Jinko vs Sunpower Solar Panels
The market for energy, particularly solar panels, has been almost completely dominated by SunPower Solar Panels. On the other hand, Jinko is not hidden behind it either. Solar panels from SunPower and Jinko are reliable, offers a long warranty period, have excellent power output, perform well, and much more. Now, the question lies Jinko vs Sunpower which is better? To discover the solution and relevant facts regarding Jinko vs Sunpower, read the blog.
Jinko Vs Sunpower Overview
Whenever it’s about leading solar companies, the topic of Jinko vs Sunpower are ought to come. Jinko Solar is presently among the world’s largest solar panel manufacturers and has an excellent track record for producing cost-effective reliable solar panels for residential and commercial applications. With the new Tiger series panels, Jinko Solar is advancing the switch to higher-performance N-type cells after setting numerous industry-record solar cell efficiency marks and making numerous other technological advancements.
SunPower has been recognized as the top producer of solar cells and panels ever since the introduction of high-performance IBC solar cells in 2007. Based on the patented IBC cell technology, Sunpower, now known as Maxeon Solar Technologies, continues to make the most effective solar panels in the world. Sunpower also has the best performance warranty, with a minimum of 92% guaranteed rated production after 25 years. The SunPower P series panels, which are more cost-effective but still deliver excellent performance and very good quality, come with a 25-year product warranty.
Jinko Vs Sunpower Solar Panel Efficiency
As you have learned about the background of Jinko vs Sunpower, let us move forward to Jinko vs Sunpower solar panel efficiency. The term solar panel efficiency describes how effectively a solar panel absorbs sunlight and transforms it into usable energy. A solar panel with a higher efficiency will generate more energy under the same circumstances as a panel with a lower efficiency. Due to this reason, a higher efficiency rating is usually preferred. Now, let us go through Jinko vs Sunpower solar panel efficiency outlined in a table.
Jinko Solar Panels
The efficiency of the Jinko Solar panels depends upon its several models. However, the product range of Jinko includes panels with efficiency ratings that range from 18.67% to 21.33%. During May 2022, Jinko Solar’s Eagle G4 has been counted as one of the most efficient solar panels with an efficiency of about 21.16%. Another product of Jinko Solar, the Tiger Neo is a panel that has been designed for solar farms and has an efficiency of 22.30%. Hence, Jinko Solar, having high efficiency, is top in the competition. Here is a list of Jinko Solar’s models with their efficiency ratings:
| Series | Max Efficiency |
| Eagle G5 | 21.14% |
| Eagle G4 | 21.16% |
| Eagle G2 | 19.78% |
Sunpower Solar Panels
Due to the M-Series’ 22.7% efficiency rating, SunPower, which is best recognized for its efficiency records, currently holds the title of most efficient residential solar panel. The most effective solar panels presently on the American market are made by SunPower. While most solar panels have an efficacy of between 14% and 18%, SunPower’s products have an efficiency of between 20.1% and 22.8%. SunPower solar panels have unmatched technical specifications if efficiency is your top concern. Here is a list of SunPower solar panels efficiency ratings:
| Series | Max Efficiency |
| M-Series | 22.8% |
| X-Series | 22.7% |
| E-Series | 22.7% |
| A-Series | 25% |
Jinko Vs Sunpower Capacity and Jinko Vs Sunpower Output
Moving on to Jinko vs Sunpower capacity, the term solar panel capacity refers to the maximum amount of electricity that the solar panel system can produce under ideal circumstances. This is commonly referred to as rated output or rated capacity, and it is assumed to be 1,000 watts (or 1 kW) of sunshine for every square meter of the panel. Let’s now compare the tabled Jinko vs Sunpower capacity, this will also help you understand Jinko vs Sunpower output.
SunPower Solar Panels
| Series | Wattage |
| M-Series | 420W-440W |
| X-Series | 470W |
| E-Series | 320W-435W |
| A-Series | 440W |
Jinko vs Sunpower Price Range
The Jinko vs Sunpower price range is thoroughly discussed below:
Jinko Solar Panels
As we compare Jinko vs Sunpower price range, for a decent value in the market for home solar, most Jinko Solar PV systems are usually priced between 2.25 and 2.97 per watt. As the cost depends upon various factors such as the location, size, and like. A Jinko 6 kW system can cost you anywhere from 13,500 to 17,820. This is before you subtract any incentives or tax credits.
SunPower Solar Panels
Although SunPower panels are of high quality, they are also expensive. Hence, when comparing Jinko vs Sunpower price range, with a cash purchase, you can anticipate spending no less than 3.30 per watt of SunPower solar panels installed.
