Do Tesla And Other Solar Panels Degrade Over Time?
Solar panel degrading concerns could be one of the reasons holding more people back from making the jump to solar energy. In the US and elsewhere, solar deployment is rising rapidly and this is mostly thanks to newer technologies, cheaper and better systems, and tax incentives. Beyond the green pitch, as solar panels are all about long-term investment, it makes sense that any rate of degradation could be a factor in whether the investment is actually worth it.
There are multiple ways to 'go solar' and save significantly on energy bills. While there are those that choose to go the DIY route with solar panel kits, others opt to buy from manufacturers and hire installation services. In the US, the majority of solar panels are provided by companies that offer the whole package, from gear to installment, warranty, and support.
Related: You Can Now Turn Your Roof Into A Solar Panel With Ease
The short answer to whether solar panels degrade is, yes. Like pretty much everything, solar panels do degrade. According to Tesla, the efficiency of solar panels made today degrades by roughly 0.5 % each year. In other words, if a solar panel was purchased today, it would still be running above 87.5% capacity in 25 years time. To balance out the degradation, Tesla, and other companies also offer warranties, usually ranging from 25 to 30 years. According to Forbes, the top solar companies in the US include SunPower, Blue Raven Solar, Zenernet, Momentum Solar, Trinity Solar, and Elevation Solar, among others.
The reason why solar panels degrade is that they are usually mounted on rooftops and are therefore exposed to the elements. In this sense, the very same thing that makes solar panels run can eventually destroy them as well. Studies
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