Best Solar Panels for Homes in 2022 review

Solar Panels for Homes in 2022

Switching to solar energy is a costly investment. With an average initial cost of around $11,000, you want to feel confident that you are installing the best possible solar system for your home. Researching solar panels and brands will give you the information you need to choose the best solar panels for your home.

Solar panels and their accessories unlock the unlimited energy in sunlight and convert it into useful energy. Taking the step to equip your home with solar energy solutions has never been easier. Tax credits and rebates designed to reward solar adopters are readily available as the renewable energy market explodes. It is no wonder that many people are choosing home solar panels to power their homes.

With an expanding market comes an ever-increasing number of companies vying for your business. The competition is heating up, and that’s good news for consumers. Competition drives innovation by keeping prices in check. However, the growing number of solar panel manufacturers and long lists of available options can confuse those trying to determine the best energy solution for their homes.

To help, we’ve taken a hard look at the top solar panel manufacturers and their product lineups to compile a list of the top five in the business. We’ve listed them here, along with important information to consider when deciding which supplier has the best solar panels for your home.

Note for Ratings: Our ratings take into account factors such as available wattage, available residential batteries, customer service, guarantee/warranty, and optimum performance. All ratings are determined entirely by the editorial team.

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• Best Solar Panels for Homes 2022
• 4.8
• Sun Power
• Maximum performance
• Best
• Residential batteries are available.
• Yes
• Live chat is available.
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• Why did we pick it up?
• Good and evil
• 4.7
• Panasonic Solar
• Maximum performance
• Best
• Residential batteries are available.

Good and evil

• 4.5

• Canadian Solar
• Maximum performance
• Best

• Residential batteries are available.
• Yes

• Live chat is available.
• no
• Why did we pick it up?
• 4.5

• REC Solar
• Maximum performance
• Best

• Residential batteries are available.
• Yes

• Live chat is available.
• no

• Why did we pick it up?
• Good and evil
• Summary: The best solar panels for homes
• Company Forbes Home Rating Maximum Performance Residential Batteries Available Live Chat Available Learn More
• Sun Power 4.8
• 4.5-removebg-preview-1-e1625735940152
• Best Yes No See More
• Panasonic Solar 4.7
• 4.5-removebg-preview-1-e1625735940152
• Best Yes Yes See More
• Q Sales 4.7
• 4.5-removebg-preview-1-e1625735940152
• Best Yes No See More
• Canadian Solar 4.5
• 4.5-removebg-preview-1-e1625735940152
• Best Yes No See More
• REC Solar 4.5
• 4.5-removebg-preview-1-e1625735940152
• Best Yes No See More
• How to choose solar panels for your home
• Of course, not all solar panels are created equal. Additionally, the solar panels that power your neighbor’s house may not be the best for your needs. Consider the following criteria when deciding which one best meets your needs.

Solar panel performance

The efficiency rating of a solar panel is expressed as a percentage. The current industry average is about 18 percent. High-efficiency solar panels can produce efficiency ratings of over 22%, while budget products come in at around 16% efficiency. But that’s only part of the equation.

The long-term solar panel efficiency rating measures the degradation that the panel experiences over time. Low-cost solar panels degrade faster and to a greater extent than high-quality but more expensive panels.

Another consideration, especially for those living in hot climates, is the temperature efficiency rating of the panel. The rating measures the efficiency of energy lost with temperature rise and is expressed in negative percentage numbers. A lower temperature efficiency rating indicates a solar panel that performs better in hot weather than a panel with a higher efficiency rating.

The total cost of the system

The average cost of a solar energy system for a home is $16,000. However, depending on your needs, the cost can be as low as $3,500 or as high as $35,000. Generally, the higher the price of solar panels, the better the quality. However, your situation may not call for the highest quality panels. Compare the performance rating and durability against the total cost of the system and the amount of time you expect to own the system.

Panel and component warranty

A typical product warranty for solar panels is 25 years. However, system components, such as batteries, inverters, and other critical components, often have warranties that vary significantly between products and manufacturers.

To help you in the process, we at Solar home conversion reviews have researched dozens of solar panel brands to compile a list of the top solar panel options. Our evaluations are based on performance ratings, price, warranty coverage, and other important factors discussed below.

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On average, homeowners save $5,000–$20,000 with solar panels.

Whether you want to do something good for the environment, save some money or rely a little less on your utilities, 2022 could be your solar year. The federal investment tax credit will now give you 30% of the cost of your solar system back on your taxes, and local incentives (like net metering) are still strong, although there are some efforts to bring them back.

Although the U.S. avoided most potential blackouts this summer, climate change is expected to make the grid less reliable and increase the likelihood of extreme weather events. Solar panels with battery storage and off-grid capability can keep lights on during power outages.

Solar panels are a significant investment, not to mention a decision that requires some careful thought and research. Below are my picks for the best solar companies based on a few different parameters. However, with a large purchase like solar panels, don’t let this list be your only stop. Solar panel companies, because their products require lengthy, professional installation, are evaluated a little differently than other categories on CNET.

Advertiser Disclosure: CNET’s corporate partner, SaveOnEnergy, can help you find the right energy for your home. The SaveOnEnergy marketplace helps you find, compare, sign up and save the right energy for your home – all for free. If you are interested in solar energy, answer a few questions to get an accurate price quote from our solar advisors.

This list and the reviews derived from it are not based on any hands-on testing. There is no viable way to conduct hands-on testing of home solar panels during the purchase process, installation, or after installation. Instead, these solar company reviews rely on interviews with company spokespersons, publicly available data, and analysis of trends (such as solar panel prices). While reviews are as thoroughly researched as possible, the nature of the product means there are some limitations compared to other categories such as portable power stations.

This list of best (mostly rooftop) solar panels has been sourced from national and notable installers. As we publish reviews of more companies, this best of list will be updated to reflect our current top picks. They have been ranked among the best solar companies for the variety and quality of equipment and products they offer, their stated warranties and their demonstrated commitment to customer service. (Customer service is difficult to quantify and therefore makes up a small part of the score, even though it is an important part of the buying process.)

