ZDNET Says 400W Solar Panel Needs 5 Years to Pay Off, Urges Regular Cleaning

6 articles · Updated · ZDNet · May 26

$550 EcoFlow 400W panels can take about 5 years to pay for themselves at roughly 1.5 kWh of daily output, making longevity and upkeep central to the economics.
5% dust losses and up to 15% from pollen can stretch that payoff by about a year, while heavier grime such as sand can slash performance by as much as 50%.
ZDNET recommends careful handling, gentle cleaning with soft brushes and soapy water, and visual checks for cracks, delamination, damaged wires and faulty MC4 connectors.
10% is the tolerance ZDNET cites for open-circuit voltage tests with a multimeter; users can also isolate panels one by one, after disconnecting load, to spot defective units.

Beyond dust, what hidden factors determine if your panel pays for itself in five years or ten?

Could washing your solar panels at the wrong time be silently cracking them and ruining your investment?

Are you making a critical mistake with your panel's connectors that could lead to a system failure?