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How Long Do Solar Panels Last?

We get a lot of questions about solar power. Aside from cost, another common question we get asked is: “How long do home solar panels last?”

It’s a great question!

We live in a society where everything, from our phones to our laptops, gets tossed after a few years. Unfortunately most things aren’t very durable.

Except solar panels. They’re in it for the long haul.

Durable, and Incredibly Long-Lasting

Solar panels don’t have digital processors, delicate motherboards, flywheels, pumps or fans. There are very few moving parts that can break or wear out. As a result, there is virtually no maintenance! A solar panel sits in one place and absorbs the sun. That’s its job for its lifetime.

In fact, recent testing has found that the useful life of Tier 1 solar panels installed by Infinity Solar is 35 years or longer!

Want Even More Proof?

The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) has published numerous studies on the durability and effectiveness of solar panels over time. Their finding: Solar technology truly holds up for decades. There are panels out there today that are more than 30-years-old (panels from the 1980s!) and they are still going strong.

Today’s solar panel systems are just as hard-working as their earlier versions, only today they are lighter weight, can produce more energy, and are far better looking.

Can Solar Panels Lose Their Effectiveness?

Annually, solar panels’ performance decreases by about half a percent. This small loss in efficiency is mainly due to exposure over time to water vapor and temperature fluctuations that wear on the coatings and materials.

As a result, panels are only about 86% as efficient after 30 years. Can you think of any other product that works 86% as well after it’s been operating for 30 years?

In addition, solar panel systems have a special piece of equipment called an inverter. Inverters take the electricity produced by a solar panel and niftily convert it into power that’s ready to be used in your home.

There’s never been a better time than right now to invest in a home solar panel system. Their long-lasting durability, combine with great tax incentives, guarantees that you’ll save money AND reduce your carbon footprint.

Contact Infinity Solar today for more information.