If you are looking for a solar panel installer, be sure to get multiple quotes from local installers where possible. The characteristics of a solar array can change depending on the shape and angle of a given roof or the energy usage and habits of a family. Solar energy can be a great investment but you need to do your own research.

1. Sun Power
2. Sun Power Solar
3. Overall best solar company

• SunPower Solar earns the top spot on our best list thanks to its top-of-the-line solar panels and strong warranties. The solar panels offered by SunPower have industry leading efficiency marks (22.8%) and a warranty that guarantees at least 92% output after 25 years. It also gets an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (companies pay for ratings). It also offers a strong warranty on the batteries.

• SunPower’s solar panels can be a bit more expensive than others (although exact pricing is difficult to determine in the industry). The company has said it plans to release more accessible solar solutions. Read our SunPower review.
• Palmetto
• Palmetto Solar
• Best solar company for customer service

• Palmetto Solar has a strong offering of solar equipment and is trying to do something different than most solar companies when it comes to customer service. Palmetto offers proactive monitoring and tiered levels of support on a subscription model called Palmetto Protect. While some of the higher tiers may only pay in the most extreme cases of failure, solar consumers can buy peace of mind for a small fee when worrying about their equipment.

1. It is worth noting that solar panels are generally low maintenance systems. People can monitor their systems with apps available from most installers, including Palmetto. Palmetto also gets an A+ from the Better Business Bureau, which companies pay to receive a rating. Read our Palmetto Solar review.
2. Check out Palmetto Solar

Tesla

Tesla Solar

Tesla’s solar branch seems to be the least favored of Elon Musk’s projects. Even Tesla’s solar roof gets more love. Still, solar panels from Tesla are likely to be the cheapest option where they are available. You can save thousands of dollars without sacrificing the quality of the goods.

What you can sacrifice is customer service. From delays to price changes, slow response, system malfunctions.

Trying to determine the best solar panels for your home is like determining the best car – there is no right answer. Everyone has different budgets, goals and capabilities.

So the real question is, which solar panel is best for you?

We analyzed over 750 types of solar panel models from 40 different manufacturers available on the Solar.com marketplace to determine the best solar panels to buy to meet common needs and requirements.

Of course, determining your solar needs is much easier with the help of an experienced energy consultant. Connect with one here.

The ideal solar panel varies from homeowner to homeowner based on the homeowner’s budget, energy goals, roof, and more.

We’ve selected a handful of the best panels that meet some of the most common needs of homeowners.

The Most Popular Solar Panels of 2022

While we can’t name a single best solar panel for your home, the 2022 sales analysis is a clear favorite among solar.com users.

From January to August 2022, manufacturers REC and Hanwha Q CELLS had the most popular panels for residential solar power.

Most popular panels 2022

That’s because REC and Q CELLS have a wide range of premium panels that offer a combination of solid performance and affordability.

In fact, there are about 50 REC models and 80 Q CELLS models available through the solar.com network, with wattages ranging from 265W to 450W (although 400W is now considered the norm, and anything less than 365W used to be rare). Is).

To top it off, REC and Q CELLS back their panels with a 25-year product warranty.

There’s no shame in following the crowd when it comes to solar panels. REC and Q CELLS are popular for a reason and it’s safe to know that these well-established panel manufacturers aren’t going anywhere and will be around to honor their 25-year warranty.

The best solar panels made or designed in America

For some homeowners, finding American-made solar panels is a priority. Although there are many excellent solar manufacturing companies located in the US, finding panels that are actually made in the US can be difficult.

This is because there are American companies that manufacture overseas, and foreign companies that manufacture in the United States. And then there are companies that manufacture some panels in the US and others overseas.

Check out our top seven picks for solar panels for homes:

• Silfab: Our overall pick
• SunPower: Our choice for performance
• Panasonic: Our pick for premium panels
• LG: Our choice for accessibility
• QSales: Our choice for warranty options
• Canadian Solar: Our Choice for Affordability
• Trina Solar: Our pick for value panels

Calculating Solar Energy Costs and Savings

If you’re unsure about switching to solar, use our solar calculator to estimate your investment costs and potential savings. We create an estimate based on a number of weighted factors including your home’s size, location, roof design and monthly energy usage. You will gain a better understanding of the cost, payback period and overall savings of a solar panel system.

Compare top solar panels

Take a look at the key comparison points for these top solar panels:

Solar Panel Brand	Category	What We Like
Silfab	Premium	Manufactures panels that are close to premium quality but at affordable pricing
SunPower	Premium	Provides panels with the highest efficiency rating in our review
Panasonic	Premium	Backed by a multinational conglomerate tech company
LG	Premium	Offers best options for unique roof designs
Q Cells	Value	Offers long-term warranty options for product and performance
Canadian Solar	Value	Provides panels that are an economical alternative for homeowners
Trina Solar	Value	Offers reasonable value options for homes

Salafab

• Warranty: 12-year product (25-year extension option); 30 years of performance
• Efficiency: 19.4%–21.4%

Sulfab tops our list with its high-performance passivated emitter and rear contact (PERC) panels that are guaranteed to perform for 30 years. Backed by one of the longest performance warranties available, Sulfab delivers high-performance panels at a price range just below premium brands.

Classification:

• Our overall pick
• 4.7/5
• Sulfab Solar
• Get a free quote.
• Advantages and disadvantages of Sulfab
• Here are our top

pros and cons for Sulfab:

• + Offers a wide variety of efficient PERC monocrystalline panels.
• + Panels cost between $2.85 and $3.05 per watt (W).
• + Offers a 30-year performance guarantee.
• Moves the price point closer to premium brands.

