Cleaning LG solar panels
Customer Testimonials
“Having solar panels has given me reassurance that my bills will stay manageable.”
— Kerrie Lane, Egg Harbor City, NJ
With Sunrun, you can take control of your own electricity, and not be left at the whims of your utility company with the next inevitable rate hike. Join the more than a quarter of a million American households who have gone solar with Sunrun.
Whenever you’re ready, our solar advisors are here to help. We can provide you with a free quote. Feel free to try our Cost of Solar Calculator.
A single solar panel costs between 2.67 and 3.43 to buy and install. 4 The price of the whole system is based on its capacity, measured in watts. How big a system you need will be based on how much energy you use, your roof’s sunlight exposure and panel efficiency.
The amount you save will rely on several factors, including: 18
- Region’s sunlight exposure
- Cost of solar system (including battery, where available)
- Cost of electricity
- Energy use
- Local rebates and incentives
The average payback period for a residential solar system is between six to nine years, depending on the cost of your system, incentives and savings from your energy bill. 19
Here’s a closer look at some of the things that determine your system costs.
Here’s a breakdown of installation costs, based on findings from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory: 10
| Labor | 0.30 per watt |
| Panels | 0.47/Wdc |
| Inverter | 0.12/Wdc. 0.39/Wdc |
| Permit/Inspection | 0.06/Wdc |
| Structural BOS | 0.10/Wdc |
| Electrical BOS | 0.19–0.27/Wdc (Varies by inverter option) |
| Sales tax | Sales tax varies by location; weighted national average: 6.9% |
| Electrician | 19.74–38.96 per hour (Varies by location and inverter option) |
| Laborer | 12.88–25.57 per hour (Varies by location and inverter option) |
| Burden rates | (% of direct labor) Total nationwide average: 31.8% |
Figures based on the average 6.2 kilowatt residential solar system.
These figures are based on the average 6.2 kilowatt solar system. The cost of each system will vary based on panel manufacturer, inverter option, location and equipment.
Maintenance of solar panels ranges from routine cleaning to major repairs. On average, households pay 150 for one solar panel cleaning. 11 Companies charge between 3 to 10 per panel based on roof slant, home height and system size. 11 Some firms charge a flat rate fee for a system cleaning. If you clean your system twice a year, as recommended, you can expect an annual bill of about 300.
If your system is damaged, you may incur additional expenses. Repairs to your system will include the of equipment and labor. Labor is typically priced at 100 per hour. Materials for solar repairs could be as little as 180 but may also be greater than 1,000. Your combined, total bill may range from 200 to 3,000. 11
The four most common types of damage to a home solar system and the costs of repairs area: 11
| Broken glass panel | 20 – 350, plus labor |
| Cracked panel | 100 – 400 |
| Loose connection | 100 |
| Replacement inverter | 100 – 2,500 |
Like cleaning costs, the amount you pay for repairs is affected by things like roof steepness, system type and system size. And if your panels have extensive damage, it may be cheaper to replace them. 11
When you own your system, you are responsible for the cost of maintenance and repairs. Your warranty should cover specific system failures; contact your installer before you begin repairs. A Sunrun solar lease, lets you save thousands of dollars in maintenance and repairs. You simply pay for the power, and we take care of the rest. Our comprehensive service package features the Sunrun Guarantee, which includes best-in-class monitoring, free equipment replacement, and system repairs including parts and labor, and routine maintenance.
If you’re set on buying your own home solar system, you can also purchase our full-service package, Protection Plus. While the system is yours, we’ll give you the same comprehensive support that comes with our Sunrun Guarantee.
Panel manufacturer
The price of your panels will depend on the manufacturer. Sunrun partners with LG, a world leader in solar technology and panels. Striking the right balance between quality, efficiency and affordability, LG offers some of the best solar panels on the market today. 14
For a given manufacturer, higher efficiency panels cost more. 5 The good news is that the highest efficiency panels aren’t always needed, especially if your roof gets plenty of sun.
Your state
Another factor in determining your total home solar system cost is where you live. Here are the states with the lowest and highest average solar system costs:
| Florida: 9,198 – 11,970 | Rhode Island: 13,104 – 15,792 |
| Arizona: 10,332 – 12,096 | New York: 12,264 – 16,044 |
| Maryland: 10,332 – 12,768 |
after 30% federal solar tax credit 5
Just because a residential solar system costs more in a given state doesn’t mean it’s any less cost effective. 5 Local incentives can make a huge dent in solar installation costs even in the most expensive states.