The final cost of a SunPower solar system will differ depending on a few elements, including your region, the panels you select, and the size of the system. Before taking into account incentives, the for various-sized SunPower solar installations are shown in the following table:
| System Size | Cost (Before Incentives) |
| 4 kW | 12,520 |
| 6 kW | 19,800 |
| 8 kW | 26,400 |
| 10 kW | 33,000 |
| 12 kW | 39,600 |
Jinko Vs Sunpower Which is Better?
So, Jinko vs Sunpower which is better? Jinko vs Sunpower solar panels, both being the top solar business companies, have a wide range of features. Each of them has its own potential and its own characteristics that they define through their products. A comparison has been listed down below, which defines both companies.
Jinko Solar Panels
Jinko is the largest producer of solar panels in the globe. Jinko supplied over 14GW last year, which is almost 7 times the total market for systems with 100kW or less in Australia.
Massiveness: There are no bigger than Jinko. They transport more than anyone else on the planet.
Range: If you want to install solar panels, you will have many choices, thanks to Jinko’s wide selection and numerous distributors.
Price: One of the more affordable solar panel brands among the selection of reliable solar makers is Jinko.
Manufacturer: Jinko Solar is not a diverse manufacturer. They are also relatively recent (2011).
Performance: Nothing problematic with this as Jinko produces adequate panels. Some of them are superior to others in their price bracket, but they are volume producers, not performance panels.
Build Process: Jinko purchases cells for their screens from a variety of sources. They purchase from various sources in order to achieve the enormous volume that they do possess. Although, better quality control can be provided by a vertically integrated company.
SunPower Solar Panels
SunPower Solar Panels are the leaders in solar panel effectiveness. In Australia, there are very few solar panels that can compete with them in this regard.
Efficiency: With an efficiency grade of 22.6%, the SunPower Maxeon 3 is the solar panel with the highest output.
Reliability: SunPower produces reliable solar panels in addition to those that are effective in terms of energy production.
Looks: When mounted, the all-black SunPower solar panel has a stunning appearance. It doesn’t get much better for those who value aesthetics.
Price: SunPower products are very expensive, and it is challenging to justify the additional cost. It is difficult to see value in this situation, even with better performance.
Range: They produce a budget-friendly SunPower P Series panel in China, but even this is more costly than most of its direct rivals, and it performs nowhere near as well as the Maxeon.
Value: Even though the Maxeon is excellent, most customers cannot afford it, and even if they do, it can be challenging to explain. Although the SunPower P Series is less expensive, it is not more expensive.
Here is a detailed table of the Jinko vs Sunpower solar panels:
| Product Name | Jinko Solar Panels | SunPower Solar Panels |
| Wattage | 440W | 415W |
| Efficiency (%) | 20.77% | 21.1% |
| Approx Cost per Watt | 0.60 | 0.79 |
| Approx Cost per Panel | 264 | 328 |
| Panel Technology | Monocrystalline | Monocrystalline |
| Country of Manufacture | China | Philippines, Malaysia, Mexico |
| Company Origin | China | USA |
| Annual Turnover | 3.2 billion | 2.7 billion |
| Panel Weight | 23.8 kg | 21 kg |
| Number of busbars | MBB | N/A |
| Operating Temperature | -40 o C to 85 o C | -40 o C to 85 o C |
| Temperature Coefficient | -0.35%/ o C | -0.34%/ o C |
| Salt mist corrosion level | IEC 61701 | IEC 61701 certified, level 6 |
| Front-load resistance | 5400 Pa | 5400 Pa |
| Rear load/Wind Resistance | 2400 Pa | 2400 Pa |
| Product Warranty Length | 12 years | 25 years |
| Warranted annual performance degradation year 2-25 | 0.55% loss each year | 0.45% per year |
| Power Output Warranted at year 25 | 84.8% | 87.2% |
| Does the warranty include labor costs for removal and reinstallation? | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty Supplied? | Yes | Yes |
In conclusion, it is prominent that both of these companies share a tough market in which they excel. Each of their products has been listed as the top product of the market. However, it can be vividly seen that SunPower Solar Panels are relatively expensive whereas Jinko Solar Panels are quite cheap. However, although SunPower is expensive it provides much more warranty and other features. And finally, to the point of Jinko vs Sunpower, Jinko solar is quite cheap with lots of features and productivity, however, SunPower Solar Panels provide premium panels which are highly efficient, making it one of the leading brands globally.
