Do you need to service solar panels?
Solar panel systems are incredibly durable and require little to no maintenance over their productive lifetime – which can be considerably more than their 25-30 year warranties. And In the event that something does go wrong, your solar PV system components these long warranties would cover replacement and repair costs.
The more dust or dirt that accumulates on solar panels, the less efficient they become. However every time it rains, the panels are washed and this is usually a sufficient means to keep your solar panels producing optimally. However, if you have had no substantial rainfall for 6 months, it will be beneficial to hose the solar panels.
At Zero Down Solar, we use panels that are highly efficient with less expected degradation than other manufacturers for the price. Solar panels slowly degrade in efficiency over time. It is not much but, it will add up over time. The most degradation happens almost immediately a solar panel is exposed to light- so you can expect 2% degradation in the 1st year and about .5%/year thereafter. You can safely assume your solar panels will be producing raw DC solar power anywhere from 75-90% by 25-30 years of usage.
In addition to whether you will need to service your solar panels, warranties are an important consideration.
Certain solar panel manufacturers do perform better and retain higher levels of efficiency over time. Premium brands like SolarWorld, Panasonic and LG appear to maintain long term performance over their less costly counterparts. These PV modules have been known to last 30 years or longer while still holding onto 80%+ efficiency – this makes a big difference in the final return for your system, and how long after you may need to replace your solar power system components. But the added cost of these premium brands makes them only viable if there is very limited space and output is high. Our goal is always to produce more power for less money.
At Zero Down Solar, we have spent a lifetime studying which panels are most efficient for the least amount of money. We are excited about the panels we offer because they will save you money and last for a very long time – contact us to discuss your options. At Zero Down Solar, our ‘Go-To’ panel manufacturer is Hanwha* because their Q cells panels have a 25-year warranty and have phenomenal performance without having the added cost of other well-known brands like LG.
Panels typically come with a workmanship warranty that protects consumers against defective panel parts, generally for the first five years of operation. Inverters also come with warranties, usually for 10 years. As mentioned, our Hanwha panels come with a 25 year warranty! See if you qualify for a solar panel rebate.
