It is well known that the lifespan of a photovoltaic power station is an important consideration for its economic viability and feasibility. So how long can a photovoltaic power station actually be used for? This article will delve into the issue of the lifespan of photovoltaic power stations and uncover the answers.

According to national standards, the design service life of a photovoltaic power station is 25 years, as the photovoltaic modules will experience a certain degree of degradation during use. Therefore, the national standards also stipulate that the power output of the photovoltaic modules should not decrease by more than 20% within 25 years of use. If the degradation exceeds 20%, then the power station is considered to have reached the end of its service life.

Does this mean that the photovoltaic modules will stop generating electricity altogether after 25 years? Not necessarily. 25 years is just the stipulated design lifespan, and in real-world situations, there are photovoltaic power stations that continue to generate electricity even after 25 years, with the power output only gradually decreasing, rather than ceasing completely.

I. China's earliest photovoltaic power station is still generating electricity 40 years later!

China's earliest photovoltaic power station was built in 1983, located in Yuanzicha Township, Yuzhong County, Lanzhou City, Gansu Province, with a history of 40 years. With a total installed capacity of 10 kW, it is still stably generating electricity today, although the capacity has degraded to 7 kW, meaning the daily power output has decreased from 100 kWh to 70 kWh.

(Image sourced from the internet)

To this day, although the installed capacity of this power station has reduced to 6.4 kW, it continues to diligently generate electricity and feed the clean solar power into the national grid.

When the power station had been in operation for 29 years, a test was conducted on the photovoltaic modules. The data showed that the average power output degradation of the modules was 16%, with the maximum degradation not exceeding 20%. This demonstrates that the photovoltaic modules can be used for well over 25 years, and the current technical advancements in the photovoltaic industry indicate that the operational lifespan of photovoltaic power stations can far exceed 25 years, with 25 years being the standard, rather than the upper limit.

(Image sourced from the internet)

2.Extending the Lifespan of Photovoltaic Energy Storage Batteries: Expert Tips

Just like any lithium-ion battery, the performance of energy storage devices tends to degrade over time. However, there are several methods to prolong the lifespan of photovoltaic storage systems.

【Ensure Proper Charging Practices】

Overcharging or deep discharging over time can significantly reduce battery performance.

【Select Appropriate Storage Sizes】

Undersized storage units: lead to rapid and deep discharge, requiring frequent recharging, adding stress to the battery, and shortening its lifespan.

Oversized storage units: result in partially idle storage space, negatively impacting battery voltage and shortening lifespan.

【Choose the Right Location】

Generally, ideal locations for placing energy storage batteries include basements, boiler rooms, utility closets, dry garages, and insulated attics.

Specifications for the placement can be found in the respective manufacturer's operational guidelines. Typically recommended environmental conditions include:

Temperature: 10 - 25°C

Humidity: 20 - 40%, avoiding exceeding 80%.

Adequate ventilation

【Invest in High-Quality Components】

Choose reputable suppliers and invest in high-quality PV panels, batteries, inverters, and other system components. Quality products often come with longer warranties and better performance, resulting in extended lifespan and improved reliability.

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