We all know that solar panels can last 25 years. In fact, they can last many more years beyond 25.
But does it mean that there’s little that can go wrong with solar panels for these many long years?
Nopes. Many things can go wrong. In fact, to a certain extent, it depends on what one means by “going wrong”.
By “going wrong,” if one implies that the solar panels might underperform, well, yes, there are a number of things can do go wrong and make the solar panels underperform compared to their inherent potential, sometimes seriously so.
Some of the more prominent aspects that can make solar panels underperform are:
- High temperature – if solar panels have poor temperature tolerance (as defined by their temperature coefficient), their output could get significant reduced at high temperatures.
- PID effects – Solar panels that do not have enough protection against Potential Induced Degradation can degrade fairly quickly and result in significant loss of output, and in some extreme cases could require complete replacement too.
- Poor performance owing to poor warranty selection
- Backsheet of poor quality resulting in higher degradation – Backsheets are often ignored components; these are the polymer sheets that form the last part of the solar panels at the back. As these are as exposed to elements as is the glass on top, poor quality backsheets can result in significant underperformance.
- Poor IP for module junction box resulting in solar panel destruction during floods and rain – Ingress Protection (IP) is a rating of the extent of protection the junction boxes under each panel have against dust and water. Solar panels with poor IP rating could have their junction boxes damaged during rains & floods, and at very dusty locations.
- Poor glass resulting in solar panel breaking from being hit by heavy objects – while high quality solar panels use tempered glass that has been tested to withstand high forces and heavy objects, some of the not-so-high quality solar panels might not perform well enough on this.
Some of the above can result in your solar panel being completely damaged within a few years and needing a complete replacement. Just imagine what a terrible financial and economic loss that would be.
You Might Want to Check Out these Questions Too on Risks & Warranties
- How Much Do I Stand to Lose If I Choose a Poor Quality Solar Panel?-Here
- Have there been Real Life Failures of Solar Panels within a Few Years after Installation?-Here
- Can Solar Panels Withstand Hailstorms?-Here
- Can Solar Panels Withstand Snow and Rain?-Here
- Can Solar Panels be Damaged by Floods?-Here
- What Happens if the Solar Panel Manufacturer Goes Out of Business?-Here
- What Warranties Should I Look for While Purchasing Solar Panels?-Here
- What Happens if there are Bird Droppings on Solar Panels?-Here
- What Happens if Heavy Objects Fall on Solar Panels?-Here
- What Happens if Someone Accidentally Walks on Solar Panels?-Here
- What is PID (performance induced degradation) of a Solar Panel?-Here
- How Can I Protect Solar Panels Against Monkeys and Other Animals?-Here
- What Types of Insurance are Available for Solar Panels?-Here
- What is the Shading of Solar Panels all About? What are Its Implications?-Here
- What are Light Induced Defects in Solar Cells?-Here
- What is a Solar Module Derate Factor?-Here
- If a Cell in a Solar Panel Doesn’t Work, Does It Affect Generation from Other Cells?-Here
EVALUATION PARAMETERS
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