In layman's terms if we need to draw the conclusion in a line that it would be – ‘Solar Panels lasts for 25 years.
However, there are many quality-related parameters, site conditions, handling of the panel, etc play a major role in determining the age of Solar panels.
The above is an extract from Waaree’s PV module datasheet, where in manufacturer gives a warranty on the generation degradation of a PV module. That is one way to find out the electrical generation life of a PV module.
Most of the manufacturers commit to guarantee 90% panel production for the first 10 years of a PV panel and 80% for the remaining 15-20 years.
All solar panels degrade slowly over time. That means less electricity is generated from the same amount of sunlight. Why and how does this happen? Various external factors (such as weather) can wear down panels and adversely affect their ability to generate electricity.
One of his methods of deterioration of solar panels is through microcracks that form in the silicon of the solar cells. These tiny cracks degrade electrical connections. This means there are fewer paths for these electrons to travel from the sun, so less energy reaches your inverter and your home, business, or farm. There are also problems such as poor adhesion and discolouration of the junction box.
This is a difficult problem to solve, as the panel deteriorates differently depending on various factors. Solar panel manufacturers are constantly evolving and developing ways to reduce this rate of degradation so that the panel's output can be maintained. However, for the time being, the module is guaranteed to degrade at no more than a certain rate, so you can be sure your investment is safe.
Once your system has been installed by Paradise Energy Solutions, our Triple 10 Warranty provides additional security for your investment. This adds a 10-year solar power warranty, 10-year system monitoring, and a 10-year labour warranty.
There are many factors that contribute to solar panel degradation , many of which focus on one that is very difficult to control: the weather.
Microcracks are often caused by temperature changes. Almost everything expands when it gets warm. It shrinks when cold. Solar panels are also not affected by this. The constant back-and-forth movement stresses the panel and causes small cracks.
High winds can also cause panel deflection. This is also known as dynamic mechanical loading. However, as long as the PV system is professionally installed and uses high-quality panels, it will not be a significant source of degradation. Extremes of cold and heat, humidity, snow and ice also slowly contribute to solar panel degradation, as do solar system components with different electrical potentials.
Another question is, "Does sunlight cause degradation?" – Exactly what drives solar panels? Luckily, most solar panel manufacturers manufacture their panels with UV blockers that protect them from most damage, but yes. The sun itself causes deterioration.
In fact, modules degrade at their fastest rate during their first exposure to the sun and its ultraviolet rays, hours after installation. This is known as light-induced degradation (LID). A panel can degrade 1-3% in that short time but degrades much slower after that.
On average, solar panels degrade by 1% each year. This is backed by a solar panel manufacturer warranty that guarantees 90% of his production for his first 10 years and 80% by his 25th or 30th year.
However, a study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) paints a more accurate picture of solar panel degradation. The study examined the degradation rate of nearly 2,000 solar systems worldwide in different climate zones and found that monocrystalline modules manufactured after the year 2000 had a degradation rate of only 0.4%.
PV modules show a few per cent degradation immediately with LID, but the rate of degradation slows significantly over the rest of their lifetime.
Solid objects falling at force on the PV panels can break them with causes like – Man-made, hail storms, sand storms, etc.
Lightening strike
Damage by animals
Thunderstorms, hurricanes, etc
Solar panels inevitably wear out, just like a car only drives a certain mileage and devices start to lose connectivity after years. However, we are making the right investments to reduce business overheads and household monthly expenses.
But is there a way to prolong the life of the solar panel, like changing the oil in your car regularly? We recommend that you plan this before installing your system. Solar panels are robust and pressure resistant, but the panels can be severely damaged during the rough installation process. You want assurance that the system will be used and installed with the utmost care for the long term. This goes a long way in keeping energy production high throughout the life of the system and beyond.
Another factor a solar installer should consider when planning a solar system is site selection. Avoid placing the panel near anything that can cause physical damage, such as Wind blowing trees and bushes against the panels, accelerating their deterioration.
Solar power is a relatively safe investment, but regular maintenance and cleaning can also help extend the life of your solar panels. However, it can harm your system, so working with a product or company that employs proper cleaning and maintenance practices is essential.
Read Further: What is the Average Lifespan of a Solar Panel?
Just because your solar power system has reached its expected lifespan doesn't mean you can't still generate energy and save money. A manufacturer decides that a solar panel has reached the end of its “life” when module production drops below 80%, but that doesn’t mean it’s useless. The panel will continue to produce energy for years, but with less efficiency.
Ageing is an unavoidable and normal part of owning a solar panel. Nothing lasts forever, but the savings your solar system creates over its lifetime can be saved or reinvested in your website. Some of our customers pay for themselves in just 5 years and get 25 years of free electricity.
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Waaree Energies Ltd. is the flagship company of Waaree Group, founded in 1989 with headquarters in Mumbai, India. It has India's largest Solar panel manufacturing capacity of 5GWs at its plants in Surat and Umbergaon in Gujarat. Waaree Energies is amongst the top players in India in Solar Panel Manufacturing, EPC Services, Project Development, Rooftop Solutions, and Solar Water Pumps and is also an Independent Power Producer. Waaree has its presence in over 380 locations nationally and 20 countries internationally. Step on to your cleaner journey by contacting us at 18002121321 or mail us at waaree@waaree.com
