Getting a solar panel system to power your home is a significant improvement. Not only will you be jumping straight into green, sustainable energy generation, but increasing your property’s market value.
True, solar panels are costly. A 4kW system, sufficient for a 3-4 people household, may cost approximately £6,000-£8,000. However, it is worth every penny. Using solar energy to meet your house’s energy demands will:
- Reduce your home’s carbon footprint;
- Save you hundreds of pounds on energy bills as you will generate electricity for free, independent of the national grid; and
- Make you earn some extra money if you sell surplus energy back to the grid.
There are many solar panel brands to choose from if you are up for one of these systems. Whilst having several options is always nice, finding the right one among many suitable models could be a bit of a hassle. This is why we have ready for you a list of the top 10 solar panels available.
Our selection criteria
Overall, we included systems boasting the best quality possible. The specific criteria for our selection are:
- Power. The solar panel system’s energy output (measured in watts, W). The higher the wattage, the more electricity it can produce under the same conditions.
- Efficiency. It expresses how much sunlight can be converted into usable electricity.
- Power tolerance. It indicates how much your system can deviate from its stated power under real-world conditions. It can be expressed either in watts or percentages.
- Temperature coefficient. It indicates the percentage decrease in power output per 1°C temperature increase (after 25°C).
- Performance degradation. This parameter expresses the decrease in performance throughout the solar panel’s lifespan.
- Size. The solar panel’s dimensions (length, width, and height).
- Weight. If you don’t want to exceed your roof’s capacity, your solar panels must have appropriate weight.
- Maximum wind load. It expresses the solar panel wind tolerance (in pascals, Pa)
- Manufacturer. Getting a solar panel system from a reputable manufacturer is always best.
- Product warranty. The longer the warranty period, the better for you.
Top 10 solar panels
1. SunPower Maxeon 3
The Maxeon 3 is one of the most powerful domestic solar panels available. It is manufactured by SunPower, one of the most well-known US-based solar panel brands.
This solar panel has the lowest performance degradation rate and one of the highest wind tolerance of all panels listed in this article. It can resist winds as powerful as those of a category 5 hurricane.
Power. 400W
Efficiency. 21.2%
Power tolerance. +20W / −0W
Temperature coefficient. −0.29% / °C
Performance degradation. 2.0% the first year, then 0.2% per year
Size. 1,690 × 1,046 × 40mm
Weight. 19.0kg
Maximum wind load. 4,000Pa
Product warranty. 25 years
2. Peimar SM325M (FB)
The SM325M (FB) model is a high-performance solar panel. Its manufacturer, Peimar, is an Italian-based company specialising in high-efficiency photovoltaic modules. It is a good choice for space-restricted homes and challenging weather conditions.
Power. 325W
Efficiency. 19.48%
Power tolerance. -0 / +5W
Temperature coefficient. −0.37% / °C
Performance degradation. 3.0% the first year, then 0.59% per year
Size. 1,665 × 1,002 × 40mm
Weight. 18.6kg
Maximum wind load. 5,400Pa
Product warranty. 20 years
3. SunPower P19-320-BLK
The P19-320 panel is perfect for homes with limited roof space, as it is lightweight and compact. It is a powerful panel, despite its 18.7kg.
Power. 320W
Efficiency. 19.0%
Power tolerance. +16W / −0W
Temperature coefficient. −0.37% / °C
Performance degradation. 3% the first year, then 0.6% per year
Size. 1,690 x 998 × 40mm
Weight. 18.7kg
Maximum wind load. 2,400Pa
Product warranty. 25 years
4. Yingli PANDA BIFACIAL 72CL
The PANDA BIFACIAL 72CL panel can absorb sunlight from both sides of the panel, making it great for ground-mounted systems or raised systems on flat roofs. However, it is the heaviest panel on our list.
Its manufacturer, Yingli, is based in China and has been producing solar photovoltaic products since 2003. It offers the shortest warranty on our list. However, its PANDA BIFACIAL 72CL has an excellent performance degradation coefficient, guaranteeing only 2% efficiency loss in the first year and then 0.5% each year.
