How long do solar panels last? Quite a while

Updated: Feb 17, 2025
Created: Feb 17, 2025
11 min

Julia ZaraevaAuthor

Even though solar panels are designed to power your home for decades, they do have a finite lifespan. Over time, their ability to capture sunlight and turn it into electricity will gradually decline. Any reason to worry? Find out in this article.

Key takeaways

Solar panels typically last between 25 and 30 years, but their lifespan can vary depending on various factors.
Local climate, panel quality, and proper installation significantly impact solar panel longevity.
Regular cleaning, maintenance, and protection can help extend the lifespan of solar panels.

How long is lifespan of solar panels?

Solar panels are built to last, but not forever. Like any technology, they have a finite lifespan – typically between 20 and 30 years. While solar panels won't suddenly stop working after this period, their efficiency and power output will gradually decline over time and your panels will become less effective at converting sunlight into electricity as they age. This is called degradation.

Solar panel degradation rates

Solar systems may appear complicated. First, you have to choose all these different elements and maSolar panels typically degrade at a rate of about 0.5% to 0.8% per year, according to NREL, meaning that after 25 years, they will produce around 12-15% less power than when they were first installed. Higher-quality panels can degrade at a slower rate, sometimes as low as 0.3% per year. Most manufacturers offer power production guarantees that protect against drops in efficiency and may include replacement or repair of the panels. -consuming. Here is the good news: a system made of AC solar panels is much simpler. Well, is there any bad news? What are these ACpanels anyway? Let's find out.

Brand	Model	Power	Product warranty	Product warranty	Performance warranty	Performance warranty	Performance warranty
Talesun	Talesun Solar 540W Solar Panel 144 Cell Bifacial TD7G72M-540	540W	12 years	30 years	84.95%	$460
Q CELLS	https://a1solarstore.com/talesun-solar-540w-solar-panel-144-cell-bifacial-td7g72m-540.html	540W	25 years	25 years	25 years	86%	$460
JA Solar	JA Solar 545W Solar Panel 144 Cell Bifacial JA-JAM72-D30-545MB	545W	12 years	30 years	30 years	85%	$460
Silfab	Silfab 500W Solar Panel 132 Cell SIL-500-HM	500W	25 years	30 years	30 years	82.6%	$460
Panasonic	Panasonic 400W Solar Panel 132 cell PNS-400-EVP132GL	400W	25 years	25 years	25 years	92%

How quickly do solar panels degrade?

Solar panel degradation is fairly slow and, fortunately, predictable. You can even see a graph in the warranty section of your panel's data sheet showing how many percent of its initial value the module should produce after 10, 15 or 30 years. This allows you to always keep your finger on the pulse and know when your panels are not doing well.

What factors impact solar panel lifespan?

The lifetime of solar panels is only a rough benchmark. With proper care, you can extend the already long life of your panels by 5-10 years. So how to maximize the longevity of solar panels?

Choose high-quality equipment

The life expectancy of your solar panel system hinges on the quality of its components. Given the substantial investment involved, you need to take the best equipment within your budget. High-quality panels from reputable manufacturers adhering to strict quality standards are generally more durable and have a longer lifespan, and if they do break, you'll surely get what's owed to you under the warranty.

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Solar panel insurance: What protects your investment

There are two types of warranty - quality and performance - so pay attention to both when choosing modules. But we do advise treating very tempting warranty terms from young companies with a grain of salt. Half of new companies in the US close within the first five years of existence. If this happens, there would be no way to get your money back.

Hire reputable installers

Beyond equipment quality, you’ll need to find a reputable solar company to install your panels. After all, you need not only, well, to put the panels on the roof. First, you need to set the right angle and orientation so that your system gets the most sun possible. Second, secure them to ensure they don't get carried away by the wind and run the wires. And third, do not mess anything up so that rainwater doesn't drip into your morning coffee spoiling all the fun from your brand new system. For this, you need certified solar installers.

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5 tips on choosing a solar installer from A1 SolarStore engineer

Research companies in your region, consider their experience, accreditations, and brand reputation. Read customer reviews on reputable review sites. If your friends or friends of friends have had panels installed, ask them for contacts and whether they are happy with the installation quality.

Clean and maintain your system

Regular cleaning is the best thing you can do for your solar system, no matter yourself or hiring a cleaning company. Dust, debris, and bird droppings accumulating on your modules over time create a barrier, hindering sunlight absorption and reducing energy production. Cleaning them regularly can help to remove this layer of grim and improve their output and extend their lifespan. The frequency of cleaning may vary depending on local climate and pollution, but generally it is recommended to give your panels a proper wash once in six months.

