Solar PV Specs

Arch Solar works with trusted partners in the industry, ensuring your solar modules are a mixture of updated technology and affordability.

From premium to budget modules, each partner brand has warranties and promises to give you peace of mind.

Arch is known for providing a tailored solar experience from start to finish. We have longstanding relationships with manufacturers, but we always challenge our suppliers to help us offer leading technology. 

If you are considering a ground-mount project, speak with your Energy Consultant about possibly using bifacial panels for maximum production.

Check out our current offering of residential solar modules, subject to change periodically. 

What is Panel Degradation and Why Does it Matter?

Like all technology, solar has a lifespan. 

Solar panel degradation is the gradual decline in a solar module’s ability to produce electricity over time. Panels do not stop working suddenly. Instead, their output decreases by a percentage as exposure to sunlight, heat, moisture, freezing temperatures, wind, and mechanical stress affect their materials and electrical connections.

Several factors influence the rate of degradation. Excessive heating and cooling can cause cracks in solar cells or weaken connections. Ultraviolet radiation may affect protective materials, while moisture intrusion can lead to corrosion. Snow, hail, poor installation, manufacturing defects, and inadequate ventilation may reduce performance. Dirt, shading, or equipment failure can lower production too, although these issues are not necessarily permanent degradation and may be corrected through maintenance or repair.

Manufacturers commonly address degradation through performance warranties that guarantee panels will retain a specified percentage of their original output after a set number of years. Arch can help you compare these guarantees alongside product quality, installation practices, and workmanship coverage rather than focusing only on a panel’s initial wattage.

Regular monitoring and professional maintenance can help distinguish normal degradation from problems such as damaged wiring, inverter faults, debris, or shading. Choosing durable equipment, working with an experienced installer like Arch, and promptly investigating unexpected production drops can protect system performance.

Understanding degradation helps homeowners set realistic expectations and select solar panels designed to deliver dependable electricity and savings for decades.