One of the things that you probably want to find out about if you have new solar panels or you’re considering having them installed is whether they’ll eventually need to be replaced. It’s a common question, and this guide should clear things up for you.
There are a few things we’ll need to cover in order to provide you with the answers you’re looking for. So read on now and find out more.
Do Solar Panels Need to be Replaced?
There are instances when a solar panel might need to be replaced. But there’s not a set amount of time after which you need to replace them. Instead, it’s more about looking after them and maintaining them to get the best out of them. You should only ever need to replace your solar panels if they’re no longer performing as they should or if they sustain damage for whatever reason.
Manufacturer Warranties
One of the things you’ll want to take into account is the warranty that your panels come with. This is something that you should pay attention to because the longer the warranty is, the better it is for you if something does go wrong and your panels need replacing. You’ll find that most companies offer a warranty on their solar panels that lasts for somewhere between 10 and 15 years.
What Kind of Lifespan Can You Expect from Your Solar Panels?
So how long can you expect your solar panels to last? For most good-quality solar panels, you can expect them to last at least 20 to 25 years, but many of them will also last a lot longer than that. There’s a 5% degradation rate with each year that passes, and you’ll more than likely find that your solar panels continue performing as they should for three decades or more.
Factors That Might Influence the Lifespan of a Solar Panel
There are factors that might impact the lifespan of your solar panels and potentially reduce it. The elements are the main thing to be concerned about. Water, snow, wind, ice and humidity are not going to break your solar panels in one event. But over the course of years and decades, those factors will eventually start to take their toll and could ultimately limit the lifespan of your solar panels.
Replacing Solar Panels When Necessary
When your solar panels do eventually stop performing as they should and you feel the time’s right to replace them, you should let a professional take care of the work. This is not the kind of task that you want to take on by yourself if you’re not a solar panel installation specialist. Safety, efficiency and effectiveness will all be improved if you allow a professional to complete the work.
As you can see, solar panels are pretty durable, so it should be quite a long time before you have to worry about replacing them. And in the meantime, you can enjoy green and affordable energy from a renewable source, so make the most of it.
