Comparing different panels.
Aug. 26, 2024
Comparing different panels.
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The largest I can see is a 550 watt 144 cell panel. VMP 41.95 volts IMP 13.12 amps = 550 watts. Temp Coefficient is -0.35%, not bad, mine are worse at -0.38%. The VOC of 49.8 volts is good, with the VMP being 84% of VOC, meaning the panel has decent series R loss. My cheap DC system panels are 82%, so this is in line with good numbers.
I agree a bit with Eggo, but for this much money savings, it may be worth it. But will the company be around in 10 years if you need warranty support? The company appears to have been around since at least . Jinko has ben around a lot longer. But Jinko has also had some problems with early failure. They even had a line of solar panels recalled. It appears they have taken care of those issues and produce quality panels now though.
For my main system, I paid for a bit more expensive name brand panel. But for my extra DC charging array, I bought cheap panels off of Amazon. They have been working great for 2 years so far, but will they hold up as long as my SilFab panels? Who knows. Time will tell.
If I was completely dependent on the power from a solar array, I would go with a bigger well known brand. But for trying to save money on the utility bill... Going with cheap panels will improve the short term return on investment. When I bought the SilFab panels, I did look into SunPower. They were listed as a far better panel as far as degradation over time, and power loss in high temps, but the cost was so much higher, I could buy nearly double the power in SilFab panels for the same total price. Even with far worse degradation, the SilFab panels will still end up making a lot more energy per dollar over my lifetime compared to the pricey SunPower panels. There is certainly a point where the extra cost is just not worth it.
I just found the Tensite web page. They don't even list a 600 watt option on their own web page.The largest I can see is a 550 watt 144 cell panel. VMP 41.95 volts IMP 13.12 amps = 550 watts. Temp Coefficient is -0.35%, not bad, mine are worse at -0.38%. The VOC of 49.8 volts is good, with the VMP being 84% of VOC, meaning the panel has decent series R loss. My cheap DC system panels are 82%, so this is in line with good numbers.I agree a bit with Eggo, but for this much money savings, it may be worth it. But will the company be around in 10 years if you need warranty support? The company appears to have been around since at least . Jinko has ben around a lot longer. But Jinko has also had some problems with early failure. They even had a line of solar panels recalled. It appears they have taken care of those issues and produce quality panels now though.For my main system, I paid for a bit more expensive name brand panel. But for my extra DC charging array, I bought cheap panels off of Amazon. They have been working great for 2 years so far, but will they hold up as long as my SilFab panels? Who knows. Time will tell.If I was completely dependent on the power from a solar array, I would go with a bigger well known brand. But for trying to save money on the utility bill... Going with cheap panels will improve the short term return on investment. When I bought the SilFab panels, I did look into SunPower. They were listed as a far better panel as far as degradation over time, and power loss in high temps, but the cost was so much higher, I could buy nearly double the power in SilFab panels for the same total price. Even with far worse degradation, the SilFab panels will still end up making a lot more energy per dollar over my lifetime compared to the pricey SunPower panels. There is certainly a point where the extra cost is just not worth it.
Top 5 Most Efficient Solar Panels ( Reviews)
Not all of the panels manufactured by these companies have the same efficiency rating, and some models fluctuate by a few percentage points. Below are the specific models from each manufacturer we found to be the most efficient. Note that theres a drop-down menu available for each of these brands in case youre looking for more information.
Weve looked at every top-rated major solar panel brand and the panel models offered and have determined that the below panel brands have the highest efficiency ratings in the solar industry.
A solar panels efficiency rating tells you how much of the solar energy that hits your panels will be converted into usable electricity for your home. Its not the only measure of a high-quality solar (PV) panel, but its one of the most important ones. Higher efficiency ratings mean your panels will generate more power in all conditionsfull sun, partial sun and cloudy weatherwhich directly correlates to greater energy savings for you.
Note: In July , SunPower notified dealers it would be halting all new shipments and project installations. The company also noted it would no longer be supporting new Leases and PPA sales nor new project installations of these financing options.