Olivia is committed to green energy and works to help ensure our planet’s long-term habitability. She takes part in environmental conservation by recycling and avoiding single-use plastic.
Maxeon still has sights set on U.S. solar manufacturing hub
Maxeon Solar Technologies, the solar panel manufacturing spinoff of installation company SunPower, has a complex American origin story, but its modules aren’t especially popular in the United States. The organization is trying to change that by increasing production at its Mexican module assembly plants and scoping sites for a U.S. manufacturing hub. The demand is there, said Maxeon CEO Jeff Waters in an exclusive Solar Power World interview, but of course everything is dependent on U.S. trade laws and climate legislation.
Since the split from SunPower in 2020, Maxeon has only had access to the U.S. residential and small commercial market through its exclusive supply agreement with SunPower. Through the end of 2022, SunPower dealers can only install Maxeon panels and Maxeon can’t work with any other U.S. residential installers. Beginning in 2023, Maxeon will have the ability to sell products into the residential market and SunPower will have the option to source non-premium panels from other manufacturers.
Solar panel assembly at Maxeon’s facility in Mexico
In the utility-scale market, Maxeon has mostly been shut out due to its Chinese manufacturing partners. When Maxeon set out on its own, it received an investment from Chinese silicon wafer manufacturer Tianjin Zhonghuan Semiconductor Co. Through the joint-venture, Maxeon has a steady supply of wafers and the ability to assemble modules nearby. That Chinese involvement has made Maxeon’s entrance into the U.S. utility-scale market difficult.
“By virtue of them being produced in China, we really couldn’t sell them into the U.S. because of tariffs and AD/CVD, so we’ve been excluded from the U.S. market,” Waters said. “Soon after we spun off, we started looking into the potential for us to build a panel for that Performance series that could go into the U.S.”
Maxeon has two product families: Maxeon solar panels for residential and light commercial, and Performance solar panels for cost-sensitive markets and utility-scale installations. The Maxeon panels use interdigitated back contact (IBC) technology and are the premium panel class that SunPower installers are familiar with. The Performance line uses shingled, mono-PERC cells and has a bifacial offering.
To get the Performance panels into the U.S. utility-scale market, Maxeon shifted production of PERC cells to its Malaysian facility and expanded its module assembly capacity at its plant in Mexicali, Mexico, to 1.8 GW. Taking production out of China has already led to major U.S. supply contracts: Cypress Creek has agreed to take 300 MW, Origis Energy and Total Energies both signed for 400 MW each and the nearly 1-GW Gemini project outside Las Vegas will use Performance panels.
Solar panel assembly at Maxeon’s facility in Mexico
“This gives us a great avenue into the U.S. that allows us to sell cost-competitively and avoid a lot of the tariff issues,” Waters said. “We found there is a huge appetite to work with a Nasdaq-listed, public company that has more traditional Western business practices when it comes to long-term contracts and business dealings. We’ve had an immense amount of demand for product coming out of [Mexico].”
Greater volume in Malaysia and Mexico was Phase 1 of Maxeon’s U.S. plans. Phase 2 is opening a 3-GW cell and module manufacturing plant in the United States. The company first announced the U.S. manufacturing plans in early 2021 and has been waiting on favorable legislation (like the Solar Energy Manufacturing for America [SEMA] Act) to pass through Congress ever since.
“When we calculated the cost increase due to producing in the United States — and it’s not just labor, it’s everything from infrastructure to energy costs — you need those incentives that were in SEMA to justify producing in the United States, otherwise the cost delta is just far too much,” Waters said. “For us, we want to go big in the United States — 3 GW. Doing that in the United States would be a shot in the arm for the solar supply chain. We know there’s activity going on with others trying to get into ingot wafering and other parts of the supply chain, so we hope that we can be a part of building this tidal wave to get a supply chain back up and running here in the U.S.”
Maxeon has also applied for a Dept. of Energy loan through the Energy Policy Act of 2005 Title XVII program. The DOE loans, which have previously gone to “ground-breaking” projects like early utility-scale installations, stipulate the recipient be working with new or significantly improved technologies. Maxeon is complying with that requirement with its next-generation product that Waters said is “a new technology that’s not done in China or broadly across the [other solar panel brands].” Specifically with Maxeon 7, the company is innovating back-end metallization processes.
“We’ve told the DOE we’re waiting on SEMA to come through. If they come through mid-year, we’re aggressively prepared. We’re already doing final site selection and looking at how to construct the plant as fast as we can,” he said. “If it were mid-year 2022 approval on SEMA and the DOE loan guarantee, you would see us being in production early 2024.”
