Are SunPower Solar Panels Worth it? (2019)

Selecting solar panels, as with many other products, comes down to the classic balance of quality vs. cost. Also like any other product, you get for what you pay for. With solar, a higher quality solar panel, like those made by SunPower, may cost a bit more, but the difference in quality can be dramatic. Some installers, who don’t qualify to sell SunPower panels may try to say there isn’t a difference between SunPower panels and other, less expensive panels. So, what many homeowners end up wondering, and what we will explore in this article, is: Are SunPower solar panels worth it? First, let’s explore the standards by which people define a ‘quality’ solar panel. People expect solar panels, like any product, to function well, over an extended period of time, and not easily break or otherwise stop working. So, for solar panels, you can translate those expectations into three technical categories: 1) efficiency (the ability to produce electricity); 2) lifetime output rate vs degradation (how long over their lifetime panels will produce a certain amount of power), and durability (the ability to withstand the elements without failing). Through white papers and technical specifications, we can easily compare SunPower with other panels, to see how each of them stand up to these metrics.    With solar panels, the most important factor that determines the value of the panel is how well it turns sunlight into electricity or its efficiency. Technically, the efficiency of a solar panel is based on the percentage of sunlight it can convert into direct current electricity, usually in the range of 10-20% for most panels. The higher the percentage, the better the efficiency and the more power a panel will produce given the same amount of sunlight. When installed on your rooftop, however, efficiency usually translates into how much power can be produced per square foot of solar panel (that is, per square foot of rooftop). So, the more efficient the panel is, the more power (expressed in watts) it will produce in the same amount of space with the same amount of sunlight. For this reason, efficiency can have big implications when it comes to rooftop solar installations when trying to produce enough electricity over the course of a year to zero-out the building’s electricity needs. For instance, some commercial buildings may have a large amount of rooftop space available compared to the amount of power they need – and therefore can afford to install less efficient and less expensive solar panels (which take up much more space). Conversely, most homes provide a more limited amount of roof space, so choosing the most efficient available often makes a lot of sense because making the most out of the space available is the key to minimizing the monthly power bill. So now that its’ clear why more efficient solar panels make sense, let’s compare the efficiencies of the top solar panels from the top manufacturers, including SunPower, to see how they stack up.  The SunPower 370 AC Panel: 22.7% The LG Neon 360: 20.8% The Panasonic N340 HIT+: 20.3% So as you can see, out of the top solar panels from the top solar panel companies, the SunPower 370 comes in at a whole 2% more efficient than the competition. That may not seem like much, but solar panel efficiencies increase very incrementally over time, so 2% is actually a big gap. So when it comes to efficiency, SunPower easily takes the cake.  The second biggest factor that determines the quality of a solar panel is the lifetime output rate (or degradation rate). All solar panels will gradually produce less power over their 25-30 year lifetime and the degradation rate is the measurement of how quickly this will happen. Over the past 10-15 years, all solar panels makers have managed to not only lower the cost of solar panels (based in dollars per watt), they have also been able to improve the efficiency (above) and also improved lifetime output rate (i.e., lowered the degradation rate) so that panels will hold their efficiency longer over their lifetimes. This translates into more power being produced over more years for the price paid. In fact, most of the reputable solar panels manufacturers will also guarantee (warranty) that their solar panels will NOT lose power any faster than the guaranteed degradation rate. So, let’s take a look at the average degradation rates warranted by the solar manufacturers we have already looked at, to see which one will save you the most money, and therefore provide the most value over time. SunPower Panels: Degrade at .2% per year (based on this study) Panasonic Panels: Degrade at .26% per year (based on Panasonic’s calculations) LG Panels: Degrade at .4% per year (based on LG’s calculations) So, there you have it. SunPower solar panels degrade the slowest (and the least amount over their lifetime), according to a very recent study. If you combine the higher efficiency of SunPower panels with the fact that they degrade much more slowly, you will realize that the total amount of power produced over 5,10 and 15 years starts to really add up to a big difference. We should also point out that the cheapest panels on the market often produce fairly well for 5-7 years and then their output drops off a cliff and they can lose up to 50% or more of their rated power output in the second half of their lifetimes – and that’s when big power bills come back!  Like any product, you want your solar panels to stand up to the elements. Given that solar panels sit on rooftops, they are especially susceptible to environmental factors, so this is an even more important factor when it comes to solar. High wind, temperature fluctuations, weight from snowfall, rain, etc. all can affect solar panels, so knowing that your panels can stand up to these elements will guarantee your production and therefore, your peace of mind. So let’s take a look at operating temperatures, max load from snow and wind, and impact resistance of the top three manufacturers to find out which panel is the most durable. SunPower 370: Operating Temp: -40˚ to +149˚ Wind and Snow Resistance: 125 psf (pounds per square foot) Impact Resistance: 1 inch diameter hail at 52mph Panasonic N340: Operating Temp: -40˚ to +185˚ Wind and Snow Resistance: 112 psf Impact Resistance:  1 inch diameter hail at 52mph  LG NeONR: Operating Temp:-40˚ to +194˚ Wind and Snow Resistance: 125 psf So you can see here that mostly, these panels rate similarly in durability. So, not much difference here. But it’s good to know that there is a standard in the industry, and that most panels will stand up to the elements. So if you do the comparison, the main differences in panel models lie in the efficiency and degradation. SunPower clearly takes the cake in these categories, creating more power for longer. There are other factors that may or may not deter a buyer from a certain company, like solar aesthetics, but really, you’re paying for the solar to produce, and when it comes to that category, SunPower takes the cake by far. So when you’re considering what solar panels to go with, keep in mind that SunPower will make the most power for longer, powering your home for longer, and saving you more on your electric bill than any other panel.  

