HOW LONG WILL MY SOLAR PANELS LAST?
One of the most common questions regarding solar panels is the justifiably asked “How long will they last?”
To get the best answer to that question – actually the best answer would be “eternally”, so I guess the second-best answer to that question – you’ll need to take the right first steps.
- Research Reliable Solar Power System Manufacturers
Have your list ready for when you start talking to sales reps. The quality of the panel’s components will make all the difference to their longevity. There are a few factors that determine the quality and therefore lifespan of solar panels. Cheap and nasty manufacturers will create products with:
Shoddily soldered joints
Exposed cables
Dodgy electrical interconnections
Low-quality and/or badly applied adhesive
Substandard materials
- Understand Your Climate
In Australia we generally avoid the extreme cold, (though we do rug up a bit in trackies and Ugg boots over winter). Extreme cold, can be tough on solar panels but that is more the case with a substandard product. So, we’re lucky. The “lucky country” right?
- Be Prepared to Actually Care for Your Panels
Keeping your panels clean and away from external issues like falling branches can go a long way to giving them a prosperous life.
If you’ve taken those steps then you can know that generally speaking, a decent solar cell will have a 25-year lifetime. This is more than enough time for your investment to be rewarded over and over again.
When Can I Tell if it’s Time to Have them Replaced?
There are two main things to look out for:
– Wear and tear
– Output
A good solar panel manufacturer will have in-house software that can track and record the amount of energy being provided by your panels. You want it to stay above 80% efficiency.
A knowledgeable company rep can provide you with more information about how to keep track of your systems aging issues and efficiency.
Talk to one of our expert team members for more information about this or any other solar system questions you may have.
