Best Solar Panels In 2022 – Top 5 Manufacturers
Living in California, we already know the advantages of solar energy. Still, finding the best solar panels for your home can be difficult. With over a hundred different solar panel brands, choosing the right panels for your solar power system may be challenging. In this comparison, we will discuss how top brands of solar panels for residential stack up with competitors and show you the best solar panels for home use. We’ve narrowed down the top 5 solar panels on the market based on components, price, efficiency, and warranty offerings.
Solar panels are made up of smaller units called solar cells. When the sun shines onto a solar panel, these solar cells absorb the sunlight energy and create electrical charges. Solar panels generate electricity through Alternating Current (or AC), but your home needs Direct Current (or DC). The solar inverter converts the electricity from AC to DC, and then it can be used by your home. Solar panels for homes have no moving parts, just electrical currents, so maintenance is very easy. You just need to make sure sunlight can hit your solar panels and clean them once in a while. Read : Net Zero The Importance of Solar Panels System Size New Solar Panel Contender – Hyundai Dual Black Max Bifacial Solar Panel Why Aren’t My Solar Panels Producing 100%? Solar FAQ
The Best Solar Panels For 2022
REC is widely considered to be the top solar panel brand due to its superb overall efficiency and excellent solar panel performance warranty.
LG. Panasonic. and SunPower panels are also known as some of the best on the market for similar reasons. Hanwha Q CELLS are also very popular.
All of these solar panel manufacturers combine premium protection and fair prices, which is why they have made it on our list. However, REC solar panels win the top spot of the best solar panels for several reasons, with the biggest reason being the longevity and reliability they provide.
REC Alpha ® Pure Series Solar Panels
For over two decades, REC solar panels have been the Most Trusted and Tested solar panel manufacturer.
The REC Alpha ® Pure solar panel is the latest award-winning series of innovative REC solar panels, empowering homeowners to take full advantage of solar energy for many years. The 25-year warranty they offer guarantees 92% power performance in year 25. much higher than any of the other solar panel warranties.
REC solar panels have a reputation for durability, as they test their panels three times harder than anyone else. They also offer a 25-year labor warranty which is a significant added value to solar for home use.
Aside from that, the 410W panel can also boast a 21.6% efficiency rating. which wins the industry best over SunPower 400 Watt solar panels which sit at 21.4%.
SunPower A-Series
REC solar panels beat SunPower in terms of efficiency. SunPower has been known for having the highest efficiency panels for years, but REC solar panels have surpassed them in the last couple of years.
Keep in mind that solar efficiency refers to the amount of sunlight the panels can absorb, so a small difference can build up over time.
SunPower modules are by far the most expensive modules on the market in comparison to other brands.
LG NeON ® R
LG is a top-tier electronics company with a good reputation for quality products that carry over to their solar panels. How well do the LG panels actually perform?
In our extensive experience, LG solar panels are top-tier panels, falling right in the middle of the best home solar panels top 5 rankings. Although they have a higher power rating, it also comes at a far higher price.
Update – Feb 23, 2022 Just last night, LG announced they are closing their solar panel business . LG is planning to leverage its renewable energy experience in new sectors, focusing mainly on Energy Storage Systems (solar batteries). The company will continue to produce panels through the second quarter of 2022 and support existing customers for a period of time after the closure is completed.
Panasonic EverVolt™
Despite being one of the oldest and most well-known names in consumer electronics, Panasonic has not always been synonymous with top quality. Over the years they have developed a reputation for top-quality solar modules.
However, Panasonic has announced that this year they are going to stop manufacturing solar panels in March.
The specs on these new solar panels match the top-performing solar panels in our list of the best solar panels, but they haven’t yet hit the real-world market.
Panasonic also modified its manufacturing deal with Tesla in 2021. leaving Tesla to find another manufacturer for their solar panels.
Q CELLS Q.PEAK Series
Q CELLS may be the most popular solar panel manufacturer on this list. It’s designed in Germany and mainly manufactured in Singapore.
