How Long Do Solar Panels Last?

When shopping for home solar, you want a system that's going to be reliable and is going to last a long time. Now, something to keep in mind is that your solar panels are only as good as the cells inside of them. So let's take a look at SunPower solar cells compared to the competition.

A conventional solar cell is a thin, silicon wafer with metal lines glued on the front, right over the active solar surface. As your roof heats up during the day the metal expands, and as it cools down at night it contracts. That repeated expansion and contraction creates weakness in the cell over time.

Sun power technology, patented Maxion technology, has no metal lines on the front of the cell. Instead we've created a solid copper foundation on the back of the cell where it's cool and protected. This provides more power and also creates durability and strength, even as your roof heats up and cools down. If we try to simulate these conditions and bend the solar cell, SunPower’s cell can handle it! When we put a conventional solar cell through the same stressful conditions, it breaks. That’s not good! SunPower isn't just different; it's better. With solar this reliable, it makes sense that our comprehensive warranty fully covers your panels for 25 years.