In recent years, the UK has witnessed a surge in the adoption of solar panels, driven by advancements in battery storage technology and incentives like the Smart Export Guarantee.
Now, more than ever is an opportune moment to embrace solar energy.
Selecting the Right Solar Panels: A Comprehensive Guide
Choosing the best solar panels involves a nuanced understanding of various factors, including efficiency, durability, cost, and brand reputation.
This guide delves into these considerations, offering insights into the top solar panel options available in the UK.
We aim to empower you with the knowledge to make an informed decision that aligns with your home’s energy needs.
Key Factors in Determining Top Solar Panels:
- Efficiency: The effectiveness of panels in converting sunlight to energy, where higher efficiency equates to more power output.
- Warranty: A critical aspect that safeguards your investment against potential defects or malfunctions.
- Eco-Friendliness: For the environmentally conscious, this aspect measures the panels’ impact on reducing carbon footprints.
- Size and Weight: These physical attributes determine the suitability of panels for your specific installation space.
- Heat Resistance: A vital characteristic ensuring optimal performance in high-temperature conditions.
- Power Generation Capacity: This indicates the electricity output of the panels, crucial for meeting your energy requirements.
This guide meticulously reviews and ranks the finest solar panels in the UK, considering these pivotal factors to help you choose a system that truly complements your home.
Check out our video review of the best solar panels in the UK:
Best Solar Panels in the UK in 2024
#1 REA Fusion Power (Best Solar Panels)
REA, an Australian company, has significantly impacted the UK domestic solar market with the introduction of their REA Fusion solar panels, tailored specifically for the UK’s climate. These panels are engineered to perform efficiently all year round, even under cloudy conditions.
The REA Fusion Solar Panels utilise high-efficiency N-type M10 Topcon solar cells and boast a sleek, seamless design available in two popular colours: black and silver.
Notably, each panel is bifacial, meaning it is double-sided. This design allows it to capture sunlight more effectively than traditional single-sided panels, enhancing power generation. The panels are also double-glazed, ensuring maximum durability.
Furthermore, these panels are optimised for use with micro-inverters, particularly those from Enphase, enabling more efficient energy conversion.
This combination of advanced technologies allows the REA Fusion Solar Panels to generate electricity even in low-light conditions, making them exceptionally well-suited for the UK, where cloudy days are frequent.
#2 SunPower Maxeon 3 (Second Best Solar Panels)
The Maxeon range is one of the latest offerings from leading solar panel brand SunPower, with their UK offices located in Milton Keynes.
The Maxeon panels have placed at the top of the list due to their high efficiency, with a 22.6% efficiency rating compared to the average of 20% for other brands.
Additionally, SunPower promises that their Maxeon panels will perform at 92% of their original level after 25 years and 88.25% after 40 years, making them a reliable and long-lasting option compared to other brands which typically offer less after 20 years.
#3 Project Solar Evolution Elite (Third Best Solar Panels)
Project Solar, a leading brand in the solar panel industry, doesn’t provide pricing information for individual panels.
However, it’s estimated that the average cost for a solar panel installation, which typically involves around 10 panels, is around £8,000.
The reason Project Solar ranks 2nd on our list is due to its lifetime warranty offering.
If there’s a manufacturer’s defect, they will repair the panels to get them back in working condition.
The Evolution Elite 400 panels from Project Solar are also highly efficient, with a performance of 92% of their original level after 12 years, 85% after 25 years, and 80% after 30 years.
#4 LG NeON R (Fourth Best Solar Panels)
LG, a well-known Korean technology brand, has made its mark in the solar panel industry.
Their affordable prices and high-performance panels have made them a popular choice among consumers.
The LG NeON R solar panels have a higher efficiency rate compared to other brands, offering 4% more efficiency.
With a 25-year warranty and a performance rate of 92.5% after this period, the LG NeON R panels are a reliable and cost-effective option for those looking for solar panels.