The U.S. factory would likely set up in the Southeast to serve the eastern side of the country while the Mexicali facility will continue to supply the West.
Until then, Maxeon continues its global reach. It released the thin, frameless, glassless solar panel Maxeon Air to the European market and bumped its performance warranty outside the United States to a 40-year guarantee. Success in Europe, Asia and Australia could eventually lead to the U.S. market — ultimately where Maxeon wants to be a leading player.
About The Author
Kelly Pickerel
Kelly Pickerel has over a decade of experience reporting on the U.S. solar industry and is currently editor in chief of Solar Power World.
Комментарии и мнения владельцев
My experience with Mexican made electronics and auto parts is they are inferior quality products. It makes me hesitant about them and might just use Q Cells instead on my current project.
Is Maxeon considering making futher supply chain changes (cell supply) due to the AD/CVD Auxin petition investigation? I find the timing of this article rather ironic, due to the fact that these potential 50-250% duties will hurt any module manufacturer sourcing cells from SE Asian named countries.
I’m still trying to confirm whether or not Maxeon uses Chinese parts. While they weren’t named in the suit, it appears that they do. Their defense is that they have premium pricing. That’s not what the suit is about.
SunPower Solar Panels 2023 Review (Are They Worth It)
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- Does SunPower Make Good Solar Panels?
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- How Do SunPower Solar Panels Perform in Different Climates?
- Does SunPower Make Any Other Solar Products?
- How Much Do SunPower Solar Panels Cost?
- How Can You Save Money on SunPower Solar Panels?
- Does SunPower Offer a Good Solar Panel Warranty?
- How to Get SunPower Solar Panels Installed
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Find the best price from solar installers in your area.
SunPower, which is based in California, is one of the most well-established names in the solar industry, and it’s best known for manufacturing the highest-efficiency panels available for home solar systems. In this SunPower solar panel review, we’ll be discussing what makes its panels (now actually manufactured by sister company Maxeon Solar Technologies) so appealing and why we think it’s the best brand you can invest in for your home.
We’ll explain why things like the high efficiency, long warranty coverage and durability matter to you, how they compare to the industry average and, most importantly, how they can save you money over time.
Does SunPower Make Good Solar Panels?
Yes, SunPower’s panels are widely considered the best in the industry for several reasons. They come at a high cost per watt, but they also deliver some of the most impressive performance specifications available.
Some noteworthy specs include:
- An industry-leading efficiency of 22.8%, compared to an average closer to 20%. This means greater production and higher overall energy savings for you.
- A below-average efficiency degradation of just 8% over 25 years, compared to an industry average closer to 12%. This means your panels will continue to outperform models from other manufacturers.
- A below-average temperature coefficient of.0.27% per degree (C), compared to an industry average of.0.35%. This means better performance in extreme temperatures.
- A positive-only power tolerance of.0%/5%, compared to an industry average of.5%/5%. This means your panels will never dip below their expected production, ultimately saving you more on electric bills in the long run.
In our opinion, the cost is well worth it, especially since the superior performance is likely to save you more on utility bills and pay for itself over time.
SunPower Maxeon Solar Panels
SunPower used to have a few different series of panels available, including the X Series panels, the A Series panels and the M Series panels. Since it split operations and pushed manufacturing to its sister company, Maxeon, it now offers two options, one of which is the Maxeon line.
The Maxeon line from SunPower—which includes the Maxeon 3 and Maxeon 6 panels—is the high-performance model available from the manufacturer. It comes in multiple sizes and different wattages, ranging from 420 watts up to 440 watts. You’ll get the highest efficiency rating of any solar panel in the industry at 22.8% if you opt for the 440-watt variety.
The peak efficiency is achieved, in part, by using a unique solar cell foundation that helps recuperate energy that normally would be lost to the environment. The solid copper foundation also helps improve durability, which allows SunPower to provide a warranty that’s nearly twice as long as the industry average.
These panels are all black, super sleek, and don’t have any visible grid lines. Since many homeowners care about the appearance of the panels on their roofs, this is another positive attribute of these PV panels.
SunPower Performance Solar Panels
The Performance line from SunPower—which includes the Performance 3 and the Performance 6 panels—is a slightly more affordable but less capable line of photovoltaic (PV) modules. These panels range from 370 watts up to 415 watts, with a peak efficiency of 21.1%, which is still above the industry average.
The Performance line of panels doesn’t use the solid copper foundation that the Maxeon line is best known for. Instead, it uses a traditional silicon and metal fiber foundation in its monocrystalline PERC solar cells. PERC (passivated emitter and rear contact) is a term used for advanced solar technology that is designed to boost performance by reducing the amount of sunlight lost by the panel.
