Will Your Solar Panels Last Long Enough to Be Worth It?
Solar panels save you money on your electric bills by generating power for your home using free energy from the sun. Those savings add up and your solar panels will eventually pay for themselves.
But how quickly does that happen? And, will you save enough to justify the investment?
Modern solar panels are built to last for decades. By the time you break even on your system—usually within 10 years—you’ll still have 15+ years of free electricity ahead.
How Long Do Residential Solar Panels Last?
Residential solar panels are designed to be durable and long-lasting. Most manufacturers back their panels with a 25-year warranty.
However, the warranty period and the average lifespan of a solar panel aren’t always the same. Usually, solar panels last much longer than their 25-year warranty period.
This is because solar panels don’t just stop working after 25 years. Instead, their efficiency rate slowly reduces, which means they produce less electricity over time. Many panels continue to generate power for 30 years or longer, just at a reduced efficiency rate.
How Fast Do Solar Panels Degrade?
Like anything that’s exposed to the elements 24/7, solar panels experience gradual wear. As they wear out, they will produce less and less electricity. The rate at which this happens is called the solar panel degradation rate.
But you don’t have to worry about solar panel degradation too much. It happens very slowly. You probably won’t even notice it until your solar panels are well past their break-even point.
Here’s what you can expect:
On average, solar panels lose 0.3% to 0.5% of their efficiency per year.
After 25 years, most panels still produce 80-90% of their original output.
High-quality panels like the ones Sustainergy Cooperative installs degrade even more slowly
Solar Payback Period vs Panel Longevity
Your solar payback period—the time it takes for energy savings to cover the cost of your solar installation—varies depending on factors like system cost, energy rates, incentives, and financing.
Most homeowners in Ohio see a return on their investment in solar in about 10 years (oftentimes less).
That means even after you’ve fully recouped your costs, your solar panels will still generate free electricity for 15+ years or more. And, as electricity rates continue to rise, solar payback periods will get even shorter.
Here’s a simple example:
You install a solar system that costs $25,000
You save 30% with the solar tax credit, bringing your costs down to $17,500
Your system saves you $150 a month in electricity costs
You break even in a little 7-10 years
Your panels continue producing energy for another 15+ years. If you continue to save $150 a month (without factoring in additional savings due to increased electricity usage and rates) you’ll see, at minimum, a $27,000 return on your investment.
What About Maintenance and Repair Costs?
One of the biggest myths about solar panels is that they need a lot of maintenance, and those costs add up. But solar panels are actually very low maintenance since they don’t have any moving parts.
In Ohio, rain is usually all you need to wash off dusty solar panels, and that’s usually all the maintenance they require. Of course, damage can happen, but it’s unlikely. For severe weather events that damage your house or roof as well as the panels, we always recommend to our customers to add the solar to their homeowner’s insurance to make sure their replacement is covered even then. Even if you do end up with some broken wires or even a shattered panel, your repair costs won’t significantly impact your solar panel ROI.
Solar Panels are a Smart Financial Investment
Solar panels last much longer than it takes to break even on them, which makes them a smart investment for most homes. With a 25-year warranty and an actual lifespan extending beyond that, solar offers decades of financial savings, energy independence, and environmental benefits.
If you're considering installing solar panels in Ohio, now is a great time. Electricity costs are rising and power is only going to get more expensive. Installing solar panels now will help you get ahead of rate hikes and ensure long-term savings.
Sustainergy Cooperative is the solar panel installer Ohio homeowners trust! We are a local worker-owned cooperative that’s committed to quality. With us, you know you’re getting the best installation and service possible because our technicians are worker-owners—your success is their success!