These factors have earned them a position of three in the ranking.
#5 Q Cells Q.Peak DUO BLK ML-G9 (Fifth Best Solar Panels)
The Q Cells Q.PeaK BLK solar panel range has been added to the list due to its impressive heat resistance.
This range of solar panels can withstand a high amount of heat, with a loss of only 0.25% in efficiency for every degree over 25°C.
This is significantly better than the standard for most solar panel brands and is a major consideration for those concerned about solar panel fires and efficiency loss.
#6 Panasonic HIT N340 (Sixth Best Solar Panels)
The HIT N340 solar panels by Panasonic are well-regarded for their lightweight design and high power tolerance.
Weighing in at just 19kg, these panels are significantly lighter than many other solar brands on the market.
Additionally, their power tolerance of +34W/-0W makes them capable of producing an output of up to 374 watts in everyday use.
The Panasonic brand is also a well-known and trusted name in technology, which adds to the peace of mind of many consumers.
Related solar guides:
- How many solar panels do you need?
- Smart Export Guarantee
- Can you install solar panels in a conservation area?
- Best 4kw solar system with battery storage
- Sunshine hours map UK
- Best Solar Panels
- Solar panel output calculator
Best Solar Panels UK FAQs
How much does a solar panel installation cost?
A 3kW solar panel system, costing between £5,000 to £6,000, is sufficient to meet the energy needs of a small household with 1-3 residents.
This system can help you save approximately £160 per year on your electricity bills.
For larger households with 4 or more people, a 6kW solar panel system is recommended.
The cost for this system is likely to range between £8,000 to £10,000.
On average, you can expect to save about £430 on your electricity expenses each year.
What types of solar panels are best to install in the UK?
The two most common options for solar panels in the UK are monocrystalline and polycrystalline.
Monocrystalline panels are known for their high efficiency, converting between 15% and 20% of the sun’s energy into usable power.
They are also more space-efficient, producing more energy per unit area than polycrystalline panels.
However, their higher efficiency and pure silicon material result in a higher cost.
On the other hand, polycrystalline panels are less efficient but more affordable, as their silicon material is less pure.
They also have a greater temperature tolerance, producing more electricity over a year.
Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on factors such as budget and available space.
Do you need battery storage for solar?
Battery storage allows you to store excess electricity generated by your solar panels, so that you can use it when it is needed, rather than relying on your utility company.
This provides greater energy independence and security since it enables you to benefit from the energy your panels generate in the evening.
It also allows you to sell surplus energy you generated back to the grid.
It’s worth noting, however, that battery storage can also come with costs, so it’s important to consider these when deciding whether to invest in a battery system.
Recommended reading:
How Many Solar Panels Does The Average UK House Need?
The true answer is that it depends on the size of your property and your energy demands.
Annual electricity usage is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), therefore, we can use these average figures based on the property size to work out how many solar panels you will need to generate a sufficient amount of power.
In the table below, we have provided an estimate of how many panels you will require based on your property type:
| Household Size | Annual Electricity Usage | Number of Solar Panels | Size of Solar Panel System |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | 1,800 kWh | 6 | 2.1 |
| 3 bedrooms | 2,900 kWh | 10 | 3.5 |
| 5 bedrooms | 4,300 kWh | 14 | 4.9 |
Table data source: Energy Guide UK
How Long Do Solar Panels Last in the UK?
You should bear in mind that solar panels only generate energy during sunlight hours, therefore, if you don’t work at home you are unlikely to reap the entire benefit from them.
In terms of numbers, a solar panel system will likely provide around half of your property’s annual energy demands.
Typically, solar panels have an expected lifespan of 20–30 years. During this time, their efficiency may decrease significantly, and a replacement may become necessary.
Factors such as maintenance and panel quality can also impact the longevity of solar panels.
At 10 years old, a solar panel may not perform as efficiently as a brand-new one, and this trend will continue as the panel ages to 25 or 30 years.