Solar Module Life

[kicglobal]

We have seen Solar Module Warranty like 12 Years for 93% and 25 Years for 80% minimum power output or 12 years for 90%. But want to know the life or power output capability after the lapse of prescribed warranties or years. Would they be demading replacement or further power output may drop gradually or in a phased manner?

[Mike90250]

Some 40 year old cells, are still producing at 80% capacity. If kept sealed, cells last a long time.

[Sunking]

Some 40 year old cells, are still producing at 80% capacity. If kept sealed, cells last a long time.

Depends on which technology. Mono crystalline can last 30 years at 90%. Thin Film and your lucky to get 5 years before they fail.

Read that warranty very carefully as most folks do not understand them. One of the best reads 5/10/20. What this means is the panel is warranted for 5 years from material and workmanship and complete failure. 10 years at 90% rated, and 20 years @ 80% rating. Here is the catch if say after 6 years the panel fails and does not generate any power. That falls under the 5 year material and workmanship warranty. You get to buy another panel to replace it as it does not fall under the warranty terms.

[Carlo]

Yes you do need to learn how to read these: "materials and workmanship" are the build quality. However, if after 6 months the panel produces less then 90% it can be replaced under warranty as the panel produces less then 90% of the power. Doesn't matter if it's before or after 5 years. Also does not matter if it completely dies at year 6 or just produces less then 90%.

As far as the law goes it's the same thing. The manufacture is stating by way of warranty the panel will produce at least 90% power during the first 10 years. If it doesn't....

The only way around this is if the company can prove negligence against the buyer.

"materials and workmanship" refers to build quality and things like blemishes. If the warranty actually states "complete failure" as part of the 5 year it would be thrown out in a court of law and the second and third part of the warranty supersede it by stating 90% and 80% power production.

Companies create warranties like this all the time in the hopes of duping consumers when something fails down the road. Only problem is they don't hold up in a court of law.

[Minnesota]

... and injecting a fresh panel in an old string may cause it to be limitted to the same level of performance as the next worst panel in the string. Oh joy.