What is the Lifespan of Solar PV Panels for Office Buildings?

When it comes to choosing a solar PV panel for your office building, lifespan will be an important consideration. A standard commercial solar panel should last for around 25–30 years without any major issues. Most will still produce energy after this time period, but the production level may be less efficient.

A high quality panel will only have a small reduction in capacity each year. This is known as a rate of degradation. This is how manufacturers calculate the lifespan of their panels.

The longevity of your solar panels will depend on a number of factors:

The two major types of solar PV panels that are available on the market today include polycrystalline and monocrystalline. The latter is known to be of a higher quality and should last longer - five years or more. In fact, they can easily last for 40 years or more.

If you’re looking to install solar PV panels to a smaller space, the monocrystalline panel is ideal. They are known to produce more energy on a smaller scale than their poly counterparts and are more effective at absorbing sunlight.

Warranties can help you gauge the quality of your panels and give you peace of mind. Many solar panels in the UK come with a 25-year warranty. It’s important to check what’s covered under the terms of the warranty. There will be warranties available for the various components as well. The solar PV system is only as good as the sum of its parts. It’s also worth getting insurance to help cover the cost of certain types of damage that can occur to your panels.

Having a sufficient commercial solar panel maintenance plan is crucial. This will help you fix issues before they result in an electrical failure or further damage. Taking a proactive approach and leveraging the latest technology for enhanced insights can make a big difference.

By detecting a deterioration in energy levels or any obstructions or damage to the panel or other essential components, you can keep your panels working at their optimum capacity for longer.

Common faults can include hotspots, debris, corrosion, overheating, fractures or shading. Aerial drones with AI-powered cameras can help identify most of these issues with a fast turnaround and a high level of accuracy.

Maintenance can help your panels last a lot longer, and a full service should be carried out at least once a year. Find out what inspections are worth investing in.

In summary, monocrystalline solar panels can provide the longest lifespan, of up to 40 years, maybe more. However, it’s the maintenance that can help your panels deliver optimal electricity production for longer. Contact Remark Group today to discuss installing and maintaining your solar PV for office buildings. By partnering with Remark Group as your O&M partner, we can even make any warranty claims on your behalf, saving you time and hassle.