Solar panels can degrade over time due to various factors, affecting their efficiency and overall performance. The rate of degradation depends on the quality of the panels, environmental conditions, and how well they are maintained. Here are common factors contributing to solar panel degradation:
Temperature Stress
Solar panels can experience temperature extremes, including both high temperatures and temperature variations. Thermal stress can lead to the expansion and contraction of materials, causing microcracks and degradation over time.
Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation
Exposure to sunlight, particularly UV radiation, can lead to the breakdown of materials in solar panels. Over time, this exposure can cause degradation of the solar cells and reduce their efficiency.
Humidity and Moisture
Moisture can infiltrate the panels, leading to corrosion and delamination. In humid environments or areas with high rainfall, the risk of moisture-related degradation increases. Although solar panels are generally water resistant.
Manufacturing Quality
The quality of manufacturing and the materials used in solar panels can impact their durability. Lower-quality materials may degrade faster than higher-quality ones.
Environmental Pollution
Airborne pollutants, such as dust, dirt, and pollutants in the atmosphere, can accumulate on the surface of solar panels, reducing their efficiency over time. Regular cleaning is essential to mitigate this effect.
Mechanical Stress
Mechanical stress, including hail, heavy snow, or other physical impacts, can lead to microcracks in the solar cells or damage the protective layers, accelerating degradation.
Age and Wear
Like any technology, solar panels experience wear and tear over time. As they age, the efficiency of the solar cells may naturally decrease by usually up to .5% per year.
Potential Hot Spots
Uneven shading, soiling, or manufacturing defects can lead to localized overheating, creating hot spots. Hot spots can accelerate degradation in the affected areas of the solar panels.
Will My Solar System Degrade Evenly?
The degradation rate of solar panels is not always the same across all the panels in your solar system. There are several factors that affect the degradation rates of solar panels and they may not all experience the same. Unless something major happens to one of the panels, they shouldn’t degrade to a different degree very much. If anything is out of the ordinary the Enphase Enlighten app will inform you about your system and alert you if any of your panels aren’t producing at their best.
Should I be worried about Solar Degradation before I go solar?
Solar degradation is no reason to dim your excitement! Your Panels have a warrantied lifespan of 25 years and will continue to produce for another 30 to 50 years! If your Panels degrade more within that 25 years, then your warranty will cover you!
What Happens to Solar Panels After 30 Years?
Solar panels should still produce electricity for many years beyond their warranty period, but the output will be reduced. This reduction is due to the cumulative effects of factors listed above.
Conclusion
You really don’t need to worry much about solar degradation. It should never be the deciding factor in not going solar. The rate at which your panels degrade is so low (generally no more than 0.5% per year) that they’ll last at least 30 years, and by that time, they’ll have payed for themselves. Plus, you’ll have a solar warranty to protect you. If your panels aren’t producing withing range at year 24, contact your solar provider.
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