 Use of a Sulfab-certified installer is required to receive the 25-year extended warranty

Salafab offers the following panel selection for residential systems:

• SIL-330 NL: A small PERC model that produces 330 W at 19.4% efficiency.
• SIL-330 HL: A black series producing 330 W at 19.4% efficiency
• SIL-360 NX: This 66-cell PERC model has an efficiency of 19.7% and delivers 360 W.

    Sulfab Elite Series: Sulfab’s highest efficiency panels come in 370W, 375W and 380W panels with ratings between 20.8% and 21.1%.

    Sulfab Prime Series: This 120-cell model produces 370 W at an efficiency of 20.2%.

Silfab provides a 30-year performance guarantee with all its panels. The company has promised 83 percent yield from its panels for 30 years. If the panels fall below this level, Sulfab will take care of their maintenance or repair. Its panels also include a 12-year workmanship warranty, in line with the industry standard of 10 to 12 years. However, this warranty can be extended to 25 years if homeowners purchase their panels from a Sulfab-certified installer.

Salafab Installation Companies

• Astronaut Solar
• Blue Raven
• Palmetto

Sun Power

• Warranty: 25 years product; 25 years of performance
• Efficiency: 19.4%–22.8%

SunPower manufactures some of the best high efficiency solar panels on the market today. Although its panels are the most expensive of all the panels in our review, the initial investment in top solar panels will lead to long-term savings in the future.

Classification:

• Our choice for performance
• 4.5/5
• Sun Power (Panels)
• Get a free quote.

Pros  and Cons of Sunpower

• Check out the main advantages and disadvantages of Sunpower solar panels:
• + Has one of the highest efficiency ratings on the solar panel market today.
• + Guarantee panels will produce 92% output for 25 years.
• + Provides a 25-year product and performance warranty.
• Offers the most expensive panels on our list.
• Limits the availability of its panels to approved installers only.
• SunPower has four monocrystalline options for homeowners:
• A Series: Its most popular line that produces 370 W to 400 W at a high efficiency of 20.9% to 22.5%.
• X Series: Ideal for small roofs, these panels produce up to 370 W with an efficiency of 22.7%.
• M Series: The latest in the lineup, these panels are available in 420 W and 435 W options with efficiencies ranging from 21.7% to 22.8%.
• E Series: Available in 320 W, 327 W and 435 W offerings, these simple panels offer 19.4% to 20.4% efficiency.

Homeowners looking to invest in the best solar panels available should consider SunPower. Panels with higher efficiency ratings cost more than average solar panels. SunPower solar panels start at about $3.30 per watt, well above the industry average of $3.

The company provides a 25-year product and performance warranty, one of the few companies to offer such an extended warranty. SunPower also guarantees that its panels will produce an output of at least 92% of the initially posted wattage for the 25th year. If your panels fall below this threshold, the company will update your system to restore performance.

Sunpower Installation Companies

• Vision Solar
• Solanta Solar
• Sunris

Panasonic

• Warranty: 25 years product; 25 years of performance
• Efficiency: 21.6%–22.2%

Panasonic’s latest panel series, the EverVolt, uses half-cut heterojunction (HJT) solar cell technology to create some of the most energy-efficient panels available. Its panels are designed to withstand extreme temperatures, making it a great choice for homeowners in hot climates.

Classification:

• Our choice for premium panels
• 4.3/5
• Panasonic
• Get a free quote.
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Panasonic
• Take a look at our top pros and cons for Panasonic solar:
• + Performs well in hot climates.
• + Guarantees 92% yield for 25 years.
• + Provides a 25-year product warranty.
• Outsources its panel manufacturing until March 2022, which may lead to lower quality products
• is one of the more expensive options for homeowners.
• We reached out to Panasonic about these vulnerabilities, and although the company did not comment, a representative instead directed us to this article.
• Panasonic’s latest line, the EverVolt series, utilizes low-power HJT technology.

Q Sales

• Warranty: 25 years product; 25 years of performance
• Efficiency: 20.6%–21.4%

Q Cells panels offer the perfect balance of solid performance, high performance and affordable prices. The company also provides warranties that exceed industry standards for product and performance protection.

Classification:

1. Our choice of warranty options
2. 4/5
3. Q Sales
4. Get a free quote.
5. Advantages and Disadvantages of Cue Cells

• Here are the top pros and cons to consider for Q Cells:

• + is a great option for homeowners with a small budget.
• + Offers a 25-year product and performance guarantee.
• + Known to produce standard panels for other companies (eg, Tesla)

1. Has decent efficiency rates but not the highest in our solar panel review.
2. Produces some large Q cell models that will not work well on a small roof.

1. Q Cells’ latest selection includes three models of half-cut, monocrystalline Q.Peak Duo panels:

• Q.PEAK DUO BLK-G10+
• Q.PEAK DUO BLK-G10+/AC
• Q. PEAK DUO BLK ML-G10+

Q.Peak Duo produces 20.6% to 21.4% efficiency with 350 W to 415 W panels.

Q Cells backs its panels with a 25-year product and performance guarantee. The company promises that its panels will produce no less than 98 percent in the first year. Then, production declines by 0.5 percent every year thereafter. After 10 years, the yield will reach 93 percent, decreasing to a minimum of 86 percent by 25 years.

Top Q Sales Installation Companies

• Momentum Solar
• Sun Lux
• Sun Badger

• Canadian Solar

• Warranty: 12-, 15- and 25-year products; 25- or 30-year performance
• Efficiency: 15.88%–22%

• Canadian Solar offers well-designed solar panels that can be a great option for homeowners looking to keep their costs to a minimum. Although these panels are less efficient than mid-to-premium offerings, they provide a good solution for anyone looking for low-cost options for the home.
• Classification:
• Our pick for affordability
• 3.7/5
• Canadian Solar
• Get a free quote.

