A french company is bringing to market a solar panel that combines photovoltaic cells with solar hot water. The combination is not only interesting in a utilitarian way but promises improved performance of the PV cells by reducing the panel temperature (PV efficient drops as temperature rises).
I wonder what this combination implies in terms of longevity and warranty. PV panels are typically rated to last more than 25 years. Would that still be true when they cease to be a simple static element and include flowing water? Is the panel leak proof (especially with the hard water flowing flowing through my pipes) for 25 years?