, advances in solar panel technology have given us a better understanding of panel design, helping to create more efficient and robust panels.
With new designs, photovoltaic cells are eco-friendly solar power and last longer, increasing the product’s lifespan. This can add years to a solar panel’s lifespan.
Unfortunately, environmental exposure, like storms or dust storms, can reduce this lifespan or cause other problems. Yet, as long as you take the proper measures to protect your panels, you should be able to extend their lifespan.
Installation
Solar panel lifespan depends on the installation quality. Well-installed ones last longer. A professional installer will tilt the boards to maximize energy and secure them to their mountings to prevent wind damage.
Find a thorough and professional contractor for the first installation to get the most out of solar for years to come.
Location
The location of solar panels can have an impact on their lifespan. Solar panels located in cold climates, like Canada, tend to experience lower levels of UV radiation, which can damage the interior and exterior of the solar panel and reduce its lifespan.
Solar panels in hot and humid climates, such as the southern United States, may suffer from increased levels of UV radiation, which could reduce their lifespan. Generally, solar panels in hot climates tend to have shorter lifespans than those in colder climates.
Orientation
How a solar panel is set up affects how much energy it can make and is crucial to how long it will last. Most of the time, Northern Hemisphere solar panels work best when facing south. This is because they will get the most sunlight each day.
It will help if you put the solar panels up on a sloped surface to get the most sun and lessen the effect of trees, other buildings, and other things that block the sun.
Shading
Shaded panels can reduce solar efficiency and impact how long solar PV systems last. Shading can cause the current generated to dip and reduce the power output.
This can damage the PV modules and battery system over time, leading to a shorter lifespan. To keep your solar system functioning, minimize shading as much as possible.
Position your solar PV system to catch more sun, and ensure that objects like trees or buildings do not block the sunlight during critical peak hours. Solar panels can last up to 30-35 years with proper placement and maintenance.
Maintenance
Proper solar panel maintenance includes:
- Checking the photovoltaic (PV) connections
- Inspecting the panels for defects
- Cleaning the surfaces
- Removing snow, dirt, and debris
Testing, inspecting, and adjusting mechanical PV system components, including mounting racks and wiring, is also required.
You should check inverters and backup batteries to catch issues early. To ensure repairs, a solar professional should check your system.
Maintaining your solar system is essential for peak energy output.
Temperature
Temperatures that are too high can cause dramatic decreases in the lifespan of solar panels. In contrast, too low temperatures can cause systems to shut down. For optimal performance, the solar cells should reside where temperatures do not exceed 85 degrees celsius and do not go below -40 degrees Celsius for extended periods.
It would help if you kept the solar modules out of direct sunlight to ensure your system’s longevity. You need to seal all connections and avoid moisture or water infiltration.
Humidity
Some parts of solar panels, like the wiring, can break down when exposed to humidity, making them last less long. High humidity and rain debris can do a lot of damage to the parts of solar panels, causing them to break down and needs to replace.
To ensure your solar system lasts as long as possible, keep it in good shape and check it often for signs of damage, like rust from humidity.
Manufacturing Defects
While the panels tend to be resilient and not susceptible to damage, manufacturing defects can shorten the average lifespan of solar panels. You can immediately see some of these defects, such as missing components. In contrast, you may detect others over time as the panel’s performance decrease.
Welded connections or wrong junction boxes can lead to corrosion or water infiltration and activate early failure. To ensure long-lasting solar panels, manufacturers must ensure that each piece of equipment meets the highest quality standards.
This includes enforcing strict inspections and testing each panel before releasing it. With these measures in place, you can expect solar panels to last for their desired lifespan with minimal breakdowns due to manufacturing defects.
A Guide About How Long Solar Panels Last
Solar panels can last a very long with proper upkeep, but the exact duration varies depending on the technology. Thus, it needs to do adequate research to determine how long solar panels last you can expect.
If you’re considering investments in solar energy, contact a qualified professional to ensure you get the most out of your installation.
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