Solar panels - life expectancy

[Talbot]

The life expectancy for different solar panels was being discussed recently on a UK forum and it appeared that there was a considerable discrepancy between the semi-flexible and the glass types with some problems on the semis being discovered from abt the 4 year point, whereas the galss ones seem to soldier on for longer than people have owned them.

What is the experience in other parts of the world?

[sv_makai]

It seems to me it would make sense that the rigid would last as it would get bend up.

Our Kyrocea has a 20 year warrenty.

[sneuman]

have one of those glass ones that's still soldiering on (output 17v) after about 8 years. no signs of it going downhill yet

[Jentine]

20 years but estimates range from 15 to 25 years. The advantage is that there is nothing to wear out or to maintain for that 20 years (excepting batteries and those you must maintain anyways). http://www.sailgb.com/c/solar_panels/