Sunbox Blog

A Solar PV system will last as long as it's component parts do. Solar PV Systems can broadly be broken down into 3 categories, each with varying warranty lengths. Solar Panels Solar Panels have two types of warranty. Linear Output (a.k.a production warranty) and Product Warranty. Solar Panels degrade over time as they get damaged by the sun and as they degrade their output decreases. A typical degradation rate is 15% over 25 years. A linear output warranty allows for a replacement panel if the panel starts producing less than it's expected to - most linear output warranties are 25 years. Although rare, a panel ceasing to function entirely would be covered by product warranty, which are typically 10+ years. Although panels degrade over time, a system's performance should not noticably decrease over 25 years if the panels are a higher wattage than the inverter(s) which is a fairly standard practice. Inverters Inverters take DC power produced by the solar panels and convert it to AC power to be used by your house and the grid. There are different types (string or central inverters and micro-inverters), each with their pros and cons, and varying costs and warranty lengths. Efficiency Nova Scotia recommends an inverter warranty of at least 10 years. Racking Roof Mounted racking is typically aluminium and most types carry at least a 20 year warranty. Ground mounted frames are typically galvanized steel or concrete ballast. Generally speaking, roof mounted racking is rated for higher wind loads than ground mounted frames because most roof mounted racking is not tilted up at an angle away from the roof. In general, a solar PV system is expected to last 25 years, and potentially much longer.

A Solar PV system is capable of producing more power than your property uses in a day, this excess goes back to the grid. During a power outage you cannot export power to the grid as it could injure line-workers so all grid-tied Solar PV systems are designed and required to shut down automatically as soon as they stop detecting the grid. This is called "anti-islanding". Additional components can be installed that allow a part or all of a grid-tied solar PV system to operate during an outage but this typically requires a significant investment and is not trivial.

Some parts of a solar installation can be done by anyone, but anything involving electricity should be handled by an electrician. Both on and off-grid solar PV systems need to be installed by a Red Seal electrician and inspected by Nova Scotia Power or the local electrical inspectors. In general, racking and mounting panels, building a ground mount frame (depending on local building code), trench digging (if required), can all be done by someone with the skills and safety equipment/certifications to do so.