When you switch to solar, one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make is which type of panel to purchase. While some solar panels may look similar in appearance, each option functions somewhat uniquely and works best for different buildings and environments. At Solaris Renewables, we offer Maxeon, Solaria, and CertainTeed solar panels. If you’re unsure what these names mean – or which is best for your home or business – don’t worry! This blog post will introduce you to each type of panel, as well as their unique benefits and usages. A solar expert from the Solaris team will also assist your selection during your initial consultation.
Maxeon Solar Panels
Prior to becoming a solar panel manufacturer, Maxeon got its start as a solar cell producer for SunPower solar panels. SunPower’s Maxeon cell was considered one of the best in the world. After splitting from SunPower in 2020, the Maxeon brand quickly gained traction in the solar industry as its own entity. The corporation is known and trusted for their cutting-edge technology, serving over 100 countries and collaborating with more than 1,500 sales partners. Maxeon panels are typically manufactured in Mexico, Malaysia, and the Philippines, but the company recently announced plans to open an Albuquerque, New Mexico site.
Efficiency of Maxeon Solar Panels
Maxeon solar panels are widely considered the most efficient and best-value on the market. They offer exceptional results, outperforming many other competitors with an efficiency score of 22.8% (you can read more about how a solar efficiency percentage is determined here).
Durability of Maxeon Solar Panels
Maxeon panels are built to last. They exhibit about 4x greater reliability than standard panels, and Maxeon users are one hundred times more likely to return a panel from a different company than a Maxeon panel. Common issues that affect standard panels are very unlikely to occur with Maxeon. For instance, Maxeon prevents hotspots (the disruption of energy pathways due to overheating) with their unique temperature-regulating cell design. Micro-cracks are also uncommon with Maxeon, as the panels are designed with a strong metal foundation.
Maxeon solar panels can withstand extreme temperatures such as cold, snow, wind, and heat. Maxeon panels can produce over 30% more power in high temperatures than the standard panel, and they maintain their energy nearly 3x better than competitors. Maxeon panels are designed with a copper foundation, preventing cell breakage from snow, rain, or coastal air. Testing reveals that Maxeon panels are unaffected, even in a simulated temperature swing of about -50 degrees (F) to 185 degrees (F). With Maxeon, you’re protected from all the elements, all the time.
Maxeon’s Warranty
Maxeon has the longest warranty in the solar industry at 40 years. Most competitors only have warranties of 25 years. In the unlikely event that your Maxeon panels aren’t functioning properly, you can get them removed or repaired, hassle-free for decades to come. Shipping and installation fees are also included.
Aesthetic of Maxeon Solar Panels
Aesthetically, Maxeon solar panels are crafted to seamlessly fit with your home. Maxeon solar panels are sleek, black, and usually made of monocrystalline, a silicon that’s specifically designed for solar panels. You won’t see grid lines or visible wiring, both of which generally look unappealing.
Maxeon’s Environmental Impact
While all solar panels are environmentally friendly, Maxeon panels are especially so. They’re Cradle to Cradle certified, meaning that Maxeon products undergo a comprehensive vetting process to verify their efficiency and sustainability. In addition to this, Maxeon’s Mexico factory is certified as being Landfill-Free. To obtain this certification, the National Science Foundation (NSF) conducted an intensive auditing process of the Mexico location. In 2019, they found that less than 10% of Maxeon’s waste was incinerated and only 0.65% of their waste was sent to landfills. The Mexico factory has been certified since 2015, and they have continued to pass their audit since then.
Solaria Solar Panels
Solaria was founded in the early 2000s in New Mexico. While solar panel technology had already been invented, it wasn’t nearly as prevalent or as well-researched in the 2000s as it is today. Solaria was a leading innovator in the solar movement, and by 2003, the company had moved to Silicon Valley and began developing state-of-the-art solar panels. Over the 20 years Solaria has been in business, they have sold thousands of panels and grown to be one of the leading solar businesses in the industry. Although Solaria is its own company, it is part of Maxeon Solar Technologies. The company is primarily located in Fremont, California.
