In the past few years, there have been several solar PV systems installed by Australian homeowners. Are you amongst one of them who have adopted solar power early by getting a solar PV system from the best solar company Sydney?
Without any doubt, solar PV systems help homeowners save money and reduce the dependency on the grid electricity supply. A question that arises in the mind of most Australians is how long would the solar PV system last?
Before we dive into the longevity of solar systems, it is important to understand solar panel degradation.
What Is Solar Panel Degradation?
- A solar panel tends to lose its capacity of power generation (output) over a period of time. This is referred to as solar panel degradation.
- The exposure of solar PV systems to various natural elements like rain, snow, ice, and sunlight is the reason why solar panels degrade performance over time.
- The best solar system from the best solar company Sydney has a degradation rate of only 0.4-0.5% per year.
- This means that even after using the best solar PV systems for 20 years, they will function at an efficiency of 90% at present.
Reasons Behind Solar Panel Degradation
- The solar PV system consists of photovoltaic cells of silicon.
- With time, small fractures known as micro-cracks start developing in silicon cells.
- As these micro-cracks increase in numbers, the electrical connections inside the solar PV systems begin to weaken and fail.
- Hence, the solar cells within the solar PV system are no longer able to efficiently convert solar energy into electrical energy.
- This power degradation and decline in efficiency results in solar panel degradation.
Factors Affecting Solar Panel Degradation
There are different factors that affect the longevity of solar PV systems and solar panel degradation.
Environmental conditions
Various environmental conditions influence the lifespan of solar PV systems.
- Extreme fluctuations in temperature
- Hot and humid conditions
- Windy conditions
- Damage due to UV radiation from the sun.
Quality of Solar Panels
- The longevity of a solar PV system is determined by its brand and efficiency.
- Low quality and cheap solar PV systems will only last for a few years since they are made from inferior (substandard) quality of raw material.
- A superior quality solar panel from the best solar company Sydney will last for as long as 20-25 years if properly maintained.
Installation
- Even if you purchase a solar system from the best solar company Sydney, the way it is installed will directly impact its performance and longevity.
- It is crucial to follow the best installation practices which can be done by an experienced and expert solar panel installer.
Maintenance
- If solar PV systems are not maintained at regular intervals, solar panel degradation will be much faster.
Your existing solar PV system may still have a lot of life left. However, if it is not giving the efficiency that you are looking for, it is best to go for a new one from the best solar company Sydney.
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