REC does offer a superior warranty if you have your panels installed by a REC-certified installer, so keep that in mind if you know you do want REC panels.
The best part about REC, in our opinion, is that its one of the top producers of panels in the U.S. Without being beholden to a single installer, just about any solar contractor can install REC panels, meaning the products should be available regardless of where you live.
However, the company guarantees 92% efficiency will remain after the efficiency warranty term, which is better than most companies and in line with the best options in the solar space.
For the top-of-the-line products, including the Alpha Pure and Alpha Pure-R series, REC provides a 25-year warranty for the equipment, production and labor in case a panel needs to be serviced. All other products include a 20-year equipment warranty, which is just below the industry average, and a 25-year production warranty, which is right in line with the average term.
REC has five primary product lines available that do a good job of providing something for everyone. This is yet another reason why we think REC is one of the most widely accessible brands in the industry.
The only real downside to REC panels is that theyre a bit on the expensive side. The high-end models cost around $3.20 per watt, before any solar tax credit is considered . The cheaper options with less impressive specs average as low as $2.50 per watt, though, so the company maintains options that will be suitable for most solar customers.
REC panels also have a great temperature coefficient, losing just 0.26% efficiency per degree (C) above 25 degrees (77 degrees in Fahrenheit). That means REC panels are a great option for maintaining those high efficiency ratings and energy savings even in more extreme climates.
RECs warranty coverage is also quite good, with a 25-year power production warranty guaranteeing 92% of the original efficiency at the end of the warranty term for most panel models. Thats in line with other top performers in the industry.
RECs performance specs and availability make it a go-to option for countless installers in the U.S., which means its products are available virtually anywhere you live. The company uses heterojunction (HJT) technology to keep panel efficiency high, which means REC panels save you more on energy bills than the average PV equipment.
REC is a solar manufacturer based in Norway with a massive presence throughout the U.S. By the companys own statistics, it is the largest provider of photovoltaic (PV) modules to the United States, which is, in large part, why we think REC has some of the best solar panel availability in the country. Not only are its products widely available, but the company maintains above-average efficiency ratings across all of its products. We recommend REC panels to homeowners who want easily accessible options that will help maximize energy savings over time.
Canadian Solar doesnt have any specific partnerships with U.S. installers, so its products are available in most areas from a massive selection of contractors. Plus, Canadian Solar is one of the few manufacturers with a vertical product line, which means its high-efficiency solar cells and other products make their way into off-brand panels. You could, therefore, end up with Canadian Solar technology even if you dont specifically buy panels from the company.
Other models come with a 12-year product warranty, which is less than half of what most other manufacturers provide. Most come with a 25-year production warrantyagain with a faster rate of efficiency degradation than averageexcept for the TOPBiHiKu 7 model, which gets a 30-year efficiency warranty.
If you purchase the highest-efficiency panels from Canadian Solarthe HiHero modelyou get a standard 25-year product warranty plus a 30-year power production guarantee. The degradation is more significant in these panels than average at this price point, but the warranty length is still better than most companies offer.
Canadian Solar has a pretty impressive lineup of panels that fall within two product lines: the HiKu line and the HiHero line.
The warranty coverage for everything other than the new HiHero product lineup isnt up to the industry standards. The HiHero panels come with an above-average 30-year performance warranty plus the typical 25 years of coverage for things like manufacturer defects. The efficiency remaining after the warranty term is below average, though, at 84.8%. Most other models only come with a 15-year equipment warranty, but they do have the standard 25-year coverage for equipment issues.
Finally, Canadian Solar offers more than just panels. It serves other manufacturers with raw materials that help speed up the production and increase quality of off-brand products, as well as keep industry costs down. Overall, the company has a positive impact on the solar space.
The warranty coverage available for newer models is all in line with the industry standard in terms of length, so you should get decades of useful life and energy savings out of the companys products.
Canadian Solar not only manufactures one of the highest-efficiency panel models available, but it also provides budget optionsspecifically, polycrystalline solar panels with a lower efficiency . This helps keep solar as accessible as possible, which we love to see from any manufacturer.
