What does solar panel degradation mean?
If you’ve bought solar panels for your home, or you’ve been researching and comparing products and prices, you may have come across the term solar panel degradation. Solar panels are built to last and top-quality systems offer impressive performance levels, but output decreases with time. Typically, you see an expected degradation rate of less than 0.5% to 0.7% per year quoted in solar panel warranties, but what does this mean for your home and your investment?
Solar panel degradation means the gradual loss of output. Your solar panels will produce less electricity as time goes by, with an expected decrease of around 0.5% per year. This may sound worrying, but if you choose a high-quality installation and keep up with solar panel maintenance, your system should still produce up to 90% of the original capacity after 25 years.
In this guide, we’ll explore how much output you should lose per year, share tips to help you keep your solar panels in good working order and highlight the benefits of an annual solar inspection.
How much output should I lose?
‘How long do solar panels last?’ is one of the most common questions people have about switching to solar power. The answer varies according to several factors. These include:
- Which type of solar panels you choose
- The expected degradation rate
- The quality of your solar panels
- Weather conditions
- Installation efficacy
- Solar panel maintenance
It’s important to note that solar degradation is a gradual process. If you buy solar panels for your home, they won’t suddenly stop working after 25 or 30 years. Degradation occurs slowly, contributing to a very small reduction in solar panel output every year.
Understanding the warranty degradation rate
One reason why people get confused about how long solar panels last and how fast they degrade is the degradation rate used in many solar panel warranties. You may see figures like 80% of output after 25 years and think that you’re losing a huge amount of capacity. The rates used in warranties offer a guideline, which is often much faster than real-life degradation rates.
In many cases, if you buy good-quality solar panels and you invest in solar panel maintenance in the UK, your output levels should still be up to 90% after 25 years.
What affects solar panel degradation rates?
If you’re spending money on solar panels, it’s natural to want to get the best out of your system for as long as possible. Understanding solar panel degradation and what affects the rate of output reduction can help you slow the process.
Here are some factors that can impact degradation rates in the UK:
- The type of solar panels: Some solar panel materials degrade more slowly than others, offering higher output for longer. Monocrystalline panels, for example, degrade more slowly than polycrystalline panels.
- The quality of your solar panels: It’s always beneficial to invest in the best-quality solar panels you can afford if you’re looking for value for money, slower degradation and longevity.
- Weather and climate: Weather conditions and the climate can affect how quickly solar panels degrade. Intense heat, powerful UV and significant temperature changes in a short space of time can accelerate degradation. In the UK, you may find that your solar panels degrade faster if you’re close to the coast, as moisture levels are higher.
- Maintenance: It’s important to keep up with maintenance if you have solar panels at home. Basic checks like a solar PV health check, a solar panel efficiency check and physical inspections to look for signs of damage can help you boost performance levels and keep degradation levels steady.
What can I do to protect my solar panels and slow degradation?
Simple steps can help you protect your solar panels and slow the degradation rate, keeping it within the expected range for your specific type of solar installation. These include:
- Buy the best solar panels you can afford
If you’re looking for solar panels, it’s wise to focus on the best-quality systems you can afford. The higher the quality, the better the performance, longevity and efficiency. If you’re unsure what to buy, don’t hesitate to seek expert advice. Take your time to compare solar panels and figure out what works best for your property based on your needs and preferences.
- Choose top-rated solar panel companies
It’s hugely beneficial to choose top-rated, reputable solar panel companies for installation and maintenance. You should have peace of mind that you’re investing in a high-quality system, that your solar panels have been fitted properly and that you have access to ongoing support, advice and maintenance services.
- Keep up with maintenance and solar panel servicing
You may have questions like ‘Why service solar panels?’ if you’re new to solar power or you’re in the process of calculating costs. The answer is simple. Servicing and maintenance keep your solar panels in the best condition possible and lower risks.
This can help you protect your investment, maximise efficiency and output and prolong the lifespan of your solar panels. Regular inspections can also help you spot warning signs, such as damage caused by storms, as early as possible.
Basic maintenance tasks you can do at home include:
- Monitor your energy production
- Check the inverter
- Inspect your solar panels and the surrounding area to look for signs of physical damage and wear, such as cracks and loose panels
- Clear dirt and debris, such as moss, tree sap and animal droppings
- Check shade coverage
If you’ve researched solar power in the UK or started comparing solar panels for your home, you may have seen the solar panel degradation rate in manufacturer warranties. Degradation is a slow, gradual process that reduces output.
Typically, it occurs at a rate of less than 0.5% to 0.7% per year. Solar panels don’t suddenly stop working or become much less efficient after a set period of time. The annual reduction in output is very small. Most people can expect to maintain up to 90% of the original capacity after 25 years.
The quality and type of materials, maintenance and the weather conditions can all impact degradation speed. Booking an annual solar PV health check is a great idea to keep your solar panels in excellent working order.
Book a solar panel health check today!
If you’re interested in an annual solar inspection or you need more information about solar panel maintenance or degradation, contact ServiceMy today. Our comprehensive solar panel health checks go above and beyond basic inspections to identify hidden issues, optimise performance and reduce risks.
