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Our solar experts, with help from Dr David Sprake PhD, evaluated over 50 solar panels and in July 2024, conducted a survey of more than 1,500 Independent readers who own solar systems to find the best solar panels in the UK. Our experts considered key factors including solar panel costs, efficiency, warranties, and reliability.
Our top pick of the best solar panels is the SunPower Maxeon 7 445W thanks to its high efficiency of 24.1 per cent, good power output, and excellent warranties.
All the best solar panels for UK homes we tested have power outputs of 420W or higher, efficiency ratings above 20 per cent, and advanced technologies enhancing their efficiency and durability. All the solar panel providers in this guide also scored 90% or above for customer satisfaction in terms of energy production, cost savings, maintenance requirements and ongoing costs, according to our survey*.
The Independent Advisor star ratings for solar panels is calculated based on weighted factors: durability and reliability (35 per cent), performance (35 per cent), and customer satisfaction (30 per cent). The customer satisfaction scores are derived from a recent survey of over 1,500 Independent readers who own solar panels*.
*Data correct as of October 2024
| Score out of 10 | |
|---|---|
| Degradation rate | 9.5 |
| Product warranty | 10 |
| Performance warranty | 10 |
| Efficiency | 9.3 |
| Power output | 8.0 |
| Customer performance rating | 6.9 |
The Maxeon 7 panel scores highly in our performance, durability and customer satisfaction categories, offering an excellent 40-year warranty, low degradation rate, and good efficiency. Together, these factors are the reason the SunPower panel is our Independent Advisor top pick.
As well as delivering a good energy output of 445W, SunPower’s Maxeon 7 panels have a high efficiency rating of up to 24.1 per cent.
Maxeon 7 panels also have maximum power point tracking (MPPT). This optimises the solar panel’s output by adjusting the electrical load to ensure maximum efficiency, even in fluctuating sunlight or temperatures.
Each SunPower Maxeon solar panel works independently with its own in-built Enphase microinverter, which boosts the system’s power by about 50 per cent. An inverter converts the direct current (DC) produced by solar panels into alternating current (AC), usable in your home.
These innovative features, combined with a lead-free design containing recycled materials boosts the Maxeon’s appeal for homeowners. These crack-resistant panels are ideal for all homes, especially those near the coast, as they’re designed to withstand corrosion caused by salty air.
Read our full SunPower solar panels review
| Independent Advisor score | ★★★★ |
| Price | On enquiry |
| Efficiency | 24.1 per cent |
| Warranty | 25 years standard or 40 years with registration |
| Power output | 445W |
| Degradation | 98 per cent power output is guaranteed in year one, with a maximum 0.25 per cent annual decrease thereafter. By year 30, efficiency will be 22.1 per cent. |
| Temperature coefficient | -0.34%/°C |
| Weight | 21.8kg |
| Score out of 10 | |
|---|---|
| Degradation after 10 years | 8.5 |
| Product warranty | 10 |
| Performance warranty | 10 |
| Efficiency | 7.4 |
| Power output | 7.2 |
| Customer performance rating | 9 |
The Evo Super Max Series 480W solar panels, Project Solar’s newest modules, come with the company’s industry-leading warranties for hardware and performance. No other panel matches the Evo Super Max’s lifetime product warranty.
Due to their passive emitter and rear contact (PERC) technology, these panels achieve a 6 to 12 per cent increase in energy production. PERC adds an extra layer to the solar cells, boosting the overall efficiency of the panels by converting more daylight into energy.
Project Solar’s innovative drainage corners reduce the amount of maintenance required, but the company doesn’t provide any environmental information, such as recycling options or whether the panel is lead-free. The Evo Super Max’s sleek black appearance enhances kerb appeal, making it a popular choice despite its high price tag of £350.
Read our full Project Solar review.
| Independent Advisor score | ★★★★½ |
| Price | £350 |
| Efficiency | 22.18 per cent |
| Warranty | Lifetime performance and product warranties |
| Power output | 480W |
| Degradation | Not specified |
| Temperature coefficient | -0.35%/°C |
| Weight | 23kg |
| Score out of 10 | |
|---|---|
| Degradation rate | 9.7 |
| Product warranty | 4.5 |
| Performance warranty | 8.3 |
| Efficiency | 10 |
| Power output | 9.7 |
| Customer performance rating | 6.9 |
The Aiko ABC Neostar is the most efficient panel we’ve reviewed at over 24 per cent efficiency, comfortably beating the average of around 20 per cent.
While other panels can lose their efficiency quickly, this model is guaranteed to maintain approximately 89 per cent of its initial capacity after decades. This means that if you bought one of these panels today, by 2054, it could still be outperforming many new panels on the market.
