The degradation of solar panels is often an important factor to consider when you are choosing to install them. But not only solar panels, many appliances degrade over time. This is a common phenomenon in nature. In this article, we will discuss with you the issues related to solar panel degradation.

Why do solar panels degrade?

All solar panels degrade over time, and this cannot be avoided. Degradation means that a degraded solar panel will generate less power under the same circumstances. However, if properly maintained and cared for, the degradation of solar panels will have very little effect on the efficiency of power generation. According to a survey, solar panels installed in the last century have passed about 50 years by now, but its power generation efficiency can still reach 50%. This shows that the degradation of solar panels is a very natural phenomenon, it cannot be avoided, but it can be slowed down.

Types of solar panel degradation

Natural degradation:

Natural degradation is the main cause of solar panel degradation, which is due to the degradation of solar panels that occurs with the increment of time, when the solar panels are subjected to natural conditions such as ambient temperatures or heavy snowfalls, strong winds, cloudy and rainy days, etc. These factors may lead to the degradation of solar panels. These factors can lead to a thermal plate effect or cracks in the surface of the solar panels. These cracks can lead to electrical deterioration of the solar panels, which means that the number of photons that can be absorbed by the solar panels decreases, and thus the solar panels undergo natural degradation, which can be mitigated in moderation by protective measures.

Photodegradation:

Photodegradation occurs when a new solar panel is installed and first exposed to sunlight. Generally, photoluminescent attenuation will continue throughout the life of the solar panel, with a rate of attenuation of 1 to 3% for the first 1 to 2 years of use. Subsequently, the solar panels will also decay, but at a rate of 0.5% to 0.8% per year. This degradation will have a lesser impact on the solar panels, and after 25 years, the solar panels will still have more than 85% of their power. Since sunlight is the main factor that causes photo-degradation of solar panels, manufacturers generally add UV blockers to solar panels to minimize photo-degradation.

Potential-induced degradation (PID):

Potential-induced degradation induced degradation occurs under high pressure or high salinity conditions, and solar panels are more susceptible to degradation on seashores. The immediate danger of potentially induced degradation is that a large amount of charge accumulates on the cells, which may reduce the voltage of the solar panels, and the power generated cannot be fully delivered to the inverter, resulting in a reduction in the power generation efficiency of the entire solar system. In serious cases, the power generation efficiency of solar panels can be reduced by more than 50%.

Reasons affecting the degradation of solar panels

Lack of maintenance

after the installation of solar panels is basically no maintenance, solar panels almost in the later use, as long as the use of appropriate, basically will not appear what big problems. But this than means that solar panels do not need maintenance, if you no longer care about the working condition of the solar panels after the installation of solar panels will accelerate the degradation of solar panels. On the contrary, if you can go for regular maintenance of the solar panels, it can reduce the degradation of the solar panels on the basis of the original solar panels.

The quality of solar panels

the quality of solar panels varies in the market, if you buy solar panels of the same type of cheaper products, then your solar panels are likely to be of low quality, solar panel manufacturers in order to allow users to choose their own solar panels, usually to reduce the quality of solar panels to reduce the cost of solar panels to attract users to buy. So you should pay attention to this when you buy solar panels, after all, high quality solar panels are expensive, but it will degrade a little slower, you use high quality solar panels are able to make the power generation efficiency increased.

Excessive Temperature

Excessive temperature may cause the panel of the solar panel to bend or small cracks in the tempered glass on the surface of the solar panel. However, the effects of high temperatures on solar panels are not only on the surface, but can be severe enough to cause the silicon in the cell to become abnormally active, at which point the silicon may escape the cell, meaning that there is less material in the cell that can absorb photons, and the solar panels naturally degrade.

How to slow down the degradation of solar panels?

Mild working environment

Although it is said that solar panels in general can work in relatively extreme environments, solar panels working in such environments will accelerate the degradation of solar panels. By working in a relatively mild environment, solar panels do not have to go through the effects of temperature, humidity, and extreme weather, and the degradation of solar panels will undoubtedly be slowed down.

Work with a reputable manufacturer

If you choose to work with a reputable manufacturer, you will reduce the risk of purchasing solar panels that are not of the highest quality, which is tantamount to slowing down the degradation of the solar panels from the very nature of the solar panels. A reputable manufacturer will use high quality solar panels and other components and treat your solar system with the utmost care, effectively slowing down the degradation of the panels.

Regular Maintenance and Cleaning

When you perform regular maintenance on your solar panels, even if your solar panels are degrading, you will be able to detect it in time and take appropriate measures to slow down the degradation of your solar panels.

Conclusion

Degradation of solar panels is common in the use of solar panels, it may also be related to the quality of the solar panels, the operating temperature and other aspects of the reasons, you can take appropriate measures in the use of the process to reduce the degradation of the solar panels on the efficiency of power generation.