How Long Do Solar Panels Last in India?
Most quality solar panels installed in India today come with a 25-year performance warranty and are designed to last 30+ years. This is one of solar's biggest advantages — once installed, you get clean electricity for three decades with almost zero ongoing costs.
But "last 25 years" needs unpacking. Panels don't suddenly stop working at year 25 — they gradually produce less electricity over time. Here's what you need to know.
Solar Panel Degradation Rate Explained
Solar panels degrade slowly over time — each year they produce slightly less electricity due to:
- UV exposure causing cell material changes
- Thermal cycling (heat during day, cooling at night) causing micro-cracks
- Moisture ingress over decades
- Light-induced degradation (LID) in the first year
Typical degradation rates in India:
| Year | Output Remaining | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 97–98% | First-year LID (light-induced degradation) |
| Year 5 | 95–96% | Minimal additional loss |
| Year 10 | 91–93% | ~0.5% loss/year |
| Year 20 | 85–88% | Still highly productive |
| Year 25 | 80–84% | Standard warranty minimum (80%) |
| Year 30 | 75–80% | Still usable, most panels keep working |
A quality panel producing 400W today will produce ~320–340W at year 25 — still economically useful.
Indian Climate Conditions: Does Heat Affect Lifespan?
India's climate is harsher than Europe where most panels were originally tested. Concerns include:
High Temperatures
Solar panels actually produce less electricity as temperature rises (temperature coefficient effect). A panel rated at 400W at 25°C produces ~370W when surface temperature hits 65°C (common in Rajasthan summers). However, this affects daily output, not lifespan significantly.
Choose panels with lower temperature coefficients (−0.26%/°C or better) if you're in a hot climate like Rajasthan, Gujarat, or Tamil Nadu.
Dust and Soiling
India's dusty conditions (especially in northern plains and semi-arid regions) are a bigger day-to-day concern than lifespan. Dust accumulation can reduce output by 15–30% if panels aren't cleaned. Clean every 2–4 weeks in summer, or install with a slight tilt (10°+) for rain self-cleaning.
Dust affects productivity but doesn't shorten panel lifespan.
Monsoon Humidity
Quality panels are rated IP67 (fully waterproof). The issue isn't rain but prolonged high humidity causing potential-induced degradation (PID) in lower-quality panels. Buy panels with anti-PID certification if you're in Kerala, coastal Karnataka, or Goa.
UV Exposure
India receives significantly more UV than Europe. This does slightly accelerate EVA encapsulant yellowing and backsheet degradation in cheap panels. Tier-1 panels with UV-resistant materials handle this well. Avoid anonymous brands without IEC certification.
Solar Panel Warranties — What They Actually Cover
Performance Warranty (25 years)
The manufacturer guarantees your panel will produce at least 80% of its rated power at year 25. If degradation is faster, they must replace or compensate.
Problem: Most Chinese manufacturers may not exist in 25 years. Even established brands may not have India operations in 2050. This is why buying from companies with Indian subsidiaries or strong distributor networks matters.
Product Warranty (10–12 years)
Covers physical defects — delamination, frame damage, junction box failure, broken glass. This is more meaningful than performance warranty for the first decade.
Best-in-Class Warranties in India (2026)
- Waaree (Indian): 12-year product + 25-year performance — reliable since they have India offices
- Adani Solar (Indian): 10-year product + 25-year performance
- REC (Norwegian, manufactured in Singapore): 20-year product + 25-year performance (premium)
- LONGi Hi-MO (Chinese): 15-year product + 30-year performance (industry-leading)
- Jinko Solar (Chinese): 12-year product + 25-year performance
What Actually Fails Before the Panels?
In practice, the components that need replacement before your 25-year panel warranty expires are:
- Inverter: 10–15 year lifespan. Budget ₹30,000–80,000 for a replacement at year 12–15.
- Batteries (if hybrid/off-grid): Lead-acid: 4–5 years, Lithium LFP: 10+ years.
- MC4 connectors: Should be inspected every 5 years; cheap connectors fail in 5–8 years.
- Mounting structure: Hot-dip galvanised or aluminium lasts 25+ years. Painted MS structure may rust in 8–10 years in coastal areas.
- DC cables: Quality solar cables (UV-resistant) last 25+ years. Cheap PVC cables may degrade in 10 years.
How to Make Your Solar Panels Last Longer in India
- Choose Tier-1 panels with proper IEC 61215 + IEC 61730 certifications. Never buy uncertified budget panels.
- Professional installation — improper mounting, wiring, or grounding causes premature failure.
- Regular cleaning — every 2–4 weeks in dusty areas prevents hot spots that accelerate degradation.
- Annual inspection — check for loose connections, micro-cracks (with thermal camera), soiling, and mounting corrosion.
- Quality mounting structure — aluminium or hot-dip galvanised steel. Avoid painted MS steel in coastal/high-humidity zones.
- Shade-free installation — even partial shading from a new construction causes hot spots and early cell degradation. Plan for future shade during site survey.
- Proper grounding — protects against lightning strikes and electrical surge damage.
Real-World Data: How Long Do Indian Solar Installations Last?
India's utility-scale solar sector (since 2010) gives us real data. NTPC, Adani, and state DISCOMs report that well-maintained systems show:
- Average degradation: 0.45–0.55%/year (better than 0.7% warranty rate)
- Very few panel failures in the first 10 years for Tier-1 brands
- Inverter replacements at year 10–14 are common
- Systems installed in 2010–2012 are still operating well in 2026 (15+ years)
The conclusion: quality solar panels last well beyond their 25-year warranty in Indian conditions.
The Financial Math Over 25 Years
A 3kW system in Delhi:
- Year 1 generation: ~4,400 units @ ₹8/unit = ₹35,200 savings
- Year 25 generation (20% degraded): ~3,520 units = ₹28,160 savings (assuming same tariff)
- Total 25-year savings: ~₹7,50,000–8,50,000 (electricity tariffs will rise over time)
- System cost: ₹1.5–2.0 lakh (after subsidy)
- Net gain: ₹6–7 lakh over 25 years
This assumes no major component replacement. Add ₹50,000–70,000 for inverter replacement at year 12–15. The economics still work overwhelmingly in your favour.