It turned out that solar panels degrade dramatically after 10 years of use instead of the claimed 25 years

Researchers from the Czech Republic conducted a study in which they found that after 10 years of use, solar panels begin to break down when the promised service life is 20-25 years of operation.

The researchers collected monitoring data on 85 solar power plants built in the Czech Republic in 2009-2010. The main cause of panel failure was identified as delamination of the photovoltaic panels. All of the panels studied were installed at an angle of 35 degrees, and most were coated with EVA TPT laminate. If the siloxan coating is not renewed after 10 years, after another year the entire panel will have to be replaced.

Savings on frames also resulted in a shorter lifespan - they were loosened as well as the distance between the frames and the photopanels was shortened. Also the panels were connected in series to increase the voltage, which contributed to the degradation processes.

  • cxtinac@sh.itjust.works
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    1 year ago

    Yikes! Several questions:

    • What do manufacturers say?
    • Are these all from one manufacturer?
    • Is there any monitoring, maintenance & repair that can be done?
    • These are 10-12 year old panels, has the manufacturing process changed at all? viz. Kitec vs PEX

    Comment: It’s hard to tell from the original pics exactly where these failures are happening, it looks like a stress crack in the frame?