You have been thinking about switching to solar energy for some time.
Mainly to reduce the cost of your electricity bills and be less dependent on the conventional grid.
Because every time you receive the notification from your utility company and check the cost of electricity, your stomach churns.
But of course, when you start the search process to find the best solar panel manufacturer, you are faced with a wide range of choice.
And among this choice, one of the possible options is SunPower solar panels.
As you don’t want to make a hasty decision, you first need to know the opinions about this model.
Don’t you?
Well, that’s what we’re going to tell you in this post: our opinion about this manufacturer.
And you can assess whether it is the right supplier for you.
In addition, we explain why we have chosen it at SolarMente and which models we use for our customers.
Let’s get to it.
[Reviews of SunPower solar panels] We tell you the reasons why we work with this manufacturer
SunPower is not a manufacturer that has just entered the market.
This American company is a veteran with 40 years in the sector, surpassing most of its competitors.
And that is no small feat.
And one of the main reasons why we work with them is the quality of their materials.
A quality that results in greater efficiency to produce more energy and increase savings.
But this was not the only reason.
Here are some of the other factors we took into account:
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Its long history in the sector.
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Its guarantees, the most extensive in the solar energy market.
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Continuous innovation in the industry, reaching out to other sectors such as automotive and aerospace.
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Its concern for environmental impact, even receiving sustainability certifications.
Types of SunPower solar panels
This manufacturer works with two types of panels:
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Performance solar panels
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Maxeon solar panels
At SolarMente we use both models.
We tell you in detail the characteristics of each category.
SunPower Performance solar panels
The Performance models were launched in 2015 and are characterised by supplying 8% more energy in the same space during the first 25 years compared to conventional monocrystalline PERCs.
Within this category, the manufacturer offers panels for residential and commercial use.
But we are going to detail those related to housing.
Performance 6 BLK and P6 AC BLK
They feature improved density and high efficiency, as well as a lower temperature coefficient when compared to other manufacturers.
They also include front lead wires for increased current collection.
These designs are comprised of tile-type cells that offer greater durability and reliability in all weather conditions.
And that’s not all.
They add reinforced cell connections to withstand the stresses of daily temperature changes and their electrical architecture makes them more resistant to shading, as well as reducing the formation of hot spots.
Here is a summary of the main features of both models:
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Guaranteed minimum first year output 98.0%.
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Maximum annual degradation 0.45%.
Finally, we would like to highlight its design with a completely dark shade that gives a more aesthetic appearance to the home.
SunPower Maxeon solar panels
The Maxeon range uses the latest technology.
We could say that they are the company’s premium panels.
Their reliability is guaranteed by the various studies carried out by the manufacturer itself.
We are talking about tests over 8 years and 800,000 panels in more than 200 locations that demonstrated their low degradation rate in the sector.
This is almost 4 times higher than conventional panels.
But it also stands out for its durability which comes from the patented metal base of the cells that do not break, but bend.
After this brief introduction, we are going to tell you which models we use.
For residential use:
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Maxeon 3 – 415, 425 and 430
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Maxeon 3 BLK – 410, 415 and 420
This range is based on IBC cell technology and its new 104-cell format further increases power and achieves a maximum efficiency of up to 22.8%, making it one of the most efficient on the market.
Here is a summary of the main features of the model:
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Guaranteed minimum output in the first year of 98.0%.
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Maximum annual degradation 0.25%.
Finally, for commercial use we have:
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Maxeon 6 COM 450, 460, 475.
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Maxeon 6 AC BLK – 410, 415, 425.
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Maxeon 6 AC – 420, 425, 435, 440.
Advantages of installing SunPower solar panels
We are going to explain from our point of view (as a company that works with this manufacturer) the most outstanding of SunPower; what are the advantages of betting on their photovoltaic panels.
Pay attention, let’s get started.
More energy for life
SunPower panels are manufactured with high quality materials that maximize energy production, making it one of the most efficient manufacturers in the industry:
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Improving performance in high temperatures.
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Increasing energy conversion in low light (early morning, evening or cloudy days).
Both Maxeon and Performance panels, in year 1, show 98% efficiency.
And their efficiency is one of the highest on the market, reaching up to 22.8%.
In other words, the higher the efficiency, the more energy your solar panels produce and the more you save over the years.
In addition, thanks to its high power output, the Maxeon generates more energy with fewer panels. It’s ideal for small spaces.
More reliability
Another of the manufacturer’s highlights is its high reliability.
And this is due to its low degradation rates, one of the most significant in the market.
This reliability also contributes to higher savings.
In short, these are the temperature coefficients by panel type:
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Performance: -0.45ºC/year
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Maxeon: -0.25ºC/year
Increased sustainability
SunPower’s Maxeon panels are one of the most sustainable options on the market.
The supplier shows its concern for responsible manufacturing and is committed to the production of sustainable clean energy.
But there’s more.
They were the first photovoltaic panels to obtain Cradle to Cradle certification.
And the evaluation criteria are very rigorous when it comes to assessing sustainable practices in health, carbon management and renewable energy, social equity, material reuse and water management.
In fact, they have sustainability resources available on their website where they show their transparency and responsibility to the environment.
For example, in their reports you can find out how they recycle their panels or the actions they take to care for the environment.
SunPower panel warranties
It has one of the most attractive warranties on the market.
Specifically, these are the ones offered depending on the model:
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25 years of product and performance warranty for the Performance panels.
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40 years warranty for Maxeon panels.
This is backed by extensive third-party testing and more than 33 million modules distributed worldwide.
Finally, they have more extensive repair coverage as well as panel replacement compared to other suppliers’ warranties.
How much do SunPower solar panels cost?
Calculating the cost of an installation involves a number of factors.
Factors that vary from case to case such as location or energy needs.
But as a rough guide, we can tell you the price of SunPower solar panels according to the technology used:
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Maxeon: the price of the panel is 300-320 euros. If it is full black at 410 euros.
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Performance: 120 euros for the basic model and if it is full black, the price increases to 240 euros.
The cost of these panels is the least favourable point.
If we compare it with the rest of the manufacturers, we can appreciate a higher cost.
But of course, we must also take into account the use of a higher quality in their materials that increases efficiency and, therefore, achieves a higher economic saving in our day to day life.
And to find out if it is the right choice for you, it is best to consult with solar energy experts and ask for a personalised quote.
You can do this through our self-consumption calculator.
Just enter your address and your monthly electricity costs.
We will then contact you to offer you the best option for your home.
How can you switch to self-consumption with your SunPower panels?
At SolarMente you have three options for going solar, depending on your preferences and budget.
This applies to SunPower as well as all other manufacturers.
You can:
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Buy your solar panels (cash or financed): the installation is yours from the start. You will be the owner.
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Lease your solar panels (solar subscription). For a small monthly fee you can start saving on your electricity bill without a large initial investment.
History of the manufacturer SunPower
SunPower is a 1985 American company based in Silicon Valley.
You see, one of the pioneers in the solar energy industry.
And its growth has been rapid and continuous over time.
It is also one of the premium brands in the industry thanks to the quality of its products and its cutting-edge technology.
Because it is not limited to the housing market, but opens doors to new fields such as aerospace or marine.
Is SunPower a good choice?
Although there is a clear difference in price compared to other manufacturers, it is also important to value its quality.
Because its panels offer superior efficiency, extending the life of the installation and maximising energy production.
And best of all, it has one of the longest warranties in the market, with solid experience in the sector.
We hope this review will help you make your decision.
And if you want to take the plunge into self-consumption with us…
Just click here and calculate your budget.
Afterwards, we will contact you to offer you a photovoltaic installation adapted to your needs.
