Best solar panels in 2025: Which one should you choose?
After reviewing thousands of solar panels, we found that Maxeon offers the best solar panels.
Choosing the best solar panel can feel overwhelming, but it's easier than you think. A quality solar installer will typically install quality solar panels, so your main focus should be choosing the best solar installer for the job—your installer's experience and your solar system's size have a bigger impact on effectiveness. Still, every home is different, and most will benefit from having the most efficient panels on the market.
To find the best solar panels, we analyzed thousands of models from hundreds of manufacturers featured on the EnergySage Marketplace. We compared key factors like efficiency, power output, performance in warmer temperatures, and warranty coverage.
Five brands stood out: Maxeon, REC, Panasonic, Canadian Solar, and Jinko.
EnergySage Equipment Rating System
Rating Criteria | What's Included |
|---|---|
| Performance | Panel efficiency, output per square foot, and temperature coefficient |
| Warranty | Product warranty length, power warranty length, power warranty at year 25, and additional criteria related to labor, shipping, and more |
| Durability | Wind load, snow load, advanced certification and testing, and PVEL top performer tests |
| Manufacturing | ISO certifications |
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Key takeaways
Of the thousands of models reviewed, we found that Maxeon, REC, Panasonic, Canadian Solar, and Jinko offer the best solar panels.
The type of solar panel, power output, efficiency, performance in warm climates, warranty, and price are the key factors to assess when comparing solar panels.
The best solar panel for your home can depend on your roof space, shading, and climate.
Maxeon offers the best solar panels based on our analysis, followed by REC, Panasonic, Canadian Solar, and Jinko. Each scored well overall, but one of the five may be best for you depending on your home’s specific needs.
Choosing the highest quality solar panels will likely mean a higher upfront cost, but it's often worth it in the long run. With higher efficiency, output, and longer lifespans, solar panels from these five brands will maximize your savings.
Brand | Energysage Score | Our take |
|---|---|---|
100/100 | Best efficiency | |
94/100 | Best performance per penny | |
88/100 | Best for warm climates | |
88/100 | Powerful output | |
85/100 | Competitve efficiency |
1. Maxeon 6: Best efficiency
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Cost: $3.05 per watt
Efficiency: 22.8%
Warranties: 40-year performance & product
Maxeon’s 440-watt solar panel is our pick for best overall. It’s the most efficient panel at 22.8% and comes with the longest warranty (40-year performance and product warranties—15 years longer than the industry standard). Maxeon is the highest-rated solar panel on the EnergySage Marketplace.
The biggest downside to Maxeon solar panels is the price tag. At $3.05 per watt, it’s one of the most expensive brands available. Its specs are stellar, but if budget is your priority, you can likely find a cheaper panel that still meets your efficiency needs.
2. REC Alpha Pure: Best performance per penny
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Cost: $2.49 per watt
Efficiency: 22.2%
Warranties: 25-year performance & product
REC is a longtime EnergySage favorite, probably because of its relatively low price per watt and impressive specs. Out of our top brands, REC offers the best bang for your buck; the Alpha Pure 410-watt panel maintains efficiency above 22%, and it has solid 25-year performance and product warranties. These panels also have one of the lowest temperature coefficients on the market, which means they perform better in hotter temps compared to other panels.
REC does the best job at balancing top-tier specs and affordability, but they fall short of Maxeon in terms of efficiency.
3. Panasonic Evervolt: Best for warm climates
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Cost: $2.69 per watt
Efficiency: 22.2% efficiency
Warranties: 25-year performance & product
Panasonic is perhaps best known in the U.S. for its TVs and appliances, but the Japanese manufacturer is a global leader in solar panels. Its Evervolt 430-watt solar panel boasts the best temperature coefficient on our list at -0.24% per degree Celsius—this is technical speak that translates to, “Panasonic is the best choice if you live in a consistently hot area.”
