When you re considering investing in a solar installation wondering how long home solar panels last is a question that inevitably pops up.
How long does a solar panel inverter last.
A string solar inverter will usually last around 10 years before needing a replacement.
However this doesn t mean the panels on your roof will stop producing electricity after a couple of decades.
Typically a good rule of thumb is your solar inverter will last 10 to 20 years depending on the type.
Most solar panels last 25 years with an average annual degradation rate of 50.
The most commonly installed type of solar panel inverters last 10 years on average.
Solar inverters gather the electricity produced by panels converting it into ac power.
Well maintained solar lights can last for a long time if you keep in mind a couple things.
Cleaning the solar panels frequently replacing batteries if solar lights are unable to provide 8 hours of illumination and storing solar lights indoors when it s your winter rainy season.
Factors such as heat humidity maintenance schedule will influence that.
Properly maintaining your solar panels will help ensure they last longer.
How long does a solar inverter last.
Solar inverters and solar batteries will need replacing within the 25 year solar panel lifespan.
However there are a handful of premium string inverters that come with 12 year standard warranties e g.
However if you re looking for off grid battery based pv inverters you can expect much shorter lifespans ranging from 2 10 years depending on the manufacturer.
A typical central inverter for a pv installation will last between 10 and 15 years and thus will need to be replaced at some point during the lifetime of your solar panels.
However the life expectancy of an inverter is only around 10 years which means your panels will eventually need a new one.
The quality of your inverter is just as important as the quality of your panels.
Count on a efficiency derate of 0 25 to 1 per year.
In contrast microinverters typically come with a 25 year warranty and will often last as long as your solar panels.
It is not much but it will add up over time hence most solar panel warranties may only cover a guaranteed 80 out out after 20 25 years.
Solar inverters lifespan can vary as most string inverters life expectancy ranges from 10 to 15 years whereas some microinverters and dc optimizers are rated to last 20 to 25 years.
Those made by solaredge.
However micro inverters are a new and popular alternative to central inverters and generally offer the same lifespan as their solar panel counterparts 25 years.