Read our full Aiko solar panels review.
| Independent Advisor score | ★★★★ |
| Price | Around £80 |
| Efficiency | 24.80 per cent |
| Warranty | 15-year product warranty and 30-year performance warranty |
| Power output | 495W |
| Degradation | 0.35 per cent annual degradation from year two to year 30 |
| Temperature coefficient | -0.26%/°C |
| Weight | 21kg |
| Score out of 10 | |
|---|---|
| Degradation rate | 4.1 |
| Product warranty | 3.8 |
| Performance warranty | 7.0 |
| Efficiency | 7.3 |
| Power output | 7.1 |
| Customer performance rating | 6.5 |
JA Solar’s JAM72S30 panels are packed with desirable features such as PERC cells and a high resistance to panel degradation, so they make for a welcome addition to homes with high energy usage.
At 28kg, the panels are quite heavy, but their high energy output easily compensates for the extra weight. The average solar panel has a power output of 250 to 400W, so JA Solar’s 585W panel is well above competitors in that regard. It also has a high efficiency of 22.1 per cent; even in low-light conditions, you can expect a healthy level of energy production.
This good performance, along with the £100 price point, is why the JAM72S30 is our best budget-friendly panel.
Although not lead-free, JA Solar panels contain recycled materials and the manufacturer recycles them at the end of their life.
Read our full JA Solar review.
| Independent Advisor score | ★★★ |
| Price | Around £100 |
| Efficiency | 22.1 per cent |
| Warranty | 12-year product warranty and 25-year linear power output warranty |
| Power output | 585W |
| Degradation | 0.55 per cent linear degradation over 25 years, giving them an efficiency of 19.55 per cent at year 30 |
| Temperature coefficient | -0.35%/°C |
| Weight | 28kg |
| Score out of 10 | |
|---|---|
| Degradation after 10 years | 8.8 |
| Product warranty | 4.5 |
| Performance warranty | 8.3 |
| Efficiency | 8.4 |
| Power output | 8.1 |
| Customer performance rating | 7.5 |
Suntech’s Ultra V Pro Mini 515W panels have bigger silicon cells and a transparent backsheet to capture more daylight, optimising power output even in shaded conditions.
Alongside low-light optimisation, these panels can withstand wind and other harsh weather, including heavy snowfall.
This, along with the panel’s 515W power output, and 23.2 per cent efficiency, means the Suntech Ultra V Pro Mini is the best performing panel in low-light conditions.
Suntech has won a number of awards for its eco-credentials, including the Eco-Vadis award, and has been a member of the United Nations Global Compact since 2021. UNCG members are committed to adopting sustainable and socially responsible policies.
Read our full Suntech solar panels review.
| Independent Advisor score | ★★★★ |
| Price | Around £150 |
| Efficiency | 23.2 per cent |
| Warranty | 12-year product warranty and 30-year performance warranty |
| Power output | 515W |
| Degradation | 2 per cent in the first year and 0.40 per cent annually, which gives them an efficiency of around 17 per cent in year 30 |
| Temperature coefficient | -0.36%/°C |
| Weight | 23.5kg |
| Score out of 10 | |
|---|---|
| Degradation rate | 8.8 |
| Product warranty | 3.8 |
| Performance warranty | 8.3 |
| Efficiency | 8.6 |
| Power output | 8.4 |
| Customer performance rating | 6 |
Jinko’s Tiger Neo panels use Super Multi Bus Bar (SMBB) technology, which means the panels have more thin copper bars or silver strips that connect the cells and carry the current. Having more bus bars reduces the effect of shading and optimises the path the current takes, increasing the overall efficiency of the panel.
Jinko panels have enhanced protection against extreme environmental conditions, including salt mist, making them highly suitable for coastal properties. The panels come with a 12-year warranty on the product and 30 years on linear power.
Read our full Jinko Solar solar panels review.
Independent Advisor score: ★★★½
Price: £100
Efficiency: 23.4 per cent
Warranty: 12-year product warranty and 30-year linear power warranty
Power output: 605W
Degradation: 0.40 per cent annual degradation over 30 years, meaning that the performance rate at year 30 will be around 20.8 per cent
Temperature coefficient: -0.30%/°C
| Score out of 10 | |
|---|---|
| Degradation after 10 years | 9.5 |
| Product warranty | 5.8 |
| Performance warranty | 7.0 |
| Efficiency | 7.8 |
| Power output | 7.5 |
| Customer performance rating | 7.1 |
REC’s lead-free Alpha Pure RX panels are ideal for smaller roof areas thanks to their compact design, measuring 1728 x 1205 x 30 mm, and being black, blend in with darker tiles.