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Solar Panels San Diego Cost: 5 Determining Factors

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US Solar Panel Manufacturing: How SunPower is Bringing it Back

 Big news out of Silicon Valley today: SunPower, the world's leading solar panel manufacturer, known for making the highest efficiency solar panels on the planet, has announced that it is bringing a large portion of its commercial solar panel manufacturing back to the US. The announcement comes four months after SunPower acquired the SolarWorld Americas solar panel manufacturing facility in Hillsboro, Oregon, and reaffirms SunPower's commitment to American manufacturing jobs. Now SunPower will be making its 19-percent efficiency solar panels at the Oregon plant, utilizing the vast automation technology and 200 person workforce in its operations.  SunPower will primarily be using the new manufacturing facilities to make their high-efficiency P19 solar panels. These panels are for commercial settings only, such as parking lots or large warehouse rooftops, where space is usually not limited so the efficiency of the panel is not the most important consideration. (SunPower's residential panel, for example, provides 22% efficiency compared to 19% for P19s.) But there are already several Fortune 500 companies that have the P19s on order, so production is starting quick and large orders will begin being fulfilled in the coming weeks. SunPower is already the top commercial solar panel provider in the US, with the most Megawatts installed, so having the edge of manufacturing in America will only bolster that position.   With SunPower adding the P-19 series to it's already top of the line catalog of solar panels, they are further solidifying their status as the top solar manufacturer in the world - in both the residential and commercial sectors. The P19 in particular leverages unique cell-interconnect technology that was originally developed by Cogenra Solar. When SunPower acquired them in 2015, they immediately introduced the P-Series panels, changing the face of the commercial solar market forever. Now they manufacture them in several geographies, and the P-Series panels have become the most deployed shingled cell solar panels on the planet.    Much like SunPower's residential solar panels, the P-Series also tests on the highest levels for resistance to thermal cycling, damp heat, humidity-freeze dynamic mechanical load and potential induced degradation. These tests are performed DNV - GL, a global independent energy authority and certification body that tests solar panels for reliability and durability. Basically, they found that the P-Series panels stand up to the elements better, and produce more power for longer than other similar models of solar panels. These findings come as no surprise to those that know SunPower products, as their panels consistently test the highest in durability and reliability tests. Today we celebrate the revival of American solar panel manufacturing as SunPower’s high-quality P19 product starts coming off the line in Oregon. Now that we’re in full production, we look forward to meeting our strong U.S. commercial market demand with these high-performance American-assembled panels.The 200 jobs being added by the plant are part of a larger growth trend fueled by clean energy jobs. The just-released third annual U.S. Energy and Employment Report (USEER), a comprehensive look at energy jobs in America, showed the country had nearly 3.2 million Americans working in wind, solar, energy efficiency, and other clean energy jobs in 2017, outnumbering fossil fuel jobs 3 to 1. So while solar manufacturing jobs may never employ as many people as solar installation currently does, this new plant indicates that we may be on the verge of an American solar manufacturing boom that will provide good jobs to thousands more Americans in the years to come.  

