Best Solar Panels: Which One Should You Choose? (2024)

Choosing the best solar panel can feel overwhelming, but it's easier than you might think. If you select a quality solar installer, in most cases they'll install quality solar panels.

Many companies offer great solar panels. It's your installer's experience and your solar system's size that really determine your installation's effectiveness. Still, every home is different, and some can benefit from the highest quality panels. If it’s important that you have the "best" solar panels, efficiency, power output, and ability to perform in warm temperatures are all important. You'll also want to choose panels from a company that backs its panels (and ideally your entire system) with a strong warranty.

We reviewed hundreds of solar panel models and found that five brands stand out: SunPower, REC, Panasonic, Maxeon, and Jinko Solar.

Choosing the highest quality solar panels will likely mean a higher upfront cost, but it's often worth it in the long run. With higher output, efficiency, and longer lifespans, solar panels from the following five brands will maximize your savings:

1. SunPower

SunPower

Best performance overall

SunPower's M-Series 440 W solar panels offer the most power at 21.2 watts (W) per square foot. They're highly efficient and come with a great warranty, which covers your entire system (the panels, inverters, and racking equipment). The biggest downside of SunPower panels is the price. They're the most expensive brand on our list, with at least a $4K premium compared to the average 10 kilowatt (kW) solar panel system. We recommend considering SunPower panels if you have limited roof space or significant shading. Otherwise, you may be better off with a slightly lower performance but more cost-effective option.

Soon, SunPower may no longer exclusively offer these solar panels. Maxeon (also one of the best solar panel brands) currently manufactures SunPower's highest quality line of solar panels (the M-Series). Beginning in March 2024, their exclusivity agreement will end and Maxeon will be able to sell these panels to other U.S. solar panel companies. Through February 2024, Sunpower plans to purchase 85 megawatts (MW) of M-Series solar panels–enough to support about 8,500 installations.

Summit Energy via REC Group

Best for warm climates

REC is a European-based solar company that offers a range of solar panels. Its newest series, the Alpha Pure-R, has an impressive temperature coefficient compared to other panels at 0.24%/°C, making them the best choice if you live in a consistently hot area. The Alpha Pure-R panels are the second most efficient panels on our list at 22.3% efficiency. REC offers a strong bang for the buck at an average of $2.82/W. With black cells, frames, and back sheets, they also blend in nicely with most asphalt shingled and metal roofs.

Panasonic

Best for roofs with tight spaces

Panasonic is most commonly known in the U.S. as a TV and small appliance manufacturer, but the Japanese company is also a global leader in solar panels. In 2021, Panasonic began outsourcing its solar panel manufacturing to third-party companies, but panels with Panasonic's name on them continue to uphold the same standards for quality workmanship and high efficiency. They also still include a 25-year warranty. Panasonic panels are the smallest on our list at just 19.9 sq ft, making them a great choice if you have an awkward roof with tight spaces.

Maxeon Solar Technologies

Best warranty

As we mentioned before, Maxeon is the company behind SunPower's highly efficient and power-dense M-Series solar panels. Maxeon offers an industry-leading warranty, guaranteeing its solar panels will produce 88.25% of their original output at year 40. That's 15 years longer than traditional solar performance warranties.

Maxeon's own line of solar panels doesn't perform quite as well as SunPower's, but its panels cost about 9% less. It's also possible that Maxeon will start offering the highest performance panels soon since their exclusive relationship with SunPower ended in April 2024.

Jinko Solar

Best performance per penny

Jinko Solar may have the lowest power per square foot of the top five panels on our list, but when you consider cost, they offer the best value in the market. At over 22% efficiency for their highest quality panels and an average cost of $2.55/W, Jinko panels are a great deal. Just keep in mind that they're a bit larger than the other panels, so they might not work as well for installations on smaller roofs.

Even the best solar panels perform poorly in difficult conditions. Some panels are better suited for small spaces, while others excel in hot temperatures. It's important to choose the solar panels that work best for your home, considering your roof and climate.

Your roof's size and shading

Have a small roof with a lot of shading? Unless you don't use much electricity, you'll want a very powerful solar panel. Even light shading can have a negative impact: Subtle shading that covers a few cells or a single panel can reduce solar energy production by 50% or more. Look for solar panels with high power output and high efficiency.

If you have a complex roof with a lot of small, awkward spaces, it's also worth choosing a more compact, but highly efficient solar panel. We recommend selecting a solar panel that's small in size but still offers a lot of power.

Your region and climate

It's no secret that solar panels are more prevalent in the Sun Belt than in other parts of the country, but they're still an excellent investment if you live in the Northeast or Midwest. You just need to choose the right panels. Your region and climate influence irradiance, shading, panel orientation, temperature, precipitation, wind, dust, and dirt. All of these factors impact the performance of your solar panels.

If you live in an area that frequently experiences rain, snow, or other cloudy conditions, opt for high-output and high-efficiency panels. If you live in a hot and sunny region, you're in a prime spot for premium solar panel efficiency. You should consider the temperature coefficient as a leading factor in your decision-making.

Solar panels spend their entire functional lives outdoors, subject to everything nature throws at them. A solar panel's durability measures its ability to perform at maximum capacity in conditions that diminish optimal performance.

You'll want to invest in durable solar panels that you can trust not to break or malfunction in the elements. Manufacturers put solar panels through several standardized tests to determine their durability:

• Damp Heat test: Measures resistance to humidity

• Thermal Cycling: Measures resistance to temperature fluctuations

• Mechanical Stress Sequence (including static and dynamic loading): Measures resistance to weight or pressure

Your solar panel's durability directly impacts its efficiency: The most durable solar panels have the lowest degradation rates, enabling them to maintain their efficiency ratings.

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