Most homeowners are always looking to cut down on monthly bills, and electric bills are one bill that keeps on climbing for many families. To combat rising electric bill prices, more people are considering solar as a way to cut down on expenses—but most people want to know how long their investment will last.
Solar panels, like any other product or home feature, will slowly degrade with time. The lifespan of solar panels is limited, but how limited is it? In this article, we will take a look at how long solar panels last also known as degradation and why this matters when investing in home solar…Not all panels are created equal.
How Long Do Solar Panels Last?
Is solar free? No, and by now, most people realize nothing in this world is free. However, solar energy is freely accessible after you invest in solar panels. Since the average price of solar panels in South Carolina is $20,000, it is only natural that homeowners want to know how long these panels will last and how much they can save. When considering the value of your investment, the lifespan of solar panels is a big consideration. Fortunately, most homeowners will be happy to know that solar panels can last 30 to 40 years on average and even longer with newer technology advancements!
Every homeowner wants their solar panels to last as long as possible, but the truth is that there will always be some variety. There is no guaranteed lifespan for solar panels because they can break down for various reasons—how they are made, how they are installed, the materials they are built with, and even the environment. Choosing high-quality solar panels, however, can help you to get more out of them and aligning with a reputable solar company with a solid warranty is always your safest bet.
Why Does the Lifespan of Solar Panels Matter for South Carolina Homeowners?
A 30+ year lifespan might not seem that bad—and it really isn’t. It is actually great! However, the lifespan of your solar panels matters for a few very important reasons. These reasons are why it is so important to have your solar panels installed by trusted professionals who offer high-quality solar panels to their customers with a strong warranty that will give you peace of mind with your investment.
Home Solar Investment Value
First and foremost, the lifespan that your solar panels offer will ultimately determine your solar investment value. By taking the cost of your solar installation and dividing it by the years that your home solar system lasts, you can learn the price for each year of use. Of course, it is also important to consider the savings that come with solar panels—including the South Carolina Solar Tax Credit.
In order to achieve the most value, homeowners want to invest in solar panels that last as long as possible. This means working with a trusted provider who can offer high-quality solar panels for your home. The longer they last, the less you spend—and the more you save on your monthly bills too. A few years might not seem like that much, but it can make a huge difference over time, especially when your system is paid off and your generating free electricity for years to come!
Environmental Impact
We all want solar panels that are worth the money we spend, but solar panels are not just a good home upgrade for us. They can also have a huge impact on the planet, and the longer they last, the better your solar panels will support the environment.
Environmental impact can be influenced by the lifespan of solar panels in a couple of different ways. The first is the obvious one—homes with solar panels will use less fossil fuels, and the more years where a house is powered by solar energy, the better. The next is the materials themselves. When solar panels break down, they can become waste, which is a drain on the environment. Adding to this, they will also need to be replaced, which uses more resources.
Home Value
Home solar panels lasting a long time are great for cutting down on bills, but it is also good news for homeowners when it comes to home value. Solar panels with more years on them will increase the value of a home, but if solar panels are at the end of their lifespan, they might not be considered as valuable at the time of sale.
A long lifespan gives you more years where you can sell your home at a higher price point. Zillow found that home solar increases home value by $20 for every single dollar saved on electricity each month–equal to 4% of a home’s value in many cases. In South Carolina, that can amount to almost $3,000 based on the average electric bill.
What Happens After Solar Panels Reach the End of Their Lifecycle?
Solar panels don’t last forever, so what happens when they are done? We mentioned that home solar panels can become waste, but do they have to become waste? Good news—this is actually changing.
Although solar panels previously were mostly waste, more work is being done to support the recycling of solar panels. In fact, the raw materials that can be recovered from solar panels are expected to reach $450 million in value by 2030. Not only can this create job openings in key areas as more recycling centers open, but it can also provide a valuable source of precious metals, which can be repurposed into new items.
The Future of Home Solar Panels and Recycling
Being able to recycle solar panels further adds to their environmentally friendly nature. If we can recover raw materials from solar panels, as the older generations of solar panels reach the end of their lifecycle, we can give them a newfound purpose through recycling.
Solar panels, it turns out, commonly have silver and copper—two valuable and useful metals. In fact, in 2021, the solar industry used 113.7 million ounces of silver—silver that can be recycled and used again in many products around the world, like more solar panels.
Normalizing solar took some time, but now the home solar industry is thriving. More people are investing in solar panels, and we are already seeing the benefits that home solar offers residents in South Carolina and beyond. Now, with recycling centers, we can stretch the benefits of solar panels even further.
Does solar work for the future of our planet and our wallets? It sure does! We may even see a future where you can receive money off your next set of solar panels through recycling programs, allowing for future homeowner savings too.
Yes, Solar Panels Last—and the Benefits Keep on Coming!
The long-lasting nature of solar panels makes them an obvious investment for South Carolina residents, where electricity bills are already rising. Local homeowners have everything to gain when investing in South Carolina solar, and thanks to programs like the South Carolina Solar Tax Credit, there is plenty of room to save.
At Solarflare Energy Company, we offer expert installation and high-quality solar panels with no money down. When you partner with us, there are plenty of ways to save. To learn more about how we can support your home with solar panels today and in the future, contact us today!
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