The Best Solar Panel Brands In 2022: Key Features & Top Solar Panel Manufacturers 

Solar technology is not new, yet the industry is still maturing. As such, there are many solar panel brands out there vying for business. 

Let’s break down the most significant factors to consider when comparing solar panels and then take a look at some of the best solar panel brands on today’s market. 

The Most Important Features of a Top Solar Panel

There are three key features to consider when evaluating solar panels:

Efficiency

Solar panel efficiency is expressed as the percentage of sunlight hitting a solar panel that is converted into usable electricity. The higher the percentage, the better the solar panel is at converting sunlight to energy. 

Most of today’s notable solar panel manufacturers create panels with efficiency ratings between 18% and 20%. The most efficient residential solar panel on today’s market is the SunPower A Series, which boasts an efficiency rating of 22.8%. 

Solar panel efficiency may be the key feature to consider if you:

  • have limited space and want to maximize your energy production

  • want to limit the number of panels in your solar system 

Temperature Coefficient   

A solar panel’s temperature coefficient represents how much energy production loss occurs outside of the panel’s ideal temperature range. Optimal temperature for solar panel performance is 25° Celsius (77° Fahrenheit). 

Solar panels work at peak performance on clear, sunny days at 25 °C. For every Celsius degree away from that ideal temperature, a solar panel’s production reduces by its temperature coefficient. The lower the temperature coefficient, the better the solar panel generates electricity outside of its ideal temperature. 

The solar panel with the lowest temperature coefficient is Panasonic at -0.26%/°C. Therefore, if the Panasonic panels were working in 30 °C weather, they would be producing 1.3% less energy than at the optimal condition of 25 °C.  

Temperature coefficient may be the key feature to consider if you:

  • live somewhere with large temperature fluctuations 

  • live somewhere that is considerably warmer or colder than 25 °C 

Warranty

There are a number of warranties associated with the technology and workmanship of your solar system. There is no single warranty that covers everything, so don’t be fooled by that savvy sales tactic assuring ‘all-inclusive’ coverage. 

Looking at solar panel manufacturers, the significant warranties to note are: 

Performance — guarantees that solar panels will produce electricity according to its specs over the duration of its warrantied life. The specs take into account the solar panel efficiency, temperature coefficient, and the natural degradation of the solar panels over time.

Product — covers damages that don’t directly impact performance, such as distorted frames, chipped paint, or cracked glass.

Shipping — covers the cost of shipping replacement parts in the case a solar system needs fixing. It’s rare for solar panel manufacturers to offer this warranty, yet it’s very useful for those situations when replacement parts are needed.

Labor — covers the cost of labor for any repair work done to your solar system. It’s uncommon for a solar panel manufacturer to include this. Just as with shipping, it’s nice to have this covered in the case that future repairs are needed. 

The other warranty type to be aware of is workmanship, which covers the work done by the solar installation company. 

Warranty may be the key feature to consider if you live in an area that hovers at or close to 25 °C and have plenty of space for solar panels or plan to sell your home and want the best warrantied products to stay with your property 

The Best Solar Panels

Taking into consideration the features discussed above, the below table lists some of the best solar panels on the market today. 

Manufacturer Models Wattage Efficiency Temperature Coefficient Warranty
SunPower A-Series 425W 22.8% -0.29 %/°C 25-year performance
25-year product
Panasonic EverVolt 380W 380W 21.7% -0.26 %/°C 25-year warranty for performance, product, parts, & labor
LG NeON R 380W 22% -0.30 %/°C 25-year performance
25-year product
REC Alpha Series 380W 21.7% -0.26 %/°C 25-year performance
20-year product
Solaria PowerXT 400W 20.2% -0.39 %/°C 25-year warranty for performance, parts, & labor
Trina TSM DE06X.05(II) 380W 20.6% -0.34 %/°C 25-year performance
25-year product
Aptos Solar
Technology		 DNA 120 370W 20.29% -0.36 %/°C 30-year performance

All these solar panels make for a great selection. Generally speaking, solar panels get pricier as they increase in efficiency. From the above list, the most economic solar panel comes from Aptos Solar Technology. The other manufacturers noted above have more economic options, but they will come in at a lower power output and efficiency rating than those listed.

These manufacturers provide quality solar panels that can help you gain the energy independence you’re looking for. In the end, it’s important to think about your needs. So it’s important to answer the critical questions:

  • how much space do you have?

  • how much energy production do you need?

  • what is the ultimate goal of your solar system?

Answering these questions will help you narrow down your selection from this list of the best solar panel brands.  

Sources Used

Spencer Grimes