Solar Panel Degradation Per Year

However a study conducted by the national renewable energy laboratory nrel shows a more accurate picture of solar panel degradation.

Solar panel degradation per year.

A 2012 study by the national renewable energy laboratory nrel found that on average solar panel output falls by 0 8 percent each year. According to an analysis by the national renewable energy laboratory nrel some premium panel manufacturers offer degradation rates as low as 0 3 per year. And while other brands have higher degradation rates of up to 0 8 per year that s still a yearly average degradation rate of only 0 5. Degradation at a rate of 0 25 to 0 4 per year ensures that your solar power system continues to produce more than 90 of its original power production for 25 years.

With an average of 3 5 after 9 years the degradation of the 16 modules tested would translate into an annual degradation of less than 0 4 which would position aleo in the very good performers among its peers. On average solar panels degrade at a rate of 1 each year. That s backed up by the solar panel manufacturer s warranty which guarantees 90 production in the first ten years and 80 by year 25 or 30. Solar panel degradation rate.

Those panels could retain 96 of their production capabilities after 20 years. This rate of decline is called solar panel degradation rate. But with degradation of 0 8 per year production drops below 90 before 15 years have passed. According to a national renewable energy laboratory nrel study premium modern solar panel manufacturers such as panasonic and lg offer panels with degradation rates as low as 0 30 per year.

Solar site assessors use these rates. In addition degradation rates for 10 selected systems were found to be larger than 1 year. In 1977 the department of energy established the solar energy research institute in golden colorado. The worst degradation rate is 80 a year but as a benchmark you can expect an average degradation rate of 50 a year for any panel.

Panels in more moderate climates such as the northern united states had degradation rates as low as 0 2 per year.