How Long Do Solar Panels Last? 25 to 30 Years (DOE, NREL)
Solar panels last about 25 to 30 years (Department of Energy) and often longer, losing about 0.5% of output a year at the median in NREL's review of nearly 2,000 field measurements.
That leaves roughly 88% of original output at 25 years. The inverter wears out first, typically in 10 to 15 years for a string inverter, and the roof under the array often needs replacing before the panels do.
Solar panel lifespan is how long a panel keeps producing useful power, usually stated as the length of the manufacturer's power warranty, 25 to 40 years, during which output falls slowly, about 0.5% a year at the median, rather than stopping.
How long do solar panels last
About 25 to 30 years, according to the Department of Energy, and often longer. Panels rarely stop working outright; they lose a little output each year. Most manufacturers warrant 25 years of production, and some now warrant 30 or 40. The parts around the panels wear out first: string inverters typically last 10 to 15 years, and the roof under the array may need replacing before the panels do.
Solar panel degradation: how much output panels lose each year
NREL researchers Dirk Jordan and Sarah Kurtz reviewed nearly 2,000 degradation rates from about 40 years of field tests and found a median loss of 0.5% a year. In a related NREL survey of 2,128 rates, the median was 0.5% a year, the mean 0.8%, and about 80% of modules lost less than 1% a year. At 0.5% a year, a panel produces roughly 90% of its original output after 20 years and about 88% after 25.
Ready to price a battery, new panels or a new inverter? Call the new equipment line with your inverter brand and system size.
Solar panel efficiency loss: what the warranties promise
| Panel | Power warranty | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maxeon (40-year warranty) | 98% in year 1, then 0.25% a year; 92% at 25 years, 88.3% at 40 | Maxeon, 2023 |
| REC Alpha Pure-R | 92% of power guaranteed after 25 years | REC |
| Qcells Q.TRON BLK S-G3R.12+ | At least 98.5% in year 1, at most 0.33% a year after; 88.93% at 30 years | Qcells, August 2025 |
| Typical standard warranties | About 80.7% to 87.9% at 25 years, as cited by Maxeon | Maxeon, 2023 |
Manufacturer power warranties; check your own panel's data sheet for its terms.
If a panel is losing output faster than its warranty allows, that is a warranty claim with the panel maker, and it survives the installer going out of business. The warranty table lists the terms and contacts by brand.
How long do solar inverters last
String inverters typically last about 10 to 15 years and microinverters about 25, per EnergySage estimates reported by pv magazine. kWh Analytics has found that 80% of solar array failures happen at the inverter. A system installed before about 2015 with a string inverter is due for one. The inverter page has the replacement costs.
System getting old, or panels to replace? Call the new equipment line.
Signs your solar panels are wearing out
- Production more than a few percent below the same month in past years, with no new shade or dirt.
- One panel or string consistently lower than the rest in the app.
- Visible browning, bubbling or delamination of the panel surface, or cracked glass.
- A string inverter more than 10 years old showing errors or derating in the heat.
What to do when panels reach the end of their life
Replace single failed panels while the rest are producing well; the panel replacement page covers matching discontinued models. When the inverter fails and the panels are 15 or more years old, compare a repower with a new array. Plan the roof at the same time: the roof readiness guide covers how many years the roof has left.
At the end of their life, panels come off for good: permanent removal and disposal runs $1,500 to $5,000 plus disposal. Adding storage to an aging system is covered on the Tesla Powerwall cost and solar battery installation pages.
More solar guides
Questions people ask
How long do solar panels last?
About 25 to 30 years per the Department of Energy, with many manufacturers warranting 25 to 40 years of production. Output falls slowly rather than stopping.
How much do solar panels degrade per year?
About 0.5% a year at the median, per NREL's review of nearly 2,000 field measurements. About 80% of modules lose less than 1% a year.
Do solar panels stop working after 25 years?
No. The warranty period ends, but most panels keep producing, typically at 80% to 92% of their original output depending on the warranty.
What wears out first in a solar system?
The string inverter, typically in 10 to 15 years. Roofs under arrays, especially 3-tab asphalt, often need replacing before the panels.
Is solar panel efficiency loss covered by warranty?
Yes, if output falls below the manufacturer's power warranty curve. The claim goes to the panel maker and survives the installer's bankruptcy.
Who checks how much life my panels have left?
A solar technician with a per-panel production report, or a licensed electrician for the inverter side; the technician or electrician guide explains which trade handles which part.
Panels producing well below their warranty curve? Call the solar repair line first; replacement goes to the new equipment line.
- 1Call the line
- 2It rings a local company
- 3They give you the price
Before you book
- License numberAsk for it, then check it with the state board.
- Written priceGet the visit fee and the job price in writing before work starts.
- Proof of insuranceAsk for the certificate, especially for roof, tree and electrical work.
Sources (7)
- US Department of Energy: Replacing your roof? It's a great time to add solar (2026-05-15)
- NREL: Photovoltaic degradation rates, an analytical review (Jordan and Kurtz) (2013)
- NREL: Technology and climate trends in PV module degradation (2012-09)
- Maxeon: 40-year warranty flyer (2023)
- REC: Alpha Pure-R pocket guide (checked 2026-10-11)
- Qcells: Q.TRON BLK S-G3R.12+ data sheet (2025-08)
- pv magazine: How long do residential solar inverters last? (2025-08-06)
Talk to a solar installer who serves your area
Have the inverter brand, the system size or panel count and the address ready. The company will ask about the job and quote before anything is booked.
Free call to an independent company in your area that takes this kind of work.