Although different brands of solar panels may look alike, their performance and efficiency levels vary. The quality of panel you choose will also affect the amount of solar panels your rooftop will require.
Solar panels are available in wattages ranging from 150 to 370 kWh per panel. The wattage amount depends on the size of the panel, as well as how efficient each type/brand of panel is at generating electricity, which is largely determined by their cell technology.
For example, unlike most conventional panels, SunPower Maxeon cells lack grid lines. This gives them the ability to absorb more sunlight than other cells. They’re also more durable, holding up well to corrosion and cracking, where others don’t. While traditional solar panels generate roughly 250 watts per panel, SunPower panels produce 370 kWh per panel — and are well known as the most efficient panel on the US market.
Therefore, the more efficient your panels are, the more wattage they can produce, and the fewer you will need on your roof to get the same energy output. Talk to your solar contractor about which you’ll need.