Understanding the Lifespan of Solar Panels in Pakistan's Climate

Solar panels are the one part of an entire solar energy system that are always exposed to the elements of nature. Since they are considered the receptacle for solar energy, it is obvious that they would be in such a state. And equally important is them being robust, which would then translate into the longevity of the panel. So, for this, we will look at what is the lifespan of a solar panel and how long do they last?

One of the major factors in determining the lifespan of solar panels is climate; just how much hot it gets. And this being Pakistan, it can get pretty hot. Does this actually affect the performance and more importantly, the lifespan of the solar panels? Or does it depend on the quality and the manufacturing of the panels themselves? With solar panels from RS Energy, you can be very sure of their performance even beyond their time. Let’s get right into it.

What is the lifespan of a solar panel?

The lifespan of a solar panel is usually around 20 years; high-quality panels will have an even longer lifespan and will continue to generate electricity even long past this time period. In fact, according to one estimate, solar panels installed in the 1980s are still functioning and are still producing electricity, albeit not at the same efficiency as they had when installed more than 30 years from now. That’s how much long-lasting solar panels really are.

However, solar panels might not always work up to 20 or more years. A lot of that is because of the manufacturing quality of the solar panels; lower quality panels will only work for a couple of years before needing to be replaced. Whereas high quality solar panels will continue to work even long after their warranty period has passed away, making them the obvious choice for solar energy systems.

Why such a long lifespan?

As mentioned beforehand, solar panels are constantly exposed to the nature. That means that they have to weather storms, rain, snow and all sorts of extreme temperatures. Since it’s the requirement of the solar panel, they are designed and manufactured to ensure that they can withstand such extreme weather and are long-lasting enough to keep on generating electricity for a decade or two without losing too much of their efficiency.

This also helps with the return on investment you get from the solar panels. Actually, the whole solar energy system, since the upfront costs are a little too much. This includes the cost of the solar panels, which aren’t themselves all that expensive, but combined with the rest of the equipment, do make a pretty big dent on your wallet.

So, what is the lifespan of a solar panel? It usually depends on the build quality and the manufacturer; however, on an average, you can expect a solar panel to last as long as 25 or 30 years, operating at maximum efficiency. Even after that time period, the panels will continue to generate electricity, just not at the same efficiency as before. And that, in a nutshell, is the lifespan of a solar panel.

Another factor that determines the longevity and efficiency of solar panels is the environmental factors they face.

Excessive exposure to extreme temperatures will definitely downgrade the performance and the lifespan of the panel. The difference might be negligible, but the difference in efficiency will become apparent. Also, maintenance plays an equally important role in keeping the longevity of the panel, and as such, proper maintenance is important if you want your solar panels to deliver above and beyond their warranty period.

Climate and solar panel longevity

Solar panels are typically manufactured keeping the temperature in mind; obviously, when we are talking about solar energy, it is almost understood that the solar panels will be facing the harsh sun during the summers, and that too, head on. Not to mention the warm air and other environmental factors that contribute to the warming up of the climate year after year. Most of the time, with solar panels, you can expect them to survive the extreme summers in Pakistan; however, it’s not all about just tempering the weather, but it’s about keeping the same efficiency and energy-generating metrics even during the summers. And this is where most solar panels might struggle. However, with the best solar energy company in Pakistan, RS Energy, you get the best solar panels that can take all the heat that the climate can throw at them and stay efficient even during the harshest summers.