Canadian Solar is a large international manufacturer that has been in business since , so it has more than 20 years of experience. Its products provide an outstanding blend of quality and affordability, although the average price per watt is a little above average. Wed recommend Canadian Solar panels to homeowners looking to balance power output with affordability.
As one of the worlds largest manufacturers, Jinko doesnt have any specific partnerships with installers. Any solar panel installation company that chooses to install Jinko panels can do so without any specific certification. That means you should have a wide selection of installers available to you if you specifically want Jinko panels.
Jinko Solar has decent warranty coverage, but its not ideal compared to what industry leaders like Maxeon are able to offer. Jinko provides just a 12-year warranty for the equipment and manufacturer defects, which is less than half of the industry average. The power performance warranty lasts for 25 years, which is average, although the solar degradation in that time close to 20% is double what youd see from higher-quality panels.
Jinko currently manufactures three panel models in its Eagle lineup for U.S. customers: the Eagle G5, the Eagle G4 and the Eagle Continental. There are two additional product lines for other countriesCheetah and Tigerwhich are expected to come to the U.S. after testing.
The biggest downside to Jinko Solars panels is the warranty coverage. Its performance warranty lasts the standard 25 years, but the degradation in the first year (2.5%) is higher than the industry average of around 2%. Plus, the remaining efficiency at the end of the term is just 80.7%, compared to the typical ~90% in other high-quality brands. The manufacturers warranty of 12 years also pales in comparison to the standard 25 years.
Despite the low cost, Jinko panels are ranked quite high by PV Evolution Labs (PVEL), suggesting that the panels outperform many other brands in a variety of conditions. With a peak efficiency rating of 22.6%, Jinkos panels are likely to boost your energy savings over less efficient options, all while saving you money on your installation.
Jinko Solars size makes its products widely available throughout the U.S. Without any specific partnerships, its panels are available from hundreds of installers in every state. The average cost per watt for Jinko panels is around $2.25, making it the most affordable high-efficiency solar panel brand on our list .
Jinko Solar is another giant in the industry that provides panels across the globe. Its best known as a budget brand, although its panels are still considered to be tier-one. We recommend Jinko panels to solar customers who want to keep upfront installation costs down but still get a high-quality brand with an above-average efficiency rating. Much like LONGi, Jinkos panel warranties arent the best.
Unlike Maxeon, LONGi doesnt have any specific partnerships, so its products are widely available and can be installed by any solar contractor that chooses to offer them.
Of the manufacturers with the highest panel efficiencies, LONGi is the least impressive. It covers manufacturer defects for 15 years compared to the 25-year standard. The power production warrantywhich helps ensure you continue to save money on your electric billsis for the industry standard of 25 years. However, it guarantees 88.9% efficiency at the end of the warranty term, whereas other companies guarantee 90% or more.
LONGis most recent innovation, the Hi-Mo 6 line of panels, is phasing out the Hi-Mo 4 and Hi-Mo 5 product lines. There are four different options within the new Hi-Mo 6 lineup.
LONGi panels dont have the best warranty coverage, which is really the only major downside to the brand. The Hi-Mo 6 Scientist panels come with only a 15-year warranty for manufacturer defects, whereas the industry standard is 25 years. The power production guarantee does meet the standard 25-year coverage, although the expected remaining efficiency rating after that time (88.9%) is a bit lower than some other brands that guarantee 92%.
LONGi panels have a low power tolerance, which is a measurement of expected power production differential in real-world situations. The industry average is -5%/+5%, and the Hi-Mo 6 Scientist model boasts a -3%/+3% differential. That means youll see a lower production rate fluctuation, ultimately helping to maximize your energy savings over time.
The Hi-Mo 6 panels reach efficiencies of 22.6%, nearly matching the industry leader. That means LONGi solar panels will help bring down your energy bills more than most other brands on a monthly and annual basis. Best of all, LONGi panels cost around $2.40 per watt, which is well below what other brands at this efficiency rating and quality cost.
