VWB Blog Did you know that over the past decade the cost of solar panels has dropped by nearly 70%? Despite this fact, many homeowners as still hesitant to invest in solar energy.
One common area of concern is solar panel degradation. So, do solar panels go bad? And will you ever need to replace them?
If you want to learn the answer to these questions, you’re in the right place.
In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about solar panel degradation. That way, you can decide if solar energy is right for you. Let’s get started!
Do Solar Panels Go Bad?
There is no specific date when a solar panel lifespan cuts out. Rather solar panels naturally decline little by little each year. The decline comes in the form of being less efficient in terms of absorbing sunlight.
Things that can speed up this decline include cold weather, hail, falling debris, snow, and water. So, exactly how quickly do solar panels lose efficiency? This can be explained using their solar panel degradation rate.
Solar Panel Degradation Rate Explained
Even the best solar panels around will begin to gradually lose the ability to convert sunlight into usable energy. The rate at which they lose this ability is known as a degradation rate.
Basically, the lower the degradation rate is the better the solar panels are. That’s because they’ll last longer than a product with a higher degradation rate.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) found that 0.30% is the current standard for solar degradation rate. However, it’s more common to find average ones with a 0.50% rate.
The least efficient solar panels usually come with a degradation rate of 0.80% per year. That means each year it will lose almost 1% of its efficiency.
When Should You Replace Your Solar Panels?
Whether or not you should get a solar panels installation depends on your wants and needs when it comes to a solar system. If you notice your energy bill getting steadily more expensive after a few decades, it might be time for a replacement.
Other people might be content with riding their existing system out until it’s entirely non-functional. The choice is up to you.
However, when you do decide to replace, make sure you pick an installer that factors solar panel degradation into the average solar cost. That way, you don’t overpay for panels that will go bad more quickly.
Appreciate Learning About Solar Panel Degradation? Keep Exploring
We hope this article helped you learn more about solar panel degradation. As you can see, solar panels don’t last forever.
But, even as they lose efficiency you can still squeeze some power out of them decades after their installation. This makes them a pretty great long-term investment compared to other power sources.
Did you learn something from this article? Keep reading to find more content just like this one.