So you want to go to solar. Great! Here are the best residential solar panels we’ve tested this year. We ranked them based on cost per unit of power, ease of use, efficiency, and durability. Just for kicks, we included some newer models that have come out in 2021 so far. Isn’t it amazing what they can do these days? Doesn’t it make you feel excited about the future? Check our recommended products below-
How many solar panels are needed to run a house?
Panels have different wattages and sizes, so the number can fluctuate a bit. Typical panels used in residential systems tend to range from 275 to 375 watts. You’ll have to divide your system size (EX: 6300 watts) by the wattage of each panel that will be installed on it: 225W = 28 panels, 275W = 23 panels, 375W = 17 panels depending on usage needs.
Of course, these numbers will vary for everyone based on their energy use and preferences, but this should give an idea about what you might want to order when shopping around.
7 Best Residential Solar Panels?
KEY-FEATURES:
- Single sheet laminations
- 3000W 24V Inverter (7000W peak power)
- 10000mAh Lithium Battery
The ECO-WORTHY solar kit provides a complete solution for your home energy needs. It is composed of a 3000W 24V pure sine wave and 50A charge controller, 10000mAh Lithium Battery, Z Mounting Brackets, and 10ft MC4 Solar cable.
The lithium battery has a built-in Battery Management System (BMS) that can protect it from overcharging, deep discharge, overload, overheating, and short circuits. The battery can be charged by the solar panel directly or through the all-in-one solar charger inverter which can also provide a low self-discharge rate.
2. ECO-WORTHY 1KW Complete Solar Panel System Kit
KEY-FEATURES:
- 4kwh daily output
- 3500W 24V Inverter (7000W peak power)
- 2400Wh of 2 packs 100Ah batteries
The solar panel system is a complete solution for off-grid life, including 6pcs 195W polycrystalline solar panels, 3500W 24V inverter, and 2pcs 100Ah deep-cycle lead-acid battery.
From the beginning of your journey to an off-grid life, you will need the power supply for the fridge, TV, and other appliances. The system can provide 4KWH daily output depends on the sunlight availability.
It has enough power for most home appliances in a small house or cabin. It’s also suitable for charging the battery and backup power in isolated cabins & garages, sheds, and remote agriculture, etc.
Advantages:
- High-quality frame
- Great in harsh weather (Outdoor use)
- 1-year warranty
3. PowerECO 2pcs 200W Equal to 400w Solar Panel 12v/24v
KEY-FEATURE:
- 2 X 200W Solar Panel
- Size:54.72 x 27.56 x 1.3 inches
- IP65 rated junction box
The PowerECO 200W Solar Panel is a high-quality solar panel designed for use in both residential and commercial applications. The pre-drilled holes allow you to easily install the panels on any roofing surface.
This 2 pack of solar panels comes with an IP65 rated diode junction box and 30 inches cable with PV connectors pre-installed. It can withstand high wind pressure, snow load, and extreme temperature.
The 25 year’s output warranty and 5 years workmanship warranty give you peace of mind that this product will last for many years to come!
Advantages:
- Positive output tolerance (0-3%)
- Ready to install (Pre-drilled holes)
- 25 years + 5 years output/workmanship warranty
4. Nature Friendly 6 Pcs – Monocrystalline Solar Panels – 400 Watt
KEY-FEATURES:
- Great as Residential or industrial use
- 6 modules of 400w solar panels
- Mounting with Z-brackets, Pole or Tilt Mounts
The solar panels are made of high-efficiency monocrystalline silicon, with a conversion rate of up to 20%, and a long life span. The frame is made of aluminum material, which has good corrosion resistance and waterproof function.
It can be used for commercial or residential use, such as home lighting systems, water pumps system, etc. This solar panel kit includes 6 pcs of 400w solar panels.
Advantages:
- Solar cell efficiency up to 20%
- Advanced encapsulation material
- A long service life
5. Renogy 175 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Grid Large Residential Solar System
KEY-FEATURES:
- Multi-layered sheet laminations
- EL tested solar modules
- TPT back sheet to ensure smooth performance
Renogy’s 175 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Grid Large Residential Solar System is a complete solar power system with everything you need for DIY installation. This kit includes the latest Renogy high-efficiency mono panels that are made from high-quality materials to ensure maximum performance and durability.
The Renogy grid-tie solar panel system can be installed on a roof or other structure, as well as on free-standing poles (purchased separately), and can provide up to 175 watts of clean energy.
This system comes with all necessary mounting hardware, cables, and tools required for setup. It has a 5 to 20 years power output warranty, making it one of the most reliable solar modules on the market.
Advantages:
- Perfect in low-light environments
- Extended outdoor use
- Environmental particles protection
6. Renogy 6pcs 320 Watt Monocrystalline Solar Panel System Kit
KEY-FEATURES:
- Ideal for a residential rooftop system
- PERC Solar Cells/ Black frame solar panels
- Better shading tolerance
Renogy 320 Watt 12 Volts Monocrystalline Solar Panel System Kit. These high-quality solar panels are made of the best materials available and have been rigorously tested to ensure they live up to our strict standards.
The Renogy 6-piece system is designed for a wide range of applications, from RVs, boats, cabins, and sheds to remote power systems and gate openers.
A complete kit that includes mounting hardware, MC4 connectors with a built-in blocking diode, and easy-to-follow instructions will have you on your way in no time.