The three most common kinds of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin film. 6 Here are the essential features of each:
| Monocrystalline | Monocrystalline are the most efficient on the market today, which means you need less panels to fulfill your energy needs. Monocrystalline solar cells are single-crystal silicon, giving electrons greater freedom to move and create electricity. 7 These panels are typically black, giving your roof a sleeker aesthetic. Monocrystalline panels also maintain their efficiency for longer and usually come with a 20 to 25 year guarantee. 6 |
| Polycrystalline | Polycrystalline panels are made with many fragments of silicon. 7 While this makes them less efficient, it creates less waste in production and are more affordable. 6 They also tend to have a blue tint, likely the most recognizable feature of solar panels today. |
| Thin-film | Unlike monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels, thin-film isn’t made of silicon. Instead, it’s layered with photovoltaic materials on metal or glass. 8 While the least expensive option, thin-film isn’t as efficient and likely won’t cover the average household’s energy needs without taking up lots of space. 6 |
The type of solar panel you choose will factor into the price of the system. But remember that if you decide to lease, you’ll be paying for the power rather than the panels. The cost of solar will come down to the amount of solar power you’re projected to use under your lease agreement.
Solar panel mount types
While solar panels are the main component of a solar system, how you mount the panels will also affect the cost. There are three mount types: 6
| Fix-mount | 10–15 per mount | Fixed-mount are stationary and can’t be moved to capture more sunlight, making them less efficient than other mounts. However, they’re also the least expensive. In addition, states with consistent sunlight such as Arizona and California are the least affected by this. |
| Adjustable-mount | 50 per mount | Adjustable-mounts can be tilted to maximize solar energy production. This mount type can also lay your panels flat during a storm to avoid wind damage. While they’re more expensive than fixed mounts, adjustable-mounts might make the most sense for regions with more seasonal climates and less space to maximize energy production. |
| Tracking-mount | 500–3,000 per mount | Tracking-mount follows the sun’s arch for maximum energy production. Even though they’re the most expensive, track-mounting could add 45% in energy production and might be worth considering based on your location. However, track mounting also requires more attention and will be much more costly to maintain. |
How effects cleaning on solar panels
In this article and YouTube video content show you. how effects cleaning on solar panels. This is a real example done in İstanbul / Turkey and we have two different solar panel types. One type is LG Brand LG330N1C-A5 model 330 Wp 2 pcs solar panels. And the other type is Panasonic HIT VBHN325SJ47 model 325 Wp 2 pcs solar panels. I took all the values from the server of my solar inverter and arrange them into excel ( you will also see this values) and see how effects dusts on solar panel negative way.
What we did ?
We observed the values for four days ( all dusty) and the end of week we start cleaning ( only 2 ). The last day we clean all the solar panels on the roof.
Realise this test at the end of august 2019 and we cleaned up 2 solar panels ( one LG one Panasonic) the other 2 remaining in dust
What Values say about cleaining solar panels
First period 25-28 August ( 4 days) solar panel was in standart conditions no cleaned. Power production shown below 2 LG panel and what they produced one by one.
For example left corner located LG 330 Wp produced 1,79 kWh energy at 25.08.2019same day next to other LG in the corner produced 1,76 kWh energy
Weather was not always same during this test.
29.day of August I cleaned one LG and one Panasonic. The number changed ( you can see 5. Row at the table ) Negative numbers goes to positive this day.
The last day I cleaned all the solar panel…
Date LG 330Wp (Wh) LG 330Wp (Wh) % change
28.08.2019 1914,25 1888,25.1,36%
29.08.2019 1268,25 1292,75 1,93%
30.08.2019 1611,75 1606,25.0,34%
How effects cleaning on solar panels
For sure that effect positively but the differences not so big values. if possible cleaning increase your production but not clean every day
How To Service Solar Equipment If The Manufacturer Goes Out Of Business
Like any industry, home solar is very competitive, and companies that manufacture solar equipment like panels, inverters, and batteries do sometimes go out of business. As a homeowner with solar, you may call your manufacturer with a service or maintenance request, only to find your solar manufacturer out of business.