While PERC technology isn’t unique to SunPower, the “hypercell” these panels use is. We’ll explain this tech in greater detail in the next section, but for now, just know that it helps boost durability and performance in all situations.
What Technology Does SunPower Use In Its Solar Panels?
SunPower panels are known for their industry-leading specifications, and there are two innovative technological advances the company has made that lend themselves to such high performance.
Solid Copper Foundation
Most notably, the panels in the Maxeon series are made with a new manufacturing technique using solid copper as a foundation rather than a baked sheet of silicon and metal shards. The solid foundation helps boost solar energy absorption, increasing panel efficiency.
The innovative solid copper backing also improves the durability of the PV cells. The M-Series is, as of this writing, the only panel in the industry to use this manufacturing technique.
Hypercell Technology
SunPower also uses “hypercell” technology in its Performance series. It’s manufactured by layering six strips of a solar cell in a shingle formation and connecting them with an adhesive that’s designed to flex.
The flexibility improves durability and reduces the risk of damage, even with excessive temperature swings. SunPower released a short video about how this technology works and why it’s superior to the traditional manufacturing method. You can watch that below:
Overall, the technology SunPower uses is superior to anything else we’ve seen from manufacturers. The tech speaks for itself, too, as SunPower’s efficiency ratings, temperature coefficients, warranty coverage options and degradation rates are some of the most advanced in the industry.
How Do SunPower Solar Panels Perform in Different Climates?
SunPower solar panels outperform most other panels we’ve reviewed in both hot and cold climates.
Solar panels lose efficiency in hotter temperatures due to excited electrons escaping the PV cells. At present, this is unavoidable, but some companies have made advancements that help boost PV performance in high temperatures.
The metric used to explain solar module performance in the heat is called temperature coefficient, which is the percentage of the panel’s efficiency that is lost for every degree above 25 degrees (C) or around 77 degrees (F). The higher the temperature coefficient, the less efficient the panel will be in hotter climates.
SunPower has one of the lowest temperature coefficients on the market at just 0.27%. The only other panel we’ve seen below 0.3% comes from Panasonic. Ultimately, that means SunPower panels will lose less solar energy in hot temperatures, boosting performance and production.
In colder climates, solar panels tend to get more efficient due to fewer excited electrons escaping the cells. SunPower’s above-average efficiency rating helps boost production in the cold as well.
Watch Below: See Why SunPower Solar Panels Can Perform Well in the Shade
Does SunPower Make Any Other Solar Products?
SunPower doesn’t manufacture inverters, microinverters, racking systems or electric vehicle (EV) chargers, but it did recently start offering the SunPower SunVault, which is a residential solar battery.
SunPower SunVault System
The SunVault comes in a few sizes, ranging from 13 kilowatts (kW) up to 52 kW (as part of the SunPower Equinox system), making it one of the larger battery options available. It has an above-average continuous power rating of 6.8 kW and an above-average peak power rating of 10 kW. That means these solar batteries can provide power to just about as many appliances or electronics at once as you might need.
The SunVault costs between 12,000 and 50,000, depending on the storage capacity you need, and it averages around 1,000 per kW of storage. The price per kW is slightly above average.
The upsides to the SunVault systems include the ability to maintain electricity seamlessly through power outages, and you can also boost your savings and get access to effective net metering if your state or utility company doesn’t offer it.
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How Much Do SunPower Solar Panels Cost?
On average, SunPower panels cost around 3.30 per watt, which is well above the national average of 2.66 and above the average for tier-one panels, which hovers around 3.00.
Of course, your total price for a SunPower solar power system depends on your energy needs, the size of your home, your location and more. For the typical 9 kW solar array, you’re looking at a total of 29,700 before any perks, which would be 20,790 after the federal investment tax credit (ITC).
These numbers assume you have an average size home of around 1,800 square feet and consume the average amount of energy of just under 900 kW per month.
If you couple your SunPower panels with a SunVault battery, you can expect to pay a total of around 41,000 before perks for a 12 kW battery or 79,700 for a complete 52 kW storage system.
Luckily, the ITC also applies to SunVault components, so your total after the federal credit would average around 28,700 for the 12 kW system or 55,790 for the 52 kW system.
SunPower Financing Options
SunPower recently underwent some inter-company changes, and it now only handles solar installations. Its sister company, Maxeon, now technically handles all solar cell and solar module manufacturing.
If you choose to go solar with SunPower, you’ll have access not only to the leading solar technology but also to all of the typical payment options for PV equipment. SunPower accepts cash purchases, solar loans, solar leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs).
