Solar panels are designed to last 25–30 years or more, but like any technology exposed to the elements, they can suffer from different types of damage over time. Some issues are cosmetic and cause only minor efficiency loss, while others can be serious safety risks that shorten lifespan or even render a panel unusable. For […]
The Different Types of Damages to Solar Panels Read More »
If you’ve ever seen a solar panel that looks discolored, yellowish, or brown instead of clear and bright, you’ve seen a condition called browning. This is a common aging effect in some solar panels, and while the panel may still function, browning is usually a sign of degradation, efficiency loss, or material wear. For homeowners,
Solar Panel with Browning: What It Means and Why It Matters Read More »
When you look closely at a solar panel, you’ll notice thin metallic lines running across the surface of each solar cell. These are called busbars, and they play a critical role in carrying electricity generated by the solar cells. In some panels, especially after years of exposure, homeowners or buyers of used solar equipment may
Solar Panel with Green Busbars: What It Means and Why It Matters Read More »
If you’ve ever noticed faint, thin, dark lines forming across the surface of a solar panel, you may have seen what’s known as a snail trail. Despite its unusual name, a snail trail doesn’t actually have anything to do with real snails crawling across your solar panels. Instead, it’s a visual sign of chemical and
Snail Trail on Solar Panels: What It Means and Why It Matters Read More »
When people think of solar panels, they usually imagine a solid sheet of glass on top with silicon cells underneath. But another critical part of a solar panel is hidden from plain sight: the vinyl protective layers. In most cases, this refers to the vinyl backsheet — a tough, insulating layer on the back of
Solar Panel with Cracked Vinyl: Everything Homeowners Need to Know Read More »
When homeowners think about going solar, one of the big questions is: How long will my solar panels last? While panels are built to last decades, they do experience a natural, gradual decline in performance called degradation rate. In simple terms, the degradation rate is the percentage of power output a solar panel loses each
Solar Panel Degradation Rate: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It Matters Read More »
When shopping for solar, one of the most common questions homeowners ask is: “What’s the difference between monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels?” These two types of panels dominate the solar market, and while both convert sunlight into electricity, they differ in cost, efficiency, longevity, appearance, and overall value. In this guide, we’ll cover: Let’s dive
Monocrystalline vs Polycrystalline Solar Panels: Differences Explained Read More »
