Solar panels are a great way to embrace clean energy and lower your electricity bill in the long run. Attaching them to your roof is often the perfect choice since your solar panels can catch the most light and stay safely away from rocks flung by lawn mowers, scratches, bumps, and other damage more likely to happen at the ground level.
But while solar panels can last a long time, they can still have their efficiency reduced. If you’re dealing with damaged or inefficient solar panels, you may be wondering if you need solar panel replacement.
Lifespan
Solar panels typically last 25 to 30 years, so you don’t need to worry about solar panel replacement if you’ve just had the panels installed and they’re in good condition. As long as no serious damage occurs during that timeframe and you keep up with regular maintenance, your solar panels should continue to produce good, clean energy for your home.
Damage
Wind, hail, falling tree branches, and severe storms can all cause damage to your solar panels. While minor damage to a single panel isn’t a cause for total solar panel replacement, keep a close eye on the condition of your panels after storms or damage to your roof. If many of your panels are seriously damaged, reducing their efficiency, you may want to consider solar panel replacement.
Roof Replacement
If you need to have your roof replaced and your solar panels are getting close to their expected lifespan limit as well, you might consider having solar panel replacement done at the same time. Having the same crew replace your roof and install your new solar panels can save you time and money in the long run.