Solar Panel Comparison Guide

SunPower is one of the most recognized names in residential solar, known for industry-leading efficiency and sleek all-black panel designs. After spinning off its manufacturing arm as Maxeon Solar Technologies, SunPower focuses on residential solar solutions and installations across the United States.

REC Group is a leading European solar manufacturer headquartered in Norway with production facilities in Singapore. Known for pioneering half-cut cell technology and their patented HJT cell design, REC delivers some of the highest-performing residential panels on the market.

Panasonic has been a leader in solar technology for decades, known for its EverVolt line of high-efficiency HJT panels. The company leverages its deep electronics expertise to produce panels with excellent temperature coefficients and long-term reliability that perform well in all climates.

LG Solar was a highly respected premium solar panel manufacturer before announcing its exit from the solar business in 2022. Despite no longer producing new panels, LG NeON series panels remain widely available through existing inventory and continue to be serviced under warranty.

Maxeon Solar Technologies was spun off from SunPower in 2020 to focus on manufacturing the world's highest-efficiency solar panels. The company holds the record for the most efficient commercially available residential solar panels, with their interdigitated back contact (IBC) cell design delivering unmatched performance.

Solaria is a California-based solar company known for its innovative shingled cell technology that eliminates gaps between cells for a clean, all-black appearance. Their PowerXT panels offer a premium aesthetic without sacrificing performance, making them popular for design-conscious homeowners.

Meyer Burger is a Swiss precision technology company that transitioned from making solar manufacturing equipment to producing its own premium heterojunction (HJT) solar panels. Their panels are manufactured in Germany using proprietary cell technology, positioning them as a European alternative to Asian manufacturers.

SunPower by Maxeon represents the commercial and industrial product line from Maxeon Solar Technologies, designed for large-scale rooftop and ground-mount installations. These panels combine Maxeon's legendary cell efficiency with formats optimized for commercial applications, offering the highest energy density for space-constrained projects.

Q Cells (Hanwha Q Cells) is one of the largest solar panel manufacturers in the world, combining German engineering heritage with Korean manufacturing scale. Their Q.PEAK DUO line is among the most popular choices for residential installations in the US, offering strong performance at competitive prices.

Canadian Solar is one of the world's largest solar module manufacturers, with a strong reputation for delivering reliable, cost-effective panels at massive scale. Headquartered in Ontario, the company operates manufacturing facilities worldwide and offers an extensive product lineup spanning residential, commercial, and utility-scale applications.

JinkoSolar is the world's largest solar panel manufacturer by shipments, producing hundreds of gigawatts of modules annually. Their Tiger Neo series featuring N-type TOPCon cells represents the cutting edge of mass-produced solar technology, offering premium performance at mid-range pricing.

Trina Solar is one of the world's leading solar module manufacturers and a pioneer in photovoltaic technology since the late 1990s. Their Vertex series panels, featuring advanced cell interconnection and large-format wafer technology, are widely used in residential, commercial, and utility installations across the globe.

LONGi Green Energy Technology is the world's largest manufacturer of monocrystalline silicon wafers and one of the top solar module producers globally. The company has been instrumental in driving down solar costs through vertical integration and technological innovation, with their Hi-MO series setting industry benchmarks.

Silfab Solar is a North American solar panel manufacturer with factories in Washington state and Ontario, Canada. The company focuses on producing high-quality, American-made panels using automated manufacturing processes, making it a top choice for customers who want domestically produced solar equipment.

First Solar is America's largest solar panel manufacturer and the global leader in thin-film cadmium telluride (CdTe) photovoltaic technology. Unlike traditional silicon panels, First Solar's thin-film modules offer unique advantages including better performance in hot and humid climates and a lower carbon manufacturing footprint.

Mission Solar Energy is a San Antonio, Texas-based solar panel manufacturer producing high-quality modules in the USA. As one of the few remaining American solar cell and module manufacturers, Mission Solar serves the residential, commercial, and government markets with domestically sourced products.

JA Solar is one of the world's largest solar cell and module manufacturers, consistently ranking among the top five globally by shipment volume. Known for their DeepBlue series, JA Solar combines scale-driven affordability with solid engineering to serve residential, commercial, and utility markets worldwide.

Aptos Solar Technology is a newer US-based solar company founded by industry veterans, headquartered in Silicon Valley. The company focuses on innovative module designs including their dual-cell technology which improves shade tolerance and overall energy harvest compared to conventional panels.

Hanwha Qcells represents the US-manufactured product line from Q Cells, produced at their state-of-the-art factory in Dalton, Georgia. As the largest solar panel manufacturing facility in the Western Hemisphere, the Dalton plant produces panels that qualify for domestic content incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act.

Axitec is a German solar module manufacturer that offers a range of high-quality panels at budget-friendly prices. The company focuses on providing reliable, tested modules through its global distribution network, leveraging German engineering standards while keeping costs competitive.

Phono Solar, a subsidiary of the Sumec Group (a Fortune 500 state-owned enterprise), is a large-scale Chinese solar module manufacturer. The company offers value-oriented panels for residential and commercial applications, with their Draco series providing decent performance at very competitive price points.

ZNShine Solar (formerly known as Znshine PV-Tech) is a vertically integrated Chinese solar manufacturer with decades of glass manufacturing experience. The company leverages its expertise in solar glass production to offer competitively priced modules with a focus on durability and self-cleaning coatings.

Astronergy (a subsidiary of CHINT Group) is a rapidly growing Chinese solar manufacturer that has expanded aggressively into global markets. Their ASTRO N series featuring TOPCon technology has gained traction for offering high-performance modules at competitive prices for both commercial and residential applications.

Risen Energy is one of China's leading solar module manufacturers, listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. The company offers a comprehensive range of modules from budget residential panels to large-format utility products, with their Titan series representing their latest generation of high-output modules.

Boviet Solar is a Vietnamese solar module manufacturer that has gained recognition for producing quality panels at budget-friendly prices. The company operates modern manufacturing facilities in Vietnam and has expanded into the US market as an alternative to Chinese-made panels, avoiding some tariff complications.