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We review the JA Solar to see how it compares to other mid-range solar panels in the UK.
Known for its budget and mid-range solar panels, JA Solar manufactures some of the best solar panels in that market segment. The most efficient solar panel suitable for residential use is the JA Solar JAM72S30 LR 585W.
JA Solar started out as a premium solar panel manufacturer but has become much more affordable in recent years. The majority of online reviews for JA Solar are extremely positive, and the Fortune China 500 and Global Top 500 New Energy Enterprises have listed the company for several consecutive years.
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| Panel efficiency | 22.1% |
| Power output (W) | 585W |
| Degradation first year | 2.00% |
| Degradation rate per year after first year | 0.55% |
| Product warranty | 12 years |
| Performance warranty | 25 years |
| Weight (kg) | 28 kg |
| Size (sq m) | 2.6 sq m |
JA Solar JAM72S30 LR solar panels are monocrystalline, so when sunlight hits the silicon semiconductor, the panels conduct and convert the sun’s energy to electricity. Along with their solar panels, a typical household would purchase a JA Solar kit, which includes microinverters, monitoring equipment, accessories and racking (depending on the configuration and size of the roof).
This is how the JA Solar JAM72S30 LR 585W compares with other solar panels:
| Solar panel brand | FMB score (out of 10) | Efficiency | Power output | Product warranty | Performance warranty | Customer satisfaction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JA Solar JAM72S30 LR | 6.4 | 22.1% | 585W | 12 years | 25 years | 91.50% |
| Aiko ABC Neostar 3N54 | 7.4 | 24.8% | 495W | 15 years | 30 years | 90.70% |
| Jinko Tiger Neo 72HL4-(V) | 7.1 | 23.4% | 605W | 12 years | 30 years | 91.70% |
| Perlight PLM-435 DH8N 450W | 7.4 | 23.0% | 450W | 30 years | 30 years | 94.40% |
| Project Solar Evo Max Super Series | 8.2 | 21.18% | 480W | Lifetime | Lifetime | 91.90% |
| SunPower Maxeon 7DC | 8.9 | 24.1% | 445W | 40 years | 40 years | 91.20% |
| Suntech Ultra V Pro Mini | 7.2 | 23.2% | 515W | 15 years | 30 years | 91.70% |
| REC Alpha Pure RX Series | 7.2 | 22.6% | 470W | 20 years | 25 years | 92.10% |
Based on our research, you can expect to pay between £85 and £150 per JA Solar solar panel. However, the exact price will depend on the specific model of solar panel you choose.
Typically, you’ll buy a solar panel system rather than individual panels, so it’s best to get a comprehensive quote, including installation costs, from a solar panel installer. To reduce the overall cost, you should also investigate whether you could benefit from a solar panel grant or buying scheme.
You don’t need to do any maintenance on JA Solar panels, and the company fully guarantees its product for 12 years. You can claim on the performance warranty if performance drops below the expected range at any given point in the panel’s first 25 years – for example, below 98% in year 1.
If the panels become very soiled, you can clean them with a soft sponge and water, but you shouldn’t use chemical cleaners. Instead of climbing on the roof to clean panels manually, you should hose the solar panels down from the ground. It’s worth noting that cleaning should always be done when the panels are at their coolest (in the early morning or evening).
According to our survey, 44% of JA Solar customers found that the maintenance requirements for their panels “exceeded expectations”, meaning they required less upkeep than they had anticipated. Meanwhile, only 34% of customers found that their JA Solar panels exceeded their expectations for energy production.
Overall, 46% of the JA Solar customers we surveyed would “very much recommend” their panels, while 53% would “somewhat recommend” them.
A power output of 585W means you’ll need fewer panels, and with a relatively low price per panel, the JA Solar JAM72S30 LR could be an option if you want to get solar on a budget.
Unfortunately, this panel has the lowest FMB score of all the solar panels we’ve reviewed. This is mostly due to it having the highest annual degradation rate, the shortest warranties and a middling efficiency rating compared with other solar panels.
Founded in 2005 as JingAo Solar Co, JA Solar is a long-standing solar panel brand. It offers a range of panels for residential and industrial use, including the JAM72S30 LR 585W, which we gave 6.6 out of 10.
Yes, JA Solar is a Chinese company based in Beijing. In 2023, it became the first Chinese private sector company – and the world’s first solar brand – to become a member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.
Yes, JA Solar is a Tier 1 Bloomberg solar panel manufacturer, and only 2% of solar brands in the world have this status. A Tier 1 rating denotes that a solar company offers high-quality products and is financially stable and reliable.
*FMB survey of 2,004 solar panel owners, June 2024.
