How Durable are Solar Panel?

What determines the warranty provided on a solar system is the brand of solar panel you are buying? Most of the manufacturers give a guarantee of 80% output for number of years. But if you get a very good brand of solar panel it should come with 20-25 year warranty given that it doesn’t fall or is destroyed by a hurricane.

The key to understanding the warranty on your solar power system is considering each component separately, as well as recognizing that the installer’s work is also a separate matter. For this purpose we’ll do a breakdown of the basic component in a solar system.

Solar Panels: Full Warranty 20-25 years

The panels comprise a number of silicon cells. These silicon also referred to as photovoltaic cells (PV) are very fragile, but they are hedged in and protected by tempered glass, and the cell arrays are typically framed by sturdy, non-corroding aluminum. Solar panels really are built to last and are not the component that is most likely to fail.

Solar panels can last for more than 25 years except it falls accidentally or struck by any natural element like storm, hurricanes and other weather born threats.

Batteries (non-grid tie systems, and hybrids only): Coverage 5-10 years

Although there may be some exceptions, batteries typically have limited warranties of 5-10 years, but their lifespan can be as much as 15 years. Apart from manufacturers defect that may sometimes prop up batteries usually don’t usually have much issues.

Inverters: Coverage 5-10 years

Inverters are often the most expensive single part of a solar power system     and besides physical damage to the panels (hail, tornadoes, etc.) they are the most likely component to fail. The common mistake people make when buying inverters lies in their bid to save cost. 

Most times because they think they want to save money by giving out money for local technicians to build inverters for them. In the long run it becomes expensive and messy. The local technician cannot provide manufacturers guarantee for his product and may specify an inverter that will not handle the calculated capacity. It’s always recommended to buy inverters with manufacturer’s warranty to match the output of your home. 

You should avoid this mistake at all costs, and if you need to reduce the up-front costs of your solar energy system consider buying fewer solar panels at first and upgrading by adding more .You will find that lower-cost, lower-quality units have correspondingly short warranties, whereas top brands have warranties of up to 10 years. Average lifespan also vary, with top manufacturers claiming upwards of 20 years.