Advantages:
- Withstands hot and heavy snow
- Corrosion-resistant construction
- High transparency
7. Newpowa 200W Monocrystalline 200 Watt 12V Solar Panel
KEY-FEATURES:
- Dimension: 64.57*26.57*1.38inch
- Maximum power: 200W
- Heavy-duty anodized frame
“Newpowa 200W Monocrystalline Solar Panel is a high efficiency and low-cost solar panel. It uses mono-crystalline silicon cell, which have higher efficiency (16%) than polycrystalline silicon cells (13%). Newpowa 200W solar panel has a better light converting rate, which can convert more sunlight into electricity. This makes it generate more electricity per square foot than conventional solar panels.
Moreover, It features a double glass with 0.6mm thickness, an anti-reflective coating on the backside, and an anti-scratch coating on the front side. The frame is made of aluminum alloy sheet which is corrosion resistant and durable in harsh environments, including saltwater spray test (3 hours).
This 200W monocrystalline solar panel is perfect for off-grid systems like RV, boat, or residential use as well as home power system.
Advantages:
- Pre-installed diodes in the junction box
- 25-year power output warranty
- A long service life
How do I know which solar panel is best?
Style matters. Ask yourself, “Do I want a sleek-looking panel that will be an eye-candy in my garden?” or “Do I want something more utilitarian to make sure it’s hidden away?” No matter what your preference is, you have a couple of different styles to choose from.
Panels come in two main styles: monocrystalline and polycrystalline. Monocrystalline panels are generally the most expensive option but they can produce up to 25% more energy than polycrystalline panels (depends on materials). Polycrystalline is much cheaper than its monocrystalline counterparts, but is less efficient.
However, I recommend 3 steps to consider which solar panel is best…
Solar panel efficiency
Solar panels are a great investment for many homeowners or businesses, but with so many options and no clear-cut #1 choice, there can be some confusion.
There is little agreement on exactly what the most efficient solar panel would look like because efficiency varies depending on factors such as climate location, roof type (shingles vs clay tile), how much shade your home gets from trees in summer months, etc., all of which will affect how well you’re able to produce electricity from your solar system. The average efficiencies range between 16% and 18%, while industry averages fall right at about 10%.
Warranty
It’s no secret that the solar panel industry is booming, and it continues to grow. Many experts are predicting a future in which we will be relying on renewable energy sources as our main source of power for everyday needs, such as heating water or pumping gas at the local service station.
The only problem? As more people invest their time and money into this new technology, there becomes an increased need for information about how these panels work best. A more important factor than efficiency may very well be warrantying; either provided by manufacturers themselves or through third-party providers.
Cost-effective
The most efficient panels may indeed cost more upfront, but they can save you money in the long run. When comparing efficiency to price point, make sure you take into account all aspects of both before making a purchase decision.
How many watts of solar do I need for my house?
Your home’s energy requirements will vary depending on where you live and how much sunlight your roof gets. This is a good way to calculate the number of solar panels necessary for your household, but there are a few other factors that come into play as well – such as battery storage size or whether or not the house has an attic space.
The average person needs 10,000 kWh per year to live. If you have low-wattage (150W) and high-wattage (370W) solar panels on your roof and the sun is shining brightly during that time of day when they are generating power then it will take between 17-42 panels for a house with an 8×10 foot window (or 2420 square feet) depending on the wattage used in each situation.
What Time of Day Are Solar Panels Most Efficient?
It varies by location – it’s better for some areas than others, depending on the specific conditions of the landscape and other factors.
The four panels that are most efficient as far as photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) go will be your south-facing panels, but you also want to make sure plenty of light reaches every panel to maintain a healthy spread of their energy production.
A good rule to start with is having patterns so that no more than 2/3rds of anyone array will face the same direction. Space them out at least 8 feet apart, and preferably 10 or 12 feet if you can manage it without too much difficulty.
The sun is usually directly overhead (90 degrees to the horizon) in the middle of summer, because it’s high in the sky, and its light rays are more direct at midday than they are at any other time of day. So on temperate latitudes like North America, that’s typically 11 am or 12noon.
From about December 21st until January 20th in most temperate countries the sun rises very close to due east so east-facing panels will be better angled for generating power during winter months than west-facing panels would have been during that same time period in summer.
Benefits of solar energy: pros to keep in mind
Solar energy has several benefits, such as the following:
- You can significantly reduce or eliminate your monthly electric bills.
- The addition of solar panels to your home will increase its value and curb spiking costs for utilities in the future.
- Your house becomes power-generating property!
That’s right – while you’re paying back the loan on installing these systems, they are producing income that goes directly into YOUR pocket instead of lining some faceless corporation’s pockets with profits from people like YOU who need electricity to survive.
Solar energy is literally what it does already since we get charged so much more than companies should be able to charge when there’s no other competition but them!
Final Thoughts
We have discussed the 7 best residential solar panels. Why choose from these? We know that solar energy is a renewable resource that generates electricity. It’s possible to create clean, sustainable power and help the environment with solar panels.
Solar cells are an invention made by humans to generate electricity from the sunlight without using any fossil fuels or other polluting sources of energy.
The cells work like semiconductors, but they use light instead of electrons as their charge carriers; it’s also more efficient than traditional methods for generating electrical power.