Solar panels have become extremely popular in the last decades. Investing in solar panels is a very smart decision since it comes with a wide range of different benefits. As a human race, we can contribute to our environment by implementing the idea of solar panels.
In addition to that, together can all work on creating a sustainable future. Many people who still did not have a chance to invest in solar panels are wondering how long they last as well as whether their effectiveness can degrade over time.
So, how Long Do Solar Panels Last?
Even though the answer to this question can depend on the manufacturers that launched solar panels, in general, the lifespan of solar panels is longer than 25 years. We can say that this is the industry standard warranty, but you can expect that your solar panels can last quite longer than that. This is a guaranteed period of their life, however, more than 90% of them will work efficiently even after those 25 years.
Investing in solar energy is truly a long-term commitment, however, this type of commitment is highly beneficial. The up-front cost can be bigger, that is not a doubt. However, you can be sure that this is a type of investment that will pay for itself over time. More precisely, you will be surprised how much you are going to have monthly savings on your energy bills.
Therefore, even though it seems too expensive for implementing this option and installing solar panels, you should consider the advantages you will get. You will primarily help yourself, but since they are a sustainable option, you are going to help the environment.
What are the reasons for solar panel degradation?
Now, you are probably wondering what causes the solar pannels degradation. The truth is that there are a couple of things that can affect the rate at which solar panels can lose their effectiveness. Continue reading and find out those reasons. Before we start with that part we want to tell you that luckily, there are some ways to extend the lifespan of solar panels and avoid the scenario of their degradation.
Now, solar panel efficiency is higher than it was before since the manufacturers are putting a lot of effort into developing high-quality solar panels that will satisfy clients’ needs and requirements. However, the amount of electricity that solar panels can have the ability to generate still declines slowly over time. As statistics show, even the most high-quality panels are degrading at a rate of 0.5% on a yearly basis. This means, that after their 30 years of lifespan their power efficiency is lesser by 12-15%. Now, let’s see some of the reasons for the solar panel power degradation rate.
Primarily, what causes solar panel power degradation rate?
In short, we can say that two crucial factors that affect panel power degradation are weather conditions as well as the exposition to UV rays. There are a couple of factors that will determine the speed at which a particular solar panel will degrade as time pass. Some of these factors are caused by the owner and some of them are affected by the installer.
The quality
There are different materials used in the creation of solar panels. In general, they all include solar glass, aluminum frames, and those particular solar cells. It is important that all of these materials are high-quality so the panel won’t break. Unfortunately, some of the manufacturers are using a smaller amount of aluminum for a frame so they can keep the price of the overall solar panel down.
However, if the frames are thin, they are more vulnerable and they can easily be damaged. This means that if you want to invest in solar panels, it is better to pay more for the quality. A panel that has low cost will bring you more costs in the long term since it will need to be fixed eventually.
Installation of the solar panels
It is very important to hire a professional service firm that is going to install your new solar panels. Even small scratches and inadequate electrical connections during the installation process can affect the overall solar panels’ performance. Now you understand why it is highly important to contact the expert people for this job, so you can avoid any type of damages that can be very costly.
In addition to this, you should know that it is also significant for the installer to ensure that the panels are placed on the roof at the right optimal angle, so they can get the most out of the mechanical resistance. You can visit this website to get high-quality service.
Maintenance of the panels
The good news is that solar panels are requiring minimal maintenance. You just need to keep an eye on them in case some dust is accumulated since it can affect the electricity output. Despite this, it would be wise to check the connections, cabling, as well as inverters so you can make sure that everything is in good condition.
Weather conditions
After extreme weather conditions including hurricanes, heatwaves, or snowstorms you need to check your solar panels. You can also expect that common weather conditions can affect the rate of their degradation rate in the aging term.
Benefits of Using Solar Energy
As we said at the beginning solar panels are extremely beneficial and popular nowadays. They are using solar energy that is obtained from the sun’s radiation and it s converted to heat and electricity. Best of all is the fact that this innovative technology is completely free, it will reduce your energy bills.
Since you are going to generate your own electricity you will not use it from the utility supplier. Despite that, solar panels are having an incredibly positive impact on our environment. They are the most healthy energy source since they are not producing gases and they do not pollute our waters. Finally, solar energy is applicable everywhere. As long as you are putting them on sunshine, solar energy will be used. This is especially beneficial for the areas that have no access to some other source of electricity.
