Making a move to equip your residential or commercial project with the best solar panels on the market requires in depth research. We've got you covered. As the solar market grows, so does the range of companies competing for your attention. This surge is good news for consumers as it fosters innovation and helps keep pricing competitive. Nonetheless, the abundance of solar panel producers and extensive range of choices make for a challenging buying landscape. Which one suits your location best? Which is best for cold climates or bigger energy needs? We're breaking down the Best of 2024, including Jinko, Canadian Solar, Hanwha QCells, Aptos, and REC Solar in our top-of-the-year solar panel spotlight. Why the Surge in Solar in 2024? A surge of solar is about to hit the residential and commerical market in 2024. Why The economic incentive for households and enterprises, driven by the extension of the 30% Federal Tax Credit plus lower than ever pricing and ongoing mandates to switch new residential builds to renewable energy are creating the perfect wave for renewable energy. Rates that are lower than they have been in ten years have made solar more accessible than ever with additional local incentives and property tax breaks sweetening the pot. Upfront costs are no longer worth the sweat either with the investment in solar panels generally recoverable within five to ten years, ushering in prolonged savings and, in many cases, providing nearly cost-free power in the years that follow. Not sure where to start? Solar PV systems are designed to suit different needs from low light situations to high temperatures and optimized efficiency in snow cover. These are our best bets for 2024. Top 5 Solar Panels for 2024 Hanwha QCells – Best Overall/Snowy Cover and Colder Climates REC Solar – Most Powerful Jinko – Best Low Light Aptos – Best Performance Warranty Canadian Solar – Best Value 1. HANWHA QCELLS Best for: Heavy Snow Loads, Cooler Climates It's likely that there won't be a 'Best of 2024' solar panel list that doesn't feature Hanwha QCells this year — and their dominating presence is for a good reason. Their strategic blend of innovation, investment, and international market presence has made them the go to for record breaking efficiency backed by robust performance warranties. With their announcement to invest $100 million in a pilot production of a new kind of solar cell in a state-of-the-art manufacturing complex in Georgia, they’ve solidified their domestic manufacturing presence in the US and on more 'Best of Solar' lists to come. Featured Solar Panel: HANWHA Q CELLS Q.PEAK DUO ML-G10 Watts: 400W Cell Type: 132 Half-Cell Mono Solar Panel Q.ANTUM DUO Z Technology: Zero gap cell layout boosts module efficiency to 20.9 %. Extreme Weather Rating: High-tech aluminium alloy frame, certified for high snow (5400 Pa) and wind loads (4000 Pa). Robust Build for Extreme Conditions: The panel's advanced aluminum alloy frame is designed to endure high snow (5400 Pa) and wind loads (4000 Pa), ensuring long-lasting stability and resilience. 25-Year Performance Guarantee: Promising a minimum of 86% nominal power capacity for up to 25 years. 2. REC SOLAR Best for: Full Power REC Solar makes our 2024 list for their excellent all-around performers with four distinct panel lines at various price points and wattages (up to 430W). They've also got our vote when it comes to peak efficiency, up to 22.3%, and an excellent 25 year output warranty of 92%. Featured Solar Panel: REC TWINPEAK 4 Watts: 365W Cell Type: 120 Half-Cut Mono P-type cells, 6 strings of 20 cells in series REC's Twin Design: A ground-breaking cell layout gives you MORE POWER OUTPUT PER FT2 and results in extra power and a class-leading efficiency of up to 21.9% High Efficiency: Monocrystalline cells enable more output from the space available – helping to lower your energy bills and shorten the payback time through increased yield and lower costs. Shaded Conditions: Panels with REC TwinPeak technologies have a unique “twin” design, enabling them to generate electricity even when partially shaded. Over time, you get a higher yield from your installation. 3. JINKO Best for: Low Light As the world's second-largest solar equipment manufacturer, Jinko is among the top-rated solar panel options in 2024 for a variety of reasons that cater to efficiency, longevity, and trust in the solar energy market. Its high-quality panels perform well and come with robust power performance guarantees that span 30 years instead of the typical 25 for models like the Jinko Tiger N-type panel. Featured Solar Panel: Jinko Eagle 72 Watts: 410W Diamond Half Cell Technology: Record breaking efficient 144 high-performance Diamond 5-busbar mono PERC half-cells. Thick and Tough: Fire Type 1 rated module engineered with a thick frame, 3.2mm front side glass, and thick backsheet for added durability. Shade Tolerant: Twin array design allows continued performance even with shading by trees or debris. Power Boost in Cloudy Conditions: A special film diffuses light, boosting performance even with shading by trees or debris. Protected Against All Environments: Certified to withstand humidity, heat, rain, marine environments, wind, hailstorms, and packed snow. UL and IEC 1500V certified. 4. Aptos Best for: Robust Warranty Aptos Solar panels, an up and coming company out of California, is a strong contender for our 'Best Solar Panels of 2024' list owing to their bespoke Dual Nano Absorber” (DNA), which results in “a high-efficiency solar cell with heightened heat tolerances”. Their range of products combines robust construction capable of withstanding heavy loads with the ability to achieve up to 550W with bifacial gain. 30-year warranties sweeten the pot. Featured Solar Panel: Aptos DNA 120-MF26 Watts: 365/370W Cell Type: Monocrystaline. Features advanced split-cell technology with 9 ultra-thin busbars for minimized resistance and maximized photon capture. High Efficiency: Engineers have implemented Dual Nano Absorber (DNATM) Technology for 20.01% efficiency. Extreme Temp Tolerance: The power temperature coefficient is at -0.36% which shows that even extreme heat won’t be much of a problem. Robust Frame Design: The sturdy frame design offers enhanced durability against harsh environmental conditions such as heavy snow loads and strong winds. Reduced Energy Loss: Cutting-edge technologies minimize energy loss due to shading or low light conditions, ensuring consistent and reliable energy production throughout the day. Advanced Bifacial Technology: This panel's bifacial nature enables it to capture sunlight from both the front and back sides, increasing its energy harvesting potential. Integration-Friendly: Allows for simple installations and upgrades, supporting grid-tied, off-grid, or hybrid setups. 5. Canadian Solar Best for: Budget Friendly Buyers Canadian Solar has grown into one of the world’s largest solar photovoltaic products and energy solutions providers, as well as one of the largest solar power plant developers globally. They have cumulatively delivered over 55 GW of solar modules to thousands of customers in more than 160 countries, enough to meet the clean, green energy needs of approximately 14 million households. We especially love this brand for it's budget-friendly solar power approach. The company produces solar panels with up to 460 watts of power per panel, efficiency ratings that max out at 22.50%, and low-temperature coefficient numbers of about -0.26%, all with affordable pricing. Canadian Solar panels may struggle under heavy snow loads but are high-level performers in warm climates. Featured Solar Panel: Canadian Solar HiKu CS3W-440 Watts: 440W Cell Type: Monocrystaline. Super high power 144 Half-cell Mono Solar Panel High Power: 26% more power than conventional modules. Upper End of Efficiency: Above average 19.9% efficiency. Commercial Applications: 144 half-cut cells make it slightly larger than 60/120-cell panels and make it more suitable for commercial projects. Sturdy and Resistant: Half-cut cell design makes the panel sturdier and less susceptible to microcracks. Increased Shading Tolerance: Half-cut cells increase the shading tolerance of a panel because the panel is split into two halves. It’s like having two small panels that are wired in parallel. Warranty: The HiKu is accompanied by rather standard, but still nice warranties from Canadian Solar. The panel comes with a 12-year warranty on materials and workmanship and a 25-year performance warranty.
