How often do solar panels fail?

With any major investment, even the suggestion of failure can lead to a sinking feeling in your gut. Solar panels are no different. For all the benefits of solar, putting $20,000 or more of fragile-looking hardware on your roof, where it's exposed to rain, wind, and ice and you're bound to feel some anxiety. 

According to a 2017 study from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), 0.05% of solar panels installed since 2000 will need replacement due to failure from age, exposure to the elements, or manufacturing defects. That rate will vary depending on the climate where you live, but overall you can feel confident that your solar panels will work as expected throughout their lifetime. 

Still, you’ll want to understand the risks involved with climate and weather, as well as what you can do if one or more of your panels stops working. Let’s examine solar panel reliability and what your options are if something goes wrong.

As with any consumer product, manufacturers sometimes produce defective batches of panels, though the vast majority are high-quality. Overall, solar panels are very reliable, but oddball cases can cause unexpected failure. Here are some of the more common ones. 

Extreme weather events

Solar panels are designed to withstand the elements, but extreme weather events can still cause panel failure and damage. Widespread damage from events like hurricane season can impact solar panels just like any other outdoor structure. 

Hail

Intense hail can damage solar panels, but it’s rare. Solar panels are designed and tested to withstand inclement weather. In general, solar panels can handle the impacts of hail storms. 

Hot temperatures

Panels in hot and humid climates exhibit slightly higher failure rates, though these failures are rare and only occur in the most severe types of weather. 

While total failure is uncommon, the performance of even the most effective solar panels declines in warmer temperatures. If you live in a hotter climate, consider installing solar panels with a favorable temperature coefficient. 

Output decreases when solar panels reach temperatures above 77°F (25°C). Your panels’ temperature coefficient measures performance under these warmer conditions. The lower the temperature coefficient, the better.  

Manufacturing defects

If a faulty production run of solar panels hits the market, those panels are at high risk of failure. Generally, manufacturer quality assurance processes prevent defective solar panels from reaching the market. Physical blemishes like broken or chipped solar cells and scratched glass are some of the more common defects in solar panels.

To further protect you from failed solar panels, most manufacturers offer solar warranties as a safeguard. Solar warranties come in two varieties: performance and equipment guarantees. Performance warranties ensure your panels produce a certain level of power over their 25-year lifetime. Equipment warranties protect against damaged or defective solar panels.

The industry standard for equipment guarantees is ten years, but the best solar panels offer up to 25 years of equipment warranty coverage. That coverage will pay for replacing a failed panel due to manufacturing defects or durability issues, essentially covering any way your solar panels might physically fail. Even in the rare case of a panel failure, your manufacturer will likely replace the faulty panel free of charge.

What is the average lifespan of a solar panel?

Solar panels last around 25 to 30 years. After this time, many solar panels can still produce electricity, but at a rate significantly less than what manufacturers consider useful. Solar performance warranties usually reflect the “useful life” of a solar panel and can help you understand the rate at which your panels will slowly degrade over time.

Going solar is a considerable investment that will last decades, so it’s important to weigh your options before committing to an installer. Receive custom quotes from vetted installers in your area on the EnergySage Solar Marketplace. Go solar with confidence by comparing quotes side-by-side and connecting with our unbiased team of Energy Advisors today.