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We compare top solar brands – including Project Solar, Jinko Solar, SunPower, JA Solar, and Suntech – to pick the best solar panels in the UK in 2024.
Our experts assessed a broad range of solar panels to help you decide which options best suit your needs. While looking at different providers, we examined the cost of solar panels, as well as their efficiency, reliability and low-light performance. As a result, our choice for the best overall solar panel is Project Solar’s Evolution Titan 445 – it ticks all the important boxes, combining a high power output with a lifetime warranty.
There are several options available on the market, so we also looked at other top brands to determine which offer the best budget solar panel, the best sustainable choice, the best for small spaces and the most efficient solar panel.
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The average home can save £1,190 every year with solar panels!
| Panel | Best for: | Power output | Efficiency | Price | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project Solar Evolution Titan 445 | Best overall | 445W | 21.40% | About £400 per panel | Lifetime |
| Jinko Solar Tiger Neo 420W N-Type 54 Cell | Sustainability | 420W | 21.30% | About £177 per panel | 25-year product warranty, 30-year power output warranty |
| SunPower Maxeon 5 AC 415W | Efficiency | 415W | 22.20% | About £400 per panel | 25-year product and performance warranty, with option to extend to 40 years extension |
| JA Solar JAM72S30 | Power output | 550W | 21.30% | About £164 per panel | 12-year product warranty, 25-year linear power output warranty |
| Suntech Ultra V Mini Mono 405W | Budgets | 450W | 20.70% | About £170 per panel | 15-year product warranty, 25-year performance warranty |
| Aiko NEOSTAR 2n Mono-Glass 450-470W | Small spaces | 450W | 23.60% | About £80 per panel | 15-year product warranty, 30-year performance warranty |
Several factors will determine the best solar panels for your home and energy consumption needs. The first step is to consider how much power your solar panels should generate. You can look at your latest energy bill to find your household’s average daily energy consumption, which will tell you how much energy your solar panels will need to produce to meet your needs. This will vary, but a solar panel generates around 2kWh of energy on average each day.
Once you know the size of the solar panel system you need, ask yourself: Do I have enough roof space for the solar panels I want? Is my roof often in the shade? Which factors matter to me the most in a solar panel? These questions can help aid your decision between different panels.
Company overview
Award-winning Project Solar is the largest and most accredited solar panel installation company in the UK. It has installed over 45,000 solar panel systems and stands apart with its exceptional services and market-leading energy products.
But it’s Project Solar’s product warranties that give it its edge.
Project Solar offers a lifetime warranty
According to our research, even though solar panels have a lifespan of more than 25 years, most companies only offer a 15-year product warranty. Project Solar offers some of the longest warranties on the market; its Evolution Titan 445 solar panel even comes with a lifetime warranty.
The Evolution Titan 445 has an efficiency of 21.4 per cent, which is achieved with its innovative structure and high-density layout, meaning its power output is high even with a small surface area. For homeowners concerned about the aesthetic of their solar panels, the Evolution Titan 445 has a sleek ultra-black design.
Thanks to its bifacial design, Project Solar also claims that this solar panel delivers optimal performance, even in low-light conditions – a concern for many UK homeowners – due to the country’s lack of sunny weather. Bifacial panels use solar panel cells that can generate energy from both the front and reverse surfaces, maximising light capture and, therefore, energy production.
Unlike other manufacturers that give prices per panel, Project Solar offers bespoke quotes for a solar panel system. This means you should request free quotes from the company directly to determine the exact price of your system. According to our research, the Evolution Titan 445 panels cost around £400 per panel.
Read our full Project Solar review.
Company overview
Headquartered in Shanghai, China, Jinko Solar is a major solar module manufacturer. Its products are available in more than 160 countries worldwide, and it is known for its innovations in the photovoltaic (PV) industry, such as being one of the first companies to offer N-type monocrystalline cells.
Why we chose the Jinko Solar Tiger panel as the most sustainable option
While all solar panels are technically a sustainable choice, as they reduce or completely eliminate your household’s reliance on non-renewable energy, some panels remain better for the environment than others. Jinko Solar commits to the RE100 and EP100 initiatives, meaning it pledges to use 100 per cent renewable energy for global operations by 2025. These commitments prove the company’s dedication to sustainability. Jinko Solar is also a Bloomberg Tier 1 solar panel manufacturer.
Consider some of these pros when choosing a Jinko Solar Tiger panel. This panel has an above-average efficiency of 21.27 per cent and a high power output of 425W. It can also withstand adverse environmental conditions thanks to its high resistance to salt mist and ammonia. Furthermore, this solar panel has a low degradation rate. Over a 30-year period, the panel has an annual degradation of just 0.44 per cent, while most other panels can degrade by up to 2 per cent in the first year, with a higher degradation rate from year two on.
