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 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.
Age-related Degradation Over time, solar panels naturally degrade due to exposure to UV rays, adverse weather conditions, and environmental factors. Heavy rainfall, snowfall, extreme temperatures, and contaminants are the major factors that influence the degradation rate to increase every year.
To sum up, the gradual decline in efficiency or degradation impacts the long-term performance of solar panels. It depends on the manufacturing processes; however, industry standards often include degradation warranties that specify the expected loss of efficiency over a certain number of years.
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.
Even as panels age, they continue to produce a significant amount of electricity, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future. In conclusion, solar panel degradation is a natural aspect of the lifespan of photovoltaic systems.