The Q CEllS solar PV offers competitive pricing with 25 Years of Manufacture Warranty and with an outstanding efficiency rating of 20.6%. The major downside is the long-term performance will be decreasing from the 1st year significantly.
With the high depreciation rate, Q CELLS panels will only generate about around 90% starting from the 5th year, and that’s why Q CELLS did not make it to the throne.
These are the solar panels that Tesla installs. Tesla’s solar roof shingles are an entirely different product manufactured by Tesla themselves.
The main problem with the Tesla solar roof vs solar panels is efficiency. Tesla solar roof shingles perform at a much lower efficiency than traditional solar panels and are around 3 times the cost.
The premium solar panels from Hanhwa’s Q CELLS are the solar panels Tesla installs, but their long-term performance is low compared to competitors.
The Right Residential Solar Installer Has The Best Solar Panels
The company you choose is one of the biggest factors that will affect your experience with solar energy installation.
50% of rooftop solar panel systems are now orphaned – meaning the company that installed the solar panels has gone out of business.
People always ask “What are the best home solar panels and how long do solar panels last?” If you pick the wrong company, it doesn’t even matter.
When choosing a company for your solar panel installation, make sure to go with a local company with a track record of success.
National companies FOCUS more on quantity, and not the quality they provide to their customers, in our opinion.
Option One Solar is a local Southern California company that has been trusted by customers for many years.
We have a proven reputation for great solar panels and even greater customer service. We keep premium REC Alpha ® Series panels in stock and ready for your home.
If you want the world’s best panels and the industry’s best warranty, we really are your only option.
Does REC Make Good Solar Panels?
Overall, REC manufactures high-quality, monocrystalline (mono) solar panels that provide excellent value for the money. We routinely rank REC solar modules as some of the best solar panels available for residential solar systems.
REC panels have an above-average efficiency rating to help maximize energy savings, as well as performance specifications that are better than you’ll find from most manufacturers. REC panels tend to outperform the competition, but they maintain pricing per watt that’s lower than what you would expect from a company like SunPower/Maxeon.
In the following sections, we’ll take a look at the different models of solar panels available from REC and explain what we like and dislike about each.
REC Twinpeak 4 Solar Panels
The Twinpeak 4 solar panels are the most affordable option from REC and the only ones that use P-type solar cells since the Twinpeak 2 panels are no longer available. P-type solar cells use boron embedded in the silicon, leaving the cell positively charged. P-type cells make for less efficient solar panels and less durable panels than N-type and heterojunction (HJT) cells, but they’re more affordable as well.
The Twinpeak 4 line of panels has a maximum efficiency of 20.5%, which is above the industry average but the lowest you’ll see from REC. They come in sizes ranging from 375 watts (W) to 370W.
REC N-Peak 2 Solar Panels
The N-Peak 2 series panels from REC include N-type cells, which use phosphorus embedded in the silicon wafers rather than boron. This leaves the cell negatively charged, improving performance. These solar cells have better longevity and durability than the Twinpeak 4 series, but they also come at a higher cost.
The N-Peak series are said to reduce light-induced degradation (LID), which should help improve panel performance and reduce power loss over time.
The N-Peak 2 panels also top out at 20.5% efficiency, and they’re only available in one size: 365W.
REC N-Peak 3 Black Solar Panels
The N-Peak 3 panels also include N-type solar cells, but these are TOPCon cells, which typically have a higher performance potential. They come with an efficiency rating of between 19.5% and 20.3%, making them a little less efficient than the previous two entries.
The N-Peak 3 panels from REC are the first generation from the manufacturer to be all-black and lack visible grid lines. Most homeowners prefer the aesthetics achieved with these features. However, they are a little more expensive than the N-Peak 2 series. These are larger panels at between 390W and 400W.
REC Alpha Pure Solar Panels
The Alpha series of panels from REC are the most affordable heterojunction cell option. HJT panels combine solar technology from two different solar cell types to make panels more efficient and reach a higher power density per panel. The technology allows the Alpha panels to reach peak efficiency ratings of 21.3%, putting them well ahead of the previous options.
The Alpha Pure panels from REC come in sizes between 385W and 410W. Perhaps most notably, they won the Intersolar Award of 2022, which speaks to their efficiency, performance and durability.
