How long will my solar panels last?

When making the large investment into solar panels, it is important to understand how long your panels are going to last. The average lifespan of a solar panel is 25-30 years, and there are several factors that determine how long it will last. While some panels last as long as the typical warranty of 25 years, other panels end up living longer than 30 years. If you want your panels to last as long as possible, keep reading this blog to learn exactly which factors will help dictate how long your panels will live.

Getting quality solar panel parts is the important first step.

Having quality parts in your solar panel is the core of increasing its lifespan. The longevity of panels is directly related to the quality of their parts. Most solar panels are created with the following components: glass, aluminium frame, solar cells, encapsulant, and tedlar.

The best manufacturers have stricter selection choices beyond what’s mandated by international certification like IEC 61215. They figure out ways to simulate stress during the expected lifetime of the solar panel. This combines the impact of temperature variation, humidity, mechanical stress, and UV to ensure your panel will be able to handle a variety of tense situations. It’s important to make sure the panel you choose has all the appropriate materials, as gone through rigororous testing, and that the company you choose to buy your parts from has reviews that reflect quality and professionalism. 

Make sure the materials you’ve chosen work well together.

It is crucial that the parts you choose actually work well together and that their assemblage is done correctly. It’s important to do a lot of research before choosing your parts to ensure that everything you’ve chosen actually fits well and will provide optimum efficiency. The combination of assembly and appropriate parts will be a main factor that decides how long your solar system will last.

The conquest of quality in the industry is ongoing. The industry is still relatively young and has yet to reach a level where high quality standards are spread out evenly. This means that you’ll want to do a lot of research into the company you choose to buy from. Since PV manufacturers are growing, not all products are the built the same. Many choose to use cheap materials so that they can sell their products for cheaper, hoping to get more customers. Unfortunately, these cheaper products usually don’t last nearly as long, so it’s always better to pay a little more for the quality products you need for a long-lasting panel.

Make sure your panels are installed correctly by professionals.

If solar panels aren’t properly installed, you’ll risk greatly decreasing the lifespan of your solar panel system. Below are factors to consider that you’ll want to ask your installer about to make sure they install everything properly and give you the best system possible:

• Store and transport modules to prevent microcracks.
• Check visible defects on the panels before the installer begins the installation.
• Ensure the installer handles the panels with care.
• Ensure the installer properly connects the wiring.
• Understand slope and clamping to ensure maximum self cleaning and mechanical resistance.
• Look out for any shading present on the panels.

Your panels will degrade over time, no matter how quality they are.

Once the panels are properly installed, their performance will degrade over a period of time, regardless of how well they were installed and the quality of your panels. A majority of this is caused by thermal stress and mechanical factors that influence the parts of the panels. The rate should be less than 1% per year. Most manufacturers display this in their guarantees. The degradation rate will stay low as long as you buy quality materials, ensure proper installation, and maintain your panels over their lifespan.

Want to learn more about proper solar panel installation and how to ensure you get the best solar panels possible? Check out the HahaSmart blog for daily updates!

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