Having written thousands of product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership, from routine maintenance to major renovations, Dan (he/him) brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeepin Contact online >>
Having written thousands of product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership, from routine maintenance to major renovations, Dan (he/him) brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can often be found keeping house at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, where he lives with his wife and kids.
Slash your energy costs with one of our top-rated rooftop solar systems.
You probably know Panasonic for its consumer electronics, ranging from cameras to hair dryers. But the century-old Japanese brand is also a pioneering powerhouse in the solar panel space, having entered the market way back in 1975. Though it stopped doing its own manufacturing in 2021, Panasonic panels still offer the best combination of performance and reliability, especially if you spring for the TripleGuard warranty, which provides a 25-year product, performance and labor warranty on any panels installed by a Panasonic-authorized installer.
I''m a big fan of the EverVolt, Panasonic''s premium line of solar panels with exceptional power output and efficiency. The HK Black Series is the newest offering and represents the best of the best, including 410-watt output and an extremely low degradation rate, meaning the panels will still be producing at least 92% of their original output after 25 years.
RELATED: Everything You Need to Know Before Installing Solar Panels on Your Home
Canadian Solar entered the market in 2001 with the mission of delivering the best possible value to consumers. The average cost of installation starts around $16,100 (including tax credits), which is the cheapest of all national manufacturers reviewed by our experts. The low cost doesn''t come with a lot of compromise in quality either. Case in point: Canada Solar''s new HiHero 445H-AG solar panel has an impressive power output (410 watts) and temperature coefficienct (.26), which means it works well in all climates.
SunPower has been around since 1985 with a proven track record — and that''s significant, given the high rate of unscrupulous (or just plain inexperienced) companies in the solar panel space. What''s more, SunPower is an installer with a history of manufacturing so they know the industry inside out, plus they''re a one-stop solution for all your solar needs, including the panels and battery storage, all backed by one of the best warranties in the business.
Their products are superb too, none better than the M-line from its SunPower Equinox Series. The panels boast a maximum power output of 440 watts and efficiency rating of 22.8%, both best in class. I also like the fact that SunPower uses microinverters behind each panel to convert sunlight into power for your home. Besides maximizing power and efficiency, it means the entire system won''t shut down if there''s an issue with one panel, which is the case with solar panels that use a central inverter.
All that innovation doesn''t come cheap, but our experts say it''s worth paying a premium for SunPower, given the exceptional performance and peace of mind.
Since 2006, Jinko Solar has produced reliable rooftop solar panels for a global market. Its oversized panels, which boast solid power output and efficiency, are especially well-suited to the larger housing stock found throughout much of the U.S.
The efficient design and ample proportions of Jinko''s monocrystalline panels make for very good value. When EnergySage crunched the numbers to come up with an average price per watt comparison across multiple panels, the Tiger Neo was the best, coming in at $2.55 per watt.
One contributing factor to the excellent efficiency of the Tiger Neo panel is its ability to harness the sun''s power even in lower-light conditions, for example, on an overcast day or when it''s foggy out. That makes Jinko a solid choice if your home is outside of the Sun Belt and prone to more variable weather conditions.
Europe''s largest manufacturer of solar panels, REC was founded in Norway in 1996, making it another brand that our experts say you can count on over the long haul. REC produces several lines of high-quality panels, all of which feature monocrystalline solar cell technology for maximum output and efficiency, even at higher temperatures.
Though you''ll pay top dollar for it, I like the Alpha Pure-R, which can crank out up to 430 watts and will still be operating at 92% capacity after 25 years. The all-black design also gives the panels a particularly sleek look.
The panel is backed by a 25-year warranty, provided you go with a REC-certified installer, and it''s guaranteed to produce 92% of its output by the end of its warrantied life. The one drawback with REC is it only produces solar panels, so if you want to add other components, like battery storage, you''ll have to settle for a piecemeal system with different installers, service contracts and the like.
When adding rooftop solar to your home, you shouldn''t automatically go with the solar panel recommended by your installer. On the other hand, I always like to know which brands pass muster with the pros. In the case of solar panels, that distinction belongs to Qcells, founded in Germany in 1999 and now headquartered in South Korea (though their factory in Dalton, Georgia is the largest solar manufacturing facility in the Western Hemisphere).
Pros like Qcell because of its competitive pricing and wide availability. Homeowners like the low prices too, as well as the solid performance and clean aesthetics of Qcell''s line of solar panels. Their aluminum alloy frame can withstand heavy snow and rain.The top-of-the-line Q.PEAK Duo BLK ML-G10+ series generates 41o watts, which is slightly less than other top picks, but still respectable. The panel''s efficiency and guaranteed capacity are more middle-of-the-pack and power production might drop off in very hot climates. But for a dependable solar panel at an affordable price, Qcell is one to consider.
Solar panels have been a renewable energy option for homeowners for decades. But technology advancements have made the best solar panels a reliable and cost-saving asset to many homeowners. When it comes to choosing the right solar panels for your lifestyle, there are a lot of factors to consider, but our top recommendation is the Renogy 400-Watt 12-Volt Off-Grid Solar Premium Kits— a durable option with impressive energy output.