What do you do when you find yourself ‘orphaned’ in this way? In this article, we look at why solar manufacturers stop making equipment, and how to service your solar equipment if the manufacturer is no longer around.
Why do solar equipment manufacturers go out of business?
At a time when the solar industry is booming, you may be wondering why there are bankrupt solar manufacturers. One major reason is the high cost of starting and operating a solar manufacturing company. It can cost hundreds of millions of dollars to build a manufacturing facility and develop all of the tooling and equipment needed to make solar products. Any company with high costs like that has the potential to go out of business if they can’t get a good return on their investment.
In addition, Rapid advances in technology mean that sometimes a new manufacturer is already obsolete before they can even start producing equipment. Even companies that have already brought products to market need to continue investing in their manufacturing capabilities to lower costs, upgrade equipment, and integrate the latest technological advances in order to stay competitive.
Another thing forcing some solar equipment companies to go out of business is how they handle claims against products with manufacturing issues or defects. Solar equipment can be complicated to produce, and businesses go into liquidation when they repeatedly face claims due to product failure, malfunctions, or workmanship issues, and cannot offer solutions. When solar equipment is still under warranty, manufacturers lose money when they have to replace products, so they try to limit the types of issues that are covered by their warranty, which can lead to unhappy customers and a bad reputation.
When a company decides to overlook consumer claims repeatedly, liabilities can accumulate fast, especially if the company is producing cheap, low-quality equipment. This is because inexpensive solutions often fail or break down faster, leaving the company with numerous replacement requests over a short amount of time. Faced with a mounting number of warranty claims and the cost associated with replacing equipment, companies may opt to declare bankruptcy instead of replacing that failed equipment.
A solar manufacturer’s actions, such as bad or false advertising, may also result in a shutdown. SOLON, for example, was forced to pull a marketing campaign after realizing it was insulting potential customers, and the company filed for solar bankruptcy soon after.
The decline in solar equipment is yet another reason why a bankrupt solar manufacturer can’t survive, as even a small difference in price can cause a huge shift in demand. Manufacturers in the United States have struggled to compete with foreign producers when consumers aren’t willing to pay a premium for Made in the U.S.A. products, and overseas manufacturers are sometimes subsidized to help lower their price even further and knock out the competition. Unexpected changes like added tariffs can cause a sudden shift in the competitive landscape, forcing some bankrupt solar companies to go out of business when their go up and demand goes down.
History Of Solar Manufacturers Going Out Of Business
Though mass-market solar is a relatively new industry, the list of solar manufacturers out of business starts as early as 2009, when initial producers like OptiSolar, SV Solar, Senergen Devices, and Signet Solar exited the market.
Between 2011 and 2012, price pressure and overcapacity caused many U.S. manufacturers to cease domestic production, relocate to other countries, or declare bankruptcy. Big names like Solyndra, Stirling Energy Systems, GlobalWatt, and SolarDay are examples of producers that went out of business during this time.
Since then, the number of solar manufacturers going out of business has slowed, but companies like TSMC and Xunlight have ceased their manufacturing operations during this period.
Challenges such as poor management, subpar business practices, and mis-handled claims against their products have been among the main issues that force a solar manufacturer out of business.
Here are a few of the bigger names in solar that have gone out of business, and the reason for their struggles:
- Solyndra: Perhaps the most well-known solar bankruptcy, Solyndra was founded in 2005, and received over 700 million in venture capital funding and 535 million in guaranteed federal loans to develop a new cylindrical solar panel. Despite that large investment, Solyndra succumbed to pressure from Chinese rivals whose panel were lower in comparison, and never managed to bring any product to market.
- Suntech: Once one of the world’s biggest solar panel manufacturers, and a leading force in China’s fast-growing renewable energy industry, Suntech filed for bankruptcy in 2013 amid a slump in global solar demand, after missing a 541 million payment to bondholders.
- HelioVolt: Founded in 2001, HelioVolt aimed to fabricate CIGS (Copper-Indium-Gallium-Selenide) solar panels. However, 13 years and over 200 million in VC funding later, it still hadn’t shipped any commercial products, and eventually went out of business in 2014.