These award-winning panels are all black and lack visible grid lines, so they are as aesthetically pleasing as they are powerful. They’re also made entirely lead-free.
REC Alpha Pure-R Solar Panels
The most expensive option from REC Alpha Series is the Alpha Pure-R. These also contain HJT solar cell technology, but they are optimized to provide the highest efficiency rating and power production capabilities available from the manufacturer. These top out at 22.3%, which is well above the industry average and lands REC among the highest-efficiency panel brands available.
The Alpha Pure-R series has the highest power output capabilities from REC, coming in at between 410W and 430W. They are all black and don’t have any visible grid lines, so they are desirable from an appearance standpoint as well as a performance point of view. These panels are also lead-free, much like the base Alpha Pure panels.
What Technology Does REC Use In Its Solar Panels?
REC has been developing solar technology since 1996, and it’s known for a handful of innovations and advancements that have been adopted by other manufacturers. For the most part, REC uses tech that is found in panels made by other manufacturers as well, but there are some standouts when it comes to REC panel technology.
We’ll include some of the innovations and technological advancements attributed to and used by REC in the following sections.
Solder-Free Connections Between Half-Cut Cells
Perhaps most notably, REC was one of the first solar panel manufacturers to introduce solder-free connections between its half-cut cell technology. This accomplishes a few things that help boost panel performance.
First, soldering joints are notoriously weak, so they are some of the most likely internal components to fail. Eliminating soldering joints means you’ll see panel damage and a reduction of overall efficiency much less often. This tech helps improve panel longevity and durability.
Additionally, the new connections used in REC panels allow the cells to overlap on the edges. This helps improve the efficiency of the panel overall by increasing the number of active solar cells per square inch. The REC Alpha Pure panels have 132 solar cells, compared to an industry average closer to 96 cells.
Four-Part Junction Box
REC also makes use of four junction boxes on the outside of some of its panels. Having multiple junction boxes allows for parts of each panel to continue producing usable electricity at full capacity, even when the other parts of the panel are not producing.
This technology is helpful for boosting overall panel performance in partially shaded conditions. A REC panel containing a four-part junction box can continue producing sufficient energy even when ¼, ½, or ¾ of the panel is in full shade.
REC is certainly not the only manufacturer to implement this technology, but it is credited as one of the technology’s early adopters.
How Do REC Solar Panels Perform in Different Climates?
REC panels perform better in all climates than most other panels. This is thanks to the high efficiency rating of its products and the low temperature coefficient that REC prides itself on.
REC panels top out at a 22.3% efficiency rating, which is well above the industry average and higher than most tier-one panel brands out there. A higher efficiency rating means a greater level of production in all situations.
REC panels also come with a below-average temperature coefficient. All solar panels lose efficiency in higher temperatures because excited electrons are more likely to escape the panel. The temperature coefficient of a panel tells you how much of the starting efficiency a panel will lose per degree above 25 degrees (C).
REC solar panels have an average temperature coefficient of 0.32%/degree (C), which is below the industry average of 0.35%. That means that REC panels will lose less efficiency in higher temperatures, making them a better option than most in hotter climates. This is especially true since the manufacturer has an above-average starting efficiency.
Company History
REC was founded in Norway in 1996 under the name Fornybar Energi AS and produced its first silicon wafer in 1997. It became REC after merging with another company in 2000. By taking advantage of Norway’s comparatively cheap hydroelectric power, for a period at the start of the century they become the world’s largest producer of multicrystaline silicon wafers used to make solar cells.
In 2008 and 2009 REC opened two new multicrystalline wafer factories in Norway. Then the company ran into financial difficulties and shut them down permanently a few years later in 2011 and 2012. In retrospect, it doesn’t appear to be a very bright move, but these are the sort of mistakes companies make when they decide for some reason not to predict the future with 100% accuracy.
In 2010 REC started production of solar panels in Singapore and subsequently expanded capacity at this facility. This currently remains the company’s only manufacturing site.