Power. 390W
Efficiency. 20.5%
Power tolerance. +5W / −0W
Temperature coefficient. −0.38% / °C
Performance degradation. 2.0% the first year, then 0.5% per year
Size. 1,975 × 992 × 6mm
Weight. 27.5kg
Maximum wind load. 2,400Pa
Product warranty. 10 years
5. LG NeON R 365W
The NeON R solar panel series by LG consists of reliable, efficient, and durable solar panels. The 365W is the mid-range of the three models available and has the second-highest efficiency rating on our list.
LG is not only an electronics giant but also a premium solar panels manufacturer.
Power. 365W
Efficiency. 21.1%
Power tolerance. +11W / −0W
Temperature coefficient. −0.3% / °C
Performance degradation. 2.0% the first year, then 0.5% per year
Size. 1,700 × 1,016 × 40mm
Weight. 18.5kg
Maximum wind load. 5,400Pa
Product warranty. 25 years
6. Sharp NU-AF 370W
NU-AF 370W solar panel is one of the smallest solar panels, at only 1,960 x 992 x 40mm. Thus, it is an excellent choice for roofs with limited space. Its 10-year warranty is amongst the shortest product warranties on the market.
Regarding the manufacturer, Sharp is a Tokyo-based, internationally recognised electronics company. It started producing photovoltaic products in 1963.
Power. 370W
Efficiency. 19.0%
Power tolerance. +19W / −0W
Temperature coefficient. −0.375% / °C
Performance degradation. 3.0% the first year, then 0.7% per year
Size. 1,960 × 992 × 40mm
Weight. 22.5kg
Maximum wind load. 2,400Pa
Product warranty.10 years
7. Q-Cells Q.Peak Duo BLK-G6 345W
The Q.Peak Duo BLK-G6 345W is the most powerful of its series. It is also one of the sturdiest panels on the market.
The manufacturer, Q-Cells, is a German solar panel brand known for its robust and reliable products.
Power. 345W
Efficiency. 19.3%
Power tolerance. +5W / −0W
Temperature coefficient. −0.36% / °C
Performance degradation. 2% the first year, then 0.5% per year
Size. 1,740 × 1,030 × 32mm
Weight. 19.9kg
Maximum wind load. 4,000Pa
Product warranty. 12 years
8. Panasonic HIT N340
Panasonic is a premium solar panel manufacturer. Its HIT N340 has an impressive efficiency rate of 20.4% and an industry-leading power tolerance of +34W/−0W. It means that, under real-world circumstances, its maximum power output can reach 374W.
Power. 340W
Efficiency. 20.3%
Power tolerance. +34W / −0W
Temperature coefficient. −0.258% / °C
Performance degradation. 3% the first year, then 0.5% per year
Size. 1,590 × 1,053 × 40mm
Weight. 19.0kg
Maximum wind load. 2,400Pa
Product warranty. 25 years
9. Panasonic HIT N300
The HIT N300 is an excellent mid-range model for those seeking a lightweight solution. Similar to the HIT N340 panel described above, the HIT N300 boasts an impressive power tolerance of +30W / −0W.
Power. 300W
Efficiency. 19.5%
Power tolerance. +30W / −0W
Temperature coefficient. −0.258% / °C
Performance degradation. 3% the first year, then 0.5% per year
Size. 1,463 × 1,053 × 35mm
Weight. 18.0kg
Maximum wind load. 2,400Pa
Product warranty. 25 years
10. Amerisolar AS-6P30
The AS-6P30 model is a relatively lightweight solar panel. While its efficiency rate is lower than other models on our list, its performance degradation is above average. The manufacturer, Amerisolar, is a US-based company with 25 years of experience producing solar modules.
Power. 280W
Efficiency. 17.5%
Power tolerance. +8W / −0W
Temperature coefficient. −0.41% / °C
Performance degradation. 2.5% the first year, then 0.5% per year
Size. 1,640 × 992 × 40mm
Weight. 18.5kg
Maximum wind load. 2,400 Pa
Product warranty. 12 years