Regular maintenance is another thing crucial for your solar system’s health. Periodic inspections help identify and address potential issues, such as loose connections, damaged cables, or signs of wear.

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Title

Many solar providers include maintenance checks in their warranties, which typically cover all system components, including the solar inverter, racking mounts, and any solar battery storage. Your solar provider may also offer a system maintenance app that tracks your panels' performance and energy generation. If you notice a significant decline in your system's performance, contact your provider to learn why.

Pay attention to local climate and environment

Extreme weather conditions, such as hailstorms, hurricanes, and heavy snowfall, can physically damage your solar panels. In some states, solar installers offer a special service – removing the solar panels from the roof before a hurricane hits. If such events are not unusual in your state, don't ignore this service, as in some cases it may even nullify your warranty.

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Too much sun: What is temperature coefficient of solar panels

High temperatures are another thing your solar panels don’t like. For each degree after 25 °C, a solar panel loses a fraction of its output. And 25 is not the air temperature, but the temperature of the module itself. In the datasheet, you can find the temperature coefficient – drop in module’s production when its temperature exceeds 25 °C or 77° F. Usually, the coefficient varies between −0.3%/°C and −0.5%/°C.

When to replace solar panels?

Despite 25-year warranty coverage and production guarantees, solar panels will eventually reach a point where they can no longer adequately power your home. While they may continue to produce some energy, the production rate will gradually decline until it becomes insufficient to meet your needs. In rare cases, panels may experience a complete power failure. When this occurs, you'll need to have your panels removed and replaced.

What happens at the end of solar panels' life?

When solar panels reach the end of their useful life, they typically have a significantly reduced efficiency, often to the point where they are no longer cost-effective to operate. At this stage, there are several options for disposal:
Recycling: Many solar panel manufacturers and recycling companies offer programs to recycle old panels. The materials used in solar panels, such as silicon, glass, and aluminum, can be extracted and reused to create new products.
Landfilling: While not the most environmentally friendly option, solar panels can be disposed of in landfills. However, it's important to ensure that they are properly handled to prevent the release of harmful substances.
Reuse and repurposing: In some cases, old solar panels can be reused or repurposed for other applications, such as providing power for small-scale projects or as building materials.

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Solar panel recycling: Problems of afterlife

Considerations for replacement

So how do you know it’s time to get rid of your old panels and buy new ones? Here are three sure signs:

Visible damage: Cracks, scratches, broken glass, delamination, hot spots, snail trails degrade your panel’s performance. If you notice any sign of damage, contact your installer to decide whether to repair or replace the damaged panels.
Growing demands: If your entire system is fine, but you’ve started running out of power, it means your modules are no longer able to keep up with your demands. If this is the case, you may either replace the system or buy extra panels. The problem is that adding solar panels to an existing system requires them to be the same in voltage and output. Finding panels that will match the ones you have on your roof can be tough. That’s why sometimes it makes sense to replace an old system with a brand new one.

How long does solar equipment last?

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3 signs that you might need to replace your solar panels & 3 false alarms

Here’s a table summarizing the key parts of a solar panel system, along with their average product warranties and lifespans:

Component	Average Warranty	Average Warranty
Solar Panels	10-25 years (performance warranty up to 25-30 years)	25-30 years
Inverter	5-15 years	5-15 years (depending on type)
Battery (if included)	5-10 years	5-15 years (depending on type)
Mounting System	5-10 years	20-30 years
Charge Controller	5-10 years	10-15 years
Wiring and Cables	1-10 years (may depend on installation quality)	25+ years
Monitoring System	5-10 years	10-15 years

During the lifetime of your solar system, it is likely that you’ll have to replace the inverter once or twice. Microinverters generally last longer and their lifespan is comparable to the one of solar panels themselves.

Why is the inverter lifespan shorter?

The inverter is the most likely part of a solar panel system to break down, according to the PVEL report. This is because it has more tasks than any other component. It converts the DC electricity produced by solar panels into AC electricity that can be used at home or sent to the grid. It also ensures the panels produce as much energy as possible and helps keep the entire system safe. To handle these tasks, inverters often rely on software to operate. Software updates, however, can sometimes cause compatibility issues with certain models, making them a potential weak point.

How long do solar batteries last?

Different types of batteries have varying lifespans. For example, lead-acid batteries typically last around 5-7 years, while lithium-ion batteries can last up to 10-15 years or even longer. Frequent, deep discharges can shorten the life of the battery, as well as extreme temperatures, humidity, and other environmental conditions, while proper maintenance, such as regular calibration and temperature control, can help your batteries last longer.