What does solar panel efficiency mean?
Solar panels work by converting sunlight into energy to power our homes. Solar panel efficiency is how much sunlight reaches the panel to be converted into electricity, and an efficiency rating measures how well the panel completes this process. The higher the percentage, the more efficient the panel. Not all sunlight can be absorbed — most solar panels today run at about 19–21% efficiency. Generally, the solar panel cost will be more expensive the higher the efficiency rating it has.
Most efficient solar panels at a glance
We found the most efficient solar panels to be:
- SunPower® A-Series: up to 22.8% efficiency
- Jinko Solar Tiger Pro: up to 21.3% efficiency
- LG NeON® 2 Series: up to 21.2% efficiency
- Panasonic EverVolt: up to 21.2% efficiency
- Hanwha Q CELLS: up to 20.9% efficiency
Keep reading to discover more details about the best solar panels for your home, how solar panel efficiency benefits you, and ways to increase the efficiency of your solar panels right now.
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Why is solar panel efficiency important?
There are several benefits of an efficient solar panel.
- Cost: High-efficiency panels may cost more but can also help you save money because you can install fewer panels to meet your energy needs.
- Energy generation: Efficient solar panels are a better value because they create more electricity than a less efficient panel. Greater solar panel efficiency can increase the amount of energy your panels generate.
- Net metering: Generating more electricity can increase your net metering returns. Net metering allows you to exchange excess energy from your solar panels for electricity bill credits.
- Battery storage: The best solar battery can be a temporary power source during a power outage. Having efficient solar panels can help quickly replenish your battery storage after use.
Top 5 high-efficiency solar panels
Solar panels come with an efficiency rating typically found in the “key features” or “product specs” area of the panel description. That said, the efficiency percentage is not the only data point you should pay attention to when searching for the most efficient solar panels for your house. The following table highlights several other key features of the most efficient solar panels on the market.
| Rank | Manufacturers | Efficiency | Materials | Wattage Range | Panel Dimensions (L x W x H) |
|---|
| 1 | SunPower® A-Series | 20.9—22.8% | Monocrystalline | 400—425 | 72.2 x 40 x 1.2 inches |
| 2 | Jinko Solar Tiger Pro 72HC | 20.6—21.3% | Monocrystalline | 530—550 | 89.5 x 44.7 x 1.4 inches |
| 3 | LG NeON® 2 Series | 19.4—21.2% | Monocrystalline | 360—450 | 83.9 x 41 x 1.6 inches |
| 4 | Panasonic EverVolt | 20.6—21.2% | Monocrystalline | 360—370 | 67.8 x 40 x 1.2 inches |
| 5 | Hanwha Q CELLS | 19.5—20.9% | Monocrystalline | 350—410 | 66.3 x 39.4 x 1.3 inches |
Methodology
To help you cut through the extensive amount of data, we’ve narrowed down the top five most efficient solar panels. To determine the most efficient solar panels, we looked at how each top manufacturer performed in the following categories and compiled this information:
- Efficiency
- Materials
- Wattage
- Panel dimensions
Cost of the most efficient solar panels
The price of efficient solar panels will vary depending on which brand you purchase, where you live, your solar installer, and other factors. However, there are a few ways to diminish the cost with solar panel incentives and rebates, such as:
What makes a solar panel efficient?
There are other factors to consider when evaluating the efficiency of a solar panel. For example, wattage, panel dimensions, structure, and materials can also influence the total solar output of a panel. These factors contribute to the amount of solar energy created by the panels. However, they do not always correlate in the way you would expect. For example, just having a high wattage does not necessarily mean a panel is more efficient. Therefore, it’s a good idea to examine all the specifications of a solar panel rather than focusing on just one aspect. Here are other features that contribute to a solar panel’s efficiency:
- Wattage: A solar panel’s power is measured in watts. Watts are the result of voltage multiplied by current.
- Panel size: A larger panel can typically produce more wattage, resulting in better efficiency.
- Structure: A solar panel’s composition includes busbars that conduct electricity within the panel. The placement and amount of busbars can affect efficiency.
- Material: Solar panels are made of silicon in multiple forms. They can be monocrystalline, polycrystalline, or amorphous, with monocrystalline rated as the most efficient.
- Reflection: You want your solar panels to absorb sunlight, not reflect it. The reflection percentage is low across all solar panel brands due to anti-reflective coatings.
How can I make my solar panels more efficient?
Adding a good solar battery to your home solar system is the easiest way to make your solar panels more efficient. A solar battery can hold the energy your solar panels create during peak daytime hours, so you can use it during off-peak hours. Here are some other ideas for increasing solar panel efficiency during various types of weather:
- Make solar panels more efficient in cold weather: Cold weather will not necessarily negatively affect solar panel efficiency if there is still sunlight. However, if your panels are covered by snow for multiple days, it may cause a temporary reduction in efficiency. Having your solar panels installed at a slightly steeper angle can help melting snow fall off quicker.
- Make solar panels more efficient in hot weather: Contrary to what you might expect, extreme heat can lower the efficiency of solar panels. While there’s nothing you can do to make a hot day cooler, you can select panels with a low temperature coefficient. A temperature coefficient measures the electrical resistance in relation to temperature. You can find a panel’s temperature coefficient in the product specifications. That said, panels with low temperature coefficients tend to also fall lower on the overall efficiency rating, so it’s a bit of a trade-off. If you live in an exceptionally hot climate, discuss with your solar installer whether a low-temp coefficient panel would be a good choice for you.
- Make solar panels more efficient when it’s raining: The good news is that rain helps the efficiency of your solar panels in the long run because it rinses away dirt and debris blocking your panels from absorbing sunlight.
The bottom line on the most efficient home solar panels
Whether you are financing, leasing your solar panels, or using a solar power purchase agreement (PPA), the efficiency of your panels is a key factor in the amount of electricity you will be able to generate with your home solar system. Keep in mind that if you are looking for solar panels for your RV, the specs will be significantly different from residential solar panels.