Warranty Ends = Life Ends? The Biggest Misconception
When you buy a fridge or TV, the warranty is maybe 2-5 years, but you know the appliance will likely last 10 years or more. The same logic applies to solar panels.
The “25-Year Performance Warranty” in your contract doesn’t mean the panel will suddenly break or turn into scrap metal on Day 1 of Year 26. Instead, it represents the manufacturer’s extreme confidence in its durability.
Truth 1: It Just Gets “Old,” Not “Broken”
Solar panels have no moving parts, so they don’t wear and tear like an engine. Their only enemy is Degradation over time.
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Linear Degradation: According to Tier-1 brand standards (like those Homi uses), panels degrade at only about 0.5% per year.
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Status at Year 25: After 25 years of sun and rain, your panels will still retain 80% to 85% of their original output power.
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Example: If you install a 10kW system, it will still be an 8kW power station after 25 years. And by then, every unit of energy produced is 100% pure profit.
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Truth 2: Actual Lifespan Can Reach 30-40 Years
In Europe and the US, many first-generation solar panels installed in the 1980s are still functioning today.
Modern solar technology is far more advanced than 40 years ago, with better encapsulation. Engineers generally agree that with proper maintenance (regular cleaning, checking wiring), the actual physical lifespan of a quality solar system can easily reach 30 or even 40 years.
Truth 3: The Late Stage is Peak “Passive Income”
Let’s do the math:
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Payback Period (Years 1-5): Savings offset the installation cost.
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Profit Period (Years 6-25): You enjoy 20 years of essentially free power.
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Retirement Period (After Year 25): Although the warranty is over, the equipment cost is zero. Every watt generated now is “zero-cost” income falling from the sky.
Homi’s View: Even after 25 years, you don’t need to rush to remove them. Unless revolutionary technology makes replacing them cheaper than keeping them, this “aging but strong” system remains a loyal money-making machine on your roof.