At $2.69 per watt, Panasonic is the second most affordable panel of our top five brands. Its 22.2% efficiency rating also ties for runner-up; Maxeon and REC take first place for those two categories, respectively. Panasonic tops the charts only in temperate coefficient.
4. Canadian Solar TOPHiKu6: Powerful output
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Cost: $2.73 per watt
Efficiency: 22% efficiency
Warranties: 30-year performance & 25-year product
Canadian Solar’s TOPHiKu6 450-watt solar panel has the highest power output of the products on our list, which means it has the capacity to generate more electricity. While it’s the least efficient of our top brands, it boasts impressive performance specifications with a 22% efficiency rating and -0.29%/°C temperature coefficient.
While Canadian Solar is pretty strong all-around, it falls slightly behind the top three in terms of performance, and it’s relatively expensive at $2.73 per watt.
5. Jinko Solar Tiger Neo: Competitive efficiency
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Cost: $2.82 per watt
Efficiency: 22.02%
Warranties: 30-year performance & 25-year product
The Jinko Solar Tiger Neo 440-watt rounds out the top five best solar panels on EnergySage. This panel has solid specs and strong warranties. Plus, Jinko Solar panels are reliable and will deliver electricity bill savings.
Jinko didn’t rank first in any category and is the second most expensive panel on this list. It’s a great option compared to most panels on the market, but it lands fifth place when up against the others mentioned here.
Our team evaluated thousands of solar panel models from hundreds of manufacturers quoted through the EnergySage Marketplace. Here’s how we compare them:
Performance
The best way to assess a solar panel's performance is to look at its efficiency, output, and temperature coefficient.
Efficiency
Output per square foot
Temperature coefficient
Warranty
A solar energy system is a significant investment. Choosing a solar panel with a strong warranty is one of the best ways to feel confident that your system will pay off in the long run.
Product warranty
Performance warranty
Labor & workmanship warranty
Durability
Solar panels spend their entire functional lives outdoors, subject to everything nature throws at them. A solar panel's durability measures its ability to perform at maximum capacity in conditions that diminish optimal performance.
You'll want to invest in durable solar panels that you can trust not to break or malfunction in the elements. Manufacturers put solar panels through several standardized tests to determine their durability:
Damp Heat test: Measures resistance to humidity
Thermal Cycling: Measures resistance to temperature fluctuations
Mechanical Stress Sequence (including static and dynamic loading): Measures resistance to weight or pressure
Your solar panel's durability directly impacts its efficiency: The most durable solar panels have the lowest degradation rates, enabling them to maintain their efficiency ratings.
Price
The average 11 kW solar panel system costs $20,552 after federal tax credits. That's a lot of money. It's important to choose solar panels that are high quality and affordable. The best way to evaluate if you're getting the best bang for your buck is to divide your solar panel's power per square foot (W/sq ft) by its cost per watt ($/W). The higher this value, the more power per penny you get.