In 2015 REC Solar was bought by the Norwegian company Elkem, which is owned by the Chinese corporation Bluestar. Then in October 2021, REC announced it had been acquired by Reliance New Energy Solar Limited; an Indian multinational headquartered in Mumbai.
This will make REC Solar an Indian-owned company that manufactures in Singapore, but for some reason it is still often referred to as a European company. I guess old habits die hard.
REC Solar Panels
REC currently produces several solar panel product lines that are of standard size and likely to be used on residential roofs in Australia. To see specifications and approximate pricing of various models. and how they stack up against competing brands. check out the SolarQuotes solar panel comparison table.
REC produces TwinPeak 4 series panels; the fourth generation in this series. These are an interesting design as they are divided into top and bottom halves. if one half is shaded it won’t affect the output of the other. This makes them more tolerant to partial shade and soiling than many other panels. But if installed where there is no shade, this feature is of little benefit. And like all solar panels they perform terribly when fully shaded.
TwinPeak 4 panels have an efficiency of 19.7%. 20.5%, and are available in 360W, 365W, 370W and 375W models.
The fifth generation, TwinPeak 5, is a bigger, heavier panel than the 4, but is available in capacities of 395W, 400W, 405W, 410W and 415W.
REC Alpha Solar Panels
In 2019, the company unveiled its Alpha Series solar panels. REC said it was the highest power 60-cell module in the world at that point in time.
The Alpha originally offered a panel efficiency of up to 21.7%, but the Alpha Pure that followed offers up to 22.2% and is available in the following wattages: 385W, 390W, 395W, 400W, 405W and 410W.
REC picked up an Intersolar Award in May 2022 for the Alpha Pure Series, with the judges commenting on its outstanding power output, small carbon footprint and lack of lead use in manufacturing.
Also in May 2022, REC unveiled its Alpha Pure-R solar panels, which will be available in capacities ranging from 410W – 430W and with module conversion efficiencies from 21.2% to 22.3%. Production of the Alpha Pure-R commenced in September 2022.
REC Solar Panel Failure Rate
On the REC site the company states:
“. out of 4 million panels manufactured each year, just 400 might come back as product claims.”
In other words their failure rate is around 1 in 10,000. While those seem like good odds, they don’t say this is the predicted failure rate over the panel’s lifespan. It instead appears to be their failure rate when they are new, which isn’t quite as impressive as if it was over 25 years, but it is still pretty good.
REC Solar Alpha REC400AA Pure Black. 400 Wp (FB)
- Artikel-Nr.: REC32543
- Versandhinweis: Artikel werden per Spedition versendet
- Abmessungen: Modulmaße: 1821 x 1016 x 30 mm
REC Solar Alpha REC400AA Pure Black. 400 Wp, 132 REC Heterojunction Halbzellen mit bleifreier gapless Technologie, 6 Stränge mit 22 Zellen in Serie, schwarzer Modulrahmen, schwarze Rückseitenfolie
REC Alpha Pure Series: Bleifrei und höhere Leistungsdichte
- Modernste Zelltechnologie und halbierte Heterojunction-Zellen im Gapless-Design sorgen für mehr Leistung und schützen zugleich die Umwelt
- Mit 219 Watt/m² bietet das Solarmodul eine hohe Leistungsdichte und liefert bis zu 405 Watt-Peak
- Bleifrei – der Umwelt zuliebe
- Alle Modulkomponenten einschließlich der Zellverbindungen, Querverbinder und Lötstellen der Anschlussdose sind bleifrei
- Die Kombination aus Ästhetik, bleifreier Verarbeitung und hoher Leistung machen REC Alpha Pure zu ersten Wahl für Aufdachanlagen
Vorteile Heterojunction
- Kein LID = keine Leistungsminderung; Sie erhalten die Leistung, die Sie bezahlt haben
- Herausragende Leistung unter kalten und heißen Klimabedingungen; Der herausragende Temperaturkoeffizient sichert hohe Leistung auch bei steigenden Temperaturen
- Höhere Leistung für größere Ersparnis und schnellere Investitionsrendite
- Hohe Leistungsdichte pro Quadratmeter (Watt/m²) – REC Alpha Solarmodule erzeugen mehr Energie auf der gleichen Fläche und nutzen selbst kleinen Raum optimal
- Über 20% mehr Leistung als herkömmliche Module
Fortschrittliche Zellverbindungstechnologie
- Erhöhte Anzahl von Drähten für verbesserten Stromfluss
- Innovative Zellverbindungen minimieren die Gefahr von Zellenbeschädigung oder Mikrorissen und ermöglichen langfristig hohe Leistung
- Stylishes Design dank dünner, kaum sichtbarer Drähte und einheitlich schwarz gefärbter Zellen
- Die vollschwarze Variante besticht durch ein elegantes Design und macht das Modul zum Must-Have für das Hausdach
- Lötfreie Zellverbindungen
- Niedriger CO2 Fußabdruck durch umweltfreundliche Produktion
20 Jahre REC Herstellergarantie gemäß den Garantiebedingungen des Herstellers25 Jahre REC lineare Leistungsgarantie mit maximaler jährlicher Leistungsdegradation von 0,25%, damit werden nach 25 Jahren mindestens 92% garantiert.