- LDK Solar: Founded in 2005, LDK Solar was a Chinese company that manufactured multicrystalline solar wafers used in solar cells. At one point a publicly-traded company on the U.S. Stock Exchange, with over 3 billion in reported yearly revenue, LDK Solar filed for bankruptcy in 2016 with around 5.2 billion in liabilities.
- SolarWorld: A European manufacturer of solar panels that, for a time, had one of the largest solar manufacturing plants in the U.S. SolarWorld filed for insolvency in 2017, citing price erosion as the main reason. After a restructuring, Solar World filed for insolvency again in 2018, this time citing price dumping from China and a new 30% import tariff as the reason. SolarWorld Americas was separated from the company as part of the restructuring and was eventually acquired by SunPower in 2018.
- Suniva: The Norcross, Georgia-based producer of monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2017. Following a reorganization, Suniva is now owned by Lion Point Capital, a New York-based investment firm.
- LG Solar: Citing the impact of increasing material and logistics costs, as well as severe supply chain constraints affecting the solar industry LG decided to close its solar panel business in February of 2022. Since LG as a company did not go out of business, they committed to honor the limited warranty with each product sold in accordance with applicable regulations and contractual obligations.
What happens if my solar manufacturer goes out of business?
The good news is, if your solar equipment manufacturer goes out of business, your solar power system will continue to work as usual. Nothing will change immediately, but you may want to take some steps to protect yourself from potential issues in the future. Otherwise, you might find yourself in a dilemma if your system needs service or maintenance work.
The bad news is, if you need service or maintenance right away, it’s not going to be as simple as calling up the manufacturer and asking them to make things right. You’ll need to connect with a solar service provider on your own, and you may end up paying more for the repair. However, programs like Palmetto Protect can let you hand over the management of that maintenance project to a team of solar experts, help you save on the cost of that service, and also protect you from having to deal with future issues down the road.
Normally, the biggest change that happens if your solar manufacturer goes out of business is that your warranty stops being enforceable, unless another solar company purchases the manufacturer’s assets and is ready to honor their original warranty. Some manufacturers do have insurance on their warranties that keep the solar warranty valid, even if the manufacturer goes out of business, but a situation like that can still cause headaches if you need your equipment serviced. It’s best to assume that your original manufacturer’s warranty won’t cover your solar support needs, and take steps to protect yourself.
What steps can I take to protect my home’s solar equipment?
If you want to be proactive about protecting your home solar, so that you don’t have to worry about any service or maintenance needs in the future, regardless of what happens to your equipment manufacturer, you can sign up for an OM service package, purchase an extended solar warranty, insure your solar power, and find out if your equipment was manufactured by a warranty-insuring company.
Sign Up For An Operations and Maintenance Service Package
Operations Maintenance (OM) service packages like Palmetto Protect come in different forms, but all serve the same purpose: to give you extra peace of mind. They are protection plans for your solar power system that can help with regular check-ups, service, maintenance, and repair costs. You can think of them as a support team that comes to your aid when your system is underperforming due to equipment issues, environment changes, or other factors. OM service packages can also provide many other benefits to homeowners with solar panel systems, including performance monitoring, cleaning, pest control, and equipment maintenance.
To ensure you get the most out of your OM package, make sure to consider a plan like Palmetto Protect that is available to any homeowner, regardless of what company manufactured the solar equipment, or who installed it. Palmetto Protect is backed by our 11 years of experience in the solar industry, and we’re one of the few solar companies that specialize in solar maintenance and service, not just installations.
Purchase An Extended Warranty
An extended warranty is worth paying for, as it can help add protection to the life of the solar power system, providing additional years of coverage on top of the normal manufacturer warranty. A third-party warranty may also provide coverage for your solar equipment even if the manufacturer goes out of business, and thus, their original warranty is no longer valid.
Get Insurance For Your Solar Power Installation
Your equipment warranty usually covers things like manufacturing defects, but it won’t help protect you against other damage, like a tree falling on your roof and breaking some panels. That’s where solar insurance comes in to provide added protection.
There are many insurers today that offer plans for renewable energy and solar. Residential solar energy installations are often covered as part of a standard homeowner’s policy, but in some cases, you may need to increase the amount of coverage on your home to account for the system’s cost.
If your system isn’t attached to your home, such as a ground-mount system or solar panels on a carport, you may need an add-on or separate policy to get coverage. And some homeowner policies may exclude damages to solar power systems if it’s caused by a particular threat, such as extreme wind, so make sure to review your coverage closely to verify what’s included.
