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.
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