Solar is a long-term investment, so lifespan is one of the smartest questions you can ask. Here's the honest picture.
25-30+ years of production is the norm
Solar panels don't stop working at some cliff — they degrade gradually. Most quality panels lose roughly half a percent of output per year, which is why manufacturers commonly guarantee around 85-90% of original output at year 25. Panels installed in the 1990s are still producing today; yours will very likely outlast your roof shingles.
What about Colorado's climate?
- Sun and altitude: Colorado's strong sun is what makes solar productive here. UV exposure is factored into panel design and warranties.
- Temperature swings: Panels are engineered for freeze-thaw cycles far beyond what the Front Range delivers.
- Hail: Tempered glass handles most storms; for the big ones, homeowners insurance typically covers damage just like your roof.
The parts that age faster than panels
Inverters are the hardest-working electronics in the system. String inverters often need replacement after 10-15 years, while microinverters typically carry 25-year warranties. If your inverter is showing fault lights, our guide to inverter error lights explains what they mean, and our repair team can help — even on systems we didn't install.
Warranties: read the fine print
There are usually three separate warranties: the panel product warranty, the panel performance guarantee, and the installer's workmanship warranty. Seed Solar installs equipment with 25-year panel and inverter warranties and backs the installation itself for 15 years. A warranty is only as good as the company standing behind it — one reason to choose a local installer that will still be around (we regularly adopt "orphaned" systems whose installers disappeared).
Making your system last
Solar is mostly maintenance-free: no moving parts, self-cleaning in rain and snow. The best habit is simply glancing at your monitoring app monthly — if production dips, our guide on solar not producing covers the safe checks.