This is measured by the guaranteed output of the panel over 25 years. All tier one panels will produce at least 80% of the power in 25 years as they did on day 1. Home Solar Authority only uses tier 1 panels.
Premium panels are the most expensive with Sunpower being the highest cost. Mid range panels will offer a strong return on your investment or “bang for the buck”. Economy panels are not recommended and shown below for comparison purposes only.
Many companies claim to manufacture in the U.S., but typically this is assembly of parts only and not manufacturing. Additionally, many companies are based in one country but manufacture in another.
All panels have a 25 year production guarantee as mentioned above. However, the manufacturer’s warranty against defects is typically 10 to 15 years. All premium panels extend this to 25 years. If a panel is defective however, it often will be apparent in a much shorter time frame making the production guarantee a more powerful gauge of quality.
We did rigorous, in-depth research to find the top rated solar panels, so you didn’t have to. Take a look at ones made our list, and why, as well as which ones you should steer clear of.
Learn More…| Brand | Wattage | Efficiency | 25 Year Production Guarantee | Aesthetics | Country of Manufacture | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panasonic | 330 | 19.7% | 90.76% | White Grid Lines | Japan, U.S. and Canada | 25 year bumper to bumper warranty with exceptional degradation |
| Panasonic | 320 | 19.7% | 90.76% | All Black | Japan, U.S. and Canada | 25 year bumper to bumper warranty with exceptional degradation |
| Solaria XT | 360 | 19.9% | 86% | All Black | Malaysia | No Soldering points or bus bars makes it highly dependable. They are exceptionally black |
| Solaria | 350 | 19.4% | 86% | All Black | Malaysia | No Soldering points or bus bars makes it highly dependable. They are exceptionally black |
| LG 350 Q1C-A5 | 350 | 20.3% | 88.4% | White Grid Lines | South Korea | 25 year bumper to bumper warranty with exceptional degradation |
| LG 360Q1C-A5 | 360 | 20.8% | 88.4% | White Grid Lines | South Korea | 25 year bumper to bumper warranty with exceptional degradation |
| Sunpower SPR-X21-335-BLK-D-AC | 335 | 21.0% | 92% | All Black | Malaysia, Phillipines and Mexico | 25 year bumper to bumper warranty covers panels, inverter and racking |
| Sunpower X21-350-BLK-D-AC | 350 | 21.5% | 92% | All Black | Malaysia, Phillipines and Mexico | 25 year bumper to bumper warranty covers panels, inverter and racking |
| Brand | Panasonic | Panasonic | Solaria XT | Solaria | LG 350 Q1C-A5 | LG 350 Q1C-A5 | Sunpower SPR-X21-335-BLK-D-AC | Sunpower X21-350-BLK-D-AC |
| Wattage | 330 | 320 | 360 | 350 | 350 | 360 | 335 | 350 |
| Efficiency | 19.7% | 19.7% | 9.9% | 19.4% | 20.3% | 20.8% | 21.0% | 21.5% |
| 25 YearProduction Guarantee | 90.76% | 90.76% | 86% | 86% | 88.4% | 88.4% | 92% | 92% |
| Aesthetics | White Grid Lines | All Black | All Black | All Black | White Grid Lines | White Grid Lines | All Black | All Black |
| Country of Manufacture | Japan, U.S. and Canada | Japan, U.S. and Canada | Malaysia | Malaysia | South Korea | South Korea | Malaysia, Phillipines and Mexico | Malaysia, Phillipines and Mexico |
| Notes | 25 year bumper to bumper warranty with exceptional degradation | 25 year bumper to bumper warranty with exceptional degradation | No Soldering points or bus bars makes it highly dependable. They are exceptionally black | No Soldering points or bus bars makes it highly dependable. They are exceptionally black | 25 year bumper to bumper warranty with exceptional degradation | 25 year bumper to bumper warranty with exceptional degradation | 25 year bumper to bumper warranty covers panels, inverter and racking | 25 year bumper to bumper warranty covers panels, inverter and racking |
| Brand | Wattage | Efficiency | 25 Year Production Guarantee | Aesthetics | Country of Manufacture | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hanwha Q Cell Peak Duo-G5 | 315 | 18.70% | 85% | All Black | Georgia (U.S.) | Top selling brand on the market |
| REC 315TP2M | 315 | 18.90% | 80.7% | White Grid Lines | Singapore | Supports heavy snow loads with metal horizontal bar under the panel. Has 20 year labor warranty. |
| Mission Solar PERC 60 | 310 | 18.65% | 80.20% | All Black | San Antonio, TX | Extremely tough panel for harsh weather conditions. |
| Brand | Hanwha Q Cell Peak Duo-G5 | REC 315TP2M | Mission Solar PERC 60 |
| Wattage | 315 | 315 | 310 |
| Efficiency | 18.70% | 18.90% | 18.65% |
| 25 Year Production Guarantee | 85% | 80.7% | 80.20% |
| Aesthetics | All Black | White Grid Lines | All Black |
| Country of Manufacture | Georgia (U.S.) | Singapore | San Antonio, TX |
| Notes | Top selling brand on the market | Supports heavy snow loads with metal horizontal bar under the panel. Has 20 year labor warranty. | Extremely tough panel for harsh weather conditions. |
| Brand | Wattage | Efficiency | 25 Year Production Guarantee | Aesthetics | Country of Manufacture | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grape Solar GS-P60-265 | 265 | 16.21% | 80% | Blue panel/Silver Frame | Not Published | By far the lowest price and lowest quality on the market. |
| Brand | Grape Solar GS-P60-265 |
| Wattage | 265 |
| Efficiency | 16.21% |
| 25 Year Production Guarantee | 80% |
| Aesthetics | Blue panel/Silver Frame |
| Country of Manufacture | Not Published |
| Notes | By far the lowest price and lowest quality on the market. |
Why wait? Try our hassle free System Builder Tool for a free estimate today. No sales calls, no pressure, and no funny business… just the numbers. Say hello to clean energy, and goodbye to your utility bill.
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