Founded in , LONGi is the largest solar panel manufacturer in the world, with a market capitalization nearly triple that of any competitor. Not only is LONGi one of the most successful manufacturers, but it also manages to provide outstanding value at below-average costs. The Hi-Mo 6 Scientist panels from LONGi deliver top-of-the-line efficiency ratings, and although the warranty isnt quite as good as other panels, the upfront savings youll see more than make up for it, in our opinion.
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What Should You Look for When Choosing High-Efficiency Solar Panels?
Aside from your installer making sure your solar system is sized properly for your home and energy consumption, choosing high-efficiency panels is the best way to maximize your solar savings and ensure you dont end up paying for a solar array and a high monthly electric bill.
However, its not as simple as picking the panel with the highest efficiency rating. There are a few other things to consider that could change which option is actually best for your particular home. The infographic below includes a quick look at some of the most crucial things to think about that contribute to how well solar panels work in real-world conditions as opposed to standard testing conditions in a lab.
Compare the Top-Rated High-Efficiency Solar Panels
Overall, our top recommendations if youre looking for high-efficiency panels are the Maxeon 6 panels from Maxeon and the Alpha Pure-R panels from REC. You might notice that our second pick actually has the fifth-highest efficiency, and thats because we considered other crucial factors like degradation rate warranty coverage.
The table below includes some additional information about these two panel models to help you decide which of these is the right option for your solar project. Well also include info for our top panel recommendation from the other providers on our list for comparison.
Efficiency Rating Power Output Temperature Coefficient (per degree C over 25) Power Tolerance First-year Degradation Subsequent-year Degradation Efficiency After 25 Years Total Warranty Term (for Efficiency) Maxeon 6 Up to 22.8% 410W to 440W -0.29% 0/+5% 2% 0.25% 92% 40 years LONGi Hi-Mo 6 Scientist Up to 22.6% 580W to 590W -0.29% 0/+5% 1.5% 0.5% 86.5% 25 years Jinko Solar Tiger NEO Up to 22.6% 475W to 635W -0.29% 0/+3% 1% 0.4% 89.4% 30 years Canadian Solar HiHero Up to 22.5% 420W to 445W -0.26% 0/+10% 1% 0.55% 85.8% 30 years REC Alpha Pure-R Up to 22.3% 410W to 430W -0.26% 0/+5% 2% 0.25% 92% 25 yearsCompare the Top-Rated High-Efficiency Solar Panel Manufacturers
As far as the best manufacturers overall for high-efficiency panels, wed have to choose Maxeon again as our number one recommendation, although our second spot goes to LONGi. All of Maxeons panel models come with superior warranty coverage, reliability and durability, and LONGi is a great low-cost option that still brings plenty of value for the money.
The table below includes a side-by-side look at the product lines as a whole from these providers and the others that topped our list. Well include scoring for each based on our methodology, which will be explained in greater depth later in this article.
Efficiency Score (Out of 25) Durability Score (Out of 20) Warranty Score (Out of 20) Price Point Score (Out of 20) Temperature Coefficient (Out of 10) Sustainability Score (Out of 2.5) Appearance Score (Out of 2.5) Our Overall Rating (Out of 100) Maxeon 25.0 19.0 20.0 6.0 10.0 1.9 2.25 84.1 LONGi 25.0 11.5 11.0 20.0 10.0 1.25 1.25 80.0 Jinko Solar 22.5 7.5 11.0 20.0 10.0 0.625 0 71.6 Canadian Solar 20.5 7.5 16.0 10.0 7.0 1.9 1.5 64.4 REC 25.0 13.0 16.0 10.0 7.0 1.9 1.8 74.6
Why Is Solar Panel Efficiency Important?
It would be unfair to equate the most efficient solar panels as being the best, since a number of other factors namely durability, cost, warranty and power can have a large impact on overall quality. However, in residential solar, efficiency is typically one of the more important considerations. Heres why.
Quicker Payback Period
The more efficient your solar power system, the higher your power output will be, and the more quickly youll recoup your initial investment. The cost of solar panels can be intimidating, but efficient panels will help slash a larger portion of your electricity bills, accelerating your solar payback period.