Use A Warranty-Insuring Manufacturer
If your panels were produced by a warranty-insuring manufacturer, that company is paying a third-party to make sure their warranties stay valid, even if they are no longer in business. Many top manufacturers have insured their warranty to provide extra peace of mind, although you should consider signing up for a solar support plan to help navigate the process of getting equipment replaced if you ever need to, since it can still be a complicated process if the manufacturer is no longer in business.
What kind of service and maintenance do solar panels need?
With no moving parts, solar power systems typically require very little maintenance to function well, with only an occasional light cleaning needed to ensure dirt, debris, leaves, etc., aren’t blocking the sun’s rays. That said, solar maintenance may be necessary if you notice that your energy output starts to decrease. If you think your solar panels need service, make sure to call a reputable solar expert for the job, since companies that offer solar service packages have the experience needed to get the job done right the first time.
Service and maintenance needs that are often covered by a service package include:
- Site Visits: Regular site visits allow a solar expert with experience identifying issues to physically inspect your equipment and spot any potential issues before they become larger problems.
- Cleaning: If you live in areas with a high amount of dust or pollen floating around, regular panel cleaning may be necessary.
- Inverter Maintenance: Solar inverters generally have a shorter lifespan than solar panels. They should be inspected regularly to ensure they are converting all of the energy created by your solar panels into usable electricity.
- Pest Control: Rodents and birds like to nest in and around solar power systems, causing potential damage to your panels. A service package can help with the removal of any existing pests, and put preventative measures in place to reduce future issues.
- Electrical Checks: Regularly inspecting all of the wiring, equipment, and electrical connections is crucial to making sure your system is generating the maximum amount of electricity.
- Crew and Personnel: A good solar OM plan should include trustworthy solar repair experts that can perform any regular or one-off maintenance you need in a timely and professional manner.
Solar Power Maintenance Tips
There are a few things you can do yourself to maintain your solar power system and help prevent future issues:
- Keep an eye on the solar panels and make sure the inverter is working properly. Many inverters will have a status indicator, so make sure it is showing the system is working correctly, or you may be losing money by no longer compensating for your electricity use.
- Keep an eye on any trees that may shade the panels, and get them trimmed back when necessary to prevent that shade from covering the panels and reducing their power output.
- Record the performance of your system over time, as this can help identify issues that lower your electricity output but don’t eliminate it completely. One easy way of doing that is with a solar data tracking dashboard like the Palmetto App.
Solar Panel Cleaning Tips
Keeping your solar panels clean is one of the best things you can do to maximize their lifespan, maintain their performance, and prevent any issues that might need service down the road. Here are a few tips for how to clean your solar panels:
- If you live in an area with a lot of rain, your panels will naturally stay clean on their own, but if the weather has been dry, spraying your panels down with a hose can help remove dirt, pollen, or residue that may be stuck to the panels.
- Never use abrasive sponges, coarse materials, or harsh soaps for your solar panel cleaning, as you may scratch the glass. Always use a soft rag, and (preferably biodegradable) soap.
- Use a long-handled wiper to clean the panels while standing on the ground. Getting up on the roof to clean your panels is best left to the professionals with proper safety equipment, as the roof can become slippery during cleaning, and you could fall off and injure yourself. If you’re looking for an easy way to get your panels clean, consider signing up for Palmetto Protect, which offers regular panel cleaning for a reduced cost.
Does every solar company offer service?
Not all solar companies offer service and maintenance, as most companies only FOCUS on installation. It’s a lot easier to just put new panels on roofs, so very few local solar companies will come to your aid when issues with your system arise. Nationally, there are around 3-5 companies focused on solar service, which is about 0.10% of all solar companies. Palmetto is one of those companies providing after-installation solar services, and with a long track record in the solar industry, we’re a service company you can count on.
What if I want to upgrade my solar power system?
The good news is, it’s possible to upgrade your solar power system with new equipment, even if the manufacturer of your old equipment has gone out of business. A lot of solar equipment can be made to work together, so if you want to add more panels, or you need to upgrade your inverter, it’s possible to get that work done.