We strongly recommend a cash purchase if you can swing it, as this leads to the fastest panel payback period and the highest long-term energy savings. Of course, this is the least accessible option because it requires a large payment upfront that many solar customers cannot afford.
A solar loan is the next best option. You’ll pay interest, which will reduce your overall savings, but your upside will be greater than you’d see with a lease or PPA. Plus, you’ll own your panels, so you’ll eventually pay them off, at which point your monthly savings will skyrocket.
In a solar lease agreement, you rent your panels for a fixed cost per month and get to use the power they generate to reduce your utility bills. Most companies set up leases so that your total payment is lower, leading to immediate savings. However, lifetime savings are lower because this option doesn’t lead to panel ownership.
A PPA is similar to a lease, but instead of paying a monthly rental fee, you get your panels installed at no cost, and you agree to pay the installer for the power they generate. This option yields the lowest overall savings, but it typically provides a reduced monthly expenditure immediately.
How Can You Save Money on SunPower Solar Panels?
Since SunPower panels come in well above the average cost per watt, most customers look for ways to save when converting to clean energy with this manufacturer. There are a few things you can do to save.
Take Advantage of Solar Incentives
Second, we strongly recommend you take advantage of all of the solar benefits you can. The federal solar tax credit is available to all U.S. residents and could save an average of around 8,900 on a SunPower solar energy system. This is more than you’d save, on average, on panels from other manufacturers—an average of around 7,200.
There are likely other incentives available to you, like solar rebates, state tax credits, net metering programs and more. We recommend asking your installer or checking the Database of Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) for more information.
Filing for these perks and rebates is usually a breeze because reputable installers will do a lot of the work for you. If you have to file for everything on your own, you’re still only looking at a few hours maximum, and the savings are substantial enough to be worthwhile.
Choose the Right Payment Option for You
Finally, we recommend choosing your payment option carefully and opting for a cash purchase if possible. You’ll save the most money over time with a cash purchase, followed by a solar loan and then a solar lease. A power purchase agreement is expected to save you the least on your SunPower system.
To put this into perspective, a cash purchase on a typical system saves around 22,400 on energy bills over the life of the equipment after the system pays for itself. Choosing a PPA or lease is still expected to save you money, but lifetime savings are usually closer to 5,000, which is significantly less appealing than what you’d see if you paid in cash.
Get Multiple Quotes
First, we recommend shopping around and getting multiple quotes from installers in your area. SunPower handles installations in-house, but it also uses a massive network of third-party installers to install its products. Getting multiple quotes might lead you to a solar provider that offers discounts or lower labor costs in an effort to get your business.
Getting multiple quotes can be time-consuming and involves being home for a few different in-person home inspections. However, it is often worthwhile and could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars on your solar panel system.
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Does SunPower Offer a Good Solar Panel Warranty?
SunPower is the clear industry leader in solar technology and panel efficiency rating, but it also provides the best solar panel warranty coverage available for homeowners. SunPower’s warranty covers the equipment, including manufacturing defects, as well as the panel efficiency and a below-average rate of degradation.
SunPower’s product warranty covers manufacturer defects for 40 years, which is 1.6x the industry average of 25 years. SunPower also has a great reputation for responding to warranty claims.
The company also guarantees the panel efficiency for 40 years, which is also 1.6x as long as the industry average of 25 years. Most other panel performance warranties guarantee that between 85% and 90% of the starting efficiency will remain after the 25-year warranty term. SunPower guarantees that 92% will remain after that same term, which is the best in the industry and only matched by a few other manufacturers.
The expected lifespan of SunPower panels is a minimum of 40 years, but many solar customers are likely to find that their panels continue producing sufficient energy after that point.
How to Get SunPower Solar Panels Installed
SunPower only sells its panels through its in-house installers and its certified third-party installers. They aren’t available for purchase for DIY solar panel installations. You can follow the steps below to get a SunPower system installed on your home:
- Step 1 — Request a quote: Your first step will be to reach out to SunPower directly or a third-party installer to get a free quote for your system.
- Step 2 — Consultation and property inspection: After you request an estimate, a representative will speak with you about your energy needs and ask for a recent electric bill. They should also send a rep out to your home to conduct a property survey and take roof measurements. Your project will then go to the design team.
- Step 3 — Contract approval: After your system is designed, you’ll get a formal estimate and be asked to sign it to continue the process. Depending on your preferred payment method, you might also need to make a down payment.
- Step 4 — Permitting and planning: Next, your SunPower installer will pull permits for the system and ensure everything will be up to code.
