Why solar panels efficiency is important?
For those looking for the most efficient solar panels for their solar energy system, the first thing you need to know is how to compare efficiency metrics for different manufacturer brands.
Solar panel efficiency is one useful metric used to determine how much power a solar panel produces compared to other products. Now let us talk about how efficient are solar panels 2020.Solar panel efficiency: what you need to know
Solar panel efficiency is a measurement of a solar panel’s ability to convert sunlight into usable electricity. 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. Solar panel efficiency is determined by the production of electricity by solar cells, which is in turn influenced by the cells’ composition, electrical configuration, surrounding components, and more.
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. Solar panel efficiency is determined by the production of electricity by solar cells, which are in turn influenced by composition, electrical configuration, surrounding components, and more.
In practical terms, for two 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, maximizing energy use and bill savings is heavily reliant on having top-tier solar panel efficiency.
Many consumers and people in the solar industry consider solar panel efficiency to be the most important criterion when assessing a solar panel’s quality. While it is an important criterion, it’s not the only one to consider while you evaluate whether to install a particular solar panel. Solar panel efficiency relates to the ability of the panel to convert energy at a low cost and high supply rate.
How efficient are solar panels?
Most solar panels are between 15% and 20% efficient, with outliers on either side of the range. High-quality solar panels can exceed 22% efficiency in some cases (and almost reach 23%!), but the majority of photovoltaic panels available are not above 20% efficiency.
The most efficient solar panels on the market today have efficiency ratings as high as 22.8%, whereas the majority of panels range from 15% to 17% efficiency rating. SunPower panels are known for being the most efficient solar panel brand available on the market. Though they will come with a higher price tag, SunPower will often be the consumer favorite for anyone concerned with efficiency as a primal metric of interest. However, check out Exhibit 1 to learn about all the top brands and the most efficient solar panels you can get your hands on.
Maximum Production or Maximum Offset: If your goal is to maximize the amount of electricity your system produces or want to ensure you buy the least amount of electricity from the utility, but the amount of roof space you have available to install solar panels is limited in size, you may choose to install higher efficiency solar panels. This will ensure you get the maximum production from your solar panel system.
Cost vs. Value: More efficient solar panels tend to cost more than their less efficient counterparts. You may want to analyze whether that upfront cost difference is justified by the increased saving achieved by generating more electricity over the lifespan of your solar energy system. Increased electricity production means you have to buy less power from your utility and in some states, may also generate higher SREC income. The EnergySage Solar Marketplace makes it easy for you to easily compare your savings from solar panels that vary in their efficiency ratings and if their premium price is justified.
Most efficient solar panels: the top 5
What determines solar panel efficiency?
There are several factors that determine how efficient a solar panel is. At its core, solar panel efficiency is determined by how much incoming sunlight the solar panel can convert into usable electricity. But what factors into that end conversion rate? There are several items that solar cell researchers and manufacturers consider when designing and producing efficient solar panels:
Material – the type of material (monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, cadmium telluride, etc.) impacts how light converts to electricity
Wiring and busing – the organization of wires and “busbars” on a solar panel that actually capture and transfer electricity impacts efficiency
Reflection – if light is reflected away from a solar panel, it’s efficiency may be lowered. This is why the glass layer on top of silicon solar cells is so important.
Additionally, factors like being able to absorb light on both sides of a cell (bifacial solar panels) and being able to absorb variable wavelengths of light (multijunction solar panels) change the efficiency equation for solar panels. All in all, there are a multitude of levers that scientists and researchers can pull when working on improving solar panel efficiency. In the end, it’s all about converting more incoming sunlight into electricity.
Solar panel efficiency rating of PV models by manufacturer
| SOLAR PANEL MANUFACTURER | MINIMUM EFFICIENCY (%) | MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY (%) | AVERAGE EFFICIENCY (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amerisolar | 14.75% | 17.01% | 15.97% |
| Astronergy | 18.10% | 19.10% | 18.62% |
| Axitec | 18.96% | 20.45% | 19.78% |
| BenQ Solar (AUO) | 15.50% | 18.30% | 17.19% |
| Boviet Solar | 16.50% | 17.50% | 16.98% |
| Canadian Solar | 15.88% | 19.91% | 17.88% |
| CentroSolar | 15.30% | 17.80% | 16.21% |
| CertainTeed Solar | 15.40% | 19.90% | 18.53% |
| CSUN | 19.88% | 21.17% | 20.53% |
| ET Solar | 15.67% | 19.07% | 16.89% |
| Green Brilliance | 14.24% | 15.58% | 15.03% |
| Hansol | 14.97% | 18.05% | 16.49% |
| Heliene | 15.60% | 19.30% | 17.31% |
| Hyundai | 16.20% | 19.40% | 18.49% |
| JA Solar | 15.80% | 19.80% | 17.92% |
| JinkoSolar | 15.57% | 19.88% | 17.50% |
| Kyocera | 14.75% | 16.11% | 15.42% |
| LG Solar | 18.40% | 22.00% | 20.04% |
| Mission Solar Energy | 18.05% | 19.35% | 18.73% |
| Mitsubishi Electric | 16.30% | 16.90% | 16.60% |
| Neo Solar Power | 16.00% | 17.00% | 16.48% |
| Panasonic | 19.10% | 20.30% | 19.66% |
| Peimar | 19.05% | 19.05% | 19.05% |
| Peimar Group | 16.60% | 19.36% | 17.84% |
| Phono Solar | 15.66% | 18.44% | 17.04% |
| Q CELLS | 17.10% | 20.10% | 18.98% |
| REC Group | 16.50% | 21.70% | 19.02% |
| Renogy Solar | 15.30% | 18.50% | 17.30% |
| RGS Energy | 15.60% | 17.10% | 16.35% |
| Risen | 16.30% | 19.60% | 18.12% |
| S-Energy | 15.61% | 19.80% | 17.85% |
| Seraphim | 15.67% | 17.52% | 16.55% |
| Silfab | 17.60% | 19.40% | 18.69% |
| Solaria | 19.40% | 20.50% | 19.76% |
| Solartech Universal | 19.00% | 19.90% | 19.45% |
| SunPower | 16.50% | 22.80% | 20.72% |
| Trina Solar | 16.20% | 19.90% | 17.95% |
| Winaico | 18.83% | 19.40% | 19.11% |
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