Solar panels are becoming increasingly popular in the United States, largely thanks to the potential cost savings. There are also important environmental benefits of going solar and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.
If you are planning to make the switch to solar energy and install solar panels on your property, it’s helpful to understand what kind of lifespan you can expect from your system.
In this blog post, we will answer the question “How long do solar panels last on a house?” We’ll also share some tips to help you improve the longevity of your solar panel system.
How Long Do Solar Panels Last on a House?
Many solar panel companies today provide a 25-year warranty, and this is often taken as the expected lifespan on a solar panel system. However, just because the warranty expires after 25 years doesn’t mean that your solar panels won’t be able to absorb sunlight. It simply means that their ability to effectively absorb sunlight will be reduced.
We recommend that you choose Tier 1 solar panels. This is because, compared to Tier 2 and Tier 3, they have the lowest annual degradation rate. A solar panel’s degradation rate refers to how quickly they lose their ability to effectively absorb sunlight and convert it into solar energy.
Let’s look at the annual degradation rate for the 3 different tiers of solar panels:
- Tier 1 – 0.30%
- Tier 2 – 0.50%
- Tier 3 – 0.80%
With this rate in mind, we can see that Tier 1 solar panels will still have more than 93% of their original output after 25 years. Tier 2 will have more than 88%, and Tier 3 will have more than 82%. With proper care and maintenance, high-end solar panels can last for 40 to 50 years.
Tips for Prolonging the Solar Panel Lifespan
Solar panels are durable and require very little maintenance. We recommend that you simply wash down your solar panels 2 to 4 times a year using a garden hose or even a leaf blower.
Should you notice any issues with your solar panels, such as reduced efficiency or cracks, contact your solar provider and schedule a maintenance check. After a period of bad weather, such as a storm, it’s a good idea to take a quick visual inspection of your solar panels and check for any signs of damage.
If you’ve been considering the switch to solar but you’re worried about the cost, these tips can help make sure you can pay for less maintenance. To learn more about the costs of solar, head to blueravensolar.com/cost-of-solar/.
Make the Switch to Solar Energy
So, how Long Do Solar Panels Last? The bottom line is that solar panels can last for up to 50 years with proper maintenance.
After 25 years, it is reasonable that you can expect to notice a reduction in the effectiveness of your solar panel system. Still, this does not mean they won’t be able to absorb and convert sunlight into electricity.
The length of the solar panel life cycle is undoubtedly one of the main benefits of making the switch to solar energy.
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