Ausführliches Datenblatt der REC Alpha Serie unten zum Download
Monokristalline oder polykristalline Solarmodule?
Solarmodule auf Basis von mono- und polykristallinem Silizium werden am häufigsten installiert. Die Erträge von mono- und polykristallinen Modulen sind nahezu gleich. Der Wirkungsgrad bei monokristallinen Modulen ist mit 19-22% höher als bei polykristallinen Solarmodulen mit ca. 15-18%. Daher sind polykristalline Module günstiger. Aus optischen Gründen werden derzeit verstärkt Module mit schwarz eloxiertem Rahmen und schwarzer Rückseitenfolie installiert.
Module mit integriertem Wechselrichter
Derzeit gibt es bereits Modulwechselrichter die an nachezu jedem Solarmodul angeschlossen werden können. Der Vorteil beim Modulwechselrichtern ist, daß das MPP-Tracking und die Überwachung der Photovoltaikanlage auf Modulebene stattfindet. Verschattungssituationen, z.B. durch Dachgauben, Schornsteine oder Bäume können so besser kompensiert werden. Der Ertrag ist bei diesen PV-Anlagen um bis 25% höher als bei Anlagen mit Stringwechselrichter
Module mit integriertem Leistungsoptimierer
Leistungsoptimierer oder Optimizer erhöhen den Ertrag um bis 25%. Module wie z.B. das TrinaSmart von TrinaSolar haben bereits ab Werk einen integrierten Leistungsoptimierer. Es entfällt zusätzlicher Montageaufwand durch Befestigung des Optimierers am Modulrahmen oder am Montagesystem.
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Die Nachfrage von Photovoltaikanlagen und Stromspeicher sind auch durch sehr stark gestieger Strompreise der Energieversorger extrem hoch. Photovoltaik Preise pro kWp sind 2022 durch die Corona Pandemie angespannter Lieferketten, gestiegener Rohstoffpreise, und verkanppter Produktionskapazitäten etwas gestiegen. Durch die Verschiebung der Grenze für die EEG Umlage von 10 kWp auf 30 kWp ist es rentabel auch größere Anlagen zu installieren! Wie sich die Preise für Module, Wechselrichter und Montagesysteme im Laufe des Jahre 2022 entwickeln werden, wissen wir derzeit noch nicht. Wir gehen aber davon aus das die Preise nicht weiter sinken werden. 2021 wurde jede zweite Photovoltaikanlage mit einem Solarstromspeicher installiert und mehr als 1 Million Eigenheime ernten den Strom vom eignen Dach, so der BSW Solar. Bei uns finden Sie eine günstige Photovoltaikanlage mit starken Marken nahmhafter Hersteller.
Für einen jeweils begrenzten Zeitraum bieten wir in unserem Onlineshop Photovoltaikpakete mit Rabatt, Wechselrichter, Module, Solarladeregler, Solarbatterien, Solarstrom-Speicher zu günstigen Preisen an.
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