Long-term use of solar panel evacuated tubes for water heating?

Question

Still considering whether to put in flat solar panels or evacuated tubes....

Does anyone have experience of evacuated tubes? How long have yours lasted so far? Do they degrade? Ditto for flat panels...

Answer 1

A close relative installed several square meters of copper flat panels which he used for several years.  I think he had problems with the pump used to circulate the water, but for whatever reason, he eventually removed them, and sold the system.  He now uses a more conventional electric water heater.  

Evacuated tubes might work well for a focusing - tracking system, like Solel; but then you would probably want to . . .

Answer 2

Mine are still up. hey last a long time and neither of them degrade so don't worry about that. and please do the environment good and buy them. it also saves you A LOT of money!

thx