Life expectancy of PV panels

[Zee]

I am told the fundamental technology invented by Bell Labs 60 or more years ago is basically unchanged: crystalline silicon cells.
As a result we can observe PV panels operating well on remote mountaintops, etc for decades.

To my knowledge most of the systems i installed as a grunt in 2001 are still fine. (Usually inverters and batteries fail.)
I have gone back and serviced them and customers are often convinced they need to replace but i advise against it. Usually I just add to it.
Usually i will just re string the panels to "high V" 600VDC and get them a modern, grid tie, no battery inverter.

[BillK-AZ]

I bet the 75W panels were ARCO solar or Siemens and had circular cells or half circles. Just my WAG.

Photos of the old modules

[Zee]

Photos of the old modules

Nice.
Oh wow, you can see the J box "burning" through on 3-4 of them.

(Oh and I see now, you had mentioned they were Arco solar/Siemens)