With a peak efficiency of 22.6 per cent, they boast a minimal annual degradation rate of only 0.25 per cent after the first year, which is significantly lower than the typical 0.5-0.7 per cent recorded by other panels.
Read our full REC solar panels review.
Independent Advisor score: ★★★½
Price: £130
Efficiency: 22.6 per cent
Warranty: 25-year product warranty and 25-year performance and labour warranties (but only if installed by an REC-certified installer). Panels installed by any other company are only eligible for a 20-year product warranty
Power output: 430W
Degradation: 0.25 per cent after year one
Temperature coefficient: -0.24 %/°C
| Score out of 10 | |
|---|---|
| Degradation after 10 years | 8.8 |
| Product warranty | 8.3 |
| Performance warranty | 8.3 |
| Efficiency | 8.2 |
| Power output | 8.0 |
| Customer performance rating | 7.2 |
As well as offering good energy conversion rates, the Perlight PLM-435 DH8N 450W solar panel performs well even in low-light conditions, ensuring consistent energy production throughout the day. Its robust construction can also withstand harsh weather conditions, making it a dependable option.
One of the Perlight solar panel’s key advantages is its user-friendly installation process. Its pre-installed cables and connectors simplify its setup and reduce installation time, lowering the cost.
Throughout the manufacturing of its solar panels, Perlight is committed to social responsibility and environmental stewardship.
Independent Advisor score: ★★★★
Price: POA
Efficiency: 23.0 per cent
Warranty: 30-year product and performance warranties
Power output: 450W
Degradation: less than 2 per cent in year one and 0.45 per cent in years 2 to 25
Temperature coefficient: -0.31%/°C
Get quotes on the best solar panels in your area
Discover how much solar panels would cost for your home by answering a few quick questions
Every household requires a solar panel system tailored to its specific needs, reflecting the versatility of solar technology. Custom systems address different environments, energy requirements, and physical constraints, whether it’s high-efficiency panels for limited spaces, robust systems for coastal areas, or aesthetically integrated options. This ensures benefits like reduced bills, decreased carbon footprint, and increased energy independence are accessible to all, highlighting the importance of selecting the right solar panels for optimal performance and value.
If you want to maximise your investment as soon as possible, focus on solar panels with the highest power output and efficiency percentage. While they come at a higher price, they will produce more energy than competitors, allowing you to break even sooner.
You’ll also want to sign up for the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme to sell any excess energy your solar panels produce back to the national grid.
Compare quotes from several national and regional installers, making sure to clearly explain your requirements, so you can understand how they’ll accommodate those needs. You can receive free quotes from our trusted partner installers in the UK by filling out our simple quote-finding form.
Finally, don’t be afraid to walk away if a particular quote doesn’t suit your home or budget. After all, solar panels are a big investment, so you should feel confident in your decision, not pressured into making a choice.
As you research the best solar panels for you, keep the following key features in mind.
Solar panels’ efficiency rate is based on their electricity production: higher ratings indicate a better performance. Efficiency typically ranges between 18 and 22 per cent, with the best solar panels boasting more than 23 per cent. Selecting panels with features that enhance efficiency and power output is crucial, particularly if your roof’s direction and angle aren’t ideal.
A solar panel’s output is the energy it can generate in ideal conditions. Selecting panels with higher power outputs can help generate more energy with fewer panels – ideal for smaller roofs and keeping your system costs down.
The three most powerful panels in this guide are Aiko’s ABC Neostar, with an output of 495W, the Suntech Ultra V Pro Mini with 515W of power, and the JA Solar JAM72S30 at 585W.
A performance warranty guarantees that a solar panel will maintain a certain level of energy output over a specified period, typically 25 to 30 years. Manufacturers assure that the panels will not degrade beyond a certain percentage each year, usually promising around 80–85 per cent of the original efficiency by the end of the warranty term.
A product warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship of the solar panels themselves, and typically lasts between 10 to 25 years. This warranty protects against issues like manufacturing defects, premature wear, or failures under normal use conditions. If a panel malfunctions due to a covered defect within the warranty period, the manufacturer will repair or replace it.
Solar panels are designed to provide clean energy for decades, but they can gradually lose efficiency over time. This is known as degradation. Exposure to UV rays, temperature changes, and harsh weather can weaken materials and cause small cracks to develop in the panel surfaces. Moisture and dirt can also affect performance.
To mitigate solar panel degradation, choose high-quality panels with low annual degradation rates and robust performance warranties that guarantee a certain efficiency level over time. Professional installations minimise panel stress, while regular maintenance – such as cleaning and inspections – helps panels operate efficiently.
