I am skeptical of this claim. Maybe standard rooftop solar panels lifetime is too short as they are exposed to the elements all the time. But as a general rule

I am skeptical of this claim. Maybe standard rooftop solar panels lifetime is too short as they are exposed to the elements all the time. But as a general rule? Seems wrong. Solar panels will generate power for as long as there are cells still alive. Both are recyclable, but batteries are specially so. Therefore, how can't they beat diesel, which also has to be extracted, processed, transported and finally burned (at low efficiency)?