Solar panels take advantage of one of nature’s most powerful yet free resources: the free energy produced by the sun. Solar panels, also known as photovoltaic systems, use semiconductor technology to convert energy from sunlight into electricity that can power your household or business for free.
Why is it so important to use the best solar panel brands?
A recurring point we make is that solar panels last a long, long time; 25-30 years to be exact. This makes it important to buy solar panels with the following qualities:
- They are the least likely to fail.
- The manufacturer will honor their warranty if there is a fault.
- Installed by a local solar company who will still be in business if there is a fault — and will do the testing necessary to lodge a successful warranty claim with the manufacturer.
This third point is very important in practical terms, and a good reason why it is not always wise to buy solar from the cheapest company.
What are Tier 1 solar panel manufacturers?
The concept of an elite list of Tier 1 solar panel manufacturers was first used by Bloomberg New Energy in a report on the “bankability” of different solar panel brands. They chose brands that had been financed on a non-recourse basis by several banks, over several different projects greater than 1.5 megawatts in size.
While Bloombeg’s definition of Tier 1 is somewhat useful, in our view it’s insufficient as a guide for consumers. It only judges the solar panels based on past performance, and doesn’t attempt to predict the future reliability of each manufacturer.
Given that solar panels last 25-30 years, we think much more weight should be given to the future prospects of the brand, as well as the manufacturer’s future economic viability.
The most powerful solar panels in the world 2020-2021
JA Solar launches the biggest module yet at the SNEC PV Power Expo in Shanghai. JA Solar unveiled what is thus far the world’s biggest and most powerful solar panel with an 810W model.
Aptly named Jumbo, the panel has quadruple layouts of 47 cells and dimensions of 2,220 by 1,757mm and utilizes a triple-cut cell design with 11 busbars. Also presented at the fair was a 780 W product from Tongwei and a 660 W module from Trina.
JA Solar
Chinese manufacturer JA Solar unveiled what is thus far the world’s biggest and most powerful panel with an 810 W model. Called Jumbo, the panel has quadruple layouts of 47 cells and dimensions of 2,220 by 1,757mm. This panel utilizes a triple-cut cell design with 11 busbars on 210mm wafers. JA puts the maximum power output at 800 W. Jumbo isn’t currently in mass production, and it might be some time before we see this mighty module on an average residential roof, but there are plenty of JA Solar modules packed full of technologies that push the boundaries of efficiency and they’re in stock right now.
JA Solar launched a new 525 W+ pv panel in May.
Tongwei
China’s largest cell manufacturer, Tongwei, unveiled its G12 module series with a power output ranging from 760 to 780 W. The series is also based on a 210mm wafer and multi-busbar (MBB) technology. Measuring 2,357mm by 1,612mm, it weighs 39kg. With MBB technology, Tongwei said the panel would reduce BOS and LCOE for investors and operators. The G12 series is likewise not yet in mass production.
Trina
Trina Solar presented a 660 W version of the Devex module. Trina said the new product had the same features and specifications as the Vertex 600 W panels it launched in mid-July, but with systematic optimization. The panel is based on 210mm wafers, MBB technology and high-density interconnection.
Trina last month formed the 600 W+ Photovoltaic Open Innovation Ecological Alliance with the aim of producing the next level of ultra-powerful modules.
More 500W plus, some 600W solar panels
Overall, 20 module manufacturers launched new solar panel module with a power output of over 500 W at SNEC. The list includes:
