Best Solar Panels in the UK

With so many different solar panel brands, types, and models available in the UK, it can be challenging to choose the right panels for your property. Fortunately, Eco Happy makes the choice so much easier with our guide on the top-rated solar panels and their advantages and potential drawbacks.

Our top picks:

• Best solar panels for home: LONGi Solar HI-MO 5 and Jinko Tiger Neo 420W N-Type 54 Cell
• Best solar panels for commercial buildings: SunPower Maxeon 6 AC and LG NeON R Series

5 Best Solar Panels for Homes in the UK

• Suntech Ultra V Mini Mono 405W
• LONGi Solar HI-MO 5
• JA Solar JAM72S30
• Jinko Tiger Neo 420W N-Type 54 Cell
• Aiko NEOSTAR 2n Mono-Glass 450-470W

1. Best for 1-2 bedroom homes – Suntech Ultra V Mini Mono 405W

With a 20.7% efficiency rating and an impressive power output, the Suntech Ultra V Mini Mono is a highly efficient solar panel. Thanks to its compact size, due to half-cell solar technology, these panels are ideal for smaller homes with limited roof space.

Pros:

• 405 W power output
• Corrosion resistant
• Works well in low-lighting

Cons:

• 0.55% degradation rate per year (2% in year one)

2. Best for 3-4 bedroom homes – LONGi Solar HI-MO 5

Boasting a sleek design and innovative technology, LONGi Solar HI-MO 5 panels are a great choice for medium-sized homes in the UK. You’ll enjoy an efficiency rating of over 25% and a comprehensive warranty, among other benefits.

Pros:

• Makes use of HPBC cell technology
• 15-year solar panel warranty (materials) and 25-year warranty on linear power output
• Aesthetically pleasing design

Cons:

• Costly when compared to other options

3. Best for 5+ Bedroom homes – JA Solar JAM72S30

JA Solar JAM72S30 panels are ideal for larger homes with higher energy requirements. These efficient panels are more powerful than most domestic solar panels thanks to their 550 W power output. You won’t find many other residential solar panels with these sorts of specs.

Pros:

• Impressive power output
• Durable design

Cons:

• Sufficient roof space is needed to accommodate the robust panels
• 12-year product warranty, which is lower than average

4. Best for reliability – Jinko Tiger Neo 420W N-Type 54 Cell

The Jinko Tiger Neo 420W N-Type 54 Cell earns its spot as the most reliable solar panel thanks to its many positive reviews and assessments. Its cutting-edge technology ensures that this solar panel will stand the test of time, even under challenging conditions.

Pros:

• Impressive power output
• Peace of mind

Cons:

• Pricey

5. Best for small budgets – Aiko NEOSTAR 2n Mono-Glass 450-470W

There is no denying that solar power systems are a significant investment, but Aiko NEOSTAR 2n Mono-Glass panels are making renewable energy more accessible. You can expect to pay roughly £80 per panel without having to compromise on quality.

Pros:

• Partial shading optimisation
• Affordable option

Cons:

• Lower power output than some other options

3 Best Solar Panels for Commercial Businesses in the UK

• SunPower Maxeon 6 AC
• LG NeON R Series
• Trina Solar Vertex TSM-DE21

1. Best for small businesses – SunPower Maxeon 6 AC

When looking for the right solar panels for a small business, you need to consider your available roof space. SunPower Maxeon 6 solar panels are ideal for smaller businesses thanks to their compact size. They are also praised for being the most efficient solar panels on the market, with a rating of more than 22%.

Pros:

• Excellent solar panel efficiency
• Sustainable choice since SunPower recycles its panels
• Corrosion resistant
• Advanced tracking technology

Cons:

• Expensive when compared to other solar panels

2. Best for medium-sized businesses- LG NeON R Series

For medium-sized operations, the LG NeON R Series is an excellent choice. Not only does this series of monocrystalline panels come with 25-year warranties, but they also offer impressive output capabilities.

Pros:

• Impressive low-light performance
• Highly efficient
• Can handle high energy consumption needs

Cons:

• Expensive

3. Best for large commercial operations – Trina Solar Vertex TSM-DE21

Trina Solar Vertex TSM-DE21 panels are ideal for large-scale commercial operations, such as factories and warehouses. They are particularly well-suited for ground-mounted installations. The system allows you to achieve maximum outputs thanks to the powerful panels, which can offer as much as 670 W.

Pros:

• Robust design that can withstand harsh weather conditions
• Bifacial technology can receive sunlight from both sides
• High power output

Cons:

• Requires a significant amount of space for installation

How We Chose the Best Solar Panels

When determining the UK’s best solar panels, we considered a variety of factors, including reliability, efficiency, and affordability.

Reliability

By reading online reviews on sites like Trustpilot, and researching the materials and processes used to make particular solar panels, we were able to determine reliability. The trustworthiness of the product is of utmost importance.

Efficiency

Efficiency refers to the solar panel’s ability to turn solar power into usable energy. Advanced solar panels should have an efficiency rating of at least 20%. Without a decent efficiency rating, solar panels become impractical.

Affordability

Solar panels are a significant, long-term investment and a budget solar panel is not necessarily the ideal choice. However, it is important for prices to still be somewhat reasonable, which is why we considered value for money when choosing the best panels.

Warranties

Warranties play a very important role in determining the overall value of a particular solar panel. Most solar panels have a warranty of at least 15 years, but it is possible to get panels with warranties of 25 and even 30 years.

Temperature coefficient

The temperature coefficient refers to how well the solar panel system can operate in warmer temperatures. Most solar panels experience a drop in energy production when temperatures are higher than 25°C. Coefficients are typically listed as somewhere between -0.3°C and -0.5°C.

Power output

The power output is usually given in watts and refers to the amount of power your solar PV panels can produce during optimal conditions. Most solar panels have a power output of between 250 and 400 watts.

Looking for a Solar Panel Installation Quote?

Are you ready to install solar panels on your home or business in the UK? At Eco Happy, we have helped hundreds of property owners implement renewable energy through our solar installation services. Contact us to receive a free quote and expert advice from our professional team.

FAQs

Which brand of solar panels is the best?

With so many successful solar panel brands out there, it is difficult to say which one is the best. However, SunPower, Panasonic, Jinko Solar, and Project Solar are certainly top contenders.

What type of solar panels are the best?

While there are roughly a dozen different types of solar panels, polycrystalline and monocrystalline solar panels tend to be the most popular for both residential and commercial use.

What are Tier 1 solar panels?

Tier 1 solar panels have been manufactured by a company with a Tier 1 rating. This rating is provided by an independent solar PV industry analyst. Tier 1 solar panels are the best of the best and score highly on various criteria, including durability and technical performance.

Our Verdict

The solar panels that are best for you will depend on a variety of factors, including your budget, average energy consumption, and the size of your property. However, you can’t go wrong with any of the brands we have listed in this article as they are all highly reliable.

Remember to check efficiency ratings, read online reviews, and seek expert advice before making your decision.