- Step 5 — Installation: The next part of the process is the actual installation, which can usually be done in a day.
- Step 6 — Inspections and interconnection: In many cases, your utility provider will need to inspect your system before it’s connected to the grid. Once it is, your panels will produce power for your home, and you’ll start to see energy savings. Your installer will also schedule building department inspections to close out the permits.
- Step 7 — Solar monitoring: Finally, you’ll get access to the MySunPower mobile app to keep an eye on live-time production and panel performance.
SunPower has a large network of installers that is split into three categories: SunPower Authorized Dealers, SunPower Elite Dealers and SunPower Master Dealers.
There are hundreds of SunPower Authorized Dealers located throughout the country, with representation in all 50 states. Authorized Dealers are approved by SunPower to install its high-performance panels and go through special training to get authorization. These companies are also held to certain customer satisfaction and labor quality standards.
Elite Dealers complete advanced training programs through SunPower and meet even stricter standards when it comes to customer satisfaction and overall high-quality workmanship.
Master Dealers are hand-picked by SunPower to represent the brand. They uphold the highest standards set forth by the manufacturer.
As one of the biggest solar companies in the country, SunPower’s network of installers is unusually large. You can click the buttons below to get connected with approved installers in your area.
Customer Reviews of SunPower Solar Panels
SunPower’s commitment to quality products is evident in the A rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and in the customer reviews for the panels themselves. Most customers rave about the customer service, and specifically the attention they receive in response to warranty claims and issues post-installation. It’s obvious that customers trust the manufacturer and are pleased with the panel performance.
Conventional panel manufacturers that don’t have as rigorous of an installer selection process don’t get the same reviews, although most negative reviews stem from a lack of service from the installer and not the manufacturer. Few customers complain about panels themselves, to be fair.
Positive Reviews of SunPower Solar Panels
The reviews we read through in which customers do mention the performance of their SunPower panels are overwhelmingly positive.
One complaint we often see about individual panel brands is less appealing performance and production than the customer expects. In many cases, this is the fault of the installer, as they are responsible for accurately representing expected production. Since SunPower manufactures the most efficient solar panels, and because the company vets its installation network, this is a rare occurrence among homeowners who get SunPower panels installed.
Most customers mention that they’re pleased with the production. We also see Комментарии и мнения владельцев about warranty coverage and the company’s willingness to fix issues if they do arise. Again, this is not always a reflection on SunPower panels alone but also on the installers with which the company works.
Overall, most solar customers seem to be pleased with SunPower panels and dealers, which is really saying something, given the company’s size.
Negative Reviews of SunPower Solar Panels
Thankfully, there are relatively few negative Комментарии и мнения владельцев about SunPower panels other than the fact that they’re quite expensive.
There are some instances in which homeowners don’t get the quality of service they expected, but these complaints are directed toward the installers and not the actual products. Still, it does suggest that SunPower isn’t always able to ensure its many authorized dealers uphold its in-house commitment to service. Your experience can vary based on where you live and which installer you choose.
This kind of complaint is very common among different manufacturers, so we don’t believe it’s indicative of an issue specifically with SunPower.
SunPower vs Other Solar Panel Manufacturers
Overall, we believe SunPower is the number one panel manufacturer in the industry. It uses cutting-edge technology to maximize panel production and efficiency and minimize degradation. Ultimately, this helps customers reach greater energy savings and allows them to install fewer panels on their homes, which is great news if you have limited roof space.
The table below includes some key specifications for SunPower panels as compared to panels from other manufacturers. This should help illustrate why SunPower is so highly rated and why we think it’s the best option overall.
| SunPower | REC | Tesla | Panasonic | Silfab | |
| Max Efficiency Rating | 22.8% | 22.3% | 20.6% | 22.2% | 21.4% |
| Power Tolerance | -0%/5% | -0%/5% | -0%/5% | -3%/3% | -0%/10% |
| Temperature Coefficient | -.027% | -.032% | -0.3% | -0.26% | -0.39% |
| Degradation Per Year (After 1st Year) | 0.25% | 0.5% | 0.5% | 0.26% | 0.5% |
| Equipment Warranty Term | 40 years | 25 years | 25 years | 25 years | 25 years |
| Efficiency Warranty Term | 40 years | 25 years | 25 years | 25 years | 25 years |
| Average Price Per Watt | 3.30 | 3.00 | 2.90 | 3.10 | 3.00 |
| Panel Manufacturer Review | – | Read Our REC Panel Review | Read Our Tesla Panel Review | – | Read Our Silfab Panel Review |
Bottom Line: Would We Put SunPower Solar Panels On Our Roof?
