Solar Panel Lifespan
Homeowners who go green by installing solar panels can expect to get a bigger return from their investment than previously thought. Based on sophisticated aging tests, Dr. Hans Ossenbrink of the European Energy Institute predicts the lifespan of conventional solar panels will reach 30 years or more. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
-
History
-
A 2007 study in the International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management indicated solar panels would last 20 to 25 years.Dr. Ossenbrink's 2009 findings add five to 10 years to that figure.
Potential
-
With longer a solar panel lifespan comes an even more dependable energy source. The EU Energy Institute suggests that banks offer mortgages on solar panel systems just as they do on homes.
-
Benefits
-
According to a 2008 research survey for Oregon's Office of Innovative Partnerships, a crystalline silicone solar panel over its lifespan will produce nine to 17 times the amount of energy used in its manufacture.
Effects
-
The EU Energy Institute's study found that 90 percent of existing solar panels will last 30 years instead of the predicted 20. This means lower lifetime costs for the consumer.
Considerations
-
Even when your faithful solar panels reach the end of their lifespan, they may not be tossed in the landfill. As of 2009, two U.S. companies have agreed to accept old panels for recycling.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Mike Weston
