Moving to solar energy is a costly and worthy investment. The starting cost of $11,000 is enough to buy a high-quality solar system for your house. There are many brands making highly efficient and high-quality solar panels. Every brand has its own pros and cons. You must have a proper guide about which brand is providing the best solar panels for your home before making the buying decision.
This article is all about the top-class solar panel brand in 2023. You just need to read it carefully and note down what characteristics you like about any brand. You should also mention the weak points in your list and make a final decision as per your requirements. Let’s Start the Article.
Here is a short overview of solar panel brands and their key feature:
| Brand | Key Feature |
| Silfab | Overall Pick |
| SunPower | Efficiency |
| Panasonic | Premium Panels |
| LG | Accessibility |
| Q Cells | Warranty |
| Canadian Solar | Affordability |
| Trina Solar | Value Panels |
Silfab (Overall Pick):
Our best pick is Silfab, whose high-efficiency passivated emitter and rear contact (PERC) panels come with a 30-year performance warranty. Silfab offers high-performing panels at a price point slightly below the premium manufacturers, backed by one of the most comprehensive extended performance guarantees available.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Provides a large selection of effective PERC monocrystalline panels.
- Costs for panels range from $2.85 to $3.05 per watt (W).
- Guarantees performance for 30 years.
Cons:
- carries a cost that is more comparable to high-end brands
- The 25-year extended warranty has to be installed by a Silfab-certified technician.
Variants:
- SIL-330 NL:
330 W of power is produced by a tiny 19.4% efficient PERC device.
- SIL-330 HL:
An all-black series with a 19.4% efficiency and 330 W of output.
- SIL-360 NX:
This 360 W, 66-cell PERC type has an efficiency of 19.7%.
- Silfab Elite series:
The most efficient panels from Silfab range in power from 370 W, 375 W, and 380 W panels from 20.8% to 21.1%.
- Silfab Prime series:
This 120-cell type has a 20.2% efficiency and produces 370 W.
Top Silfab Installation Companies:
- Astrawatt Solar
- Blue Raven
- Palmetto
SunPower (Efficiency):
Some of the greatest high-efficiency solar panels on the market are made by SunPower. Even if its panels are the most expensive of all the ones we looked at, a one-time investment in the best solar panels would provide long-term savings. SunPower should be considered by homeowners wishing to purchase the best solar panels on the market. Higher-efficiency solar panels often cost more than standard solar panels. Compared to the industry average of $3, SunPower solar panels start at roughly $3.30 per watt.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Attains the highest efficiency rating in the market of solar panels.
- Assures panels will generate 92% of their capacity for 25 years.
- 25-year product and performance warranties are offered.
Cons:
- Provides the most expensive panels on our list.
- Only permits authorized installers to use its panels.
For homes, SunPower offers four monocrystalline options:
- A Series:
Gives production ranging from 370W to 400W and efficiency remains from 20.9% to 22.5%.
- X Series:
These panels generate up to 370 W with a 22.7% efficiency, making them perfect for modest roofs.
- M Series:
These panels, which are the newest in the array, have efficiency ranging from 21.7% to 22.8% and come in 420 W and 435 W versions.
- E Series:
These straightforward panels, which come in 320 W, 327 W, and 435 W versions, have an efficiency range of 19.4% to 20.4%.
Panasonic (Premium Panels):
One of the most energy-efficient panel series on the market, Panasonic’s EverVolt, makes use of half-cut heterojunction (HJT) solar cell technology. It is a great option for homes in hot locations since its panels are designed to endure harsh temperatures. EverVolt panels are covered by the company’s AllGuard and TripleGuard 25-year warranty on the product, parts, labor, and performance. Additionally, Panasonic promises that its panels would work at least 92% of the time during a 25-year period.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Suitable for hot climates.
- 92% output guaranteed for 25 years.
- Product warranty valid for 25 years.
Cons:
- As of March 2022, it will outsource the production of its panels, which could result in lower-quality goods.
- It is one of the most expensive solar panels available to homeowners.
EverVolt panels are covered by the company’s AllGuard and TripleGuard 25-year warranty on the product, parts, labor, and performance. Additionally, Panasonic promises that its panels would work at least 92% of the time during a 25-year period.