Solar panels have a relatively long lifespan, which is why Jinko Solar’s 25-year product warranty is another attractive benefit. The panel also comes with a 30-year power output warranty. According to our research, the average price of this solar panel is around £177 per panel.
Bloomberg New Energy Finance Tier 1 status signifies the company has a strong reputation for quality, reliability and financial stability, as well as for well-manufactured products. Only 2 per cent of solar companies worldwide are listed as Tier 1.
Company overview
SunPower Corporation, founded in 1985 by Richard Swanson, is an American company specialising in solar energy systems and solar battery storage, mainly for residential customers. It originally developed and manufactured PV panels. However, in 2020, SunPower launched Maxeon Solar Technologies as a spin-off of this part of its business. Now, it sells Maxeon and SunPower products in more than 100 countries.
Why is the SunPower panel the most efficient option?
Throughout our research, the SunPower Maxeon 5 AC 415W solar panel stood out among its competitors thanks to its high efficiency of 22.2 per cent, which means you can power your home with fewer panels.
In addition to its high efficiency, the Maxeon 5 has a low annual degradation rate of just 0.25 per cent – one of the best on the market.
The panel also comes with a 25-year warranty, with the option to extend it to 40 years. As SunPower estimated it to have a 40-year useful life, your warranty is likely to last the whole of the panel’s lifespan.
On the downside, the SunPower Maxeon 5 is one of the most expensive solar panels on the market. While prices are not published on the company’s website, our research suggests you could pay around £400 per panel. However, because of its high power output and efficiency, you’ll be able to invest in fewer panels to achieve the same output as other brands.
Company overview
JA Solar designs, develops and manufactures solar panels in Shanghai, China. Founded in 2005, the company has 12 manufacturing bases, and its panels are available in over 135 countries and regions, including the UK.
Why does JA Solar’s panel have the best power output?
Throughout our research, we found that the JA Solar JAM72S30 solar panels boast an impressive 550W maximum power output (PMax), much higher than most domestic solar panels.
While the JAM72S30 does not have the highest efficiency on the market at 21.3 per cent, it has a degradation rate of just 0.55 per cent per year across its 25-year linear power output warranty, compared to some panels that lose as much as 2 per cent in the first year.
However, JA Solar offers a standard 12-year product warranty on the JAM72S30, which is low considering the solar panel’s lifespan is about twice as long. In addition, its warranty is below the 15-year average we discovered during our research. Therefore, this might not be the best panel for peace of mind.
The JAM72S30 panels are available from some suppliers at around £164 per panel. As they offer one of the highest power outputs for domestic solar panels, we think they’re worth considering if you can look past the shorter warranty period.
Read our full JA Solar review.
Company overview
Founded in 2001, Suntech has over 20 years of experience in solar panel manufacturing, and its panels are used in 100 countries and regions worldwide.
Why is Suntech’s Ultra V Mini our best solar panel for those on a budget?
Thanks to its advanced cell technology, the Suntech Ultra V Mini has an efficiency of 20.7 per cent. To put that into context, solar panels with an efficiency of over 20 per cent are considered good. The panel also offers a commendable power output of 405W, which is above the average solar panel’s efficiency of between 200W and 400W. Its excellent low-light performance is also noteworthy, which means the panel’s power output is still decent in weak light conditions, such as cloudy weather, early mornings and sunset.
When choosing a solar panel, remember to consider degradation. Unfortunately, Suntech’s Ultra V Mini has a 2 per cent power degradation for the first year and 0.55 per cent for every subsequent year, which is among the highest discovered in our research.
Suntech’s Ultra V Mini is our best budget option at £170 per solar panel. It comes with a 15-year product warranty, which is average compared to competitors.
Company overview
AIKO Solar was established in 1996. Today, it provides monocrystalline panels alongside battery storage systems. AIKO’s All-Black panels can be mounted onto any type of roof, and because they don’t have grid lines, their look is sleek and seamless.
Why are AIKO All-Black panels so good for small spaces?
AIKO All-Black panels have a stylish black design and no grid lines, meaning they look good on all roof types. The second-generation NEOSTAR panels now feature partial shading optimisation, so if your roof isn’t always in full daylight – which might be the case if you live in semi-detached housing or a city with several buildings around yours – the panels will work harder to maintain their efficiency.
The panels have a high efficiency of up to 23.6 per cent and a 30-year linear performance warranty, which provides even greater peace of mind. Their degradation rates are similarly impressive, at 1 per cent in the first year and just 0.35 per cent between years 2 and 30. With a power output of 450W, these panels seem to tick every box. Unfortunately, pricing information is not widely available, but a representative from the brand told us that these panels were around £80 per panel.
| Solar panel | Warranty | Efficiency | Power output | Price per panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LONGi Solar Hi-Mo6 | 25-year product warranty, 25 year performance warranty | 21.80% | 425W | Around £90 |
| REA Fusion 2 Bifacial | 25-year product and performance warranty | 23.90% | 420W | Around £400 |
Now that you know the best solar panels for you, you can start to think about where to get your solar panels and what the installation process might be like. We’ve broken down this key information here.