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US Solar Manufacturing: How SunPower is Bringing it Back

Big news out of Silicon Valley today: SunPower, the world's leading solar panel manufacturer, known for making the highest efficiency solar panels on the planet, has announced that it is bringing a large portion of its commercial solar panel manufacturing back to the US. The announcement comes four months after SunPower acquired the SolarWorld Americas solar panel manufacturing facility in Hillsboro, Oregon, and reaffirms SunPower's commitment to American manufacturing jobs. Now SunPower will be making its 19-percent efficiency solar panels at the Oregon plant, utilizing the vast automation technology and 200 person workforce in its operations. SunPower will primarily be using the new manufacturing facilities to make their high-efficiency P19 solar panels. These panels are for commercial settings only, such as parking lots or large warehouse rooftops, where space is usually not limited so the efficiency of the panel is not the most important consideration. (SunPower's residential panel, for example, provides 22% efficiency compared to 19% for P19s.) But there are already several Fortune 500 companies that have the P19s on order, so production is starting quick and large orders will begin being fulfilled in the coming weeks. SunPower is already the top commercial solar panel provider in the US, with the most Megawatts installed, so having the edge of manufacturing in America will only bolster that position.   With SunPower adding the P-19 series to it's already top of the line catalog of solar panels, they are further solidifying their status as the top solar manufacturer in the world - in both the residential and commercial sectors. The P19 in particular leverages unique cell-interconnect technology that was originally developed by Cogenra Solar. When SunPower acquired them in 2015, they immediately introduced the P-Series panels, changing the face of the commercial solar market forever. Now they manufacture them in several geographies, and the P-Series panels have become the most deployed shingled cell solar panels on the planet.  “Today we celebrate the revival of American solar panel manufacturing as SunPower’s high-quality P19 product starts coming off the line in Oregon. Now that we’re in full production, we look forward to meeting our strong U.S. commercial market demand with these high-performance American-assembled panels.”Much like SunPower's residential solar panels, the P-Series also tests on the highest levels for resistance to thermal cycling, damp heat, humidity-freeze dynamic mechanical load and potential induced degradation. These tests are performed DNV - GL, a global independent energy authority and certification body that tests solar panels for reliability and durability. Basically, they found that the P-Series panels stand up to the elements better, and produce more power for longer than other similar models of solar panels. These findings come as no surprise to those that know SunPower products, as their panels consistently test the highest in durability and reliability tests.   The 200 jobs being added by the plant are part of a larger growth trend fueled by clean energy jobs. The just-released third annual U.S. Energy and Employment Report (USEER), a comprehensive look at energy jobs in America, showed the country had nearly 3.2 million Americans working in wind, solar, energy efficiency, and other clean energy jobs in 2017, outnumbering fossil fuel jobs 3 to 1. So while solar manufacturing jobs may never employ as many people as solar installation currently does, this new plant indicates that we may be on the verge of an American solar manufacturing boom that will provide good jobs to thousands more Americans in the years to come.

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Protected: Absolute Energy Solutions in Liquidation – What Now?