Top Panasonic Installers:
- Elevation
- Solanta Solar
- Green Home Systems
LG (Accessibility):
For homeowners with intricate roof designs or constrained roof space, LG solar panels are excellent. You can purchase fewer of these panels and yet provide enough electricity for your home because they are more powerful but smaller. Sunlight can be absorbed on the top and bottom of a solar panel due to LG’s technology. Even on the cloudiest days, the panels can still harvest electricity thanks to this technology.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- It is one of the most renowned electronics manufacturers in the world.
- It is most appropriate for houses with complex roof designs.
- It offers a 25-year product warranty.
Cons:
- It has unstable panel prices throughout the network of LG dealers.
- They are one of the most expensive solutions and may cost up to $500 per panel.
Q Cells (Warranty):
A great blend of reliable performance, high efficiencies, and reasonable cost is provided by Q Cells panels. Additionally, the business offers guarantees for product and performance safeguards that go above and above industry standards.
A 25-year quality and performance warranty is provided by Q Cells for their solar panels. The manufacturer guarantees that in the first year, the production from its panels will be at least 98%. After then, the output starts to decline annually by 0.5%. Production will stabilize at 93% after 10 years and decline to at least 86% after 25 years.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- It is a great choice for those with limited budgets.
- It provides a 25-year performance and product guarantee.
- It is renowned for providing other businesses with high-quality panels.
Cons:
- It has reasonable efficiency ratings, though not the top in our assessment of solar panels.
- Produces several bigger panels that may struggle to operate on a smaller roof.
Top Installers:
- Momentum Solar
- Sunlux
- Sun Badger
Canadian Solar Panels (Affordability):
Well-built solar panels from Canadian Solar could be a preferable choice for homeowners trying to keep their expenditures as low as possible. Even though these panels’ efficiency is lower than that of mid to premium-range alternatives, they offer a fantastic option for anybody seeking affordable solutions for a house.
The warranties for each type of product are different. While the HiDM models have a 15-year product guarantee, the HiKu series offers a 12-year warranty on its products. Each line comes with a 25-year performance warranty. The product warranty for HiHero models is 25 years, and the linear power output warranty is 30 years.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Solar panels featuring polycrystalline and monocrystalline crystals are available.
- Excellent choice for regions with colder climates where snowfall may readily build.
- HJT technology is employed by several models to increase efficiency.
Cons:
- For its standard panel selections, offers shorter product warranties.
- In warmer environments don’t provide good performance.
Variants:
- HiKu line:
It includes 320W to 420W Monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels.
- HiDM line:
It is a more affordable series including 360W to 385W monocrystalline solar panels.
- HiHero line:
This series uses HJT technology and offers solar panels of 405W to 430W and an efficiency of 22%.
Top Installers:
Sunrun Solar
Blue Raven Solar
Solanta Solar
Trina Solar (Value Panels):
Of all the panels examined, Trina Solar panels offer the greatest low-cost solutions. Although its panels outperform the industry norm, they still fall short of the best solar panel choices.
The newest panel variants from Trina Solar are only available in the United States and come with a 25-year manufacturer’s warranty as well as a 25-year performance guarantee. Homeowners will be covered as of the date of purchase because these lengthier warranties do not need for the employment of a Trina installation.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Available with a 25-year performance warranty.
- Features a range of efficiency that is greater than the 17% industry average.
- Product warranty is prolonged from 12 to 25 years.
Cons:
- Has faced quality issues in the past.
- Lacks high power wattage panel options.
Variants:
It is now offering two new models for homeowners.
- TSM DE06X.05(II):
This model generates 355 W to 380 W at 20.6% efficiency.
- TSM DD06M.05(II):
This panel line registers a lower efficiency of 19.9%, with panel options of 310 W to 335 W.
Conclusion:
All above mentioned solar panels are chosen to be best in their provided features. You cannot deny the quality or features of any of the above-mentioned top 7 brands of solar panels today. However, maybe one of them would be closer to your affordability and requirements than the other. Now, you know the top brands and their pros and cons. We hope our article will help to choose the best solar panel for your house. All the best to move to solar energy.
