How many years does solar power last? How long is the lifespan of photovoltaic modules?

With the transformation of the global energy structure, solar photovoltaic energy storage, as a clean, renewable energy, has gradually come into the tens of thousands of households, but also accepted by more and more users. Many companies and users are increasingly interested in photovoltaic power generation, but there are also a lot of questions, such as: how many years can a solar power system actually be used? How long is the lifespan of PV modules? These questions are directly related to the user's return on investment and long-term benefits. Brice Solar will provide you with answers to these common questions and help you better understand the sustainability of solar photovoltaic technology through real-world application cases.

1. Lifetime of photovoltaic modules

Standard lifetime of PV modules: 25 to 30 years

Modern PV modules typically have a lifespan of between 25 and 30 years, which means that within this timeframe, the PV module is still able to provide an effective power output. As technology continues to advance, more and more efficient and durable PV modules are available on the market, with many leading brands of PV products promising lifetimes of 30 years or more.

During this period, the output power of a PV module will decrease year by year, and typically the power of the module will not decay by more than 20% over a 20-year period. For example, assuming that a PV module has an output power of 300 watts at the time of installation, after 20 years its power may decay to about 240 watts, but it will still be able to provide relatively stable power.

A “25-year module life” is now a common promise in the PV industry, but behind this figure is a rigorous technical verification:

International standard certification: IEC 61215, IEC 61730 and other tests covering hail impact, high temperature and high humidity, mechanical load and other extreme environmental simulation;

Measured data: such as 1983 Munich, Germany 1MW power station has been the world's earliest batch of photovoltaic power station, in its operation 40 years later, component efficiency still maintains the initial 80%;

Decay rate: first-tier brand components decay ≤ 1% in the first year, since then the average annual decay ≤ 0.5%, 25 years of cumulative decay ≤ 20%.

Industry consensus: the actual life of the brand's PV system can reach 30-35 years, far beyond the warranty period.

Quality and Warranty Guarantee

Most high-quality PV modules offer a 25-year warranty, which means that during the warranty period, manufacturers will repair or replace the modules free of charge if they have quality problems. In addition, top PV brands such as LONGi, Trina and Sunny Power use more advanced materials and technologies to further improve the durability and stability of PV modules.

2. the service life of solar power generation system

A solar power system is not just about PV modules, but also includes other key equipment such as inverters, racking systems and energy storage systems. When analyzing the overall service life of the system, in addition to the PV modules, the lifespan of these accessories also needs to be considered:

PV inverters

PV inverters convert solar energy into usable electricity and typically have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years. Inverters are replaced more frequently, but there are a number of brands that offer extended warranties or replacement services.

PV Racking Systems

PV mounts are used to support PV panels and are usually made of corrosion-resistant materials such as stainless steel and aluminum alloy, and have a long service life, usually 25 years or more.

Photovoltaic Energy Storage Systems

For homes or businesses that need to store electricity, PV storage systems typically have a service life of 10 to 15 years, depending on the choice of battery type, such as lithium or lead-acid batteries.

Overall, the effective lifespan of a solar power system depends on the lifespan of the individual components. Even if the PV modules can be used for more than 25 years, if the inverter or storage system needs to be replaced, the actual life of the entire system may be affected.

3. Decay rate of PV modules

The attenuation rate of PV modules mainly depends on the materials, production process and the usage environment. The decay rate of modern PV modules is relatively low, usually below 0.8% per year. That is to say, if the initial power of a PV module is 300 watts, its power will be reduced by less than 2.4 watts per year, and after 20 years, the power of the module may be reduced to about 240 watts, which still has a high power generation capacity.

Impact of Environmental Factors

The lifespan and decay rate of a PV module can also be affected by environmental factors such as:

Climatic conditions: Extreme temperatures, humid climates or severe weather such as sandstorms may accelerate the aging process of PV modules.

Intensity of sunlight radiation: In sunny areas, PV modules are usually able to perform at a higher efficiency and extend their useful life.

Pollutants and dust: Accumulation of dust and pollutants may affect the photovoltaic conversion efficiency of PV panels, so regular cleaning and maintenance is crucial.

4、Practical Case Verification of PV Module Lifetime

China PV Application Case

Gansu Dunhuang 10MW power plant in China was put into operation in 2010 and used polycrystalline silicon modules, the measured attenuation rate is 11.3% after 12 years, and the annual power generation still reaches 88% of the design value;

PV Application Cases in Japan

In Japan, many early installed PV systems are still working stably and providing green power to customers. For example, certain early-installed PV power plants have been in operation for more than 20 years, and despite the fact that some of the modules have experienced slight attenuation, their total power generation is still able to be maintained at a high level, proving the reliability of long-term stability of PV modules.

Commercial PV Projects in the United States

In the U.S., some large commercial projects have achieved long life spans of more than 30 years through the use of high-efficiency PV modules and regular maintenance. For example, a solar power station located in California uses PV modules that still maintain good power output after 25 years of operation. Such projects demonstrate the high durability and economic efficiency of PV technology.

European BIPV Photovoltaic Project

St. George's College in Switzerland built in 1999 curtain wall PV, has been generating electricity for more than 20 years, building energy efficiency + electricity sales revenue has covered all the transformation costs.

5、How to extend the service life of PV modules?

In order to ensure that the PV power generation system can operate efficiently for a long period of time, users can take the following measures to extend the life of the system:

Regular maintenance

Regularly check the connecting wires of the PV modules, the inverter and the racking system to make sure there is no looseness or damage.

Cleaning of panels

Clean the PV panels regularly to remove dust, leaves or other dirt to ensure the photovoltaic conversion efficiency of the PV panels.

Prevent Shading

Keep the surrounding area free of trees, buildings, and other obstructions to ensure that the PV modules can receive maximum sunlight.

Choose quality products

Choose a reliable PV module brand to ensure the product meets international standards and offers a long warranty.

Summarize

Solar power systems, and PV modules in particular, are characterized by long-term sustainability and efficient stability, with a lifespan of typically 25 years or more. The low rate of decay of PV modules and the long payback period during this process make PV power generation not only an environmentally friendly energy option, but also a long-lasting economic investment. Whether for domestic, commercial or industrial users, PV power systems are ideal for future energy development.