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We put popular home solar panels head-to-head and compared their warranties, efficiency and performance. Here are CNET's best solar panels and where you can find them. Solar Equipment
SunPower Maxeon and REC panels top CNET's list of best solar panels for 2023. Both brands of solar panels have top-notch efficiencies from large residential panels with strong production guarantees over a 25-year span. Both are available from multiple major solar companies.
If you're shopping for solar panels -- to reduce your energy bill, green up your electricity consumption or even go off grid -- you may not need the best solar panels to achieve your goals. I've spent hours reading solar panel spec sheets and devising a scoring methodology that measures what's important to solar customers (more on that below), but while there are obvious differences among solar panels, experts tell us finding a reliable installer is likely the most important thing you can do. The best solar panels for you are the ones that fit your energy goals and budget.
Against the backdrop of the price volatility of the last year or so, some people are adopting solar panels to lock in predictable energy prices for the next two decades and more. While solar panels cost a lot up front, they can lock in energy savings for years to come.
Solar panel installation is booming. In 2022, residential solar installations increased by 40% compared to 2021. This trend is likely to continue, thanks to recently increased tax incentives for solar and other renewable energy technologies. On the other hand, with interest rates high, financing solar is more expensive. That makes leasing solar panels more attractive, though buying in cash -- if you can swing it -- is likely to save you more money over time.
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That's all occurring within the context of a warming planet driven by the burning of fossil fuels. Climate scientists say we need to reduce warming emissions rapidly to avoid the worst effects of climate change and sustainability is another reason some homeowners are installing solar.
Maxeon spun off as a business from SunPower in 2020, but its panels are still largely installed by SunPower and its subsidiary, Blue Raven. Maxeon also co-leads the field for solar panel efficiency (Its high mark for efficiency, at 22.8%, is a big part of the reason it scores highly overall.)
Maxeon's panels range in size from 360 to 440 watts and have temperature coefficients of -0.29% or -0.34%, according to their published specifications. Many Maxeon panels have production warranties that guarantee 92% of their rated output after 25 years, another high mark for the industry. If the look of solar panels is something you have strong feelings about, Maxeon does make some models that have the all-black look that some people find more pleasing.
Solar panels from REC have maximum efficiency ratings from 20.3% to 22.3% and a temperature coefficient of -0.34%, though one model, the REC Alpha Pure, checks in at -0.24%. After 25 years, REC guarantees its panels will be producing 86% or 92% of their rated power, depending on the model. Even REC's panels that aren't all black are mostly black, offering the sleeker look some people appreciate. It ties SunPower Maxeon for our best overall solar panel.
REC panels are one of the options offered by Palmetto and other companies.
Panasonic solar panels come in sizes up to 410 watts and have efficiency ratings up to 22.2%. All of Panasonic's solar panels come with a 25-year production warranty that says the panels won't fall below 92% of their rated capacity. (Solar panels do get less efficient over time, but it's generally not enough to be a problem.) That mark matches REC and SunPower, but beats every other panel we looked at.
Panasonic panels have a temperature coefficient of -0.26%, although one model comes in at -0.34%. Panasonic does offer panels that come with an all-black look. Installers of Panasonic solar panels can be found around the US.
Canadian Solar ties Maxeon for the most efficient solar panels out there. Its HiHero model has a maximum efficiency rating of 22.8%. We ranked Canadian Solar's high-performing panels just a bit below the two above, mostly because it guarantees slightly lower levels of production after 25 years in its production warranties -- about 85% to 89%. This is still pretty high for the industry. Canadian Solar's temperature coefficients top out at -0.26%.
You can get all-black Canadian Solar panels from ADT Solar and others.
ZNShine panels scored high enough to squeeze into our top five, in part because some of its panels come with a 30-year production warranty, five years more than the industry standard. While some companies offer an option for 30 years, ZNShine and a few other companies are starting to make 30 years standard. Of those companies, ZNShine's panels come out on top.
Some of the company's models come with a warranty that guarantees 82.5% of their rated warranty after 30 years (that's about 85% after 25 years). While its efficiency trends down at a pretty standard rate, it'll be interesting to see if other companies start stretching their warranties to 30 years as well.
ZNShine panels also have high efficiency ratings (most come in over 21%) and temperature coefficients clustered around -0.35%. It offers mostly black panels, but no all-black versions as of yet.
Qcells didn't score in the top six, but we're including it here because its panels are the most widely installed panels in residential solar arrays in the United States. Over 33% of all residential panels installed are manufactured by Qcells. Qcells' panels have efficiencies nearing 21% and temperature coefficients of -0.34%. They come with 25-year production warranties guaranteeing their performance won't fall below 86% of their rated capacity.
