Solar panel degradation is the gradual loss of efficiency that occurs as photovoltaic cells age, typically measured as a percentage decline in power output per year. While it might sound concerning, modern solar panels degrade at remarkably slow rates, usually around 0.5% to 0.8% annually, meaning your system will still produce roughly 85% to 90% of its original output after 25 years of operation.
Understanding degradation matters because it directly affects your long-term return on investment and energy independence goals. When you’re making the decision to invest in solar technology, knowing that your panels won’t …