How Long Do Solar Panels Last?
Quick answer: Solar panels typically last 25 to 30 years or more. They lose about 0.5% of their output per year on average, and many newer panels are warranted to lose less, so a 25-year-old panel often still produces close to 90% of its original power. Inverters usually wear out first.
Solar panels don’t stop working on a set date. They lose a little output each year, and most keep producing useful power well past the end of their warranty. The parts around them, especially the inverter, usually need attention sooner.
How quickly panels lose output
A widely cited review by researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory looked at nearly 2,000 measured degradation rates and found a median loss of about 0.5% of output per year. Newer panels generally do better. Many 2026 warranties guarantee no more than about 0.25% to 0.33% loss per year after the first year.
At 0.5% a year, a panel still produces about 88% of its original output after 25 years. At 0.3% a year, it’s above 90%.
What panel warranties cover
Most quality panels now come with two 25-year warranties:
- A product warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship.
- A performance warranty guaranteeing a minimum output over time. For example, Qcells guarantees at least 90.58% of rated output after 25 years, and REC guarantees at least 92%.
Some premium makers offer 30 years. Warranties don’t cover hail, falling trees, fire or storms. That’s what homeowners insurance is for, so make sure your policy includes the system. A warranty is also only as good as the company behind it: SunPower’s 2024 bankruptcy and the exits of LG and Panasonic from the panel business left some owners looking to other parties for support.
What fails before the panels
- String inverters usually carry 10- to 12-year warranties and often need replacing once during a system’s life, typically for $1,000 to $3,000.
- Microinverters generally carry 25-year warranties, and a failure affects only one panel.
- Connectors, wiring and roof seals can loosen or wear, especially in extreme heat, cold or coastal air.
- Batteries, if you have one, typically carry 10- to 15-year warranties. See how long solar batteries last.
What affects how long panels last
- Climate. Heat, humidity, big temperature swings, heavy snow and salt air all speed up wear.
- Installation quality. Proper wiring, mounting and weather sealing matter as much as the panels themselves.
- Panel quality. Datasheet degradation rates and warranty terms are the best guide to what a manufacturer expects.
- Physical damage. Hail, debris and people walking on panels can cause cracks that grow over time.
A note on “Tier 1” panels
You may hear installers call a panel “Tier 1.” That’s a BloombergNEF ranking of manufacturers whose panels have been used in large bank-financed projects. BloombergNEF says it measures industry acceptance, not product quality, so it isn’t a guarantee of longer life. Compare warranties and degradation rates instead.
How to get the most years out of your system
- Hire a reputable installer with a solid workmanship warranty.
- Check your monitoring app regularly so problems get caught early.
- Have the system inspected after major storms.
- Keep trees trimmed back and clean the panels only when needed. See how to clean solar panels on a roof.
What happens at the end?
When panels are eventually removed, often because the roof needs replacing or the owner upgrades to newer panels, they can be reused, sold secondhand or recycled. Panel recycling is growing but still limited in many areas, so ask your installer how they handle old equipment.
For how panel lifespan fits into the financial picture, see how long solar takes to pay for itself.
