Useful Life
The table below gives ranges on useful life of several technologies estimated by interviewing NREL experts who have been working with the technologies and also by performing a literature search. Limited information on actual lifetime studies was found. The bulk of the literature referenced included an assumed useful life for a given technology. These numbers are useful since they provide conventional thinking of experts in each field; it is important to understand that they do not include lifetime statistical data of actual projects.
Use the tabs below to navigate the charts. The LCOE tab provides a simple calculator for both utility-scale and DG technologies that compares the combination of capital costs, O&M, performance, and fuel costs.
If you are seeking utility-scale technology cost and performance estimates, please visit the Transparent Cost Database website for NREL's information regarding vehicles, biofuels, and electricity generation.
| Capital Cost (February 2016 Update) | Operations & Maintenance (February 2016 Update) | Utility-Scale Capacity Factors | Useful Life | Land Use by System Technology | LCOE Calculator |
| System Useful Life | Years |
|---|---|
| Photovoltaics | 25 to 40 yr |
| Wind | 20 yr |
| Biomass Combined Heat and Power | 20 to 30 yr |
| Biomass Heat | 20 to 30 yr |
| Solar Water Heat | 10 to 25 yr |
| Solar Vent Preheat | 30 to 40 yr |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | 20 yr for interior components 100 yr for ground loop |