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Forum Index : Solar : How long will Solar panels last ?

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GWatPE

Senior Member

Joined: 01/09/2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 2127
Posted: 01:53am 21 Dec 2010
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I have a solar panel circa 1985.

This is what it now looks like, and has approx 10% of original current output.




This is a poly crystalline panel, of nominal 55W output when new. It now has a nominal 5W output, after approx 25years.

There is some corrosion of the busbars, through water ingress associated with shrinkage of the EVA/tedlar back layers around the electrical connections, [although the screw terminals are still OK]. There are bubbles in and discolouration of the EVA. The cells had the blue NRL coating. The panel spent over half its life in the tropics, and has deteriorated significantly in the last 4 years in a temperate climate. Not all the cells are affected the same way, as can be seen in the pic.

It would be interesting to hear if other readers who have had a long experience in solar, have similar panels.

These panels looked fantastic and had great output when new, and cost over $1500 ea.

Can get about 1kW for the same money now.

Gordon.


become more energy aware
 
VK4AYQ
Guru

Joined: 02/12/2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 2539
Posted: 12:01pm 21 Dec 2010
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Hi Gordon

I have 4 panels that are 24 years old and still going, and producing 1.2 amps they each originally they did 2.2 amps, rating 40 watt 12 volt. They are sufficient to run the 12 volt led lighting for the house.

All the best

Bob
Foolin Around
 
KarlJ

Guru

Joined: 19/05/2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 1178
Posted: 06:43am 25 Dec 2010
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I've studied the panels at RISE at Murdoch University and not many survive at
25 years if any and plenty of panels installed well after the start that haven't done 10 years, stuffed too.

luck of the draw or reputable manufacturers thats the choice you have,
panels are (in my opinion) cheap enough now that that it almost doesn't matter
ie plenty of guys bringing in panels at under $2usd /w and for that price....
it almost doesnt matter. Even good panels are going to be under $3 a watt this year
Luck favours the well prepared
 
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