What are the most efficient solar panels? Top brands in 2023

In the past years, solar technology has been making leaps and bounds toward higher solar cell efficiency, power output, and overall quality. Today, most top solar panels have conversion efficiencies above 20%, compared to their previous average of less than 15%. They also now mostly come with a warranty of 10-25 years, helping you feel more confident in the longevity of your purchase. It’s important to know what determines solar panel efficiency so your investment in solar can generate the most energy and ultimately save the most money on your electric bill.

Key takeaways about solar panel efficiency

• The most efficient solar panels available today are 22.8% efficient.
• Solar panel efficiency is the percentage of incoming sunlight a single solar panel can convert into electricity.
• The most efficient solar cells developed by scientists offer 39.5% efficiency (but these are not commercially available).
• SunPower, Canadian Solar, REC, and Panasonic make the most efficient solar panels available on the market.
• Start comparing solar quotes with high-efficiency equipment on the EnergySage Marketplace.

What is solar panel efficiency?

Solar panel efficiency is a measurement of a solar panel’s ability to convert sunlight into usable electricity. For example, if the sun shines on a high-efficiency solar panel with a 20% rating, 20% of the sun’s energy will convert to solar energy. Given the same amount of sunlight shining for the same duration of time on two solar panels with different efficiency ratings, the more efficient panel will produce more electricity than the less efficient panel.

How efficient are solar panels?

Today, most solar panels are between 17% and 20% efficient, with outliers on either side of the range. High-efficiency solar panels exceed 22% efficiency in some cases, while low-efficiency solar panels can be below 15% efficiency. Typically, higher-efficiency panels are more expensive, but they can help you meet your energy needs, especially if you have limited roof space or shading.

2023 high-efficiency solar panel trends

Some companies are defying the “more efficient = more expensive” rule in 2023. For example, Jinko Solar, Trina Solar, and Canadian Solar all offer some solar panel models with efficiencies exceeding 20%, but come with lower price tags compared to high-efficiency brands like SunPower, REC, and Panasonic. While not yet widely available, Canadian Solar’s HiHero 445H-AG panels match SunPower’s industry record of 22.8% efficiency for residential panels.

What is the most efficient type of solar panel?

Monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient type of panel; polycrystalline and thin-film solar panels are other common solar panel types that offer lower efficiency. For those looking to purchase solar panels, it’s important to consider both the cost and overall efficiency to determine the type of panel that’s best for you.

Monocrystalline solar panel efficiency

Monocrystalline solar cells are the most efficient and can be used for residential properties as well as commercial installations. These cells are composed of a single crystal of silicon which is highly efficient compared to cells with multiple fragments of silicon melted together. Their construction also allows them to take up less space. They can be expensive, so they made not be the best choice if cost is your biggest concern.

Polycrystalline solar panel efficiency

Unlike monocrystalline cells, polycrystalline solar cells are comprised of multiple silicon crystals melted together. They typically come with a lower price tag but are less efficient and take up more space than monocrystalline silicon solar cells.

Thin-film solar panel efficiency

Thin film solar panels are lightweight, flexible, and inexpensive but are the least efficient type of solar panel. However, their versatility makes them a great choice for non-rooftop or DIY applications, such as RVs and smaller appliances.

How solar panel efficiency differs by product

Given the same amount of sunlight shining for the same duration of time on two high-efficiency solar panels with different efficiency ratings, the more efficient panel will have a higher power output than the less efficient panel.

In practical terms, for two high-efficiency solar panels of the same physical size, if one has a 21% efficiency rating and the other has a 14% efficiency rating, the 21% efficient panel will produce 50% more kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity under the same conditions as the 14% efficient panel. Thus, your electric bill savings with solar heavily rely on the efficiency of your solar panels.

Most efficient solar panels: the top 5

Here are the top 5 best solar panel brands ranked by the highest efficiency residential solar panel they offer in 2023:

1. SunPower – Model: M Series 440 W, Efficiency rating: 22.8%
2. Canadian Solar – Model: HiHero 445H-AG, Efficiency rating: 22.8%
3. REC – Model: Alpha Pure-R 430 W, Efficiency rating: 22.3%
4. Panasonic – Model: EverVolt HK Black Series 410 W, Efficiency rating: 22.2%
5. Trina Solar – Model: Vertex S+, Efficiency rating: 21.8%

The most efficient solar panels on the market today have efficiency ratings as high as 22.8%, whereas the majority of panels range from 17% to 20% efficiency rating. SunPower’s M-Series and X-Series panels (which Maxeon manufactures) are some of the most efficient available on the market. Though they come with a higher price tag, if you’re concerned about efficiency, SunPower/Maxeon is a great choice. Ultimately, you’ll need to consider various factors when choosing solar panels, including: maximum production or maximum offset, cost vs. value, and more.

What determines solar panel efficiency?

Several factors determine solar panel efficiency. A solar panel’s efficiency depends on how much incoming sunlight its cells can convert into usable electricity. So what factors impact that conversion rate? There are several items that photovoltaic (PV) cell researchers and manufacturers consider when designing and producing high-efficiency solar technologies:

• Material: The type of semiconductor material (monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, cadmium telluride, thin-film, perovskite, etc.) impacts how much sunlight a solar cell converts to electricity.
• Wiring and busing: The organization of wires and “busbars” on a solar panel that capture and transfer electricity impacts its efficiency.
• Reflection: If light reflects away from a solar panel, its efficiency may be lowered. The anti-reflexive coating on solar cells is vital to reduce light reflection, as is the quality of the glass layer on top of solar modules.
• Light wavelength/frequency: Light is made of particles called photons, which vibrate in a wide range of frequencies that make up all…