Solar panels are the best way to reduce your carbon footprint while saving money. The thought of getting solar panels installed can be daunting though, especially when you have no idea how long they last.
We’re here to tell you that solar panels will outlast most of the energy-related products in your home by a long shot. They will outlive your water heater, furnace, and air conditioner.
With proper solar services in Santa Rosa, solar panels can last for multiple decades. Let’s break it all down for you right now so you can determine whether or not solar panel installation is right for your home.
Solar Panels Last for Around 25 Years on Average
The lifespan of solar panels is 25-30 years, give or take. There are some caveats to that, which we’ll get into in a moment.
Since solar panels are supposed to be the ultimate solution to home energy, you may be wondering why they don’t last for longer. Even with high-quality construction, solar panels are still susceptible to damage from UV rays. Yes, the very thing that they’re designed to absorb (sunlight) also hurts them.
Solar panel manufacturers provide lifespans in the warranty. Right now, the industry standard is 25-30 years, but your solar panels don’t just completely die out around then. Instead, through wear and tear primarily due to UV rays, your solar panels will simply lose efficiency. Quite a lot of it, actually.
While panels last for 25-30 years, inverters that actually transfer the energy into electricity will only last for 10-15 years, so on average, you’ll go through two inverters over the span of your solar panel’s lifetime.
Maintenance Aids In a Longer Lifespan
While maintenance can’t prevent UV damage from occurring, it can prevent other issues from popping up.
Solar panel maintenance includes cleaning debris and dirt off of your panels so they can operate at peak efficiency. Debris can also get in your inverter and coat any wiring for your panels which a technician will remove. During maintenance, cleaning and inspection are the two main goals.
The Quality of the Installation Matters
An improperly installed solar panel isn’t going to hold up against the test of time. Bad installations can lead to poor sun exposure (when panels are overcrowded and don’t offer full exposure).
Poor installation can also result in electrical failures if your technicians were careless while hooking up the panels to the inverter. While the panels themselves are manufactured and built to last, installing them improperly can subject them to unnecessary harm.
While it won’t specifically relate to the panel’s lifespan, a bad installation can leave your roof damaged. This can lead to moisture buildup and potentially thousands of dollars in repairs if the technicians aren’t careful.
Trust the Professionals to Install Your Solar Panels
Professional installation makes a difference. We have the experience, we source panels from trusted manufacturers, and understand how to contour your solar needs based on your project scope.
It’s time to install the best investment you’ll make in your home over the next 25-30 years. Let’s get started.
Contact us today for quality service and more. Jonas Energy Solutions: Become a Part of the Solution!