Top solar panels for output, cost-efficiency, warm climates, and more

Solar marketplace operator EnergySage, which provides quotes and estimates for rooftop solar, released an overview of the top solar panel brands on its marketplace based on various criteria. 

The company weighted its rankings based on performance, including panel efficiency, output per square foot and temperature coefficient. It also assessed product warranty, including power and product warranty lengths and additional criteria related to labor, shipping, and more. EnergySage assessed the durability of panels, including their ability to withstand wind load, snow load, advanced certification, and PVEL top performer tests, as well as manufacturing ISO certifications. Read more about the ranking methodology here. 

EnergySage said the top brands that emerged based on these specifications included Maxeon, REC, Panasonic, Canadian Solar, and Jinko Solar. 

The company also broke out top-performers based on specific desired outcomes for the customer: 

Best efficiency: Maxeon Solar Technologies 

$3.05 per watt, 22.28% efficiency, and 40-year performance and product warranty. 

Best performance per penny: Summit Energy via REC Group 

$2.49 per watt, 22.2% efficiency, 25-year product warranty 

Best for warm climates: Panasonic Evervolt 

$2.69 per watt, 22.2% efficiency, 25-year performance and product warranty 

Best-ranking temperature coefficient of -0.24% per degree Celsius 

Powerful output: Canadian Solar 

$2.73 per watt, 22% efficiency, 30-year performance and 25-year product warranty 

TOPHiKu6 panel model is rated at 450 watts 

EnergySage said the average 11 kW solar panel system costs about $20,552 after federal tax credits. It said the best way to ensure you are getting good value for your solar array is by dividing the panel’s output by square foot (W/sq. Ft) by its cost per watt ($/W). The higher the value, the power per dollar spent you can expect.

The average cost-per-watt across the United States is $2.56 per watt before incentives, based on EnergySage data. Costs have fallen considerably, as ten years ago average installation costs were about $3.36 per watt, according to data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). In the meantime, utility electric rates have increased precipitously, meaning each year that a ratepayer waits to pay solar is another year of missing out on savings.

Based on current utility-provided electricity rates and expected annual rate increases, systems installed today are expected to on average have a 7.1 year payback or return on investment.

“We recommend buying your solar panels outright or financing them with a loan when possible. However, if you can’t afford the upfront cost or prefer not to take out a loan, a lease or power purchase agreement (PPA) is another option to consider. Paying in cash is usually the best financial choice, as it leads to greater long-term savings. But if you don’t have the cash on hand or don’t have a tax bill to take advantage of the 30% federal solar tax credit, a lease or PPA can be a good alternative,” said Alix Langone, senior research analyst at EnergySage.

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