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Longevity of solar panels
Solar panels generate meaningful amounts of electricity for more than 25 years–some even come with warranties ensuring they’ll generate at least 80% of their original output by year 30!
Even after your 25 or 30-year panel warranty, your panels will continue to generate electricity, assuming they aren’t physically damaged from wind, debris, or other external sources; however, you can expect your solar panels to degrade a bit each year. Most solar panels degrade at a rate of less than 0.8% each year.
Common questions
How much electricity will solar panels generate at year 25, or 30?
To determine the projected output of your solar panels after a certain number of years, you can simply multiply the degradation rate by the number of years you are interested in and subtract that number from 100%. You can expect most panels on the market today to generate at least 80% of their original output by year 25.
How does solar panel degradation impact savings over time?
This largely depends on the degradation rate of the product you install. We’ve put together this article that compares production losses over time, and did the math for what that comes out to in annual and cumulative financial losses.
Why do some panels degrade at a faster rate than others?
A number of factors can contribute to higher degradation rates, including:
- Panel tech
- Climate
- Product defects
Fortunately, all panels go through stringent testing prior to going to market to ensure they meet certain industry standards for performance and durability.