Replacement cycle of residential solar panels

The replacement cycle of residential solar panels is influenced by multiple factors. Generally, their designed lifespan is around 20 to 30 years, but the actual replacement cycle needs to be determined based on specific circumstances

Theoretical lifespan range

20 to 25 years: The designed lifespan of most solar panels falls within this range. Based on laboratory test data, their materials and manufacturing processes can support this duration. For instance, under normal usage conditions, the power of solar panels laminated with tempered glass may decline to around 80% of their original capacity after 20 years, and further drop to about 85% after 25 years.

25 to 30 years: The theoretical lifespan of some solar panels made of high-quality materials and advanced manufacturing processes can be extended to 25 to 30 years. This type of solar panel can still maintain a relatively high power generation efficiency after 25 years, but its power may decline to about 70% of its original capacity after 30 years.

Factors affecting the actual replacement cycle

Environmental conditions: High temperature, high radiation and high humidity environments will accelerate the aging of solar panels. For instance, the surface materials of solar panels that are exposed to strong ultraviolet rays for a long time may age prematurely, leading to an accelerated rate of power attenuation.

Installation method: Unreasonable installation angles or unstable fixation may cause slight deformation of the solar panels under wind force. Long-term accumulation may affect the performance of the solar panels. For instance, if the installation Angle deviates from the optimal lighting Angle by more than 10 degrees, it may lead to a reduction of 5% to 10% in the annual power generation.

Maintenance status: Regular cleaning can reduce the impact of dust and dirt on power generation efficiency. If not cleaned for a long time, the dust accumulated on the surface of the battery panels may cause the power generation efficiency to drop by 15% to 20%. At the same time, regular inspection of the connection lines and joints can prevent short circuits and other faults, and extend the service life of the solar panels.

Materials and manufacturing processes: The lifespan of solar panels made of different materials and processed significantly varies. For instance, the lifespan of PET laminated solar panels is only 5 to 8 years, while that of epoxy resin laminated solar panels is even shorter, lasting only 2 to 3 years.