Solar panel degradation rate is the speed at which you will see a decline in producing power output in a solar panel. The average solar panel degradation rate is 0.5% per year. This means that electricity production of solar panels will reduce by 0.5% every year.
Solar panel degradation is not caused by a single isolated phenomenon, but by several degradation mechanisms that affect PV modules, but the main cause is age-related degradation. Additional causes of solar panel degradation include among others, aging, Light-Induced Degradation (LID), Potential-Induced Degradation (PID), and back-sheet failure.
Over time, you might have seen that due to various external factors like weather, exposure to UV light, and normal maintenance issues, high-quality panels typically are degrading. There are different types of degradation such as age-related degradation, corrosion, microcracks, etc. which affect the performance of solar panels.
Solar panel degradation rates vary based on factors like panel quality, technology, and environmental conditions. On average, high-quality solar panels degrade at a rate of 0.3% to 0.5% per year. This means that after 25 years, a well-maintained solar panel might still operate at around 85% to 90% of its original efficiency.
While solar panel degradation is a reality, its impact can be mitigated through a combination of advanced technologies and conscientious maintenance. Even as panels age, they continue to produce a significant amount of electricity, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.
Appropriate degradation rates of solar panels are estimated at 0.5% per year considering a well-maintained PV system featuring ideal conditions. However, solar panel degradation rates can reach up in some extreme cases, going as high as 1.4% or 1.54% per year.