The purchasing of a solar panel system is a significant investment, and when you invest such a goodly amount of money in something, you want to be certain that it’s going to be worth the investment, and give you a good ROI. For that to happen, you need your solar system to have a healthy lifespan.
For solar panels from a reputable manufacturer, and that have been professionally installed, can typically be expected to last between 25 and 30 years before they begin to degrade and no longer become efficient. However, while a professionally installed solar array should last you many years, there are a few things that can impact exactly how long it lasts for:
Durability
Solar panels are constructed in such a way as to make them resilient to even the harshest of elements, but if your system hasn’t been installed professionally, it can begin to degrade and start losing you money, fast.
Should there be any exposed or loose wiring, loose racks, or any damage to the panels themselves, you can expect them to begin degrading at a far faster rate. To avoid this, always have a professional company install your solar system, and never attempt to fix any issues with the panels, yourself; tampering with equipment may void your warranties.
Temperature
You might think that solar panels are more efficient in hot temperatures, when the sun is beating down, but in fact, this is a misconception. While it is true to say that UV rays from sunlight will cause the panels to generate electricity, panels exposed to extreme and continued heat conditions, can start to degrade at a faster rate.
To reduce the amount of heat solar panels are exposed to throughout their lifespan, an experienced installer will place them a few inches off the surface of the roof. The ensuing gap enables air to circulate, cooling down the panels and your roof.
Shading
Shading is a real problem for solar panels, and can be caused by any of the following factors, or a combination of them all:
Solar panels are still able to work in shaded areas, but they will cause the panels to degrade significantly over the course of time. As a result, good solar installers will recommend to those homeowners with overhanging trees, that they have them trimmed before the installation; helping you maximize the systems energy production and eliminating a potential safety hazard.
Your solar energy consultant will carefully take all of the above factors into consideration when assessing your home for its solar viability.
Mounting position
The direction and position of your solar panels is crucial for helping you get the most out of your system, and if they’re not mounted facing the most efficient direction in terms of sunlight exposure, they simply won’t perform as well, and may even begin to deteriorate quicker.
For the majority of homes throughout the U.S. solar panels are a wonderfully efficient investment, and the panels continue to work well for several decades. However, fail to have your system professionally installed, and you could lose out on your investment in the long term.
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