Environmental exposure significantly impacts the degradation rate of solar panels by accelerating the natural wear and tear processes that reduce their efficiency over time. Key environmental factors include ultraviolet (UV) radiation, temperature fluctuations, humidity, pollution, and soiling from dust, pollen, and other particulates.
- UV Radiation: Prolonged exposure to UV rays causes materials in solar panels to break down chemically, reducing their performance. UV light induces chemical changes like forming a layer of boron dioxide on silicon cells which lowers their efficiency, especially soon after installation.
- Temperature Fluctuations: High temperatures accelerate degradation by stressing panel materials and electronic components. Heat can warp or buckle photovoltaic cells and cause expansion and contraction cycles that induce microcracks. While panels need sunlight to operate, excessive heat reduces operational efficiency and speeds material deterioration.
- Humidity and Moisture: Exposure to humidity and water ingress can corrode frames, damage seals, and affect electrical insulation. Cracks or damage to panel seals may allow water inside, leading to further electrical degradation and safety risks.
- Soiling and Pollution: Accumulation of dust, dirt, pollen, soot, bird droppings, and snow blocks sunlight from reaching the cells, directly reducing power output and indirectly accelerating degradation by creating hotspots and uneven heating on the panel surface.
- Extreme Weather: Events like hail, ice, heavy rainfall, snow pressure, and strong winds can physically damage panels by causing microcracks, seal failures, or mechanical stress leading to faster degradation and safety hazards.
- Combined Stressors: Real-world degradation often results from multiple stressors acting simultaneously (e.g., heat, UV, dust, and mechanical stress), which can compound the damage beyond what individual factors cause alone.
Degradation manifests as gradual efficiency loss, typically around 0.5% to 2% per year depending on panel quality and environment. Over a 25-30 year lifespan, well-maintained, high-quality panels usually retain 80-90% of their original capacity, but harsher environmental conditions can increase degradation rates and impact financial returns on solar investments.
In summary, environmental exposure accelerates solar panel degradation by inducing chemical, mechanical, and physical stresses that reduce panel efficiency and lifespan. Effective mitigation includes selecting high-quality materials, proper installation, regular maintenance including cleaning, and monitoring to detect early signs of degradation for timely intervention.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-does-environmental-exposure-impact-the-degradation-rate-of-solar-panels/
