Solar Panel Degradation

If you are considering solar power to supplement or replace your connection to the regular power grid, you should read this article on solar panel degradation. Many of the panels are cheaply made, caused by shortcuts and substitution of cheap materials, and failing in a matter of few years rather than the 25 to 30 years needed to make them commercially viable. One exception specifically cited in the article are those made by Yingli.

Frankly, it doesn't surprise me. The florescent "bulbs" we are supposed to replace our incandescent light bulbs with have also shown much higher failure rates than we were led to believe, or are warranted by the price.