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Solar panels

Not all solar modules are the same.

Two arrays can share a headline size and still be built from very different modules. Size, rated output, efficiency, technology, appearance, warranty, manufacturer and compatibility all differ — and all belong in a proposal.

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Solar panels on an orange tiled roof with a rainbow in the sky

Module · What to compare

Size
Product-specific
Output
Rated, not predicted
Warranty
Product-specific
Fit
With the whole system
Solar equipment context Photo: Joshua Bowers on Unsplash

01 Side by side

Same job, different modules.

Two illustrative, unbranded modules. One is shorter with a silver frame and full-size cells; the other is taller, all black, with half-cut cells. Neither is “better” in general — each suits different roofs and priorities.

Illustrative only. No manufacturer, rating or dimensions are implied.

Two illustrative solar modules compared Module A is shorter, with a light frame and full-size cells in a six by ten layout. Module B is taller, all black, with smaller half-cut cells split into an upper and lower half. Both are illustrative and unbranded. MODULE A MODULE B HEIGHT HEIGHT

02 Eight differences

What actually varies between modules.

These are the characteristics a homeowner can expect to see named, or at least explained, when modules are proposed.

  1. 01 PHYSICAL SIZE

    Physical size

    Modules come in different dimensions. Size affects how many fit on a roof plane and how they can be arranged around edges and features.

  2. 02 RATED OUTPUT

    Rated output

    The output a module is rated for under standard test conditions, in watts. Useful for comparison; it is not what a module will produce on a particular roof.

  3. 03 EFFICIENCY

    Efficiency

    How much of the light reaching a module it converts to electricity. Higher efficiency can mean more output from the same area, which matters most where space is limited.

  4. 04 TECHNOLOGY

    Cell technology

    Modules use different cell types and constructions — for example, half-cut cells or different cell architectures — which can affect performance characteristics.

  5. 05 APPEARANCE

    Appearance

    Frame colour, backsheet colour and cell layout change how a roof looks. All-black modules and silver-framed modules sit differently on different roofs.

  6. 06 WARRANTY

    Warranty terms

    Product and performance warranties vary by manufacturer and product. A proposal should state which warranties apply, who provides them and what they cover.

  7. 07 MANUFACTURER

    Manufacturer

    Who makes the module, and the documentation and support behind it. A proposal should name the product rather than describe it only as “premium” or “tier one”.

  8. 08 COMPATIBILITY

    System compatibility

    Modules have to suit the inverter, the mounting system and the electrical design. A good module in the wrong system is not a good choice.

03 On the roof

A module is chosen for a roof, not a brochure.

The best module for one home may not suit another. A smaller roof might favour higher efficiency; a prominent roof might favour appearance; a particular inverter might narrow the options.

A proposal should explain the choice in those terms — and should name the product, its rated output and its warranty terms, rather than leave them vague.

Next: the inverter

Solar modules on a residential pitched roof
Residential solar context Photo: Watt A Lot on Unsplash

Questions

Solar panel questions

Which solar panel brand is best?

There is no single answer, and this website does not rank or recommend manufacturers. The right module depends on the roof, the space, the inverter, appearance preferences and the warranty terms on offer. A proposal should name the product and explain why it was chosen.

Do bigger panels produce more electricity?

A larger module with a higher rating can produce more in the same conditions, but what matters on a roof is how many fit, how they are oriented and shaded, and how they work with the rest of the system.

How long do solar panels last?

It varies by product. Warranty terms differ between manufacturers and products, and should be set out in the proposal for the specific modules offered.

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