The best solar panels in the UK?

Buying solar panels is like buying a new car.

It pays to shop around.

We want the Aston Martin of solar panels, not the banged-up Ford Pinto.

(Or at least a nice Volkswagon…)

A quick read of our Free Solar Guide will teach you everything you need to know to keep you from buying a dud!

But to get you started, here are a couple of quick tips on what to look for when shopping for a good solar panel:

• Efficiency
• Quality
• Durability
• Cost

Historically, in the world of solar panels, efficiency was the name of the game.

Like when buying a car, you don’t want a gas guzzler that gives you limited miles for your hard-earned money.

The same goes for our solar panels.

You want to get the most power for your pounds.

To measure this, we need to look at the efficiency rating of the solar panel.

This tells us the percentage of sunlight the panel converts to usable electricity.

Choosing a high-efficiency panel is particularly important if you live in a shady spot.

And, as we sadly know, sunshine isn’t in abundance here in the UK.

Generally, you want to be looking for a panel with an efficiency of at least 20% or above.

But let’s not go crazy!

Higher efficiency usually comes with a higher price tag.

Having more panels with lower efficiency might be more economical if you have the room.

Remember, we want to maximize our investment return – not get distracted by the idea of producing maximum electricity with limited financial gain!

So, now you know how to measure efficiency, but how do you measure solar panel quality?

To make the comparison easier for customers, all solar panels undergo factory testing under the same Standard Test Conditions.

That way you know you’re comparing apples to apples.

Let's look at some key performance parameters for comparison

• Power Degradation Data: All solar panels degrade over time. Power degradation data tells you the rate at which you can expect this to occur.
• Temperature Coefficients: Solar panels lose efficiency when they heat up over a certain temperature. Temperature coefficient data will tell you how much power is lost when a panel increases in temperature.
• Durability Testing: All panels undergo factory stress testing. Data parameters to look for are mechanical load testing, hail testing, thermal cycling, and humidity and moisture resistance. This data helps us understand how the panel will hold up in the outside world and weather conditions.

Now, let’s talk about durability…

The Merriam-webster dictionary defines durability as:

“Able to exist for a long time without significant deterioration in quality or value.”

Yes, this! This is what we want for our solar panels.

But how can you be sure of your panels’ durability?

Guarantees.

Ahhhhh, don’t you feel cosy and safe just hearing that word.

A solar panel guarantee is a promise made by the manufacturer regarding the expected performance and reliability of the solar panels.

The better the guarantee, the higher confidence the manufacturer has in their product and the more confident and relaxed you can feel about your purchase.

There are two types of guarantees:

• Efficiency guarantee - covers the expected power output of the panels over a specified period of time. A typical guarantee might assure 85% of the nominal production after 25 years of use.
• Product warranty - covers the actual panels and related equipment in the case of damage or malfunction.

Product warranties typically last around 12 to 15 years.

But some manufacturers offer product warranties of up to 30 years!

Generally, a longer efficiency guarantee and product warranty signifies a higher quality panel.

But, remember to check the fine print (what voids the guarantee, who carries the burden of proof, is labour included, and so on…)

Cost…

Most people start with the cost.

In my view, that’s the wrong way to evaluate a long-term investment.

After all,

“Price is what you pay, value is what you get.”
Warren Buffett

A more expensive panel can be a better value than a cheaper panel.

We have seen an influx of cheaper, non-brand Chinese panels.

Panels that break after 5 years.

If your solar panel is kaput after 5 years, you will never see a positive return on your investment.

No matter how low the initial price tag was.

A broken, low-quality solar panel is terrible for your wallet and bad for the environment.

Now we’ve gotten to grips with efficiency ratings, product guarantees, warranties and cost.

But we want to leave you with a final tip!

Sometimes, sales reps boast that their panels are “Tier 1”.

Let's look at what this really means…

Bloomberg New Energy Finance has developed a ranking system for solar panel manufacturers.

The ranking indicates a manufacturer’s financial reliability – not quality.

To be clear, the panel itself is not “Tier 1”.

However, a more financially stable manufacturer is a good thing as they will likely still be around if there are any problems in the future.

So, buying from a Tier 1 manufacturer can add an extra level of trust to your purchase and its associated guarantees and warranties.

However, be aware that just because a panel is from a “Tier 1” manufacturer doesn’t automatically mean it is high-quality.

Do you risk making these 5 mistakes when going solar?

It’s not only about choosing the right panels – there are 5 common mistakes you need to avoid when going solar.

You don’t need to spend 6 months trying to learn everything about solar to be able to find the right solar installer…

Get our Free Solar Guide and in 10 minutes, you’ll be able to break through the solar rep’s sales spiel and make sure you get the right solar system with maximum ROI!