Flexible Solar Panel Durability?

Question:

I currently have (8) flexible 125W solar panels, they are five years old and still running but look in terrible condition. One of them has totally delaminated. I would like to double my capacity to 2Kw. My question is on durability. Can I only expect 5 years of life on them?  I have a Sailing catamaran with lots of room on the Salon roof. - Douglas

Answer:

Good question, but hard to say what’s normal with flexible solar wear and tear. My own Solbian SP panels lasted nearly 10 years, and yes the panels looked a little cloudy, but the output was still great when I replaced them.  Here’s an article on maintaining your flexible solar panels, https://www.pysystems.ca/resources/boating-tech-talk/how-to-care-for-my-solar-panels/