Yes, absolutely. Overall, SunPower is the number one panel brand we recommend, and it’s the one we’d be most comfortable installing on our own homes. SunPower panels are the most efficient in the industry. They outperform most other brands in most areas, come with an industry-leading warranty and have one of the best reputations for quality and value available.
SunPower panels are more expensive than most other options, but we strongly believe the quality and high efficiency will lead to a lifetime of higher energy savings that will more than pay for the increased price you’ll pay. We suggest using the buttons below to get estimates from multiple SunPower installers to get the best upfront price possible.
The future of solar lies beyond the panel
Since the world first began to confront the realities of climate change, our relationship with energy has been rapidly shifting. A growing FOCUS on the climate and cost-of-living crisis, coupled with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and increasing supply chain pressures, has highlighted the fragility of centralized, fossil-based energy sources. Around the world, freedom from these traditional energy sources is top-of-mind, and as energy costs continue to climb, people are looking for alternatives that provide financial savings, energy security, and climate stability.
As a leader in the solar industry, we are already helping to deliver the tools to transition away from a fossil-fuel based economy. While not all countries and communities have the ability to support hydro or wind power, most countries have much more photovoltaic potential than their current electricity demand requires. Every household that can support solar panels should be able to do so if they wish.
At Maxeon, we have been engineering and manufacturing the high-efficiency solar panels that capture this energy for over 35 years. While we know that well-made panels are the foundation of the global solar industry, as a business, we need to go further to empower more people to produce their own energy and contribute to positive change.
From the Roof into the Home
The release of our 40-year warranty on our Maxeon Line solar panels at the start of the year was a foundational step in beginning this process. Giving consumers panels that can reliably supply them, their home, and their families with green energy for a generation is crucial if we are to unleash solar’s potential. However, many of the challenges consumers face when going into solar lay in the buying journey and system experience.
That’s why, in the run-up to Intersolar Europe 2022, we announced SunPower One, a new solution aimed at simplifying the adoption of clean energy and addressing some of the key pain points customers face. What does this mean? Reaping the benefits of solar power can now be as easy as flipping a light switch, and in turn, accelerating the clean energy transition.
Going Beyond the Panel
We view our industry-leading solar panels as a “door-opener” for customers, the first step in their journey towards energy independence. Through this door lies an opportunity to guide consumers through a multi-generational relationship with their energy, and we are delivering this through an open, flexible ecosystem of category-leading partners. SunPower One is the first step in this journey. than a fragmented system of clean energy components, it is an integrated home energy management solution. It reimagines the consumer experience, keeping homeowners informed with actionable energy insights within their households that help lower energy costs and emissions. Over time, through artificial intelligence, it learns about a homeowner’s pattern of electricity consumption and can identify categories of devices or appliances. With this contextual information, it suggests tips to use them more efficiently, like using them during periods of high solar production or switching them off when electricity are high.
At launch, Maxeon’s SunPower One experience will be exclusively available with Maxeon’s new SunPower Reserve all-in-one storage offering. Over time, Maxeon’s SunPower One ecosystem will grow and incorporate additional products in categories like electric vehicle charging, as well as software integrations and value-added services designed to expand the customer experience.
At Maxeon, we believe we have a responsibility to play a bigger role in the clean energy transition, because of our panel leadership, our channel reach, and our lack of “technology debt.” This great advantage means we have the freedom to think outside the box and leverage next-generation technologies to accelerate the democratization of energy production.
We are eager to welcome new partnerships with category leaders across the industry that will help empower our end-customers to drive more energy savings.
Our Changing Relationship with Energy
Powering Positive Change TM around the world, as we enter an age of renewed intensity in the Net Zero transition, will rely on providing customers the tools they need to become energy independent. Residential energy solutions are a key piece of the puzzle, but we cannot do it alone; policy interventions such as the UK government’s decision to reduce VAT on domestic solar panel installations and the council of the European Union’s directive allowing for as much as 0% VAT on solar panels, need to be replicated around the world to drive direct attention towards the need for and advantages of solar. Measures from the recent RePowerEU strategy from the European Commission, such as the European Rooftop Solar Initiative, which would see rooftop solar becoming legally binding on certain buildings symbolise the kind of ambition which is needed.
Solar is critical when it comes to reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, and gaining energy security and independence. We believe doing everything we can to improve access to this genuinely revolutionary technology and in turn, altering the customer experience so that the barriers to enjoying the value of solar are withdrawn and change the world.