Like all electrical devices, solar panels degrade over time. Climate, use, and maintenance alter their life expectancy. Remarkably, solar panels degrade slowly and require little to no maintenance. Panels in extreme climates degrade faster than panels in moderate conditions. In very cold environments, panels subjected to snow and heavy winds degrade the most. Panels can also degrade more significantly in extreme heat such as in the deserts of the southwest. The midwest is considered moderate in temperature fluctuations and changing weather patterns.
Standard efficiency panels made after 2000 and installed in Illinois and Missouri have an annual degradation rate of around 0.5%, meaning after 25 years, the solar panel is expected to produce more than 87% of its original power.
Solar modules are also incredibly durable and are designed to withstand hail, rain, wind, and snow. If leaves or other debris get onto the roof and panels of a home, it is often harmless but it can be helpful to have the materials cleared by either brushing or hosing them off. Removing the debris can increase the output of energy from your array, and is one of the few forms of occasional maintenance that can be beneficial for solar-powered homes. If you want some help we would be happy to assist, just call or email our Service Department at 844-97-SOLAR or service@straightupsolar.com.
Warranties and occasional maintenance can keep solar panels at their best for longer. Our panels have a 25-year warranty and can withstand most severe weather conditions such as golf ball-sized hail and high winds. StraightUp Solar also offers an industry-leading 10-year workmanship warranty on our installations. For more information on our warranties visit our blog post on this topic.
Sources:
Lombardo, Tom. “What Is the Lifespan of a Solar Panel?” Engineering.com, 20 Apr. 2014, www.engineering.com/DesignerEdge/DesignerEdgeArticles/ArticleID/7475/What-Is-the-Lifespan-of-a-Solar-Panel.aspx.
Grissom, Hannah. “The Real Lifespan of Solar Panels.” Energy Informative, 10 Dec. 2018, energyinformative.org/lifespan-solar-panels/.