Pros and Cons of Canadian Solar

• Here are some of the main advantages and disadvantages of solar energy in Canada:
• + Choices include polycrystalline and monocrystalline solar panels.
• + Excellent option for cold weather environments where snow can easily accumulate.
• + Some models use HJT technology for better performance.
• Short product warranty for its basic panel options
• -Performance is not so good in hot environment.
• Canadian offers three models for homeowners:
• HiKu Line: These models have monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panels that produce 320 W to 420 W.
• HiDM Line: This monocrystalline line provides 360 W to 385 W and is more affordable than the HiKu line.
• HiHero line: Its new models use HJT technology in the form of 405 W to 430 W options.

HiDM models feature a sleek, mono PERC solar design that uses more solar cells in a smaller space, ideal for confined spaces. Although these panels cost more than the HiKu line, this model excels in performance and durability. HiHero is Canadian Solar’s highest efficiency option. These 405 W to 430 W panels have an efficiency of 22%.

Product warranties vary by model. The HiKu line offers a 12-year product warranty, while the HiDM models come with a 15-year product warranty. Both lines include a 25-year performance guarantee. HiHero models have a 25-year product warranty and a 30-year linear power output guarantee.

Canadian Solar Installation Companies

• Sunrun Solar
• Blue Raven Solar
• Solanta Solar

• Trina Solar

• Warranty: 25 years product; 25 years of performance
• Efficiency: 19.9%–20.6%

• Trina solar panels provide the best low-budget options among all the panels reviewed. Its panels are above industry standards but still fall short of high-end solar panel options.
• Classification:
• Our pick for value panels
• 3.5/5
• Trina Solar
• Get a free quote.
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Trina Solar

 pros and cons for Trina Solar:

• + Offers a 25-year performance warranty.
• + Features a performance range that exceeds the industry standard by 17%
• + Product warranty has been extended from 12 years to 25 years.

There have been quality issues in the past.

Lacks high power wattage panel options.

• Trina offers two new half-cut, monocrystalline models for residential systems:

• TSM DE06X.05(II): This model produces 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 from 310 W to 335 W.

• Trina Solar’s latest panel models are backed by a 25-year manufacturer’s warranty and a 25-year performance guarantee, offered exclusively in the United States. Because these extended warranties do not require the use of a Trina installer, homeowners will receive these protections from the date of purchase.

Trinia Solar Installation Companies

1. Momentum Solar
2. Blue Raven Solar
3. Solar Trinity

• Note: We reached out to every manufacturer on this list to comment on the pitfalls listed in this article. Unless otherwise noted.
• There is a huge variety of solar panels on the market right now – in fact, there are nearly 300 solar panel manufacturers with profiles and reviews on the website SolarReviews.

• Competition is great in any field, but it can also be too much of a good thing. With so many options to choose from, how can a homeowner decide which solar panel is best for their home?

• This article is the answer to this question. This is the definitive guide to the best solar panels on the market in 2022, designed to help consumers – homeowners like you – find the best solar panels for their needs.

To develop this lineup, I’ve drawn on a number of different resources. I’ve consulted with a panel of solar industry experts, drawn on official government data sources, and aggregated thousands of customer review scores on our website. Most importantly, I researched what you, the consumer, want from your solar panels.

Conclusion: This article contains not one, but seven ‘best of’ solar panel lists.

If it’s just a quick suggestion you’re after, check out the first ranking: our experts’ picks for the 5 best solar panels on the market.

But if you’re down for a deep dive, check out all the other ratings on this page. They’ll tell you, among other things, which panels are the most efficient, which are best for budget shoppers, and which brands are made right here in the US.

Happy solar panel hunting!

Experts’ Pick: 5 Best Solar Panels Overall

I asked an in-house group of solar industry experts to weigh the pros and cons of different solar panel brands, and choose which one they would install in their homes.

After comparing all the major brands in the market, here are the top 5 solar brands recommended by experts in 2022. The experts focused on three main criteria when making their decision:

The financial status of the manufacturer

He explained that because solar panels last for such a long time, it’s critical that the brand is there to cover any warranty claims during the panel’s 25-year lifespan.

Their selection is divided into two categories of solar panels: three are premium solar panels, and the remaining two are value solar panel brands.

Top premium panels from experts: Panasonic, LG, and Sunpower

Premium Solar Panels, Panasonic, LG, and Sunpower

Premium solar panels are panels that are of high quality and boast high-end features with a high price tag. Our experts’ top picks in the premium solar panel category are Panasonic, LG, and SunPower.

All three companies produce high-performance modules with superior workmanship, high-efficiency ratings, improved temperature coefficients, low degradation rates, and market-leading 25-year product warranties.

Panasonic and LG solar panels are our experts’ top picks. In addition to being the best panel, they win points for being produced by large groups. Both companies are known for their high manufacturing standards and are almost certain to honor any warranty claims. This means they are Tier 1 solar panel brands.

Learn more about the differences between Tier 1 and Tier 2 solar panel manufacturers here.

Comparing the two, experts say Panasonic solar panels have a slight edge in terms of specs, while LG panels have a slight advantage in price.

Meanwhile, SunPower’s panels are actually the best on the market in terms of efficiency and performance – even better than Panasonic and LG – yet the brand only ranks #5.

Why? According to experts, SunPower’s rating has been affected by its troubled financial condition as well as its high valuation. We’ll be watching to see how things change when SunPower spins off its manufacturing business into a new entity called Maxion Solar.

Expert high-cost panels: Canadian Solar and Trina Solar

Best value panels, Canadian Solar and Trina Solar

Another type of company that made the list are Chinese* panels that offer great value: Canadian Solar and Trina Solar.

Both companies offer high-quality panels with specifications that are not far off from the best premium solar panels. The big difference comes in terms of price; They are significantly cheaper than premium solar panels, often saving homeowners hundreds or even thousands of dollars in upfront costs.

A major drawback to Canadian Solar and Trina Solar is their warranty. They both offer a 12-year product warranty. While that’s better than the industry standard of 10 years, it’s still significantly less than the 25-year warranty offered by premium panels.