Just like when you need service for your solar power system, when upgrading your solar equipment, it’s important to work with a trusted solar company that has experience working with a wide range of equipment from various manufacturers. Palmetto has a long history of helping solar homeowners upgrade and expand their solar power, so we can assess your current system, recommend the best solution to your upgrade needs, and give you a budget to get the work done right. Even better, if you sign up for Palmetto Protect, you can save on those upgrades to keep even more money in your
My solar power system isn’t working and the equipment manufacturer is out of business. What are my options?
Finding out that your solar equipment manufacturer went bankrupt can rub you the wrong way, especially if you need service. However, if you happen to find yourself in such a situation, there’s no need to worry!
If your solar power system isn’t working, companies like Palmetto that have extensive experience servicing and maintaining solar equipment can get you back to producing power in no time. We can diagnose any issues, make a list of what needs to be fixed, and then offer a lasting solution that’s backed by our superior workmanship guarantee.
Plus, we offer a variety of Palmetto Protect plans that provide real-time energy monitoring, one-click customer support, comprehensive energy recommendations, and discounts on best-in-class service and maintenance.
Even if you don’t currently have an issue, you can still sign up for Palmetto Protect to get the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re protected against any future problems that may occur, no matter what happens to the company that manufactured your equipment.
LG NeON H BiFacial solar panels review
All you need to know about the technical information, costs and competitor comparisons in this LG NeON H BiFacial solar panels review.
The LG NeON H BiFacial solar panels offer one of the highest power outputs on the market. (Image Credit: LG)
LG is not a new face in the field of solar panels. In fact, the company has been developing solar technology since 1985 under the name GoldStar. In 1988, the company began the development of its solar cell manufacturing technology and officially rebranded to LG Electronics in the early 1990s.
LG began mass producing solar cells in the early 2000s by integrating various solar research institutes, and built its first solar panel in 2004. LG Electronics merged with LG Chemical First’s Solar Cell Research Team in 2008. Following the merger, LG invested in a 14-megawatt solar plant in South Korea to increase production.
The solar panels produced by LG are internationally acclaimed, and the company has won the prestigious Intersolar AWARD on three separate occasions. From 2016 to 2021, LG received the EUPD Research Award for Outstanding Brand PV every year.
However, LG has announced that it will halt solar panel production in June 2022 to FOCUS on other areas. This isn’t completely surprising, given the level of price competition and innovation in the market by new and existing companies. As part of its announcement, LG stated that the remaining balance stock of solar panels would be available for sale, apart from a specific portion which will be used to handle potential future warranty claims.
Key features
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Great power output: With a high power output range of 430W to 440W, homeowners can install fewer solar panels to meet their energy demands.
- High long-term performance: The solar panels can provide 96.4% power output in year 25, notably higher than the other best solar panel brands, such as SunPower, which offers 92% output in year 25.
- Lengthy warranty period: The 25-year product, performance, and labour warranty make these solar panels an ideal choice for consumers that require performance and dependability.
- Trusted brand: LG is a trusted and globally recognised brand with a global customer service network.
Cons:
- Expensive: At a cost of £350 per panel, the LG NeON H BiFacial solar panels are one of the most expensive models in the UK.
- LG solar panels no longer manufactured: As of June 2022, LG announced it would halt production of its solar panels and only offer stocked panels to handle warranty claims. This creates a level of uncertainty about the ongoing availability of the solar panels and, even more so, the customer service provision.
- Efficiency: The maximum efficiency rating is 19.8%, which is not as high as brands like SunPower and Project Solar.
How do the LG NeON H BiFacial solar panels work?
The construction of the LG NeON H BiFacial solar panels allows them to convert more sunlight into electricity than conventional solar panels. (Image credit: LG)
The LG NeON H BiFacial solar panel is made from 144 monocrystalline n-type NeON cells in a 6×24 configuration. These are sandwiched between a 2.8mm highly transmitted anti-reflective tempered glass sheet and a transparent backsheet. The panel is held together by a frame of anodised aluminium.
The solar panels employ highly efficient bifacial solar cells with “NeON” Cello technology. The bifacial cells are designed to absorb sunlight from the front and rear sides of the panel. The use of a transparent backsheet further improves the absorption of sunlight. Because of this Cello technology, the NeON H BiFacial solar panel can produce up to 30% more energy than a regular PV panel and even performs well on cloudy days.
