Do you have photovoltaics? Its efficiency decreases from year to year. It’s a natural process
Photovoltaic panels produce less energy over the years. This is a natural process, although some losses may result from dirt or damage.
A photovoltaic installation can operate for many years, but this does not mean that it will produce exactly the same amount of energy throughout this period. Over time, modules gradually lose some of their initial performance. This is a natural phenomenon related to their long-term use.
Therefore, it should not be assumed that lower energy production after a few or a dozen years automatically indicates a failure of the installation. Panel manufacturers already include the gradual loss of power in their yield guarantees.
The decline in photovoltaic efficiency is natural
Most manufacturers provide a yield guarantee for a period of 25 to 30 years. According to declarations, after such a long period of operation, the modules should still produce approximately 80-90 percent. its initial power.
This also means that the user should not expect identical performance throughout the entire life of the installation. Panels do not stop producing energy suddenly. The process of loss of efficiency occurs gradually, and after many years the difference in relation to new modules becomes larger.
Not all production decline is due to the age of the panels
However, lower yield does not have to result solely from the natural aging of the installation. The amount of energy produced may also be influenced by factors that the owner can at least partially counteract.
These include dirt, shading and minor damage to the panels. They may cause additional performance losses not directly related to the age of the modules. Proper care of the installation is therefore important for the amount of electricity produced.
After 25–30 years, the panels are still expected to produce energy
The long yield guarantee period shows that photovoltaics are designed with long-term operation in mind. Even after 25-30 years, the panels should therefore not stop working, but still produce a significant part of the energy compared to the beginning of use.
Declared by producers, approximately 80-90 percent initial power means that a natural decline in efficiency is part of the installation life cycle. At the same time, the owner should pay attention to other causes of lower yield, especially dirt, shading and damage, which may further limit energy production.