Efficiency of Solaria Solar Panels
Similarly to Maxeon, Solaria solar panels are highly regarded. They’re designed to have less inactive space and circuitry between panels, eliminating common points of solar panel failure. Solaria panels produce about 400 watts each, and they produce 20% more power than other brands. Your building most likely won’t require as many panels as it would using a different company, so alongside reliability powering your space, Solaria panels offer lots of potential savings. With an efficiency rating of about 20%, Solaria panels are known for their high energy production.
Durability of Solaria Solar Panels
Solaria panels work on most types of buildings. They’re expertly crafted to accommodate shaded conditions, whereas other panels don’t have the technology to function so efficiently without sun. Solaria panels are constructed in quadrants instead of full cells. The quadrants are connected with additional diodes, little electrical components that produce energy using high resistance in one direction and low resistance in the other. This set-up is so effective because when a standard panel is shaded, its entire sub-string loses power. Meanwhile, with Solaria, the panel only loses 25% of power. Even when it isn’t sunny outside, your Solaria panels are designed to keep producing energy, even more so than other brands.
Solaria panels are built to withstand extreme weather conditions. They have a maximum snow load of 5400 Pa, or to put it simply, about 110 pounds per square foot of snow. They’re also hail resistant, which was tested by firing 11 shots at the most vulnerable parts of the panel and deeming none of them permanently damaged. Solaria panels are mostly self-cleaning from the effects of rain as well. They’re also made of monocrystalline silicon, which is known for resisting excessive heat.
Solaria’s Warranty
Solaria panels come with a 30 year warranty. They’re long-lasting, but if something does go wrong, the warranty also covers labor and repairs.
Aesthetic of Solaria Solar Panels
If you’re considering solar but concerned with how panels will look on your roof, don’t worry: Solaria is committed to maintaining your home’s curb appeal. Solaria panels are all-black with a black back sheet, so their design is sleek and unimposing. Solaria also guarantees no visible wiring.
Solaria’s Environmental Impact
Solaria has outlined a comprehensive sustainability plan, with one of the company’s main goals being that by 2025, 95% of its total energy consumption will come from renewable resources. As of 2022, Solaria saw an 80% reduction in carbon emissions intensity since 2019. Prior to even beginning manufacturing, all waste collection points are determined on Solaria’s solar plants to mitigate unnecessary or excessive waste.
Certainteed Solar Panels
CertainTeed, owned by Saint Gobain, is one of the leading – and oldest – solar developers in the industry. Dating back to the early 1900s as a roofing shingles manufacturer, CertainTeed has continued to venture into other solar-related territories, such as solar panels. Certainteed has manufacturing sites across the United States.
Efficiency of CertainTeed Solar Panels
CertainTeed solar panels are among the highest efficiency in North America. These panels have an efficiency rate of about 18-20%, and they’re expertly crafted with monocrystalline to maximize light absorption and energy production. Certainteed solar panels are 400 watts, which is incredibly powerful.
Durability of CertainTeed Solar Panels
CertainTeed panels are specifically designed to withstand the unpredictable North American climate, and they are extremely durable against the elements. They can tolerate winds up to 110 miles per hour, which is so intense that hurricanes cause similar conditions. Certainteed panels can safely be installed in notoriously windy zones, including high velocity hurricane areas.
CertainTeed’s Warranty
CertainTeed has a warranty of 25 years, and their comprehensive plan is among the best in the industry. It even includes a roof warranty! In the rare case you experience difficulties with your CertainTeed solar panels, their warranty promises a thorough examination of the issue and a timely repair. The process includes a system test, followed by a replacement or repair at no additional cost. If you’re using solar in North America, you should especially consider CertainTeed. CertainTeed is primarily based in the US and Canada, so in the event you need a new part ordered, the wait will typically be shorter than it would be from overseas.
Aesthetic of CertainTeed Solar Panels
CertainTeed panels are designed to complement your home or business. They’re all-black, sleek, and uniform in appearance, specifically designed to look great on any type of roof.
CertainTeed’s Environmental Impact
CertainTeed is committed to sustainability. Since 2017, CertainTeed has seen a 50% reduction in water withdrawal and an over 40% reduction in carbon emissions. Also, 30% of its packaging is bio-sourced or recycled.
All of Our Solar Panel Options Are Premium Brands
Investing in solar can be an overwhelming decision, especially with all the options to choose from. After reading this blog post, we hope that you have additional insight as to which type of panel would work best for your home or business. Our solar professionals are happy to help you along the way!
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