There are over 2,000 solar panel providers nationwide, so knowing which one to choose can be difficult. We’ve reviewed several of the best solar installers in the UK and considered such factors as reliability, cost, certifications and accreditations (always choose an MCS-accredited installer) and the installation warranties for each. And yes, it is possible to install your own solar panels; however, we would never recommend it considering the risks to the quality of installation and your own health and safety.
To secure the best deal on solar panels:
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We derived our selection of the best solar panels from extensive research to guarantee high quality and adherence to superior industry standards. To make our choices, our team consulted industry experts, analysed numerous online reviews and studied the technical data documents for each solar panel.
The total cost of a solar panel system − and the amount of money you can save on your electricity bill − varies based on:
You should expect to pay a little more for the best solar panels. However, if you’re opting for panels that will last for several years without quick degradation rates or waning efficiency, the return on your investment will be worthwhile. Keep in mind that while installing solar panels is definitely a pricey choice, cost isn’t necessarily the most important factor when deciding on the right panels. You should also consider the elements we’ve laid out above, including warranties, reliability and power output.
The panel’s power output indicates the amount of energy the panel can supply to your home in optimal conditions. A panel delivering more power means reduced reliance on grid-supplied electricity, or the possibility of eliminating your dependence completely. However, you may be able to eliminate your dependence completely. The power output of a panel is measured by its PMax, which represents a panel’s maximum power output under optimal conditions.
Solar panel efficiency describes how well the panel can capture and convert solar energy. Efficiency is measured via the percentage of daylight converted into usable electricity. Typically, domestic panels achieve an efficiency of 16-20 per cent. Solar panels naturally suffer from some degradation over their lifespan. This degradation rate is usually between 1-2 per cent in the first year and gets lower in subsequent years.
We assessed reliability through customer reviews, expert analysis and benchmarks from such entities as PV Evolution Labs (PVEL). PVEL is an independent reliability and performance testing laboratory generating trustworthy solar panel data.
Manufacturers offer warranties that indicate the durability and quality of their panels. This is a critical factor in our evaluations, as it highlights the manufacturer’s confidence and gives the homeowner a sense of security.
Solar panels naturally degrade over time. Typically, there is a 1-2 per cent efficiency loss during the first year, followed by an annual degradation rate of about 0.2-0.7 per cent. A performance warranty guarantees that the panels will perform as expected.
Considering that the reason for choosing to install solar panels most often arises out of a desire to reduce reliability on non-renewable energy sources, it makes sense to research the manufacturer’s environmental stance and ethics. Not all companies use recycled materials in their production process, though most solar brands have announced initiatives to reduce their carbon footprint during production. Ideally, look out for companies that don’t use lead or fluoride in their solar panel production. When it comes to smart credentials, most panels can connect to smart meters and monitoring apps, which is also ideal for selling energy to the national grid and diverting energy to other appliances.
Construction materials used to produce solar panels influence their efficiency, durability and cost, as well as their environmental impact. Silicon, known for its semiconducting properties, is the most common material in the production of solar panels, with monocrystalline cells offering higher efficiency at a higher cost and polycrystalline cells providing lower efficiency at a lower price. The choice of assembly materials, such as glass, frame and backing, ensures the panels’ sturdiness and longevity. The production of thin-film solar panels (which are less common for domestic systems) uses a material that can damage the environment – another reason monocrystalline PV panels are the best option.
As with any purchase, it’s a good idea to consider the company’s reputation. We’ve combed through several product and company reviews in our research, and we’ve only included companies that are known for their reliable products and good customer service.
The field of solar technology is continuously evolving, with numerous advancements aiming to increase panel efficiency and reduce costs. One of the best options on the market now is the Project Solar Evolution Titan 445 solar panel. This panel represents a significant leap forward in solar energy advancements, incorporating sophisticated engineering to achieve higher energy conversion efficiencies.
You’ll benefit from lower energy bills. In addition, your solar panels may add value to your house should you decide to sell in the future. According to Admiral Money, installing a solar panel system could add up to 25 per cent to the value of your home.
While the installation and quote process for choosing solar panels is the same across installers and manufacturers, the quality of panels varies across each type. Most panels will have different degradation rates, power output, efficiency and temperature coefficients. Prices can vary, too. All of these factors affect your solar panel system’s lifespan and quality, so it’s important to thoroughly research brands and their panels.