If you plan to install panels on your home, know that this isn''t an overnight task. "A big part of your decision is who is doing the work," says Yuri Horwitz, J.D., founder and CEO of renewable energy company Sol Systems. If you''re installing these panels yourself, you''ll need to have at least some level of technical know-how. If you''re relying on someone else, "you want to know who will be installing the project, how long they''ve been around for and are they reputable," Horwitz says. It''s also important to make sure you have a roof warranty in place, given that the panels are often installed on top of your home and can be heavy, Horwitz says.
From there, you''ll usually invest in the solar panels themselves, which you can either purchase from the company who will be installing your panels or on your own. "You should be thinking about the whole system, and that includes batteries [to store your excess solar power] and panels," says Muhammad Ashraful Alam, Ph.D., a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Purdue University. Not all panels are alike or even work for every home or climate, making it important to consider your personal needs when choosing panels, Alam says.
It sounds like a big effort—and it is. But while solar panels are a big financial investment for your home, federal and state tax credits can dramatically lower the cost of your project. Consider this expertly curated list of the best solar panels in your switch to solar energy.
I am a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, relationships, home, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Women''s Health, Prevention, Health, Yahoo Life, and more. I have a master''s degree from American University, live by the beach, and hope to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day.
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Max power output: 400 watts | Weight: 14.1 pounds| Warranty: 5 years | Type: Monocrystalline | Guaranteed capacity at 25 years: Yes
Renogy''s 400-watt kit is a popular choice for homeowners who want to install solar panels on their own. The kit contains four 100-watt panels, charge controllers, electrical wiring, fuses and monitoring—everything you need to get up and running. The set will create up to 2,500kWh of electricity a day, which is enough to power lights, your TV and kitchen appliances. This isn''t just for home use, though: You can use this set on an RV or boat, or use it to power outdoor appliances. An anti-corrosion frame and EVA film help protect your panels, regardless of where you put them.
Max power output: 200 watts | Weight: 26.5 pounds| Warranty: 5 years | Type: Monocrystalline | Guaranteed capacity at 25 years: Yes
Grape Solar''s 200-Watt panels are made of monocrystalline (a single piece of silicon that makes it easier for electricity to flow through) and designed for residents with smaller roofs, like cabins. At 28 x 62 inches, the panels are on the more petite side, allowing you to fit a few on your roof. These panels have 0 to 3% positive output power tolerance, along with multilayer sheet lamination to enhance cell performance over time. It''s also designed to work in weaker light conditions, as well as high temperatures. This panel can hold up to 50 pounds per square foot of wind and snow, making it a good choice for a range of climates, plus built-in mounting holes make it easy to install.
Max power output: 100 watts | Weight: 15.8 pounds| Warranty: Unspecified | Type: Monocrystalline | Guaranteed capacity at 25 years: No
With a 100-watt capacity, the Topsolar Solar Panel Kit isn''t your best bet for serving the power needs of a large home. But it''s a good choice for powering up RVs, boats, vans and smaller residences, or for experimenting with solar power to see what you do and don''t like. The kit has all the elements to get you set up, including Z mounting brackets, cables and a controller. The panels have pre-drilled holes for easy installation and are designed to stand up to higher winds and moderate snow loads. Keep in mind that, while this particular kit is 100 watts, Topsolar also has panels that go up to 340 watts to give you options.
Max power output: 100 watts | Weight: 10.33 pounds| Warranty: 2 years | Type: Monocrystalline | Guaranteed capacity at 25 years: No
Max power output: 100 watts | Weight: 11 pounds| Warranty: 18 months | Type: Monocrystalline | Guaranteed capacity at 25 years: No
Power is helpful when you''re camping, even if it''s just to make sure your phone stays charged. This solar panel from Anker converts up to 23% of sunlight into solar energy to keep you juiced up away from home. This kit features specialized Suncast technology to allow you to adjust your panel to snag the most direct sunlight. It also boasts a built-in adjustable kickstand to help you set up practically anywhere. The panel has a USB-C and a USB-A output port, so you can charge two devices at once directly from your panel. Plus, it''s scratch- and water-resistant to withstand time in the elements. At just 11 pounds, the panel is relatively easy to carry to your campsite.
Max power output: 440 watts | Weight: 18.3 pounds| Warranty: 25 year limited on panel | Type: Polycrystalline | Guaranteed capacity at 25 years: Yes
Nature Power''s 440-watt kit has all the tools you need to get your home up and running on solar energy. It features four 110-watt panels, along with a 750-watt power inverter, a 30-amp charge controller and wiring. This kit is designed for home use but flexible enough to be installed on boats, RVs and sheds. It''s made from polycrystalline silicon, which is less expensive and more sustainable than monocrystalline. The panel is encased in a sturdy aluminum frame, with a scratch-resistant and anti-reflective coating for durability.
Max power output: 550 watts | Weight: 62.8 pounds| Warranty: 10 years | Type: Monocrystalline | Guaranteed capacity at 25 years: Yes
These panels from Renogy are powerhouses. At 550 watts a piece, they pull in more power than most and have a nearly 23% conversion efficiency. The panels are built tough, too—they''re designed to operate between -40 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit, making them a good fit for most climates. The panels are made using half-cell technology, which is more flexible in shady situations and performs better in low light than its larger-paneled counterparts. Each panel in this set can create up to 2750 Wh of power in a day, which should be plenty to fuel your home. The frames are corrosion-resistant for durability. Keep in mind that these panels are heavier than most—you''ll want to ensure your roof can easily support their weight before purchasing.
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