Many people have the misconception that solar power is a relatively new concept in modern science. While it's true that solar energy has not been widely available for private use until recently, it has been used for decades in many applications. Believe it or not, the first solar home was built in 1939 by MIT. The experimental house was designed to provide solar thermal heating throughout the home, and it proved successful!
The first privately available solar panels became widely available in the early 1990s. These panels were simple mono-crystalline panels that had low efficiency and did not promise 20-25 years of reliable service. Instead, these panels lasted maybe 15 years at most and only covered about 25-50% of the average home's energy needs. Today, many homes that purchased these first panels need solar panel replacement. Luckily, with new technology, they will be able to keep their panels almost twice as long and maybe even get 90-100% of their electric needs from their new solar panels.
The very first thing any homeowner with solar panels should do is to assess whether or not they should replace the roof when they replace the panels. If this wasn't completed the first time around then it's probably time to replace the roof this time. This actually makes the installation process very easy and is the best way to ensure there are no leaks. If your roof isn't ready to be replaced, then installation is a bit trickier.
Depending on how long the panels have been on your roof will determine whether or not you can use the existing roof tile tracks that keep the solar panels attached. Chances are, you will have best results from your new installation if you uninstall the old roof tile tracks and use the ones deemed appropriate for your new panels. You may find yourself paying a little extra to ensure the old brace attachments are securely sealed and leak-proof before they install the new tile tracks.
For many new systems, your old inverter might work as long as your voltage output doesn't exceed your inverter's max input. Some solar companies may offer a nice discount on a new inverter if you're buying a solar package though, so weigh your options carefully. The same goes for your batteries. If your specifications match your old system then you can probably keep using your old equipment with your new system.
You'll be surprised at the efficiency of the new solar panels. Chances are, your electric bill will lower dramatically, as the efficiency of the new models has skyrocketed in the past few years. If you're a net-metering participant, you'll also see your earnings increase in the kWh you produce for your grid. Finally, replacing old panels is a great way to continue your positive impact on the environment. The initial cost of a new solar system may seem a bit much when compared to your old system, but it won't be as bad as a full-sized electric bill every month!
Philip Richards is an expert when it comes to solar power and has written extensively on the subject. Learn how he built homemade solar power at his residence. Or check out his blog on solar energy at http://HomeSolarBlog.com
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