The solar cells are made from high-purity n-type monocrystalline silicon cells that use phosphorus rather than boron. This helps prevent boron-oxygen reaction issues from forming, which reduce the solar panels’ efficiency by light-induced degradation (LID). According to LG, the NeON H BiFacial solar panel has near zero LID.
Another impressive feature of the NeON H BiFacial solar panel is the higher number of busbars, which reduces the internal power losses brought on by resistance. Because of its high module efficiency, a lower total number of solar panels is needed for your home, resulting in a more cost-effective and efficient solar power system.
How much do LG NeON H BiFacial solar panels cost?
The LG NeON H BiFacial solar panels rank as one of the most expensive in the UK. However, the incredibly low performance degradation of 96% power output in year 25 and the high power output of 440W still make it a worthwhile investment for homeowners. We compared the cost of the LG NeON H BiFacial solar panel with two other leading brands to provide you with a clear picture of the price ranges.
How does the LG NeON H BiFacial compare to other solar panels?
LG is known for manufacturing high-end solar panels and its NeON series is a testament to this. We compared the NeON H BiFacial solar panels with three of the other best solar panels available in the UK to give you a clearer idea of their quality and performance.
The table below shows that the LG NeON H BiFacial solar panels outperform the competition in terms of maximum power output (440W) and performance degradation (96.4% power output in year 25). The solar panels also come with a 25-year performance and product warranty, similar to brands like REC. Although the solar panels offer the lowest efficiency of the four, an efficiency rating of around 20% is considered good by industry standards, as most conventional solar panels only provide 15%–18% efficiency.
How to maintain LG NeON H Bifacial solar panels
LG NeON H BiFacial solar panels should be installed and maintained by trained professionals. (Image credit: LG)
The LG NeON H Bifacial solar panels require minimal maintenance and cleaning – this is actually discouraged, since poor maintenance may void the warranty. If you observe significant soiling, you can use a standard garden hose to spray the panels – just ensure you don’t use soap or cleaning chemicals. Before cleaning your solar panels, seek advice from LG or your installer, as this might save you from damaging them and voiding the warranty.
What the experts say
“LG NeON H BiFacial solar panels come at a premium price, but you really do get what you pay for. While it’s around 30% more expensive than standard modules, long-term performance is unparalleled.”
“The N-Type monocrystalline solar module by LG to replace the decorated NeON 2 is the new generation LG NeON H. Embracing modern half-cell technology, the LG NeON H is marketed as a premium module for the investor serious about high-yields, and above-average performance from a household brand you can trust. The numbers behind LG’s most popular solar module are particularly interesting and worth considering towards an educated purchasing decision.”
“With a long history in solar panel manufacturing, LG is considered an industry leader and has proven to produce some of the best performing and highest quality solar panels in the world. As opposed to most other manufacturers, LG uses higher-cost, premium N-type silicon cells on the popular NeON R, NeON 2 and the new NeON H panels which boost efficiency and increase lifespan by significantly reducing LID or light-induced degradation.”
What customers say
LG has done remarkably well with customers, with a 4.8/5 rating on Solar Quotes and a 4.79/5 rating on Solar Reviews. We have provided a few quotes from customers below.
“Early days however we are very impressed by how much energy collection the panels are achieving even on overcast days”
“Works so far. After 1 year the system was rated for 4KVA but never gets over 3 even on a full sun (no clouds) summer day, gets to 2.5 on most sunny \ partial cloudy and under 1 on cloudy \ rainy days”
“These are the best. Second highest average temperature rating and best value for my buck with parts and labor warranty 25 years.”
Our recommendation
The LG NeON H Bifacial solar panels are an excellent choice if you want to maximise the power you can generate from your roof area. The low-performance degradation also makes these solar panels attractive, since you still get a remarkable 96.4% power output in year 25.
However, the recent announcement from LG halting production of its solar panels does raise some concern about their future availability and whether the customer service will be as good as it used to be.
Methodology
Below are the factors and their weightings we considered when preparing this LG NeON H BiFacial solar panels review. Bear in mind these factors when selecting your system to ensure you choose the best solar panels for your home.
- Cost: 20%
- Power output: 15%
- Product warranty: 15%
- Performance degradation: 15%
- Efficiency: 15%
- Customer and expert reviews: 10%
- Style: 5%
- Customer care services: 5%