A new study of six solar arrays in Switzerland, each more than 30 years old, shows they’re still performing well, retaining over 80% of their original power. The findings, reported by Chemistry World, a Royal Society of Chemistry publication, challenge assumptions about the typical solar panel lifespan.
Lead researcher Ebrar Özkalay of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland noted, “This … really shows that photovoltaics can last … and it’s an important message to the photovoltaic industry.”
The study provided valuable insight into panel durability in extreme conditions, considering temperature, climate, and even mounting. Material quality was highlighted as a key reason for the longevity, according to CW.
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Panels typically have a 25- to 30-year life expectancy. But the Swiss study is evidence that well-built panels can provide energy savings for even longer. The systems analyzed were installed between 1987 and 1993. They include residential and commercial setups in a variety of places. Panels at lower altitudes degraded more than others, likely due to higher equipment surface temperatures.
“The bill of materials — everything that goes into a panel — has a great influence on performance, even when made by the same company,” U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory solar expert Dirk Jordan told CW.
The latest solar innovations make it possible for panels to be installed in amazing places, including balconies, underneath train tracks, and on infrastructure.
Increased use in a variety of settings helps to offset dirty fuels burned to make electricity. The burning of nonrenewables results in heat-trapping air pollution that’s a problem for almost everyone on Earth, according to the World Health Organization. It’s a detriment to human lungs and minds.
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The incentives are being sunset early as part of policy changes. Credits for other cleaner-energy tech, including heat pumps, are also expiring. Mitsubishi can help you navigate the HVAC upgrade process, and the right unit can cut your electricity use for heating by up to 75%, according to the Department of Energy.
The Swiss-based experts are excited about what they are finding from early suncatchers that are still making loads of cleaner electricity, and the data collected can help design better models.
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