Degradation Rate Of Solar Panels

Below is a comparison of the output of solar power systems over a 50 year period with degradation rates of 0 25 sunpower s expected average 0 4 an excellent rate of degradation 0 8 the mean average found in some studies and 1 the old standard.

Degradation rate of solar panels.

In 1977 the department of energy established the solar energy research institute in golden colorado. Solar panel degradation rates are constantly improving as solar panel technology gets better over the years and degradation rates below 1 are common throughout the industry. Slightly different again but equal in terms of ranking criteria the panasonic hit also considers a 3 first year degradation while degrading at no more than an outstanding 0 2 per annum over 25 years. This represents the highest degradation environment.

The different independent studies that tackled the question of solar modules degradation end up with an average of 0 8 per year. That s backed up by the solar panel manufacturer s warranty which guarantees 90 production in the first ten years and 80 by year 25 or 30. Reliable and is expected to have an even lower degradation rate. On average today s solar panels have a 15 to 18 solar efficiency rate the best pvs have as high as a 22 conversion rate.

Solar site assessors use these rates. In the years since this 2012 study was conducted more efficient technologies have been developed and many newer panels have just a 0 5 percent yearly decline in energy. Sunpower s physics model when incorporating lab results from these accelerated tests predicts a system degradation rate of 0 17 per year 0 12 per year in a typical hot dry climate power plant application at 90 confidence. With an average of 3 5 after 9 years the degradation of the 16 modules tested would translate into an annual degradation of less than 0 4 which would position aleo in the very good performers among its peers.

On average solar panels degrade at a rate of 1 each year. However a study conducted by the national renewable energy laboratory nrel shows a more accurate picture of solar panel degradation. So each solar panel would be tested based on its beginning. In addition degradation rates for 10 selected systems were found to be larger than 1 year.

Those panels could retain 96 of their production capabilities after 20 years. Degradation rates are used in solar site assessments in order to estimate the energy production over the life of a. The 3 first year degradation is quickly negated by the impressive 0 3 per annum degradation rate over 30 years.