Top 10 Signs of Solar Panel Degradation
Making sure that your solar energy system is working at peak efficiency is always important. One of the most common reasons that our customer’s systems start to become inefficient is due to solar panel degradation.
Spotting panel degradation can be difficult, but catching it early can save you days, weeks, and months of low system performance and can also prevent damage to your system. Our solar application engineers are always available to consult – you can email us a picture of your panels any time and we can assess along with you.
Below are the top 10 signs of solar panel degradation, so you know what to look for:
- Decreased energy output: The most obvious sign of degraded solar panels is a decrease in energy output. If your panels are producing less electricity than they used to, take longer to charge, or are not able to fully charge, it could indicate a problem.
- Discoloration: If your solar panels have started to turn yellow or brown, it could be a sign of degradation. This discoloration of cells is caused by exposure to the sun and oxygen and can affect the efficiency of your panels.
- Hot spots: Hot spots occur when a section of your solar panel gets too hot and can damage the cells. This can be caused by a number of factors, including shading and poor installation.
- Cracks: If you notice cracks in your solar panels, it could be a sign of degradation. These cracks can let moisture into the panels, causing further damage.
- Delamination: Delamination occurs when the layers of your solar panel start to separate. This can cause a decrease in performance and can be caused by exposure to the elements.
- Corrosion: If your solar panels are corroded, it can affect their ability to absorb sunlight. Corrosion can be caused by exposure to salt or other chemicals in the air.
- Burn marks: If you notice burn marks on your solar panels, it could be a sign of degradation. Burn marks can be caused by hot spots or other issues with your panels.
- Loose connections: Loose connections can cause a decrease in energy output and can be caused by poor installation or exposure to the elements. Loose connections can occur at the junction box on the back of a solar panel, or between panel-to-panel connectors.
- Peeling film: If the film on your solar panels starts to peel, it can cause a decrease in energy output. This can be caused by exposure to the sun or other environmental factors.
- Age: Finally, if your solar panels are more than 25 years old, they may be starting to degrade. While solar panels can last for decades, they will eventually reach the end of their lifespan.
As we mentioned above, our team of solar application engineers is standing by to help you with any of your solar energy system needs. You can email, call, chat on our website, or send us a DM on social media any time and we can help you with anything you might need, including assessing those solar panels!
Why NAZ Solar Electric?
For over 40 years, we’ve designed systems and provided technical support for residential and commercial customers across the globe.
Our passion has always been to take this natural, renewable resource and make it accessible.
Need help with system design, financing, or support? Contact our team: sales@solar-electric.com, or call 1.800.383.0195.
Please click here to download a PDF of this System Design.