It's another data point in favor of choosing the quote that works best for you and covers your needs, even if the panels don't have the absolute highest efficiency or highest guaranteed production. SunPower recently started installing Qcells panels as a cheaper alternative to its premium Maxeon models. Qcells panels are also manufactured in Georgia, with more factories being built nearby. Qcells panels are installed by ADT Solar, Momentum Solar, Palmetto Solar, SunPower, Tesla, Trinity Solar and more.
JA Solar: Solar panels from JA Solar max out at 21.5% efficiency and have warranties guaranteeing nearly 90% of their rated production after 25 years. (JA Solar's warranties are actually 30 years long, guaranteeing 87% at that time.) They also have a temperature coefficient of -0.35%
Jinko Solar: Jinko's solar panels have high efficiency ratings, with at least three in the group topping out over 22%. Their 25-year production warranty lags behind many of the others on this list; it's set at 83.1%. Jinko does make all-black solar panels. Jinko has an American factory in Jacksonville, Florida, which was raided by federal authorities in an apparent probe, about which few details are known.
Trina Solar: Trina's solar panels line are comparable to the other panels on this list, landing near the Qcells' specs. Trina efficiencies peak a bit higher, near 22%, and the panels come in slightly larger sizes. Trina panels come with a 25-year guarantee of nearly 85%. Some models are all black.
Longi Solar: Longi's solar panels have great efficiency ratings of 21.3% and 25-year production guarantee set at nearly 85%, right in line with industry standards. Their temperature coefficients are also in the normal range at -0.34%.
Talesun Solar: Solar panels from Talesun have peak efficiencies at 21% or slightly above. They are also guaranteed to operate at 84.8% of their rated production after 25 years, again a fairly standard number.
Silfab: Panels from Silfab have efficiency ratings between 20% and 21.5%. They're guaranteed to produce above 85% after 25 years, according to the warranty posted by Silfab. All the panels we looked at from Silfab had an all-black look. Silfab also manufactures panels in the US, with factories in northwest Washington.
In evaluating solar panels for this list, we looked at the residential offerings from solar panel manufacturers and judged them as a whole. In general, if one company has a model that stands out in one area, like efficiency, its entire suite of panels will be more efficient. While some Maxeon solar panels will have lower efficiency ratings than offerings from other companies, as a whole they'll be more efficient than others. The table below shows maximum values for the group of residential solar panels, not necessarily a specific model.
Data accurate as of June 16, 2023.
If you're shopping for solar panels and looking for the best fit for your energy needs, you should look for just that: the solar panels, batteries and installer that best fit your needs. Those might not be the panels that come out on top of our list or any other publications. We left price out of our scoring methodology because it's hard to find reliable numbers, but it's likely to be a consideration for you.
Experts have told CNET that you shouldn't get too starry-eyed about a solar panel's specifications, like efficiency. For most people, getting a solar array that meets their energy needs in an affordable and reliable way is top of mind.
"The bigger question for the end user is the economics and how it's paying off," Daniel Ciolkosz, professor of agricultural and biological engineering at Pennsylvania State University, told CNET in April. You'll want to find a solar installer you can trust, too, just like you would find a contractor for any home improvement project. A poor installation could reduce the energy your panels produce far more than a couple of percentage points in efficiency or a slightly higher guaranteed performance after 25 years.
The cost of installing solar panels at home varies depending on your specific context. While national averages pin the cost somewhere between $3 and $4 per watt, your actual cost can be higher or lower depending on how many solar panels you need installed, local permitting costs, the price of labor in your area and more.
Factors that might increase the cost of your specific solar installation include the complexity of your roof and additional equipment you have installed, such as solar batteries or electric vehicle chargers. Factors that lower the cost of solar include the federal solar tax credit and incentives from your state.
The best way to get an accurate idea of solar costs in your area is to get multiple quotes from reputable solar companies. Just as important as the cost of going solar is the solar payback period, how long it will take for your solar panels to save as much money as they cost. You can roughly calculate your solar payback period with just your solar costs and estimated monthly savings.
The solar panels installed by solar companies are capable of meeting most energy goals. If you want to get into the nitty-gritty details of solar panels, here are some to start with.
The vast majority of residential solar panels -- upward of 90%, according to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory -- are monocrystalline models (named for the silicon their solar cells are made from). They typically produce more electricity and offer a better return on investment than polycrystalline or thin-film solar panels, their less common counterparts.
Solar panel efficiency is simply the amount of energy in sunlight that a solar panel turns into electricity. That means a solar panel with a 20% efficiency is leaving 80% of the sun's energy on the table. But modern solar panels are efficient and have been getting more so over the years. In 2007, nearly 95% of solar panels installed were less than 16% efficient. In 2021, the same proportion was over 19% efficient.
Efficiency also comes into play elsewhere in a solar panel system. Both solar inverters and batteries are rated for their efficiency as well.
Solar panels get less efficient as temperatures rise. Temperature coefficient measures the amount solar panel efficiency changes for every degree Celsius over 25 (77 degrees Fahrenheit). A temperature coefficient of -0.34% means the solar panel will lose that much production each degree Celsius the temp rises.
