What is a good solar panel efficiency?

Efficiency is how much energy a solar panel can convert from the sun into usable energy for your home. The higher the efficiency, the better the panel, which is why solar panels with an efficiency of 22% or more score the best in this category.

How do I Choose affordable solar panels?

Choosing affordable solar panels comes down to efficiency, wattage, warranties, guarantees and the material of the panels. Be sure to check out solar company reviews and ask family and friends who’ve gone solar for recommendations to make the most informed decision.

Which solar panels are the most efficient?

Trina Solar, a Chinese company that makes this kind of panel, set a world record in June 2025 by creating a 30.6% efficient model. With a 360W power rating across a 1.185m² panel, this product would easily top our list – except it hasn’t been released to the public yet, and likely won’t be for years.

Do you really need the most efficient solar panels on your roof?

Larger, utility-scale solar panels can be more efficient than residential panels and technology still in research phases has almost doubled that efficiency. Solar technology keeps getting better, but do you really need the most efficient panels on your roof?

Are solar panels a good choice?

With a 25-year warranty for product and performance, these panels have good coverage for your peace of mind. This module offers efficiency levels of up to 20.5%, which is considered relatively low by today’s standards. Still, when you look at this solar panel as a whole, it remains a solid and reliable option.

What are the best Cheap solar panels for residential use?

SunPower is consistently one of our top picks for solar companies overall, and we found the Maxeon X-Series to be one of the best cheap panels for residential use. SunPower guarantees its X-Series panels won’t lose more than 8% of their power production over 25 years, and its 25-year warranty covers panel equipment and power.