Top 10 solar panels, compared
Brand | Model | Energy Sage Score | Efficiency | Power Output | Size | Power Per Square Feet | Temperature Coefficient | Product Warranty | Performance Warranty | Average Cost Per Watt* | Value (W/sq Ft/$/W) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Maxeon | Maxeon 6 | 100/100 | 22.8% | 440 W | 20.79 sq. ft. | 21.16 W/sq. ft. | -0.29%/°C | 40 years | 88.25% at year 40 (92% at year 25) | $3.05 | 6.94 |
| 2. REC | Alpha Pure | 94/100 | 22.2% | 410 W | 19.91 sq. ft. | 20.59 W/sq. ft. | -0.26%/°C | 25 years | 92% at year 25 | $2.49 | 8.27 |
| 3. Panasonic | Evervolt | 88/100 | 22.2% | 430 W | 20.88 sq. ft. | 20.59 W/sq. ft. | -0.24%/°C | 25 years | 92% at year 25 | $2.69 | 7.66 |
| 4. Canadian Solar | TOPHiKu6 | 88/100 | 22% | 450 W | 21.97 sq. ft. | 20.48 W/sq. ft. | -0.29%/°C | 25 years | 87.4% at year 30 (89.4% at year 25) | $2.73 | 7.50 |
| 5. Jinko | Tiger Neo | 85/100 | 22.02% | 440 W | 21.51 sq. ft. | 20.46 W/sq. ft. | -0.29%/°C | 30 years | 87.4% at year 30 (89.4% at year 25) | $2.82 | 7.25 |
| 6. SEG | Yukon N | 80/100 | 21.51% | 420 W | 21.02 sq. ft. | 19.98 W/sq. ft. | -0.30%/°C | 30 years | 87.4% at year 30 (89.4% at year 25) | $2.80 | 7.14 |
| 7. Qcells | Q.TRON BLK M-G2+ | 74/100 | 22.5% | 440 W | 21.02 sq. ft. | 20.93 W/sq. ft. | -0.30%/°C | 25 years | 90.58% at year 25 | $2.68 | 7.81 |
| 8. Trina | Vertex S | 72/100 | 21.8% | 435 W | 21.51 sq. ft. | 20.22 W/sq. ft. | -0.30%/°C | 25 years | 89% at year 25 | $2.51 | 8.06 |
| 9. Silfab | Prime NTC | 71/100 | 22.1% | 430 W | 20.99 sq. ft. | 20.49 W/sq. ft. | -0.29%/°C | 25 years | 89.3% at year 30 (90.8% at year 25) | $2.75 | 7.45 |
| 10. VSUN | 108BMH | 62/100 | 20.48% | 400 W | 21.02 sq. ft. | 19.03 W/sq. ft. | -0.32%/°C | 25 years | 87.2% at year 25 | $2.91 | 6.54 |
*Prices reflect the average quoted price for each solar panel brand based on EnergySage Marketplace data. Prices may differ for the specific model listed.
Even the best solar panels may perform poorly in difficult conditions. Some panels are better suited for small spaces, while others excel in hot temperatures. That’s why it’s so important to consider your roof, household electricity use, and climate when choosing solar panels for your home.
An experienced, local solar installer knows how solar performs in your area and can properly inspect your roof to recommend the best panels. But if you want to start some of the research, here are some things to think about:
Your roof's size and shading
Have a small roof with a lot of shading? You'll probably want a very powerful solar panel (unless you use very little electricity). Even light shading can reduce your solar panels’ output by 50% or more. Look for solar panels with high power output and high efficiency.
If you have a complex roof with a lot of small, awkward spaces, we recommend selecting a small solar panel that still offers a lot of power.
Your region and climate
It's no secret that solar panels are more prevalent in the Sun Belt than in other parts of the country, but they're also an excellent investment if you live in the Northeast or Midwest. You just need to choose the right panels. Your region and climate influence the performance of your panels— things like sun power, shading, panel orientation, temperature, precipitation, wind, dust, and dirt play a role.
If you live in a place that sees a lot of rain, snow, or other cloudy conditions, you’ll want high-output and high-efficiency panels. If you live in a hot and sunny region, you're in a prime spot for premium solar panel efficiency and will want to pay attention to temperature coefficient as a leading factor in your decision-making.
If your roof is small and you don't have a lot of space for your system, investing in the most efficient, highest-performing panels can get you the performance you need. If you have enough room for a larger system, installing slightly less efficient panels could provide ample output at a competitive price.
The easiest way to find the best solar panels for your home? Compare equipment brands from reliable installers on the EnergySage Marketplace. You can compare multiple quotes side-by-side based on factors like equipment quality, installer reputation, and cost. If you need help deciding, reach out to your free EnergySage Advisor so you can go solar with confidence.
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- Access the lowest prices from installers near you
- Unbiased Energy Advisors ready to help
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