Solar photovoltaic panels have a lifespan of 25 years.

Omissions

• Recent data indicate that actual operational lifespans now typically run 25-35 years, and Tier-1 modules are often warranted for 30 years or more, so stating a flat 25 years slightly understates the durability of current modules.
• The claim refers to the expected service life/performance warranty; it is a technical benchmark, not a statistic tied to a specific installation cohort.
• The second part of the MEP's sentence (that some manufacturers have disappeared after three years) is a separate claim about market/business failure and is not addressed by these technical sources.

Sources

• PrimaryU.S. Department of Energy (Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy) — End-of-Life Management for Solar Photovoltaics"A Berkeley Lab survey of U.S. solar industry professionals shows that the average operational lifespan of a solar panel has increased from around 20 years in 2007 to 25-35 years in 2025."
• AcademicSustainability (MDPI) — How Credible Is the 25-Year Photovoltaic (PV) Performance Warranty?"To support PV bankability, most PV manufacturers provide 25–30 years long-term performance warranty. During the warranty period, the PV manufacturers guarantee that the degradation of PV module will not exceed 0.4–0.6% each year..."
• SecondaryEnergySage — How Long Do Solar Panels Last?"Long story short, a solar panel's lifespan is about 25 to 30 years." / "Solar panels generally last for 25 to 30 years; they can produce power after this, but at a significantly lower rate than their original output."
• TertiarySinovoltaics — Understanding Solar PV Panel Lifespan, Failure and Degradation Rates"High-quality solar PV modules are typically warranted for 25 to 30 years. However, warranty terms only represent a baseline, not the end of useful life. Many Tier 1 modules continue to perform well for 35–40 years, though at reduced efficiency."