How long do solar PV inverters really last?

 


How long do solar PV inverters really last?

If solar panels are the tortoises of the renewables world (slow, steady, 25+ years), the inverter is the hare: brilliant at its job, but far more likely to need replacing along the way.

Typical real-world lifespan (domestic systems):

  • String (central) inverters: about 10–15 years is the common expectation.

  • Hybrid inverters (solar + battery): often 10–15 years, but battery cycling and higher workload can pull that down if the system is worked hard.

  • Microinverters (one per panel): often quoted at 15–25 years, and manufacturers commonly back them with much longer warranties.

A useful rule of thumb from the PV world is: plan on replacing a string inverter once during the “life of the panels.” One study notes inverters are “typically said” to have ~15-year life expectancy—roughly half the typical module performance warranty period.

Why inverters don’t last as long as panels

Panels are mostly passive. Inverters are busy electronic boxes full of components that dislike:

  • Heat (especially loft installs with poor airflow)

  • Dust and moisture

  • Constant high load (big arrays, lots of export, battery charging/discharging)

  • Grid events (voltage fluctuations and repeated shutdown/restart cycles)

In short: your inverter earns its keep.

Warranties: the “tell” hiding in plain sight

Warranties aren’t perfect predictors, but they’re a decent reality check:

  • Many string inverters ship with around 5–10 years standard warranty, sometimes extendable.

  • Some manufacturers allow extensions out to 20–25 years on certain models (usually at extra cost).

  • Microinverters are often sold with very long warranties (commonly 25 years).

Translation: the industry itself expects string inverters to be replaced sooner than modules.

Signs your inverter is on the way out (before it dramatically gives up)

Look for:

  • Drop in generation not explained by weather/season

  • Intermittent faults (works, then doesn’t)

  • Repeated grid trips or error codes

  • Fan noise (if it has a fan) or thermal warnings

  • Communication failures (app shows the system “missing”)

Some failures are minor (fans/capacitors), but many homeowners end up replacing the unit when it’s out of warranty.

UK money reality: what does replacement cost?

For domestic UK systems, a commonly quoted range for string inverter replacement is roughly £500–£1,500, depending on size and complexity.
(If it’s hybrid, includes battery integration, or needs extra electrical work/scaffolding, it can be more.)

How to make an inverter last longer (without treating it like a houseplant)

  • Mount it somewhere cool and ventilated (a shaded garage wall beats a roasting loft)

  • Keep it out of direct sun and away from damp

  • Don’t block airflow; keep it dust-free

  • Make sure your installer has set sensible export limits / grid protection settings

  • If you’ve got a battery: avoid unnecessary cycling (e.g., don’t charge/discharge it just for fun)

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