Nothing switches off at year 25. The panels keep converting sunlight to electricity; what ends is the warranty, the manufacturer's promise about minimum output and defect cover. After that, the panels are yours to keep running for as long as they perform.
What the warranty actually covers, by brand
| Brand | Product warranty | Performance warranty |
|---|---|---|
| Trina Solar | 25-year product | 30-year performance |
| REC | 20-year product | 25-year performance (25-year product with REC ProTrust) |
| JA Solar | 25-year product | 30-year performance (Australian residential rooftops) |
| Jinko Solar | 25-year product | 30-year performance (all-black Tiger Neo 54HL4R-B) |
| SunPower Maxeon | 40-year product | 40-year performance (Maxeon Partner install; 25/25 standard) |
| Aiko | 25-year product | 30-year performance |
SunPower Maxeon carries the longest cover we track, 40-year product · 40-year performance (Maxeon Partner install; 25/25 standard). Most of the rest sit at the mainstream tier-1 standard of 25 years product and 25-30 years performance.
How much output is left at year 25?
Degradation is stated per year, not as a cliff at the warranty end. Two brands on this site publish a specific rate:
- SunPower Maxeon: maximum 0.25% a year (source: Maxeon 3 official datasheet, 2026-09-21)
- Aiko (NEOSTAR): 1% in year one, then 0.35% a year after (source: Solar Choice review of AIKO NEOSTAR, hosted on aikosolar.com.au, 2026-09-21)
At those rates, a panel keeps producing somewhere around 85-92% of its original rating at the 25-year mark, then keeps degrading slowly beyond it. The bigger real-world question after 25 years is usually the inverter, not the panels, most string inverters need replacing once in that span. See current installed pricing on the solar price guide.
Common questions
Do solar panels stop working after 25 years?
No. The 25-year figure is a warranty term, not a lifespan. Panels keep generating well beyond it, at a slowly reduced output, unless physically damaged.
Which solar panel brand has the longest warranty?
SunPower Maxeon, at 40-year product · 40-year performance (Maxeon Partner install; 25/25 standard), well ahead of the mainstream 25-year standard.
How much do solar panels degrade per year?
Typically well under 0.5% a year for tier-1 panels. SunPower Maxeon states maximum 0.25% a year; Aiko (NEOSTAR) states 1% in year one, then 0.35% a year after.