Understanding the durability of your solar power system is an important factor to consider when making an investment in a solar system. Even the most carefully planned and maintained systems will experience some level of wear and tear over time, which will impact its overall durability.
In this article, we discuss the durability of different components that make up a solar power system, as well as potential solutions to address any issues that may arise.
What is the Durability of Solar panels?
The durability of a solar panel depends on a number of factors, including panel type, installation, and maintenance. If a system is maintained properly and does not experience extreme weather conditions, a typical poly-crystalline solar panel should last between 25 and 30 years.
However if the system is improperly maintained or damaged by a storm, this lifespan could be reduced to approximately 15 years. Nearly all poly-crystalline solar panels are made with glass sheets that are coated with a polymeric film to improve their efficiency.
While the polymeric film on poly-crystalline panels has an expected lifespan of between 10 and 20 years, the glass used in the panel’s construction will have an expected lifespan of up to 30 years.
The addition of anti-corrosion compounds and other built-in features of most solar panels should extend the useful lifespan of a solar panel beyond its original warranty period.
Batteries and Chargers
As solar power systems become more popular and more people install systems, they are also facing an increase in the wear and tear of their solar panels. Having two reliable sources of power can mitigate the wear and tear caused by frequent use of a solar power system, but batteries and chargers can still succumb to the elements.
If a solar panel is outdoors, it is exposed to the elements, which can cause the panels to deteriorate over time. If your solar system includes batteries to store excess energy generated by the panels, then they too are subject to the elements. During a sunny day, solar panels can produce a large amount of energy.
If the panels are outdoors and exposed to the elements, they will deteriorate faster. Therefore, it is important to maintain a balance between the amount of energy produced by the panels and the amount of energy stored in batteries. If there is excess energy produced by the panels, a battery can store it for later use, and vice versa.
Inverters and string inverters
While solar panels are designed to last for long periods of time, batteries do not have this same level of durability. Therefore, even if a solar panel is able to produce energy for a long period, it will not have the same effect on the batteries.
Inverters are used to transform the regulated and controlled energy produced by the panels into a complete and usable form that can be used by your home or business.
Some solar panels are equipped with string inverters, which are connected to the batteries in your home or business. Even if your main power source, such as your utility grid, is down, the batteries connected to these inverters can power your appliances, such as refrigerators, lights, and electronics.
If you are installing a solar power system that does not have batteries, then the solar panels will produce energy, and the inverters will deliver it to the grid and otherwise provide power to your home or business.
Connections and Cabling
Solar panels are only able to produce energy when the sun is out and the skies are clear. Therefore, it is important to connect them to an electrical circuit that enables power to flow in both directions.
Most systems are connected to a central electrical panel, which houses the electrical wiring that enables power to flow from the solar panels to the rest of the home or business.
In order for the system to function, the central panel must be wired to the local utility grid. On a sunny day, when solar panels produce a large amount of energy, the wiring in your home or business will be overloaded.
This will result in brownouts or may cause the wiring to fail entirely. Therefore, it is important to ensure that all electrical wiring is capable of handling the additional amount of energy generated by your solar power system.
Other Durable Components
While solar panels and batteries will largely determine the longevity of your solar power system, other components, like the frame and mounting of your solar panels can also have an effect on their durability.
If your solar panels are mounted on a rooftop or a wall that is subject to heavy weather and vibration, they may experience increased wear and tear. If your solar panels are installed on a composite roof or a wall made of concrete, then they may last for a long time as long as they are installed in an ideal location.
Similarly, if the solar panels are mounted on a metal roof or a wall, then they will last for a shorter period of time as a few years.
Potential Solutions for a Weary Solar System
While there are no guarantees when it comes to a solar power system, there are a few potential solutions that can help address any issues that may arise. If your solar panels are showing signs of wear and tear, then they may be able to be replaced by a new panel.
If your batteries are starting to deteriorate, then you can also consider replacing them with a newer model that offers better energy capacity.
You can also consider adding a backup generator to your home or workplace to ensure that you always have a source of electricity in the event that your solar power system is down.
If your solar panels are showing signs of wear and tear and the batteries are beginning to fail, you can consider adding a new solar power system to help mitigate any future issues.
Final Words
The durability of a solar power system depends on a number of factors, including panel type, installation, and maintenance. If a system is maintained properly and does not experience extreme weather conditions, a typical poly-crystalline solar panel should last between 25 and 30 years.
However if the system is improperly maintained or damaged by a storm, its lifespan could be reduced to 15 years. Nearly all poly-crystalline solar panels are made with glass sheets that are coated with a polymeric film to improve their efficiency.
While the polymeric film on poly-crystalline panels has an expected lifespan of between 10 and 20 years, the glass used in the panel’s construction will have an expected lifespan of up to 30 years. The addition of anti-corrosion compounds and other built-in features should extend the useful lifespan of a solar panel beyond its original warranty period.