*Despite being headquartered in Canada, Canadian Solar is actually considered a Chinese company due to its strong ties to China.

The most efficient solar panels on the market

The efficiency of a solar panel tells you how well the sunlight hitting the solar panel is converted into electricity by its component solar cells.

Many consumers want to know which solar panels have the highest efficiency ratings.

Here is a list of the five most efficient solar panels based on a review of all solar panel models commercially available in the US.

The 5 most efficient models of solar panels by manufacturer
#	Manufacturer	Model*	Power output**	Efficiency
1	SunPower	A-Series	425 W	22.80%
2	LG	NeON R	405 W	22.30%
3	REC Group	Alpha Pure	405 W	21.90%
4	Panasonic	Evervolt	370 W	21.20%
5	JA Solar	JAM60S20	390 W	21.00%

I offer this rating with a grain of salt: high-performance panels are generally worth much more. The reality is that you only need to care about solar panel efficiency if you have limited roof space. This is because all solar panel efficiency indicates the space required for the panel to generate energy. The more efficient a solar panel is, the less space it will take up on your roof.

We explore the issue of solar panel efficiency in depth in this blog.

SolarReviews has thousands of solar panel reviews from customers who have rooftop systems installed. We used these to calculate a review score for each solar panel brand.

Below are the 10 solar panel brands with the best review scores on our site.

Manufacturer	Review score (out of 5.00)*
1	Silfab Solar	4.84 (486 reviews)
2	Panasonic	4.84 (319 reviews)
3	Q Cells	4.81 (526 reviews)
4	LG Solar	4.77 (912 reviews)
5	Axitec Solar USA	4.77 (88 reviews)
6	Solaria	4.75 (81 reviews)
7	Seraphim	4.72 (28 reviews)
8	Mission Solar Energy	4.70 (223 reviews)
9	Canadian Solar	4.68 (165 reviews)
10	Trina Solar	4.61 (152 reviews)

The four solar panels here are also among our experts’ picks for the best solar panels. Panasonic, the solar panel that consumers are most happy with, along with Sulfab Solar, was also the #1 solar panel according to our experts. LG Solar, Canadian Solar, and Trina Solar panels are also panels that our experts love.

Only one of the five experts’ picks didn’t make it onto the list of consumer favorites: SunPower. The company currently has a review score of 4.54 (based on 895 reviews); That’s a decent score, but not good enough to make the consumer favorites list. While SunPower’s panels are undoubtedly top-of-the-line, the company’s reviews show that it loses points with consumers due to its poor customer service.

10 Best Selling Solar Panel Models for Home

You no doubt want to know which solar panel models are most popular among homeowners. To find out, SolarReviews compiled data from recent residential solar installations in California, the largest solar market in the U.S. by a wide margin.

Here are the top 10 solar panel manufacturers based on their use in California home solar installations, along with the best-selling models for each brand.

Table 4. Best Selling Solar Panel Models in California.

#	Panel manufacturer	Most popular model	Power	Efficiency
1	SunPower	SPR-X22-360	360 W	22.2%
2	Panasonic	VBHN330SA17	330 W	19.7%
3	Q CELLS	Q.PEAK DUO BLK-G5 315	315 W	18.7%
4	REC Group	REC290TP2 BLK	290 W	17.4%
5	LG	LG335N1C-A5	335 W	19.6%
6	Silfab Solar	SLA-M 300	300 W	18.4%
7	LONGi Solar	LR6-60PB-300M	300 W	18.3%
8	Mission Solar	MSE310SQ8T	310 W	18.7%
9	Solaria	PowerXT-360R-PD	360 W	19.9%
10	Hyundai	HiS-S300RG	300 W	18.3%

SunPower has taken the #1 spot for the best-selling solar panel model. While our experts loved the SunPower X series’ top-of-the-line sunglasses, they were concerned about their high cost and the company’s viability. However, it seems California consumers are happy to pay a hefty premium to get the best solar panels.

SunPower solar panels are top sellers in California, one of the most popular states for solar energy. Image source: Sunpower

Panasonic – our experts’ favorite brand – previously held the No. 1 best-selling model spot. Sales of Panasonic solar modules, however, seem to have suffered due to the lack of their partner, Tesla/SolarCity.

See how much you can save by installing solar panels.

Here is a ranking of the best solar panels made in America.

For this ranking, we decided to look at all the solar panel brands in the country that actually manufacture solar panels – and create manufacturing jobs. For this purpose, we considered all companies that have large-scale manufacturing in the US, regardless of where they are headquartered.

#	Company	U.S. manufacturing location	Global HQ
1	LG Solar	500 MW plant in Huntsville, Alabama	South Korea
2	Silfab Solar	400 MW plant in Bellingham, Washington	Canada
3	Q Cells	1700 MW plant in Dalton, Georgia	South Korea
4	Jinko Solar	400 MW plant in Jacksonville, Florida	China
5	Mission Solar Energy	200 MW plant in San Antonio, Texas	The U.S.

Of our experts’ favorite solar panels, only LG Solar currently manufactures in the U.S. Their premium brands, Panasonic and SunPower, have recently ceased all manufacturing at Canadian Solar in the U.S., and Trina Solar, on the other hand. Always do most of the work. Their manufacture is in China.

All of the foreign manufacturers on this list opened their U.S. factories in 2018 after the Trump administration imposed tariffs on solar energy.

5 Best Solar Panels for Value for Money

Asia-based manufacturers dominate our list of best-value solar panel brands. Each of these companies is large and has established a reputation for excellent manufacturing quality:

• Canadian Solar
• Trina Solar
• Q Sales
• Junko Solar
• Seraphim

Two of these companies – Q CELLS, Jinko Solar – have opened manufacturing plants in the USA in the past few years. This has helped them address the impact of solar import tariffs imposed in early 2018, while also creating American jobs in the process.