A solar panel's size is measured in watts. That means that, under ideal conditions over the course of an hour, a 400-watt solar panel will produce 400 watt-hours of electricity.
Conditions are rarely ideal in the real world, however. A passing cloud, a thin layer of dust on the panels, wildfire smoke -- anything that comes between a solar panel and the sun is going to eat away at its production. But the higher the wattage rating, the more power the panel will produce.
Even if you find a solar panel that makes your heart sing, it's probably smarter to focus on finding a reputable solar installer you trust. Solar panels are just one part of the system and, on the chance something goes wrong, you want to know you'll be getting quality service for many years to come.
The best thing you can do to set yourself up for solar shopping success is to get multiple quotes from reputable installers. Unless you're an expert in your local solar market, you won't be able to judge the quality of a proposal except comparisons against one another. Casting a wide net, along with educating yourself about your local solar policies and incentives, is your best defense against a dishonest salesperson. (This isn't to suggest that scammy solar sales tactics are widespread.) Even the best solar companies might not always be the best fit. If you have neighbors who have solar panels, ask about their experience with their installer.
Make sure you understand your energy usage, whether or not you have net metering available to you and the ins and outs of available incentives like the solar tax credit.
The Department of Energy recommends working with a solar installer licensed or certified by a reputable third party. The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners runs a database of installers it has certified. Ask installers about their company's certifications.
The solar panels on this list are some of the most widely installed solar panels in residential solar applications in the United States. If you're collecting and comparing quotes for a solar installation at home, you're likely to come across one of these brands. Luckily, we did the legwork for you and compiled specification data from the most popular solar panel brands to compare against each other.
If your preferred panel, or those you're quoted, aren't on this list, you can find their specs the same way I did. Most solar panel manufacturers make their products' specifications and warranties readily available online on their websites. It's just a matter of finding where on the website it's listed.
The five best solar panels listed at the top of this article came out on top after all the solar panels we looked at were put through our scoring methodology.
We scored the panels on their efficiency (25% of the final score), maximum wattage available (15%), temperature coefficient (15%), production warranty level (25%) and production warranty length (15%). The final 5% of the score comes from whether or not the company offers an all-black option, which has a more attractive look to some people.
Here's how the scoring breaks down.
Maxeon and REC solar panels came out on top of our rankings, but the best solar panel is the panel that best fits your needs. The solar panels on our list aren't interchangeable, but there are likely multiple acceptable options when it comes to meeting your energy needs.
The most efficient residential solar panels available are made by Maxeon for SunPower and Canadian Solar. Both have models that are 22.8% efficient.
CNET's highest-rated solar panels fall to SunPower Maxeon and REC. When it comes to solar panel installers, CNET's top spot goes to ADT Solar.
A typical solar panel warranty guarantees a certain level of production (typically around 85% to 92% of its original production) after 25 years. But solar panels often deteriorate at slower rates and should continue producing after that point. Some manufacturers are starting to extend their standard warranties to 30 years.
Solar panel warranties typically guarantee a certain level of production after a number of years. For example, Maxeon solar panels are guaranteed to produce 92% after 25 years. If a Maxeon panel is rated to produce 400 watts under ideal conditions when it leaves the factory, it should produce at least 368 watts (400 watts x .92) under those same conditions after 25 years.
Measured by guaranteed production after 25 years, the best solar panel warranties come from Maxeon (SunPower), Panasonic and REC.
Some solar companies are starting to offer 30-year warranties (though they might have a lower 25-year guarantee than the companies above). Measured by length, the best warranties come from JA Solar and ZNShine Solar
The best solar panel is the one that best fits your needs and budget, but monocrystalline solar panels are the most common type of solar panel on the market. Nearly all residential solar panels were monocrystalline models, according to a Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory report.
The name refers to the way the solar cells that make up the panel are constructed: From a single silicon crystal instead of several. The most efficient solar panels commercially available are monocrystalline solar panels, including every panel on this list.
That depends on your energy usage, your home's energy efficiency, the amount of sun you get, the direction your roof faces and more. There's no one-size-fits-all answer.
With a bit of research and math, you can get an estimate of how many solar panels you need. You can use that rough idea when you're choosing a quote. A solar installer's knowledge of your local climate and energy policies may also be able to help you refine your estimate.
Solar panels (typically) save money over the long run. They can operate for decades and, in some locations, can save as much as they cost in just ten years. They can also raise the value of your home. Add to that the reality of climate change and the benefits of electricity that doesn't come from fossil fuels, which climate researchers say we need to shift away from rapidly to avoid climate change's worst effects.
The most obvious drawback of going solar is the high upfront cost. But, while you may save less money over the lifetime of your solar panels, you can finance your solar panels with a loan or enter into a power purchase agreement or lease, which reduces the initial cost significantly.
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