IMHO , big brands come and go. When they lose interest they rarely retain any responsibility. They just sell the business to some other firm and let the other firm go out of business. Most panels are only in production for a couple of years, few if any firms are going to stick old models of their panels. The dimensions and color will not match. At most if one of 20 or 30 panels on the roof do fail you might get a prorated check to cover part of the cost of that one panel. Unless you search Ebay for used panels of that particular model you either try to match it with something close and guaranteed if will stick out like a missing tooth. Otherwise you leave the dead panel in place and live with the lower output. Lot to be said to buy a spare panel or two and putting them someplace safe.
Inverters on the other hand tend to have a ten year life, usually you can buy an extended warranty which is roughly the wholesale cost of new inverter. so you are paying someone to keep a spare on the shelf for ten years. Most commercial arrays plan on one inverter replacement during the 20 year life. The systems are depreciated to zero value at 20 years. They may still be functional but usually there is another round of inverters replacements and the original investor usually moves on.Mot commercial arrays are less than 20 years old so what really happens in 20 years is a big unknown. Many are installed on leased land and the field reverts to the landowner at the end of the 10 year lease. Take a look on Ebay and there are several firms selling large blocks of used panels from out of service arrays and my guess is many are nearing 20 years.. They are usually pretty careful not to zoom in on the data plate enough to see the manufacture date. .
Inverters on the other hand tend to have a ten year life, usually you can buy an extended warranty which is roughly the wholesale cost of new inverter. so you are paying someone to keep a spare on the shelf for ten years. Most commercial arrays plan on one inverter replacement during the 20 year life. The systems are depreciated to zero value at 20 years. They may still be functional but usually there is another round of inverters replacements and the original investor usually moves on.Mot commercial arrays are less than 20 years old so what really happens in 20 years is a big unknown. Many are installed on leased land and the field reverts to the landowner at the end of the 10 year lease. Take a look on Ebay and there are several firms selling large blocks of used panels from out of service arrays and my guess is many are nearing 20 years.. They are usually pretty careful not to zoom in on the data plate enough to see the manufacture date. .
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