It’s no secret that solar panels are an increasingly common sight on rooftops across the country. In fact, in many areas of the U.S., you’re likely to see them as often as you do satellite dishes or air conditioning units—and for a good reason: They provide an environmentally friendly way for homeowners and businesses alike to lower their monthly utility bills and reduce their carbon footprint by generating electricity on-site using renewable resources such as sunlight. But not all solar panel systems are created equal. Some manufacturers produce more energy than others, some offer more extended warranties, and some have additional features (such as built-in inverters) that make installation easier for installers and homeowners alike. Here are our top picks for residential solar panels.
Sharp
Sharp is a Japanese company that has been in the solar business since 1973. Their P.V. modules are manufactured in Japan, Malaysia, and the USA (depending on the model). Sharp’s solar panels have a 25-year warranty which is one of the longest on the market.
Sharp offers many different types of solar panels for homes:
The Sharp Solar XG-P series includes monocrystalline silicon modules made in Malaysia. These panels have an efficiency rating of around 19% and can be used in both grid-tied or off-grid applications. They come with several mounting options, including flush mount and rack mounting brackets for easy installation on your roof or ground.
The Sharp Solar XE series contains polycrystalline silicon solar cells that have been manufactured at Sharp’s factory in Peoria, Arizona, since 2004; it has an efficiency rating between 18% and 20%.
Panasonic
Panasonic is a Japanese company that manufactures solar panels for both residential and commercial applications. It’s been producing them since the mid-1970s, and its products are efficient but not the most cost-effective option. You could save money with another brand, but if you want to support Japanese manufacturing or have no other reason to choose Panasonic, then it’s a good option.
Panasonic makes various types of solar panels, including monocrystalline silicon (the most common type), amorphous silicon (a newer kind), and HIT modules (a new technology).
SunPower
SunPower is a leading solar panel manufacturer, and its panels are among the most efficient on the market. However, they are more expensive than other brands. SunPower also offers a 25-year warranty on all of its panels, which gives you some peace of mind in case something goes wrong with them.
The first step in choosing solar panels for your home is looking at what’s available in your area. Searching sites like Home Depot or Amazon will give you an idea of what prices are for different types of panels (and be sure to check out our guide on how much it costs to install solar panels). This way, once you narrow down your options based on brand and price range, it will be easier for a salesperson at one of these retailers to help walk through specifics such as wattage requirements needed by their city/state/province before they can recommend which model suits best with your current setup needs – whether this means going smaller vs. bigger system size requirements too!
L.G. Electronics
L.G. Electronics is a South Korean electronics company headquartered in Yeouido, Seoul. It is the third largest company in Korea and one of the top three global electrical appliance manufacturers. Since its foundation in 1958 as GoldStar, it has produced more than 100 million home appliances, including refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, and televisions.
L.G. Electronics was founded in 1958 as GoldStar (Hangul: 골든스타), which was eventually renamed L.G. after an initial partnership with Lucky Chemical Industrial Corporation (Lucky). It then went on to develop numerous household appliances such as vacuum cleaners and washing machines during this time period.
In 1962, L.G. became involved with semiconductor manufacturing through its subsidiary L.G. Semiconductor Co., Ltd., now named L.G. Innotek Co., Ltd. The first product developed by this new subsidiary was an LED indicator for license plate lights – used for automotive indicators at first but later expanded into other uses such as clocks or calculators.[4] In addition to consumer electronics products like computers and televisions made under contract from other companies such as Compaq Computers Corporation under their “Compaq” brand name starting from 1993 until 2002 when Compaq decided not to renew any contracts
Canadian Solar
Canadian Solar is a Chinese company. It’s one of the largest solar panel manufacturers in the world and has a strong presence in the U.S., with more than 200,000 residential installations to date.
With Canadian Solar panels, you can expect your system to last at least 25 years with minimal maintenance—and yes, they’ll still be working after that time period if they’re not covered by any kind of warranty or insurance program (though Canadian Solar does offer 10-year and 25-year warranties).
REC Group
REC Solar is a European company that prides itself on its use of high-quality solar panels, as well as its commitment to developing projects that benefit the local community. REC Solar was founded in 2012 by Martin Moser and has since grown into a global leader in renewable energy. The company has partnered with numerous organizations such as the United Nations Foundation and World Bank Group to develop solar panels around the world.
REC Solar offers homeowners an easy way to invest in renewable energy without having to worry about maintenance or upkeep costs associated with traditional solar panel installations. REC’s SunPower warranty covers all components for 25 years—which means you won’t have any additional costs beyond your initial investment for quite some time!
REC Solar is also committed to helping homeowners who want their homes equipped with solar panels but may not be able to afford them otherwise: they offer financing options from $0 down!
First Solar
First Solar is a U.S. company that was founded in 1999. First Solar has always been on the cutting edge of solar technology, and it has a long history of innovation and quality. Its panels are more efficient than other panels, which is why they are more expensive to produce. This also means they will last longer than other panels, so you can expect to get your money’s worth over time.
First Solar has a good track record of reliability as well; this is because its panels use fewer materials and require less maintenance than traditional silicon-based panels do—no need for cleaning or replacing cells every few years!
Trina Solar
Trina Solar is a Chinese manufacturer that produces high-efficiency panels. They make a solid product, but there are some drawbacks to Trina Solar panels. For example, if you live in an area with low electricity rates (like Hawaii) or plan on purchasing your solar system through the state’s incentives program, this might not be the best option for you.
If you’re looking for a premium panel that will perform well and lasts longer than most other panels on the market today, then consider Trina Solar as your next step in building your own solar power system home. However, if cost is an issue and you want professional installation services available to help guide you through every step of the process from start to finish—and don’t mind paying more upfront—then we recommend going with our top pick above instead.
The most efficient panels aren’t always the best deal.
When shopping for solar panels, you’ll see that their efficiency rates them. The higher the number, the better. But regarding your energy bill and environmental impact, it’s not as simple as choosing the most efficient panel in terms of watts per dollar (or “price per watt”).
In a hypothetical scenario where you need to buy 100 watts of power to run your house, an 80% efficient panel will cost $1 per watt while a 90% efficient one costs $1.11 per watt—more than 10 percent more expensive! That adds up qui
ckly when you’re installing hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of panels.
Therefore, looking at price-per-watt isn’t necessarily enough information for someone who wants to use solar power at home and cut down on their electricity bills—you also have to consider how much money each panel can save you over its lifetime.
Conclusion
The most efficient panels aren’t always the best deal. To save money and get the most bang for your buck, look for a high-quality panel with a good warranty and a high-reliability rating. Don’t forget about installation costs either! If you liked the info we shared, stay up to date with our Tech section of the blog!