DNA Power Solutions were recommended by a friend who had recently had an EV charger fitted by them.
Wondering how long your solar panels are actually going to last?
The good news is that most solar panels can keep producing electricity for 25–30 years, and often longer. You also don’t necessarily need to replace the whole system when something stops working. At DNA Power Solutions, we recently replaced a 10-year-old solar inverter for around £1,200, while the existing panels were still in great condition and had plenty of life left in them.
Let’s be honest, solar panels aren’t exactly a small investment, so it’s understandable that you want to know how long they’re going to last!
The good news is that modern solar panels are designed to be around for the long haul. Most will continue generating electricity for 25 years or more, although their efficiency will gradually reduce as they get older.
As a solar panel installer, one of the things we often explain to homeowners is that the panels are only one part of the system.
There are other components that may need replacing sooner.
Your solar inverter won’t last as long. The inverter is a really important part of your solar PV system because it converts the electricity generated by your panels into electricity you can actually use around your home. Unlike the panels themselves, an inverter will generally have a shorter lifespan and may need replacing after around 10–15 years.
We recently saw a great example of this on Hempland Close, Corby. The homeowners live in a four-bedroom detached house and had inherited their solar system when they moved in five years ago. Their inverter was now around 10 years old and they had noticed that their solar generation was looking pretty low. They assumed the age of the system meant they would need a completely new solar panel installation. But after checking everything over, we were able to give them some much better news.
Do old solar panels need replacing?
The panels themselves were in excellent condition and we were able to tell the homeowners that they could reasonably expect another 15 years or so from them.
Instead of spending thousands on replacing a perfectly good system, we replaced the old inverter for around £1,200 and there’s another nice little bonus. They were considering adding battery storage in the future, so we installed a hybrid, battery-ready inverter. That means they’re already set up for adding a battery when the time is right.
This is why it’s always worth getting your system checked by an experienced solar panel installer before assuming everything needs replacing.
What can affect how long solar panels last?
There are a few things that can affect the lifespan and performance of your panels, including the quality of the original installation, the panels themselves, exposure to the weather and general wear and tear. If you’ve noticed that your solar generation has dropped, don’t automatically assume your panels have reached the end of their life.
A good solar panel installer will be able to assess the system as a whole and explain what’s actually going on, rather than immediately telling you that you need to start again from scratch.
Should you replace your old solar panels?
If your panels are still in good condition and generating electricity, there may be absolutely no reason to replace them. That’s exactly what happened on Hempland Close, Corby. The homeowners thought they were facing a whole new solar installation, but instead, a new inverter was all they needed.
If you’re unsure about your own system, it’s always worth getting some advice from an experienced solar panel installer before spending money on a complete replacement.
If you’re worried about your solar panels, your inverter isn’t performing as it should, or you’re thinking about adding battery storage, contact DNA Power Solutions today by phone on 01536 505720 or via our contact form. We’ll be happy to have a chat, answer your questions and help you work out the best next step for your home.