Solar panels capture daylight and turn it into usable power. The best solar panels are made from silicon cells, set in an aluminium frame, and protected by a sheet of glass. When daylight hits these cells, electrons within them move, creating an electric current. This electricity is then used to power your home.
Solar panels typically contain trace amounts of lead and fluorine for durability and performance, but the industry is moving towards lead-free and fluoride-free alternatives. To minimise environmental impact, choose panels with low or no lead and fluorine.
Dr David Sprake PhD, BEng (Hons), CEng, MEI, Chartered Energy Engineer, FHEA is a Lecturer and Programme Leader in Renewable and Sustainable Engineering.
“The best solar panels significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions compared to fossil fuels, despite the energy used in their production and transport. Over their lifetime, solar panels have a much smaller carbon footprint than traditional energy sources, and as the manufacturing process is working to reduce carbon, this footprint will decrease further. Solar panels also produce no air pollution during operation.”
Jargon Buster
P-type (positive-type) solar cells are the most common type used in solar panels today. They are made by adding a small amount of boron to silicon, which creates a positive charge. P-types are reliable and cost effective but can be more susceptible to light-induced degradation (LID), which means they might lose efficiency slightly faster over time.
N-type (negative-type) solar cells are made by adding phosphorus to silicon, giving them a negative charge. They are less prone to LID and tend to have higher efficiency and better performance in low-light conditions.
PID refers to solar panels losing efficiency over time because of voltage stresses that cause unwanted electrical currents within them, leading to a reduction in the amount of electricity they produce. Many of the best panels use PID-reducing technology.
LID is when solar panels experience a small drop in efficiency shortly after they’re first exposed to sunlight. Typically, this initial efficiency loss is about one to three per cent, after which the panels continue to operate efficiently for the rest of their lifespan. The best solar panels on the market typically have minimal LID to ensure long-term performance and reliability.
Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (TOPCon) technology enhances N-type solar cells, typically increasing their efficiency above 20 per cent. TOPCon panels typically have a higher initial cost, but thanks to their increased energy production, result in greater savings. Many of the best solar panels use TOPCon technology.
When looking at your options for solar panels, we highly recommend that you source them directly from a national or local professional solar installer. The benefits of this include:
Once you’ve chosen the right solar panels for your energy needs, you’ll want to make sure you’re getting the best possible price.
Getting free solar panel quotes with the Independent Advisor is quick, transparent and straightforward. Simply follow the steps below to get free quotes for solar panels tailored to your needs and budget.
Enter basic information about your home and energy usage into our free quote form. This enables us to present you with only the most relevant quotes.
Receive tailored quotes from our trusted suppliers. Installers use Google Earth to assess your property’s location, orientation, and roof space in order to provide you with an accurate quote.
Compare the benefits and costs of each quote, including the features and services offered. Keep in mind the information in this guide as you consider your options.
4. Make an informed decision
Once you’ve reviewed all the quotes, you’re ready to choose your new solar panel system.
We recommend 12 panels for the average three-bedroom home. However, with the best solar panels you may need fewer fitted to achieve the same results, especially if you opt for a brand with an above-average efficiency rating.
Different brands offer varying levels of efficiency and durability as well as different warranty lengths. Reputable brands tend to offer more efficient panels, longer and more comprehensive warranties and better support, ensuring long-term performance and reliability.
It’s generally recommended to use the same brand and type of panels within a system to ensure consistent performance and compatibility. Mixing different panels can lead to inefficiencies and complicate system designs.
Finding the best solar panels comes down to pinpointing the right product for your home and individual circumstances. Consider your home’s position, roof orientation and energy usage, as well as whether you wish to export excess energy to the grid or use solar battery storage to optimise your solar setup.
The best solar panels for your home depend on your budget, property size, orientation and energy usage. Start by comparing quotes and consulting installers about their stock and costs, focusing on key elements such as efficiency, power rating and design features. Research suppliers thoroughly by reading customer reviews. For even more reliable feedback, speak with neighbours who have already installed solar panels.
The best angle for solar panels is between 30 and 40 degrees. Your installer should consider your roof’s orientation and angle to maximise sunlight exposure and optimise energy conversion.
Bigger solar panels are not necessarily better. Larger panels can produce more power, but they may not be efficient if you have limited roof space or shading issues. To achieve the most power in a limited space, choose a panel with a higher power output and a smaller surface area.
Yes, but it’s better to plan for future expansion during your initial installation. Ensure your inverter can handle additional capacity and that there’s sufficient roof space. Compatibility with existing equipment is crucial.
Many manufacturers offer recycling programmes. Specialised facilities can reclaim materials like glass, aluminium, and silicon, reducing environmental impact.