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Inconspicuous Solar Panels: What to Install to Keep Your Profile Low

We've all seen them. The big, clunky, steel-framed, waffle grid-looking solar panels sticking so far off of the roof, it looks like a squirrel could make a nest under them. It's not necessarily a pretty sight. Unfortunately for many homeowners not in the know, this gaudy archetype of a solar panel is what they assume all solar panels look like, and this idea keeps them from going solar and reaping the benefits. This could not be further from the truth. The truth is, while many solar panel manufacturers still churn out these blocky panels, there are many companies out there that are creating discrete, inconspicuous solar panels that look great on any roof. The aesthetically-minded homeowners out there have spoken, and some solar companies have listened, focusing a ton of their energy on creating not only the most efficient, but best-looking solar panels possible. As a result, it is now possible to have very powerful, yet discreet solar panels installed on your roof that do not detract from the aesthetics of your home. Inconspicuous Solar Panel Systems When it comes to solar system aesthetics, the three main elements contributing to the look are the system size, the racking system, and the look of the panels. Creating a sleek looking panel that is compact yet powerful, along with a racking system that is close to the roof, yet doesn't sacrifice efficiency to heat buildup, is a difficult thing to do. That's why these elements have be closely analyzed, as both have to work together to create a good looking system. So let's take a look at a few different factors that make up what most would consider an aesthetically pleasing solar system. We'll look at panel size, panel look, and racking in order to determine which solar company is truly innovating when it comes to solar panel aesthetics. Solar Panel Size Comparison One huge factor that determines solar panel aesthetics is how large the solar system itself actually is. A bigger system is obviously less discrete, so looking at how big the panels are from brand to brand can help us determine how much size the system will take up on the roof and therefore how discreet or garish it will be. The LG NeON 2 335 The LG NeON 2 335 module is one of LG's premiere solar panels. LG, a longtime maker of electronics, has been in the solar game for awhile now and has primarily focused on creating an affordable panel as compared to an efficient or aesthetically pleasing one. First, let's take a look at the actual size of the panel: Panel Size: 66.37 x 40 x 1.57 in Panel Efficiency: 19.6% So it’s about 5 and a half feet long, and three feet wide. Not a huge panel, but takes up quite a bit of space nonetheless. Now let’s compare it to some other similar panels from other brands to see how it stacks up. The Panasonic N330 HIT Panasonic has been producing solar panels for many years and has come out with some good products. One of their top of the line panels is the N330 HIT, which boasts high efficiency and some extended performance guarantees. Let's see how it stacks up size-wise with the LG panel. Panel Size: 62.6 x 41.5 x 1.4in Panel Efficiency: 19.7% So while a touch wider, these panels are significantly shorter than the LG NeOn 2's, about 4 inches. So while that may not seem like alot, that couple inches can make a big difference when you have limited roof space to work with. Add on the fact that they basically have the same efficiency, and that means you’re producing more power with less space with the Panasonics. The SunPower X-22-360 AC SunPower has long been known as the world's premiere solar panel manufacturer, and has always been known for creating the most efficient, durable, and stylish panels on the market. Their 360AC panel is somewhat of the standard now, so let's' take a look at how it stacks up size-wise compared to both LG and Panasonic. Panel Size: 61.3 x 41.2 x 1.8in Panel Efficiency: 22.2% So the 360 AC, which boasts the highest efficiency of all three of the panels we are looking at, at 22.2%, comes in at the shortest of all three panels, at 61.3 inches. What that means is that with the SunPower 360, and the majority of SunPower panels, your system can produce more power, or as much power as other panels, while using much less space, and less panels. That means that with SunPower panels, you can get a smaller, less conspicuous system, and produce the same amount of power as a much larger system made up of LG's or Panasonics, as not only are the panels smaller, but you need less of them, because they create more power per panel.  So we now can see that when it comes to panels, SunPower makes the smallest and most discreet for the money. But the other major factor that determines how low-key and discrete a solar system looks on your roof is the solar system racking. Racking determines how far off the roof the panels sit, how they blend with the roof, etc. So let's take a look at the different racking styles different solar brands use and how they differ. Solar Racking Comparison Most solar companies use a conventional solar racking system where the rails hold the panels high off the roof. With these racking systems, there is often ends of rails sticking out, as they are not flush with the panels. The result is often a large, gaudy racking system that holds panels high and has an incomplete look to it. These racking systems look industrial and garish, and often can detract from the aesthetics of a solar system.   