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SunPower is one of the most respected names in the solar panel industry throughout 30 countries, and the company manufactures some of the best solar panels available. Its niche has been developing the highest-efficiency solar panels on the market, and the SunPower Maxeon 7DC is a great example of this.
Below, you can learn why the SunPower Maxeon 7DC 445W is our best-reviewed solar panel, and you can see all the important technical information and what the customers we surveyed* think of the brand.
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| Panel efficiency | 24.1% |
| Power output (W) | 445 W |
| Degradation first year | 2.00% |
| Degradation rate per year after first year | 0.25% |
| Product warranty | 40 years |
| Performance warranty | 40 years |
| Weight (kg) | 20.7 kg |
| Size (sq m) | 1.8 sq m |
According to SunPower, the Maxeon 7DC 445W is designed to work better in high temperatures, but it also maintains a high conversion rate in low-light conditions. This is because the panel’s factory-integrated microinverter allows the system to minimise the impact of shade on its performance.
The expected degradation rate is 2.00% in the first year, followed by 0.25% annually. This gives it a 10-year degradation rate of 4.25%, compared with an average of 4.77% for our best solar panels.
The size and weight of the Maxeon 7DC 445W also makes it suitable for smaller roofs. At 20.7 kg, it is notably lighter than the 23.5 kg average weight of the panels we’ve reviewed. Similarly, with a physical footprint of 1.8 square miles, it is smaller than the standard 2.2 square miles.
This is how the SunPower Maxeon 7DC 445W compares with other solar panels:
| Solar panel brand | FMB score (out of 10) | Efficiency | Power output | Product warranty | Performance warranty | Customer satisfaction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SunPower Maxeon 7DC | 8.9 | 24.1% | 445 W | 40 years | 40 years | 91.20% |
| Aiko ABC Neostar 3N54 | 7.4 | 24.8% | 495 W | 15 years | 30 years | 90.70% |
| JA Solar JAM72S30 LR | 6.4 | 22.1% | 585 W | 12 years | 25 years | 91.90% |
| Jinko Tiger Neo 72HL4-(V) | 7.1 | 23.4% | 605 W | 12 years | 30 years | 91.50% |
| Perlight PLM-435 DH8N 450W | 7.4 | 23.0% | 450 W | 30 years | 30 years | 91.70% |
| Project Solar Evo Max Super Series | 8.2 | 21.18% | 480 W | Lifetime | Lifetime | 94.40% |
| Suntech Ultra V Pro Mini | 7.2 | 23.2% | 515 W | 15 years | 30 years | 91.70% |
| REC Alpha Pure RX Series | 7.2 | 22.6% | 470 W | 20 years | 25 years | 92.10% |
Based on our research, the price of SunPower solar panels ranges between £200 and £300 per panel. However, the specific cost of your setup will depend on the model you choose, the price of your solar panel installer, the size of your system and whether you are eligible for a solar panel grant.
The SunPower Maxeon 7DC requires minimal maintenance, and its warranty covers any damage to the solar panel. As per the SunPower website, the company designed the panels with typical debris accumulation in mind, and seasonal rain should clear such debris or dust from the surface.
However, if severe soiling occurs, you can clean the panels from the ground with a standard garden hose. You should do so early in the morning or late in the evening when the panels are cooler.
With 90% of surveyed customers saying the brand met or exceeded their expectations for energy production, SunPower scored the lowest of the providers we reviewed. The average across all brands was 92%.
However, 43% of customers said they would “very much recommend” SunPower solar panels, while 53% said they would “somewhat recommend” the brand.
There’s a reason the SunPower Maxeon 7DC 445W is our best-reviewed solar panel. Lengthy product and performance warranties, a below-average 10-year degradation rate and a sustainable ethos all make it easy for us to recommend it. As a bonus, its size and weight make it ideal for smaller roofs.
With a score of 8.9 out of 10, the SunPower Maxeon 6AC 445W is our best-reviewed solar panel.
Maxeon Solar Technologies manufactures SunPower solar panels. SunPower Corporation UK Ltd. – a subsidiary of Maxeon Solar Technologies – sells the panels in the UK.
The SunPower Corporation has declared bankruptcy in the US. However, the manufacturer of SunPower solar panels, Maxeon Solar Technologies, is a completely separate company, so SunPower Corp’s bankruptcy does not affect it.
When we review solar panels, our final score is based on the following:
*FMB survey of 2,004 solar panel owners, June 2024.