Something else to keep in mind is that the more efficient your solar panels are, the lower number of solar panels and inverters youll need to achieve your home energy goals.
Better for Limited Space
Many residential solar energy projects are confined in terms of space available for solar panels. Some might see their roofs and think theres plenty of space, but zoning laws and regulations often require spaces between panels and gaps between the arrays and the sides of the roof.
For homes with less roof space, high-efficiency panels allow you to do more with less. In commercial solar installations where you have more space to work with, efficiency wont be as big a factor.
Doing More With Less
In addition to working with limited space, requiring fewer solar panels lowers the impact of your solar project itself. As Dr. Yifeng Chen, head of efficiency research and development at Trina Solar, says, improving module efficiency is a key to helping customers save land, labor, cables, etc.
The highest-efficiency solar panels require fewer materials, shipping costs and waste. It may not seem like much to shave off one or two panels from your solar array, but seeing as the U.S. averages some 3 million solar installations per quarter, the impact can add up. Check out this video exploring solar panel efficiency:
What Determines Solar Panel Efficiency?
Two main factors determine solar panel efficiency: the makeup of the photovoltaic (PV) cell , and the structure of the panel. You might wonder what differentiates the two.
Solar Cell Efficiency
A solar cell is the smallest unit within a solar panel, usually composed of silicon atoms. The photovoltaic effect which is the process by which sunlight is turned into electricity happens in the solar cells themselves, and solar panels join together multiple cells to produce higher amounts of power and allow that power to flow through a home.
The most efficient types of solar panels are usually monocrystalline (rather than polycrystalline panels or thin-film). In this type of panel, the solar cell is cut from one solid monocrystalline silicon crystal.
This leads to fewer imperfections in the cell, making them more capable of absorbing sunlight and, thus, more efficient. Its possible youve heard about N-type or P-type solar cells in your research as well.
This wont matter very much to the average customer, but if youre curious, these solar cell types differ in their chemistry due to the number of electrons they carry. N-type cells are negatively charged (via phosphorus), while P-type cells are positively charged (via boron). Multi-junction solar cells exist, too, made with both P- and N-type materials.
Solar Panel Efficiency
Overall solar panel efficiency has more to do with the structure of the panel itself. Even if you have the most efficient solar cells available, the next step is to gather those electrons and direct a current in a specific direction.
A solar panel has to be as smoothly interconnected as possible, so as not to lose any energy in this part of the process. Temperature, cell type and design will have a large effect on overall efficiency in this context.
At the risk of getting too technical, here are a number of aspects of solar panels that factor into efficiency.
- Wavelength: The spectrum of light that a solar cell is able to absorb can vary. Most modern solar cell technology is only capable of capturing visible light, excluding other wavelengths like infrared and UV rays. In general, the wider the spectrum of light that can be captured, the more efficient the cell will be. Some researchers are currently focusing on solar cells capable of capturing infrared rays, which would dramatically increase efficiency.
- Temperature: High temperatures and extreme weather conditions can put a lot of stress on a solar panel. In fact, solar panels are actually more effective in colder conditions when they can work without overheating. Panels that are durable, and that can withstand high temperatures, will have greater overall efficiency and lifespan.
- Reflection: Solar panels need a protective coating on them to ensure their longevity. Whats challenging, however, is that this protective coating shouldnt reflect any of the potential energy the solar cells are trying to capture. Higher-efficiency panels will have high-quality protective coatings that reflect the least light possible, increasing overall energy production.
Environmental Factors Affecting Solar Panel Efficiency
While solar panel efficiency is determined in large part by solar cell technology and the construction of the panels themselves, there are also a number of other real-world contributors to the overall amount of power your system will be able to generate.
- Climate and Latitude: Climate and latitude have a large impact on the overall efficiency of your solar energy system. The closer you live to the equator, the more direct sunlight youll receive on an annual basis. Climate factors in as well. If you live somewhere rainy or often covered by clouds, you wont get as much production out of your system.
- Solar Panel Orientation: Similar to the role of latitude, your panel orientation will affect efficiency. If you live in the northern hemisphere, the best direction for your solar panels to face is south (and north if youre in the southern hemisphere), as this is how they will get the most direct sunlight. If your roof isnt at a great angle for solar, your system will be less efficient.
