We have good news if your main goal is to profit from your panels.
Most online calculators that calculate the generation of solar power plants are based on a lifetime of 25 years. Any extra mileage you get from your panels is a bonus.
We can't promise panels will last longer than their warranty (that's what a contract is, after all). But most batteries continue to generate electricity even after 25 years. This is because solar panels do not have mobile (movable, rubbing) elements and are extremely reliable.
When your solar plant pays off, and your panels continue to work, your profit will far exceed the estimate of any online calculator.
Want to extend the life of your solar panels? Little life hacks will help your station run smoothly juiceboxsolar.com.
How to extend the life of your station?
Panels are the most reliable element of your solar station. But it will be necessary to maintain or replace the inverters and batteries (if you have them) to keep everything running efficiently.
The service life of inverters is shorter than that of panels. If you are not connected to the network (or connected to the web with a backup battery), battery maintenance and replacement will increase your costs in the future.
The best way to protect your investment is to inspect the station thoroughly after installation. Check the solar mounting system to ensure the panels and wiring are secure. The biggest threat to your panels is physical damage (from a stone, firearms, hurricane, huge hail - more than 10 cm) or electrical failure (short circuits, insulation breakdowns, switching solar panels under load) due to poor installation.
Replace obsolete inverters after seven years
Most grid inverters have a warranty of up to 7 years, and many manufacturers can extend the contract to 10 years.
Extending the warranty for inverters is a smart investment. It is safe to assume that you will replace the inverter at least once before the panel warranty expires. If your inverter fails after ten years, it will probably be replaced with a newer and better model.
We advise you to consult about the possibility and policy of extending the warranty. This warranty is purchased directly from the manufacturer. Solar Technology offers a moderately priced inverter warranty extension from the Fronius brand.
Off-grid inverters have shorter warranties. They range from 3 to 5 years, renewable for up to 10 years.
When purchasing a warranty extension, carefully examine the small details. Some companies cover the cost of spare parts but not the cost of replacing the inverter.
Servicing and replacing batteries
Maintaining and replacing batteries is one of the major costs associated with off-grid systems. Lithium and sealed lead acid batteries still need to be checked once a year.
Some batteries have a warranty of about ten years, depending on the brand. But if you choose the batteries inattentively, they can fail during the first three months.
For example, lead-acid batteries must be fully recharged after use and permanently damaged if left uncharged for an extended period.
Most high-quality standalone deep-cycle batteries have a lifespan of 1 to 10 years, depending on the type of batteries and how they are used and maintained. You can extend the life of your batteries by taking care of them and ensuring they are installed properly.
It is important to find specialists to help you design your station correctly. The professional team of Solar Technology advises paying attention to the battery capacity, solar energy, 10kw solar system and inverter power so that everything works perfectly.