How Efficient Are Solar Panels? Top Brands Compared in 2024 – EnergySage Blog

It’s important to choose efficient solar panels, but you don’t always need to choose the most efficient model. Here are some scenarios when selecting the most efficient panels makes sense:

1. You want to maximize your solar production

You may want your system to produce as much electricity as possible. Or, you might want to buy the least amount of electricity from your utility but have limited roof space. In either of these cases, you should choose the highest-efficiency solar panel.

2. Higher-efficiency solar panels will save you money

Highly efficient solar panels tend to cost more than their less efficient counterparts. But, the higher your panel’s efficiency, the more electricity you’ll produce, and the more you’ll save on your electric bills. 

You need to calculate if the increased savings you achieve by generating more electricity over the lifespan of your solar energy system with high-efficiency panels justifies the higher upfront cost.

Let’s consider two solar panel systems located in Massachusetts. Both have 20 solar panels of the same physical size. One system has SunPower’s M-Series 440 W panels with 22.8% efficiency, while the other includes panels with 21% efficiency.

Solar savings with high-efficiency panels

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