- Dirt, Dust or Grime Buildup: This factor is particularly unappreciated you might be surprised how much production you lose when you dont clean your panels. Fortunately, its pretty easy to give your panels the routine maintenance they deserve to keep your home powered on clean energy.
Bottom Line: Whats the Best High-Efficiency Solar Panel for You?
Overall, we believe the Maxeon 6 panels from Maxeon are the best high-efficiency panels you can buy for residential solar panel projects. Maxeon has more than 30 years of experience in solar technology innovation, it has some of the best warranty coverage in the entire industry and it provides the highest efficiency rating and some of the most impressive performance specifications available. Maxeon panels are expensive, but we think theyre well worth the investment and will end up paying for themselves.
With that being said, we recommend you get multiple quotes from installers in your area to compare the proposed solar energy system specifications and the cost. You should also consider things like your climate, your monthly energy consumption and the size of your roof before deciding which panel is ideal for your property.
Additionally, the installers in your area may not carry the options weve mentioned above. Some other honorable mentions for maximizing your solar power production include panels from Panasonic, Trina Solar, Silfab and Q Cells panels. These companies all have above-average efficiency ratings. You can click the buttons below to get personalized estimates for your solar project.
Methodology: How We Reviewed High-Efficiency Solar Panels
Of course, in a list of the panels with the highest efficiency, weve listed the panels in order of their raw efficiency rating. However, we use a more complicated system to get an overall product ranking, which leads to discrepancies like RECwith the fifth-highest efficiencyranking second overall. Well explain our criteria below for transparency.
Want more information on N Type High Efficiency 580W Solar Panels? Feel free to contact us.
- Efficiency (25%): One of the most crucial things we considered was the peak efficiency rating for the panels we reviewed. In most cases, a high efficiency rating means greater savings over time for you. Thats not always the case, but greater efficiency does mean higher energy production, at least right after your installation is completed. Plus, a high starting point leaves more room for degradation before a panel becomes less beneficial than another option with a lower starting efficiency.
- Durability (20%): The degradation rate of a panels efficiency is what we believe is the next most crucial thing to consider when comparing the efficiency of solar panels. Panels that lose efficiency more rapidly could end up generating less solar power than panels that start at a lower efficiency but lose less over time. A perfect example of this is the Tiger Neo panel from Jinko Solar. It maintains just 80.7% of its efficiency over 25 years. Year one, the Tiger Neo outperforms the REC Alpha Pure-R22.6% as opposed to 22.3%. At year 25, though, the Tiger Neo sits at just 18.14%, while the REC panel would still be at 20.29%. We also consider the panels ability to withstand extreme weather conditions.
- Warranty coverage (20%): Warranty coverage is a huge deal when youre spending $10,000 to $20,000 or more on your PV equipment. Panel manufacturers that have longer and more appealing warranty coverage are more likely to provide superior service, which could end up saving you money on repairs or maintenance. As such, we rank companies with better warranties and greater panel lifespans higher.
- Cost Per Watt (20%): Next, we consider the average price per watt of different panels. Unfortunately, youll usually have to pay a premium for high-efficiency panels, which may or may not be worth the money over time. Cost isnt the primary driving force, but we rank panels lower if they are prohibitively expensive for some homeowners.
- Temperature coefficient (10%): The temperature coefficient of a panel is important for solar customers who live in hot climates. All panels lose efficiency as temperature increases, but a panel with a lower starting efficiency could end up being better overall if you live in a particularly warm area and it has a low efficiency loss to high temperature.
- Sustainability (2.5%): The EcoWatch team always focuses on sustainability, so we rank companies higher if they use recycled materials to manufacture their panels and have recycling programs for panels that have reached the end of their life. We also look at a companys history in terms of social sustainability, including the quality of life for employees.
- Appearance (2.5%): Panels that are all black and dont have visible grid lines tend to be more desirable. We rank companies and panels slightly higher if they meet both of these criteria.
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