Comments on: Will My Solar System Weaken Over Time? http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/going/will-my-solar-system-weaken-over-time/ A blog about residential solar power, brought to you by CalFinder. Fri, 26 Aug 2011 10:36:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Solar System Warranties: What to Look For, What to Expect | Solar Feeds http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/going/will-my-solar-system-weaken-over-time/comment-page-1/#comment-228567 Solar System Warranties: What to Look For, What to Expect | Solar Feeds Wed, 17 Aug 2011 06:26:24 +0000 http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/going/will-my-solar-system-weaken-over-time/#comment-228567 [...] I said, most high quality solar panels will have long-term warranties regarding panel function and degradation. This is due to the very makeup of the panels: no moving parts, protective tempered glass, [...] [...] I said, most high quality solar panels will have long-term warranties regarding panel function and degradation. This is due to the very makeup of the panels: no moving parts, protective tempered glass, [...]

]]> By: Troubleshooting Your Solar System | Solar Feeds http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/going/will-my-solar-system-weaken-over-time/comment-page-1/#comment-228564 Troubleshooting Your Solar System | Solar Feeds Wed, 17 Aug 2011 06:09:49 +0000 http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/going/will-my-solar-system-weaken-over-time/#comment-228564 [...] or belts to be torn. Nonetheless, they are not infallible. On the other hand, if your system stops working to its full potential, there is no need to look up emergency numbers in the phone book or to start spreading profanities [...] [...] or belts to be torn. Nonetheless, they are not infallible. On the other hand, if your system stops working to its full potential, there is no need to look up emergency numbers in the phone book or to start spreading profanities [...]

]]> By: Dan http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/going/will-my-solar-system-weaken-over-time/comment-page-1/#comment-23416 Dan Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:08:24 +0000 http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/going/will-my-solar-system-weaken-over-time/#comment-23416 About payback; most solar systems in the U.S. have been installed in only the last 5-10 years. There are many systems out there that, thanks to government incentives and rebates, have already paid for themselves. Quality panels come with at least a 20 year warranty...No salesman, regardless of pitch or angle, is going to warranty a product for 20 years that will degrade in two. Honestly, as a former construction worker I can say from experience that Harbor Freight sells low quality tools in general...apparently their solar panels are no different. Good solar panels and inverters cost a good deal of money, which is why we have government rebates in the first place. Furthermore, you can buy solar panels directly from suppliers, but it will cost you...although prices have been falling rapidly. Harbor Freight doesn't claim to have the best panels for a reason...they don't. As you unfortunately have learned. Inverters will need to be replaced, about every 10-15 years. They should be warranted for 10. Solar power is an investment that WILL pay for itself over time, but it requires a quality product. The solar industry is extremely competitive right now as prices drop with demand. If you want to get the best deal on a panel that won't degrade in two years, now is the time. You don't need a contractor to buy the panels but, if you want the government incentives, you may need one to install them. Thanks for writing in and good luck to you. Just remember that ALL products degrade over time. The wiring, drywall, paint, wood, anything in your home degrades over time and must be replaced. Solar panels are no different, although getting 25 or more years out of something that CREATES electricity is good in and of itself. If kept clean and maintained, there is no reason that it can't last for 40 years or more. The first solar panel ever invented (in 1954) is still creating electricity today. About payback; most solar systems in the U.S. have been installed in only the last 5-10 years. There are many systems out there that, thanks to government incentives and rebates, have already paid for themselves. Quality panels come with at least a 20 year warranty…No salesman, regardless of pitch or angle, is going to warranty a product for 20 years that will degrade in two. Honestly, as a former construction worker I can say from experience that Harbor Freight sells low quality tools in general…apparently their solar panels are no different. Good solar panels and inverters cost a good deal of money, which is why we have government rebates in the first place. Furthermore, you can buy solar panels directly from suppliers, but it will cost you…although prices have been falling rapidly. Harbor Freight doesn’t claim to have the best panels for a reason…they don’t. As you unfortunately have learned. Inverters will need to be replaced, about every 10-15 years. They should be warranted for 10.

Solar power is an investment that WILL pay for itself over time, but it requires a quality product. The solar industry is extremely competitive right now as prices drop with demand. If you want to get the best deal on a panel that won’t degrade in two years, now is the time. You don’t need a contractor to buy the panels but, if you want the government incentives, you may need one to install them.

Thanks for writing in and good luck to you. Just remember that ALL products degrade over time. The wiring, drywall, paint, wood, anything in your home degrades over time and must be replaced. Solar panels are no different, although getting 25 or more years out of something that CREATES electricity is good in and of itself. If kept clean and maintained, there is no reason that it can’t last for 40 years or more. The first solar panel ever invented (in 1954) is still creating electricity today.

]]> By: Edward Dijeau http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/going/will-my-solar-system-weaken-over-time/comment-page-1/#comment-23270 Edward Dijeau Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:51:11 +0000 http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/going/will-my-solar-system-weaken-over-time/#comment-23270 I Purchased Photo Volteic Panels from Haebor Freight Tools and they only took 2 years to degrade to 25% of their original output. From 15 Watts per panel to 4 watts per panel. That is too much too fast yet they are the only company in America that will sell Solar Panels directly to the consumer without a 100% markup and some big sales pitch that they have the only good panels. Over priced, commision heavy contractors have locked up the market. Just like in the 1970s when solar hot water heating was overpriced because of Government rebates and utility programs. All HYPE yet there has never been a home owner system that produced enough to pay back their original investment, plus, pay for the replacement panels that "will be needed later" as ther old ones degrade, the inverters die and the wire isulation fails. I Purchased Photo Volteic Panels from Haebor Freight Tools and they only took 2 years to degrade to 25% of their original output. From 15 Watts per panel to 4 watts per panel. That is too much too fast yet they are the only company in America that will sell Solar Panels directly to the consumer without a 100% markup and some big sales pitch that they have the only good panels. Over priced, commision heavy contractors have locked up the market. Just like in the 1970s when solar hot water heating was overpriced because of Government rebates and utility programs. All HYPE yet there has never been a home owner system that produced enough to pay back their original investment, plus, pay for the replacement panels that “will be needed later” as ther old ones degrade, the inverters die and the wire isulation fails.

]]> By: Solar System Warranties: What to Look For, What to Expect http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/going/will-my-solar-system-weaken-over-time/comment-page-1/#comment-1236 Solar System Warranties: What to Look For, What to Expect Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:20:38 +0000 http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/going/will-my-solar-system-weaken-over-time/#comment-1236 [...] I said, most high quality solar panels will have long-term warranties regarding panel function and degradation. This is due to the very makeup of the panels: no moving parts, protective tempered glass, [...] [...] I said, most high quality solar panels will have long-term warranties regarding panel function and degradation. This is due to the very makeup of the panels: no moving parts, protective tempered glass, [...]

]]> By: Troubleshooting Your Solar System http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/going/will-my-solar-system-weaken-over-time/comment-page-1/#comment-1190 Troubleshooting Your Solar System Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:50:29 +0000 http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/going/will-my-solar-system-weaken-over-time/#comment-1190 [...] or belts to be torn. Nonetheless, they are not infallible. On the other hand, if your system stops working to its full potential, there is no need to look up emergency numbers in the phone book or to start spreading profanities [...] [...] or belts to be torn. Nonetheless, they are not infallible. On the other hand, if your system stops working to its full potential, there is no need to look up emergency numbers in the phone book or to start spreading profanities [...]

]]>