4 Signs You Need to Replace Your Solar Panels

If you're a homeowner with solar panels, it's important to stay on top of their status. Solar panels last for decades, but they do eventually need replacing. If your solar panels are older or have damage from inclement weather or other natural disasters, it's time to replace them with newer ones. Here are some signs that it may be time to replace your solar panels.

Solar Panel Physical Damage

If your solar panels have physical damage, they may not be able to generate power as efficiently. Tree branches or hail cause micro-fractures in the glass that make it difficult for light to pass through the panel. Additionally, if someone vandalizes your system and breaks a panel, you no longer have advantage of its power generation capabilities.

In some cases, this type of damage is repaired under warranty if the issue is due to manufacturing defects or poor installation practices by an installer (such as leaving electrical connections exposed). If you have a warranty on your system and need it repaired because of these issues, contact the manufacturer or installer immediately so they repair it for free.

If your panels are broken by vandalism or other causes outside of those for which manufacturers offer warranties on their products, then you'll likely be responsible for paying for repairs out-of-pocket. There may be extenuating circumstances that allow insurance companies to cover them.

Discoloration to your Solar Panels

While solar panels withstand a lot, they are not indestructible. If you notice any discoloration on the surface of your solar panels and/or burn marks, it is time to replace your panels.

Physical damage to the panels also indicates that they need replacing. For example, if there are dents or holes in the glass covering (also known as tempered glass), then that means some of your sun's rays aren't being harnessed for energy production properly. Therefore, it may be time for replacement or repair work.

Older Solar Panel System

If your system was installed over 25 years ago, it may be time for an upgrade. The older solar panels are less efficient than their newer counterparts and are more likely to fail. Also, the maintenance cost of older systems increases as they require more repairs over time. It's also important to note that solar panels have a limited lifespan—most manufacturers recommend replacing them after 25 years or so. When you invest in new equipment, you're getting better performance and reliability at reduced costs in future years!

Solar Panel Expired Warranty

Your solar panel warranty is up. You should expect to replace the panels before the warranty expires, especially if you live in a state that requires regular inspections by a licensed professional. If you don’t have an exit strategy in place, that results in an unexpected expense or at least some inconvenience as you wait for a replacement company to come out and perform the installation.

If something goes wrong with your solar panels while they are still under warranty, it’s likely that the manufacturer covers repairs or replacements without any cost (or minimal cost) to you. If something happens after their warranty period ends, those costs may fall directly on your shoulders! Consider getting quotes on replacing them before the expiration date hits; this way there won't be any surprises down the road when it comes time for renewal again.

A few signs that it may be time to replace your solar panels include physical damage and discoloration or burn marks. If there's any kind of damage to the panels themselves, they need to be replaced immediately. Likewise, if your energy bill seems unusually high (even when you've used less electricity than usual), then it is because of older equipment that needs replacing. If none of these are true, but you still want new panels anyway, the team at Solar Repair is here to help!

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