All five of these brands are currently available for much cheaper than many of the best premium solar brands. If you’re on a budget but still want a quality solar panel system on your roof, these brands should be at the top of your list.

Which solar panel cell technology is best?

In 2022, monocrystalline solar panels are perfect for home solar systems.

There are actually three types of technology used in solar panels available in the market today. They are monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film amorphous solar cells.

Types of solar cells

Monocrystalline solar panels are known for their uniform, sleek appearance, while polycrystalline panels have a blue appearance and tint. Thin film is the least effective, but the least expensive.

Historically, the majority of solar panels on the market were either monocrystalline or polycrystalline, or ‘mono’ and ‘poly’ for short. Monocrystalline solar panels have always been preferred for their better performance and aesthetics, while polycrystalline solar panels have attracted budget-conscious consumers due to their lower cost.

That has changed now. With recent improvements in technology, the price difference between them is now $0.10 per watt or less. Thus, there is no longer a significant cost incentive to choose poly panels. For this reason – with the odd exception – the best solar panels currently on the market are all monocrystalline panels.

Without going into too much detail, here are two types of solar panels you need to know about:

Monocrystalline panels

• Same shape
• More efficient
• more expensive

• Polycrystalline panels

• Another blue, ‘broken’ shape
• Less efficient
• cheap

Pros and cons  of Different Types of Solar Cells

Get the best panels installed by the best solar companies.

Every solar panel on this page – regardless of rating – is a high-quality, Tier 1 solar panel brand. Installing a solar power system with one of these solar panels should result in an efficient, high-efficiency setup that can power your home for 25 years or more.

However, choosing the best solar equipment is only part of the equation. Equally, if not more important, is choosing the right solar company to install solar equipment.

The solar installation company is responsible for designing a system that meets your needs and will be your point of contact for any performance or warranty issues. Make sure the company you choose is one of the best solar installers near you.

The 5 best solar panel brands (experts’ choice) are Panasonic, LG, Canadian Solar, Trina Solar, and SunPower.

The most efficient solar panel currently available in the US is the SunPower A Series, which has an efficiency of 22.80%.

Panasonic and Sulfab Solar get excellent customer reviews. Both of them have review scores of 4.84 out of 5.00.

  The best American-made solar panels are from LG Solar, Silfab Solar, and Q Cells.

The best value for money is offered by brands with Chinese/Asian manufacturing, such as Canadian Solar. Among all brands, the best solar panels are currently being made with monocrystalline solar cell technology.

Solar energy has become more affordable and accessible in recent years, but the solar industry is difficult for many people to understand. Most people who are interested want to help their community, reduce their carbon footprint, and provide clean energy for themselves and their neighbors. In this guide, we’ve compiled details of the best solar panels for homes that will help you go solar by integrating the panels into your home design.

We have also researched the best solar installation companies in the United States. Our process includes analyzing different warranty options, analyzing customer reviews for each supplier, and identifying which partner manufacturers each installer uses and their panels, solar batteries, and inverters inside and out. Out. This research has helped us determine the best solar panels on the market.

Homeowners save an average of $5,000–$20,000 with solar panels.

Get a quote on your solar installation in 30 seconds.

You can tell a lot by the solar panels used by a solar installation company. The best solar panel brands for residential properties are:

• Maxion
• LG
• Salafab
• Hanwa
• Panasonic
• REC
• Trina Solar

• Maxion

• Fast facts:

• Efficiency rate: up to 30%
• Warranty options: 40-year product and performance warranty
• Panel Options: Monocrystalline (Black)

• Classification:
• 4.3/5
• Maxion
• Get a free quote.

• What we love: Maxion is an in-house, owned-and-operated solar panel manufacturer for SunPower, one of our most recommended solar suppliers. The company claims that its monocrystalline solar panels have an efficiency rate of up to 30%, the highest efficiency rate on the list. This rate refers to how much sunlight the panels absorb and convert into energy for your home.

• In addition to its black panels with no grid lines and solid metal backing, Maxion is developing a unique peel-and-stick solar panel. These lightweight panels help the aesthetics of your home because if the roof has an effective pitch and angle, it helps avoid the use of mounting systems.

Maxion Panel Warranty

Maxion offers an outstanding 40-year warranty on its panels. This warranty covers both the panels themselves and their performance.

Maxion’s Top Solar Panels

Below are the four solar panel lines Maxion offers:

E Series: These are the company’s standard panels with mid-range specs.

 M Series: These panels have built-in micro-inverters that convert energy from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) electricity. With these panels, you don’t have to worry about complicated wiring and messy systems with inverters.

 X Series: These panels are perfect for small roof spaces. They are high-range performance panels with clear white or black backing.

 A Series: These are powerful monocrystalline panels up to 420 watts, with clear white or black backing, so you not only get excellent power generation, but also a clean aesthetic.

LG

• Fast facts:
• Efficiency rate: up to 21.5%
• Warranty options: 25-year product, performance, and labor warranty
• Panel Options: Monocrystalline (Black)
• Classification:
• 4.2/5
• LG
• Get a free quote.

What we love: One of the most recognizable names in electronics, LG offers a variety of high-quality, durable solar panels. LG panels fit almost any roof configuration, a flexibility that makes it a good option for homes with more complex roof structures. Also, LG’s positive reputation and comprehensive customer support help make its solar panels a good investment.

LG Panel Warranty

LG offers three warranties that cover all components of its solar panels. Its 25-year warranty covers any product defects, performance issues, and workmanship.

LG’s Top Solar Panels

LG offers a clean, frameless, black panel for those concerned about the style of their home. The company’s two most popular lines, NeON® R and NeON® 2 blend easily into your ceiling and avoid drawing attention to the bright, silver frame lines. Here are the specifications of LG’s three main solar panels:

 375W High Efficiency LG NeON R: We recommend using this panel for small roofs. You get a lot of power for such a small size, and it produces clean, dark colors without any distracting streaks.

