Solar energy has transformed the way homeowners generate and use electricity, but not all solar systems age gracefully.
If you installed your solar system between 2010 and 2015, or you’ve moved into a home with an older system, you might wonder: should you keep the system running, expand it, or replace it entirely?
At Penrith Solar Centre, we know a thing or two about removing solar systems. We remove multiple systems from roofs every week. We know when to remove a system, and when to keep it running with some adjustments (potentially).
In this article, you’ll learn about the following:
- When to Remove an Old Solar Panel System
- When to Keep Your Solar Panel System Running
- Key Questions to Help You Decide to Remove Your Solar Panels
By the end of this article, you’ll understand when you should keep or remove your aging system. We’ll guide you through the key factors to consider so you can make the right decision for your home and energy needs.
When to Remove an Old Solar Panel System
Not all solar systems are created equal, and many older systems are simply not up to today’s standards.
Here are the key scenarios when it makes sense to remove your old solar system:
1. The System Has Failed
One of the most common reasons for removing an old solar system is system failure. In many cases, the inverter, which is a crucial part of your system, stops working after 5 to 10 years. Replacing an inverter alone can cost $2,000 to $3,000, but this is often not the end of the story.
When technicians inspect older systems with failed inverters, they might find that the solar panels are also in poor condition. If the inverter hasn’t been maintained, there’s a good chance the panels need a little love.
Issues such as cracking, discolouration, or reduced efficiency are common in panels that have been on a roof for over a decade. When both the inverter and panels are failing, replacing the entire system is usually the most practical and cost-effective option.
2. Your Energy Needs Have Increased
Your household’s energy requirements might look very different today than they did when your solar system was installed. Your family’s needs might have increased with kids getting older, or you’ve added an electric vehicle and charger.
Older systems from 2010 to 2015 were often small – around 1 to 3kW – because of high costs (at the time) and limited technology. These systems are unlikely to keep up with the needs of a modern household, especially if you’ve moved towards a more electrified lifestyle. We’re talking about smart appliances and the car charger and EV we mentioned earlier.
If your old system is taking up valuable roof space but isn’t producing enough energy to cover your needs, it’s time to consider replacing it. Modern systems can generate twice as much power in the same space, thanks to advancements in solar panel technology. They also cost less than they used to.
3. The System Was Poorly Installed or Made with Low-Quality Components
If you purchased a cheap solar system from a now-defunct company, it may have been built with subpar materials and poor installation practices. One major problem is microcracks, which occur when panels are mishandled or improperly installed.
Microcracks are small fractures in the cells of a solar panel that reduce its performance over time. You might notice “snail trails” or discolouration on the panels as a visible sign of microcracks. These cracks can cause hotspots, where the panel overheats and eventually fails.
Cheap components are more susceptible to this type of failure, especially if you skimped on installation costs. It’s a risk.
Older systems with string inverters are particularly vulnerable. Without panel-level monitoring, you won’t know when an underperforming system is lagging. The output is reduced and there’s no way to know which faulty component is to blame.
In a string inverter setup, the failure of one panel reduces the performance of the entire string. If your system shows signs of microcracks, hotspots, or significant power loss, it’s going to be difficult to diagnose it until the whole system fails.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about shopping for a solar system, you might want to check out the following article titled, 6 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Solar.
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When to Keep Your Solar Panel System Running
Not all older systems need to be removed. Here are the situations when keeping your existing solar system makes sense:
1. The System Is High-Quality and Still Under Warranty
If your system is less than 7 years old and was installed with high-quality components, it may still have many years of life left in it. Panels from reputable manufacturers like Trina, Q Cells, REC, SunPower, or LG were built to last and often come with long warranties.
In addition, reputable installers tend to use best practices that help systems perform well long-term. They’re also transparent about fulfilling warranties for any components that need replacing.
If your system still meets your energy needs and shows no signs of degradation, keeping it in place is a smart choice.
2. You Have Room to Expand
If your system is functioning well but isn’t producing enough power, expansion might be the best solution.
For example, if you have unused roof space on the eastern, western, or southern sides of your home, you can add more panels to increase energy generation. This allows you to benefit from additional power without removing a perfectly functional system.
You’re just adding on.
3. The System Uses Microinverters
If your solar system already has microinverters (such as Enphase), it’s easy to expand it without disrupting the existing setup.
Microinverters are mounted beneath each solar panel. Each microinverter is a single-phase inverter, capable of optimising power generation from the individual panel it is responsible for. This is different from a string inverter, where the whole string of panels is optimised by a central inverter.
Microinverters work independently for each panel, so adding new panels is straightforward and doesn’t affect the performance of the original system.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about how microinverters compare to string inverters, you might want to check out the following article titled, Microinverters vs. String Inverters: A Transparent Comparison.
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Key Questions to Help You Decide to Remove Your Solar Panels
Here’s a checklist to guide your decision-making process:
- Is your inverter or system showing signs of failure? Look for error messages, decreased power output, or visible damage to the panels.
- Does your current system meet your energy needs? If you’ve added an electric vehicle, upgraded appliances, or have a growing family, your energy usage may have outgrown your system.
- Were your panels and installation high-quality? Check for warranties, reputable brands, and signs of good installation.
- Do you have enough roof space to expand? If you can add panels instead of removing the system, this might save money.
- Are there visible issues like microcracks, snail trails, or hotspots? These signs indicate that your system may need replacing.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about how weather affects your solar panels, you might want to check out the following article titled, How Does The Weather Affect Your Solar Panels?
Replacing Your System is a Real Power Move
Deciding whether to remove or keep your old solar system depends on a few key factors: the system’s condition, your current and future energy needs, and the quality of the installation.
Removing and replacing an outdated system can provide long-term savings and improved energy efficiency, but keeping or expanding a high-quality system might be the best choice in some cases.
At Penrith Solar Centre, we can evaluate your system and help you make an informed decision. Upgrading your solar setup doesn’t just improve your home’s energy efficiency – it’s an investment in the future of clean, renewable energy.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about the warranties for the products we install, you might want to check out the following article titled, A Complete Guide to Solar Warranties.