SunPower's Invisimount Racking System By far the most versatile, efficient to install, and discrete - the SunPower Invisimount racking system is unquestionably the best looking solar racking out there. With the SunPower Equinox system, the entire solar system from the panels, to the racking and inverters are all made by SunPower and are designed to work with their matching components specifically. Due to this, when SunPower panels are mounted on the Invisimount racking, there are no ends sticking out, everything is flush, and they are mounted low, all so perfectly that it literally looks like the panels are floating. No other solar racking can emulate that discrete look, or that versatility.The final contributing factor to the overall look of a solar system is the design of the panels themselves - that is, what color they are, the look of the cells grouped together, etc. Let's take a look at a few styles and models of panels and see which company makes the best looking. Solar Panel Aesthetics Comparison The aesthetics of solar panels have become more and more important to customers over time - and as a result solar companies have adjusted. Most customers are ok with the classic waffle grid look, but progressively, those more aesthetically minded customers are demanding the new black panels. Many customers find these panels better looking because of their discrete and sleek look, as with the black color they blend better with the roof. The only issue is, due to the black backing, they can generate more heat, and a result, lose some efficiency compared to the white-backed panels. With that in mind, let's look some black panels that companies are making, and compare them to find the one that is the most compact, and most efficient. LG NeOn 320 Black The NeOn 320 Black is LG's premiere black solar panel. From the frame to the backing, it's all black - although the cells and wiring around the cells is still relatively visible. Let's take a look at how it stacks up spec-wise Panel Size:  66.38 x 40 x 1.57 inches Panel Efficiency: 18.7% Now let's take a look at Panasonic's version of the black panel. Panasonic N325K HIT Black The Panasonic N325K Black is a good looking panel, although the vertical wires are still visible, so the panel is not fully blacked out. Let's take a look at the tech specs to see how it adds up otherwise. Panel Size: 62.6 x 41.5 x 1.6 inches Panel Efficiency: 19.4% So the Panasonic black panel is a little bit shorter.. And a little more efficient.  Let's check out the SunPower model. SunPower 335 Signature Black The SunPower 335 Signature Black is what you imagine when you think of a black solar panel. It's SOLID black. No wiring visible, no backing visible, and of course with the black frame. But how does it stack up tech wise? Let's look. Panel Size: 61.3 x 41.2 x 1.8 inches Panel Efficiency: 21.0%  So again, the SunPower panel comes in at the smallest, the best looking, and the most efficient. When it comes to black panels, SunPower clearly makes the most discrete and powerful. So reflecting on all this data, and our perceptions of what the panels look like, it is clear at this point: SunPower makes the smallest panels that look best, have the highest efficiency, and the best looking racking. So if you're looking to install an inconspicuous solar system, that is the most aesthetically pleasing, SunPower is the clear choice. Not only can you install a smaller system that requires less panels, the panels themselves look better, they create more power, and the racking, specific to SunPower, is more discrete and overall just looks better. The other part of the aesthetics equation is that you have to hire a proficient solar installer who knows what they're doing in order to ensure that your installation is as clean and discreet as possible. That's why it's best for homeowners interested in maximum solar system aesthetics to contact a SunPower Master Dealer, which are SunPower dealers with proven track records of installation success and top notch craftsmanship. SunPower Master Dealers, like us, take the extra initiative to install your system to look as clean and inconspicuous as possible, so that your system looks beautiful. If you want to hide your system away to be unseen from the ground, a Master Dealer like us will be able to work with you and design your system to have the exact look you want. So if you're looking to install the best looking solar system possible, that doesn't stick out and take away from your home aesthetics - contact us today. We are a SunPower Master Dealer, known for our quality craftsmanship and beautiful installations, and we are only installing SunPower - the smallest, most discreet solar panels producing more power than any others. This combination will guarantee that you have a discrete, sleek, powerful system on your roof, that will deliver results for longer, and save you more money than any other panels.  

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