365W NeON 2 Black Solar Panel: This is an advanced panel from LG. It has circular wires that scatter sunlight into its solar cells. It also offers a pleasing aesthetic through its smooth, black surface.

400W High Efficiency LG NeON 2 Bifacial Solar Panel: These are bifacial panels that absorb sunlight on both the top and bottom sides of the panel. Check out these panels if you’re concerned about your potential daily energy output.

Salafab

• Fast facts:

• Efficiency rate: up to 21.4%
• Warranty options: 25-year product and 30-year power.
• What we like: Another name you might recognize, Panasonic makes solar panels backed by a big, trusted brand. Panasonic’s size means it will likely be in business for a long time, and therefore, has to honor its 25-year long warranty. In addition to this security, Panasonic’s influence and staying power mean that it will be easy in the future to update your solar system with any new solar technology developed by the company.

Panasonic is also known for making Tier 1 panels. Tier 1 refers to the financial stability and size of the solar panel manufacturer. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance Corporation (BNEF), that is, suppliers will have to provide products for six different projects, which have been financed by six different banks in the last two years.

Panasonic is also one of the few suppliers on this list that offers thin-film solar panels. These panels are ideal for small projects such as solar-powered sheds or pool houses.

Panasonic Panel Warranty

Panasonic provides a robust 25-year warranty that covers virtually any problem that may occur with your solar panels. Its warranty covers improper installation, performance problems, and technical defects.

The company offers many solar panels, but we recommend the following line to our readers:

Evervolt Black Series Module: This high efficiency monocrystalline solar panel line is the only one from Panasonic to feature a crisp, clean black design. The company offers this series in 350, 360, and 370 watt increments.

REC

• Fast Facts:

• Efficiency rate: up to 21.9%
• Warranty options: 10-year labor warranty, and 25-year product and performance warranty
• Panel Options: Monocrystalline (Black)

• Classification:
• 4/5
• REC
• Get a free quote.

• What we love: REC is one of Europe’s largest solar panel manufacturers. REC’s solar panels have a high temperature coefficient of performance of -0.37 to -0.26. This spec makes REC panels ideal if you live in a cold area where there can be a lot of snow and ice during the winter.

• The REC also uses an innovative design called a half-cut sail. This design is opposed to standard full-size square solar cells, and allows a standard 60-cell panel to feature a total of 120 cells. The two “half-cut” halves are connected parallel in the center of the panel, but they operate .independently. This design means that if half of your panel is in the shade, it reduces the power output of the other half of the panel. For example, a full-size 60-cell panel can suffer up to 40% power loss when shade covers part of the panel.

REC Panel Warranty

REC provides a 10-year labor warranty to ensure that your system is not damaged by any improper installation methods. In addition to this warranty, the company also includes a 25-year product and performance warranty to cover any technical defects or performance issues caused by the solar panels themselves.

REC’s entry-level Twinpeak range of panels is the best value for money, and they give you access to the company’s 25-year product and performance warranty. Overall, we recommend REC’s Alpha Series Solar Panels:

 REC Alpha: These panels have barely visible wires and black cells. However, you will see some lines from the frame. REC offers this series of panels ranging from 360 to 380 watts.

 REC Alpha Pure: These panels are not only high-performance, with the series reaching upwards of 410 watts, but they also feature seamless black and lead-free construction to reduce your environmental impact. are

Trina Solar

• Fast Facts:

• Efficiency rate: up to 20.4%
• Warranty options: 25-year product and power warranty
• Panel options: monocrystalline (black) and polycrystalline (blue)

·       Classification:

• 4/5
• Trina Solar
• Get a free quote.

• What we like: Trina Solar is a great choice for those looking for more economical solar panels. Its most popular residential solar panel model is the Residential Series. This cost-effective series features outputs ranging from 335 to 365 watts. Like the REC, the residential 365W module has increased efficiency using new half-cut PERC cells, and it comes with a black finish to help you avoid any annoying lines and frames on your roof. Forms color.

Although polycrystalline solar panels are a less popular option, Trina Solar still offers them. Depending on your solar project, these panels can offer a more cost-effective solution in the long run. For example, if you have a small solar project that requires a low power output to properly operate your home, polycrystalline panels may work for you. This is because polycrystalline solar panels are less efficient than monocrystalline panels, with an average efficiency of about 20 percent, but they cost less than monocrystalline panels.

Covers any malfunctions with Trina Solar Compon.

The best solar panels for degradation

Solar panels gradually lose their efficiency over time through a process called degradation. That’s a big concern for some homeowners interested in going solar.

However, the industry has been pleasantly surprised by the longevity of solar panels developed decades ago, and the technology has only improved.

Today, it is not uncommon for premium solar panels to come with a warranty that guarantees more than 85% efficiency after 25 years. Every warranty is slightly different, so it’s important to read the language closely when researching the panels.

If your top concern is degradation, here are three panels to focus on:

The panel

Degradation rate

• Performance Warranty
• SunPower X Series 0.2% to 0.25% per year Minimum 92% of peak power after 25 years
• Panasonic EverVolt® Photovoltaic Series (EVPV) No more than 0.25% per year 92% of maximum power after 25 years
• REC Alpha Series Not more than 0.25% per year 92% of nameplate power output after 25 years.

Best solar panels for efficiency

Another important characteristic of solar panels is the efficiency rating, or how much sunlight a panel converts into electricity.

The most efficient solar cell of any type has an efficiency of 39.5 percent, but it’s designed for space applications, not the typical rooftop.

Residential solar panels are typically between 15% and 20%, with industry leading panels pushing 23%.

