Should you repair or replace your solar panels?
Updated August 2026
← Every repair-or-replace call
Almost never replace the array: solar panels last 25–30 years and lose only about 0.5% of output a year, so a production drop is nearly always the inverter, the wiring, or one cracked module at $200–500 to swap. Read the data before spending anything. Monitoring shows output per string or per panel, and the pattern names the culprit. One flat panel among healthy neighbors points at that module or its optimizer. A whole system at zero points at the inverter or a tripped disconnect. Full array replacement, $15,000–25,000 before incentives, belongs to two situations only: an array past 25 years, or storm damage that becomes an insurance claim.
The short version
Panels are the most reliable component in a solar system, so the burden of proof sits high before anyone climbs on your roof. Degradation near 0.5% a year means a 20-year-old module still puts out close to 90% of its original rating, and production warranties typically guarantee 80–85% at year 25. A sudden drop is therefore an event, not aging: a failed inverter, a tripped disconnect, a corroded connector, a dead optimizer, or one cracked module. Replace individual panels at $200–500 as they fail and let the array keep earning. Reserve a full replacement for an array past 25 years or a hailstorm that takes out most of it, and in the second case call the insurer before the installer.
Your situation, decided
| Situation | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| One panel reading zero, the rest normal | Repair | Swap that module or its optimizer for $200–500 |
| Whole array at zero output | Check inverter and disconnect | Panels are rarely at fault when everything stops together |
| Cracked glass, spidered cells, or burn marks on a module | Replace that panel | A damaged module is a shock and fire risk, not a cosmetic flaw |
| Hail or wind wrecked several panels | File an insurance claim | Roof-mounted arrays are commonly covered under the dwelling |
| Output down about 10% after 20 years | Do nothing | Roughly 0.5% a year of fade is exactly what is expected |
| Array past 25 years, output below 80% of rating | Replace the array | End of the production warranty and of useful service |
What each path costs
Repairs typically run $200–500; a replacement is $15,000–25,000 installed. Solar panels last 25–30 years and typically hold 80–85% of rated output at year 25. The inverter, at 10–15 years, is the part you will replace first, usually twice. Price your own number on the home maintenance cost calculator before you commit either way.
The repair-or-replace call is easy when you know the unit's age and service history. OnOtto keeps both, plus the maintenance that delays this decision for years.
Start your home's service log, freeFrequently asked questions
My solar production dropped. What should I check first?
Work from the data outward. Open the monitoring app and compare this month against the same month last year, because seasonal swing fools people constantly. If every panel is down, look at the inverter, the AC disconnect, and the breaker. If one panel or one string is down, the fault is local: an optimizer, a connector, or a cracked module. If the whole array is down by a modest percentage, look for a tree that grew into the sun line, or soiling. Only after that does spending money make sense.
Can one damaged panel be replaced on a 12-year-old array?
Usually, with a caveat about matching. Module wattages change every few years, so an exact match may be discontinued and the installer substitutes a similar size and voltage. On a string system a mismatched panel can drag the entire string, which makes the electrical match matter more than the brand. With microinverters or optimizers, per-panel operation makes it a non-issue. Budget $200–500 for the module plus labor and the roof visit, and weigh it against the 25–30 year panel lifespan still ahead.
Do dirty panels really cost me output?
Enough to notice in dry, dusty, or pollen-heavy places. Rain handles most soiling in wet climates, and a steep roof sheds dust well, so plenty of arrays never need washing. Where it matters, an array can lose a meaningful slice of production across a dry season, and bird droppings or a drift of leaves shading whole cells cost far more than an even film of dust. Read how often to clean panels and what skipping it costs before paying a service $150–400.
Does homeowners insurance cover hail damage to solar panels?
Commonly yes for roof-mounted arrays, which most policies treat as part of the dwelling, while ground-mounted and third-party-owned systems follow different rules. Photograph the damage, export your production history as evidence of the loss, and file inside the deadline your policy sets. Deductibles matter here, since a $2,000 deductible against three broken panels at $200–500 each may not justify a claim. Confirm ground-mount and leased equipment with your agent in writing, and keep the inspection records that support the claim.