How Long Do Solar Panels Last? Lifespan, Degradation, and Warranties

Most solar panels last 25 to 35 years. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that the average operating lifespan of a solar panel has grown from about 20 years in 2007 to 25 to 35 years in 2025. Panels do not stop working at the end of that span. They slowly make less power, and an NREL review of nearly 2,000 measurements found a median loss of 0.5% per year. At that rate, a panel still makes about 88% of its rated output after 25 years.

How much power does a solar panel lose each year?

NREL researchers Dirk Jordan and Sarah Kurtz pulled together nearly 2,000 degradation rates measured in the field over 40 years. The median was 0.5% per year. Here is what that looks like for a 400 watt panel:

Source for the rate: Jordan and Kurtz, "Photovoltaic Degradation Rates: An Analytical Review," NREL. The table is our calculation at 0.5% per year, compounded. Your panels can do better or worse depending on the panel and where it is installed.

What do solar panel warranties promise?

Most panel makers back two things: the panel itself (workmanship) and its power output over time. The output warranty tells you the floor the maker expects the panel to stay above.

Sources: Rich Solar product and warranty pages; Jackery product page. Read the full warranty terms before you buy, since coverage can be prorated. Compare the 80% floor at 25 years with the 88% the NREL median predicts: the warranty leaves a margin below what most panels actually deliver.

What shortens a solar panel's life?

• Heat. The DOE says solar cells generally work best at low temperatures. Hot panels make less power, which is why open racking with air under the panel helps.
• Snow and wind loads. Sandia National Laboratories notes snow puts uneven stress on modules, and the long-term effect is not fully known. Check the panel's load rating: both MEGA panels above are rated for 5400 Pa snow and 2400 Pa wind loads.
• Damage and poor installation. Cracked glass, loose wiring, and connectors left in water all shorten life. Follow the installation manual and use proper mounts.

Do the other parts last as long?

Usually not. Batteries and inverters are the parts you will most likely replace before the panels. For batteries, read How Long Do Solar Batteries Last?, and for inverters, see Solar Inverter Cost, Lifespan, and Maintenance.

The DOE also points out that most solar systems in use today are still early in their expected lifetime, so real-world 30-plus year data is still building.

In-stock solar panels

• Rich Solar MEGA 100: 100 W, 12V, 25-year output warranty. $119.99
• Rich Solar MEGA 200: 200 W, 12V. $239.99
• Rich Solar MEGA 410: 410 W, 24V, sold in sets of 8, 10, or 12. From $2,799.99
• Jackery SolarSaga 200W: folding panel for power stations. $429

Browse all solar panels. Figuring out how many you need? Read How Many Solar Panels Do I Need?

Need help choosing? Call 1-888-855-7286. Tell us what you want to power and where you live, and we will help you pick panels with the right warranty.

Solar panel lifespan FAQ

How long do solar panels last? About 25 to 35 years on average, according to the DOE, and they keep producing power after that at a lower level.

How much efficiency do solar panels lose per year? A median of 0.5% per year in NREL's review of nearly 2,000 field measurements.

Do solar panels stop working after 25 years? No. At 0.5% per year, a panel still makes about 88% of its original output at 25 years.

What does a 25-year solar panel warranty cover? Usually a minimum power output. The MEGA 100's warranty promises 80% after 25 years.

What wears out first in a solar system? Usually the batteries and inverter, not the panels.

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