If solar panel efficiency is your primary concern, here are the best panels to look at:

• Manufacturer

• Model

• Performance rating
• Sunpower A Series up to 22.8 percent
• SunPower X series up to 22.7 percent
• Panasonic EverVolt® Photovoltaic Series up to 22.2%
• SunPower M Series up to 22%
• REC Alpha Series up 21.9%
• Sulfab Elite Series up to 21.4%
• SEG SIV AC module series up to 21.25%
• Sulfab X series up to 21.1%
• Solar World Sun Module Series up to 21.1 percent
• S-Energy SL40-60MCI-370 21.04%
• Best solar panel warranty

Solar panels are a worthwhile investment that takes time to pay off. One of the things that makes solar energy a safe bet is the manufacturer’s warranty that guarantees performance above the break-even mark.

Today, a 25-year warranty is standard. However, few panel manufacturers are offering a 30-year warranty.

Aptos Solar offers a five-year extension to its standard 25-year warranty to guarantee 82.4% output after 30 years on its DNA split-cell series panels.

That’s a 4.9 percent higher yield after 25 years and a 5.7 percent higher yield after 30 years than the industry average, according to Aptos.

Hyundai Energy Solutions – a subsidiary of the carmaker – also offers a 30-year performance warranty on its RG series panels. This warranty guarantees 80.2% efficiency after 30 years.

Finally, Canadian Solar has a 30-year output warranty for a variety of panels.

• Polycrystalline products: 83% yield by the end of 30 years
• Standard Monocrystalline products: 5% yield by the end of 30 years
• Monocrystalline PERC products: 83% yield by the end of 30 years

How to Choose the Best Solar Panels for Your Home

Each home solar system is designed by an engineer with custom software.

An expensive, high-performance panel may perform as well as a standard or economy panel under certain conditions—but bigger isn’t always better. The best solar panels for your home depends heavily on the following two factors.

1. Amount of annual household electricity consumption

The more electricity you use, the more solar energy you need to generate. You should ideally generate enough electricity to cover 100% of the electricity you use.

It’s useful to have a full year’s worth of electricity payments for reference on your bill, so your system designer can factor in household usage patterns that fluctuate from month to month.

2. Features of your roof

Most residential systems are placed on the roof above your home. The slope, type, age, and amount of shading of your roof can affect the number of solar panels you need.

In general, it’s best to have more panels on the southern side of your roof, since the sun shines the most in the northern hemisphere.

It seems more difficult than it really is. Contact an energy advisor to see how solar will perform on your roof.

Based on these factors, a solar engineer will put together several configurations using different panels. Once you have the options, the choice is yours!

What makes a good solar panel for the home?

When evaluating solar panels yourself, be sure to check the efficiency, power rating, warranty and bankability of the various manufacturers.

These are the main components that make solar panels good for home use.

Solar Panel Warranty

The length of a solar panel warranty is a message from the panel manufacturer that they believe they have produced the best type of solar panel. The longer the warranty, the higher the quality of the panel.

Warranty for premium panels ranges from 10 years to 25 years.

Although this is a fixed period, solar panels often last much longer due to the inherent durability of the product. Because the panels have no moving parts, they can continue to generate electricity until the solar cells run out of conductive material.

If your solar panel is found to be defective within the warranty period, the manufacturer will replace the panel or repair it for you. It should be noted that if the panel fails due to a defect in the installer’s workmanship, it will be covered by the installation company’s workmanship warranty instead.

Apart from workmanship fault, these warranties have some other costs that most manufacturers follow. Panels damaged by environmental pollution, salt water, flying objects, severe storms and other “acts of God” are generally excluded from warranty. In essence, only normal wear and tear of the panel is covered.

Guaranteed solar energy efficiency

In addition to covering any defects with a solar panel warranty, manufacturers also provide performance guarantees for their products.

Currently, most manufacturers guarantee a certain level of yield over 25 years, but some are now guaranteeing over 80 percent yield for up to 30 years.

If you want the best residential solar panels, make sure you check the output level that the manufacturer is guaranteeing.

Typical performance guarantees are in the range of 80-85% after 25 years. The best solar panels are guaranteed to provide at least 90 percent power output.

Please note that the same exclusions from the Solar Panel Warranty apply to the Solar Performance Guarantee. So if your panels are dirty and less productive, the panel manufacturer has reason to exclude your system from their warranty. In fact, most manufacturers issue their panel warranties and performance guarantees in the same document.

Solar panel performance

It is important that every residential solar system has a monitoring system. It is a system that will allow you to view and measure your system’s real-time and historical energy production data.

Some monitoring systems display this energy production data through a physical display unit, while others use an online interface, or both.

As “smart” or connected homes become more common, solar installers can also provide whole-home energy consumption monitoring. To ensure that your solar system is producing energy normally, it is important to ensure that your solar panels are connected to an energy production monitoring system.

Solar panel wattage

It’s easy to confuse efficiency with wattage. Wattage is a unit of measurement that represents the potential electrical output of a panel under ideal conditions.

The higher the wattage of the panel, the more electricity it can potentially generate for your home. Higher wattage panels are ideal for smaller spaces that require more output. However, they often come at a higher price. So it’s not always a good idea to invest in high wattage panels if it’s not necessary for your home.

Additionally, sometimes higher wattage panels are physically larger. This may mean that fewer panels can fit in a given space, thus negating the benefit of having a higher wattage. Solar panel brands and products will vary in size and wattage, so make sure your PV designer takes this into account when working on your array.

If you want to compare solar panels, be sure to look at panel efficiency and wattage in the same breath. A high-efficiency, high-wattage panel may seem ideal, but it may not be necessary if you have a lot of roof space.

Solar panel aesthetics

As more people turn to solar energy, the need for well-designed, aesthetically pleasing panels is becoming a greater consumer demand.

This is especially true in neighborhoods that require some HOA for solar arrays, or for a home that needs panels facing the street. Many homeowners prefer black panels when comparing solar panels with these considerations in mind, but it’s important to be aware of the different types of black panels.

Most silicone seals are either dark blue or black. These cells are the squares that make up the face of the solar panels. Between these cells is where you can see the backsheet. Having a black back sheet gives a much sleeker, black look.

Finally, it is important to consider the color of the frame. Most solar panel frames are anodized alum.