What Are the Best Solar Panels on the Market (2020)?
Read our top picks for solar panels on the market in 2020. Includes recommendations for budget, premium, American-made and mobile/industrial panels.
Solar Panel Cost Guide
Learn about factors that affect solar panel pricing, as well as individual panel prices, complete system prices, and historical pricing trends to see how the cost of solar might change in the future.
60-Cell vs. 72-Cell Solar Panels: Which One’s the Best?
Most solar panels come in two standard sizes: 60 and 72 cells. Learn the difference between both solar panel options to see which makes sense for your project.
What Are the Steps for a DIY Solar Panel Installation?
Looking to install solar panels yourself? This DIY Solar Panel Timeline walks you through the entire process, with educational resources and videos to help every step of the way.
Solar Panel Guide
This Solar Panel Buyer’s Guide will teach you the key factors that influence solar panel pricing and help you pick the best solar panels for your system.
What Are the Best Portable Solar Panels for RVs and Boats (2020)?
Living life on the road? We break down the best solar panels for RVs, boats and other remote/industrial applications.
Need help picking the right solar panels for your photovoltaic system? Here’s what to look for.
Most solar panels for sale today are made of either 60 or 72 PV cells. 60-cell solar panels measure close to 40” x 66”, while 72-cell solar panels are approximately 40” x 78” (give or take an inch based on the manufacturer).
You may care about solar panel size if you have limited space to build your system. For example, the dimensions of your roof may require you to use one solar panel over the other, based on how the solar panel array is laid out on your roof.
This applies to full-sized solar panels for home or business use. We also carry smaller 12V solar panels for RV, marine and remote industrial applications. 12-volt solar panels are available in sizes from 5-160 watts, and select 24-volt panels are available up to 190 watts.
Learn More About Solar Panel Sizes
Solar panel efficiency ratings measure how much sunlight the solar panel can convert into usable energy. If you compare two solar panels that are the same size, the higher efficiency solar panel will produce more power.
High-efficiency solar panels help you fit more panels into a smaller space. Check the spec sheet to compare solar panel efficiency ratings.
This applies to full-sized solar panels for home or business use. We also carry smaller 12V solar panels for RV, marine and remote industrial applications. 12-volt solar panels are available in sizes from 5-160 watts, and select 24-volt panels are available up to 190 watts.
Solar panels come in a broad range of sizes, with most falling between 275W-400W. Smaller solar panels cost less, but they might not necessarily give you the best deal in terms of energy generated per dollar spent.
To compare solar panels on a level playing field, divide the solar panel price by its wattage to find the cost per watt. This will help you figure out which solar panel represents the best deal, regardless of factors like size and efficiency rating.
Use our calculator for a solar panel cost estimate based on your usage. We also maintain a pricing guide to give a side-by-side comparison of the cost of solar panels we currently have in stock.
As the name implies, monocrystalline solar panels are made from a single crystal structure. They are the oldest of the technologies and the solar cells have a uniform flat color. Monocrystalline solar panels are a little more efficient and more expensive. You can install fewer high-efficiency mono solar panels, but the cost per watt is more expensive.
Residential and Commercial Solar Panel Projects, especially if there is limited installation space.
Making polycrystalline solar panels is cheaper and it’s a newer technology. The silicon cools unevenly and creates many different crystals giving it a less uniform appearance. Polycrystalline solar panels tend to be the most affordable, but they also put out a little less power. Even so, poly solar panels are gaining in efficiency and will usually have the lowest price per watt.
N-type cells are doped with phosphorus, which has one more electron than silicon, making the cell negatively charged.
N-type cells are immune to boron-oxygen defects, and as a result, they are not affected by light-induced degradation (LID). As you might expect, these are positioned as a premium option because they degrade less over the life of the panel.
Long term, premium option for; Residential, Commercial, Utility-Scale Solar Projects.
PERC stands for Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell technology. PERC cells are distinguished by an extra layer of material on the backside of the solar panel, called the passivation layer.
PERC cell technology is gaining traction because the inclusion of the passivation layer doesn’t add huge manufacturing delays or expenses. The efficiency boost more than justifies the extra step in the manufacturing process.
