How many years do solar panels last

How many years do solar panels last? Doing these things can extend the service life!

Solar panels are called "components" in the industry. Under normal use conditions, solar panels have a working life of more than 25 years, but the power decreases with the increase in service life. The life of the photovoltaic module is determined by its power generation efficiency, and the degree of combination of the PN junction and the purity of the silicon wafer determine the intensity of the electrical energy generated by the solar panel under the same light exposure. As time goes by, the PN junction will continue to break , so the efficiency will continue to decline. After 15 years, the conversion efficiency will be more than 90%, and after 25 years, it will drop to about 85%. Therefore, the life of photovoltaic modules is basically more than 20 years.

To extend the service life of solar panels, regular and correct maintenance is essential:

1. The surface of photovoltaic modules should be kept clean. Dry or damp soft and clean cloth should be used to wipe photovoltaic modules. It is strictly forbidden to use corrosive solvents or hard objects to wipe photovoltaic modules. Photovoltaic modules should be cleaned when the irradiance is lower than 200W/㎡. It is not advisable to use liquids with a large temperature difference from the modules to clean the modules.

Photovoltaic modules should be inspected regularly. If the following problems are found, the photovoltaic modules should be adjusted or replaced immediately. Photovoltaic modules have broken glass, burned backsheets, and obvious color changes; there are bubbles in the photovoltaic modules that form communication channels with the edges of the modules or any circuits; photovoltaic module junction boxes are deformed, twisted, cracked, or burned, and the terminal blocks cannot be used properly. touch.​

3. The live warning signs on the photovoltaic modules must not be lost.​

4. For photovoltaic modules using metal frames, the frame and bracket should be well combined, the contact resistance between the two should not be greater than 4Ω, and the frame must be firmly grounded.​

5. When working under no shadow conditions, when the solar irradiance is more than 500W/㎡ and the wind speed is not more than 2m/s, the temperature difference on the outer surface of the same photovoltaic module (the area directly above the battery) should be less than 20℃. Photovoltaic power stations with an installed capacity greater than 50kWp should be equipped with infrared thermal imaging cameras to detect temperature differences on the outer surfaces of photovoltaic modules.​

6. Use a DC clamp-type ammeter to measure the input current of each photovoltaic module string connected to the same DC combiner box under conditions where the solar radiation intensity is basically the same. The deviation should not exceed 5%.

All bolts, welds and bracket connections of the bracket should be firm and reliable, and the anti-corrosion coating on the surface should not crack or fall off, otherwise it should not be brushed in time.​

8. For solar cell array brackets with automatic polar axis tracking systems, it is necessary to regularly check whether the mechanical and electrical performance of the tracking system is normal.​

9. Regularly check the metal brackets of the solar cell array for corrosion, and paint the brackets regularly for anti-corrosion treatment. The square array bracket must be well grounded.​

10. During use, the photoelectric parameters and output power of the solar cell array should be tested regularly (such as 1 to 2 months) to ensure the normal operation of the battery array.​

11. During use, you should check the packaging and connection joints of solar photovoltaic modules regularly (such as 1 to 2 months). If you find that there is water in the package, discoloration of the cells, loose joints, disconnection, corrosion, etc., repair them in time. or replace.

12. Keep the lighting surface of the solar photovoltaic module array clean. If there is dust, use a clean wire duster to clean it. If there is dirt that cannot be removed, rinse it with clean water and then wipe it dry with a clean rag. Never clean with corrosive solvents or wipe with hard objects. When there is snow, clean it up in time.