Best Solar Panels UK - Brand Reviews (2024)

As of today and according to data from industry body MCS, almost 1 million homes in the UK have solar panels, proving that even the UK gets enough sun to make solar worth it.

...there's 28 million homes in the UK.

...and, they've all got a roof (...well, nearly all).

Solar's popularity is likely to treble by the end of the decade, as long as electricity sticks around, too.

If you’re also looking to cheat your energy company out of money and install solar panels or you want to replace old, existing panels, you’re probably wondering where to look for the best options.

As always, don’t look straight into the sun, but keep looking right here, as we have analysed over 100 different panels to find the UK's most popular and most effective solar panels to make things easier.

Without further ado, let’s see how to improve your roof with solar!

PS We offer MCS-certified solar panel installation nationwide. Simply answer these questions, get your fixed price and arrange your free design.

Best solar panel brand overall UK

Here's a quick overview of our winners (which we analyse in-depth below): 

• Best overall solar panels for the UK: REA Fusion Solar Panels 

• Most affordable: JA Solar JAM60S20

• Most efficient solar panels: Jinko Solar Tiger Neo 

• Best warranty: Sunpower Maxeon 3

• Best output: Jinko Solar Tiger Neo 

Join Thousands of Satisfied Customers:

We’re proud to be MCS accredited and Which? Trusted solar installers with over 10,000 glowing reviews on Trustpilot. Discover why so many trust us for their solar panel installations—visit our Reviews and Testimonials page and watch Phil’s video testimonial below.

How did we choose the best solar panels? 

In order to determine the best solar panels, we considered the following factors: 

• Overall likely performance of the panels in the UK - we actually test all the panels we sell. 

• Whether the warranty is insurance-backed vs. a standard manufacturer warranty. 

• Price of the solar panels.

• Degradation rate. 

• The reputation & reviews of the solar panel brands. 

• The warranty period offered with the solar panels. 

• The efficiency of the solar panels. 

• Aftercare and customer support. 

• Weight of the solar panels. 

• Other key features - efficiency, power etc. 

Best Solar Panels to Buy in 2024

Finding the right solar panels for you will depend on what exactly you’re looking for.

There’s a difference between putting the equivalent of a local nuclear reactor on your roof or finding the scrappy option that still benefits your energy bill.

Whatever the case, we’ve got you covered with our solar panel reviews.

Best Solar Panels Comparison Table:

In the table below you can compare the key metrics between some of the best solar panels currently available in the UK: 

Table data: last updated July 2024. 

#1 REA Fusion Energy Solar Panels (Best Solar Panels Overall)

Key Stats:

• Power
  400-480 watts

• Efficiency
  22-24%

• Warranty period
  25 years

• Performance warranty
  85% after 25 years

• Heat resistance
  0.27% per ° C

• Cost per panel
  £400 to £420

• Weight
  22.8kg

• Eco-friendly credentials
  N/A

If you are looking for solar panels optimised for a place like the UK, look no further.

Our founder, Ben Price, succinctly states the case:

The REA Fusion Solar Panels are made from high-efficiency N-type M10 Topcon solar cells and offer a seamless, sleek design that is available in two popular colours - black or silver.

Each panel is bifacial (double-sided) providing even more power than single-sided panels, which are double-glazed for maximum longevity. They are also micro-inverter-optimised to work together with micro-inverters from Enphase.

This unique combination of innovative solar technology enables the panels to generate electricity, even in low light conditions, which is ideal for a country like the UK - where cloudy days are common throughout the year.

As mentioned, each panel works together with its own Enphase microinverter that locally converts the DC power generated by the panel into AC power that can be used in your home immediately - AC is what household appliances and circuits use and it is also much safer than a DC current. 

Prefer video? Check out our review of the REA solar panels in the video below: 

It also means the panels will start generating electricity in low light (requiring just 22 volts) – compare this to typical panels that utilise a string inverter that requires at least 200 volts to even begin energy generation - again, this makes them perfect for a cloudy place like the UK. 

Contrast this to a solar panel system that uses a traditional string inverter - if one panel's performance is impacted by shade or dirt, multiple other panels' performance will also drop, which is a significant disadvantage. 

As mentioned, the micro-inverter (AC)-optimised design makes this solar system safer too - each panel is earthed and can be protected by an RCD board (fuse box), so is much safer than traditional DC systems.

Its AC-optimised design also means it will continue to work in the event of a power cut. This is not the case with DC systems - their inverters and batteries require grid power to operate. 

The high-efficiency crystalline double-sided design gives these panels a much larger solar surface area and so unlike many leading competitors that only have a single side, these panels can generate electricity on both sides - increasing their max power output by 10%.

The double-glazed design means they are not susceptible to delamination, which is a common issue in inferior panels that over time causes the solar panel components to start detaching from each other.

Each panel’s performance can also be monitored via a user-friendly application, allowing you to see how the weather is impacting performance or detect whether something may be wrong with one of the panels quickly and conveniently.

Lastly, these panels come with a 25-year product and performance warranty, which unlike any other company we are aware of is backed by an insurance company and not the manufacturer themselves.

This can offer peace of mind that you will still be covered, even in the very unlikely event that the manufacturer stops trading. 

Explore a Solar Case Study: Check out an insightful Q&A session featured in one of our detailed case studies on domestic solar panels. Hear directly from a Heatable customer in the UK and gain valuable perspectives on their experience here.

The image above shows a 23-panel solar installation, carried out by the MCS-certified solar team at Heatable, featuring the REA Fusion2 solar panels.

Pros: 

• Low-light-optimised solar panels - perfect for the UK

• AC optimised for maximum safety 

• Bi-facial - both sides generate power 

• 25-year insurance company-backed product & performance warranty 

• 24-hour monitoring of each solar panel 

Cons: 

• More costly than other options 

#2 SunPower Maxeon 3 (Second Best Solar Panels)

Key Stats:

• Power
  370-400 watts

• Efficiency
  20.9-22.6%

• Warranty period
  40 years

• Performance warranty
  88.2% after 25 years

• Heat resistance
  0.27% per ° C

• Cost per panel
  £300 to £350

• Weight
  21.2kg

• Eco-friendly credentials
  All panels are recycled

Second on the list, we have this high-efficiency product from the prominent solar panel brand SunPower.

The Maxeon 3 is noted for its efficiency range of 20.9% to 22.6%.

This contrasts with most solar panels which have efficiency levels of around 15-20%.

You should also note that the SunPower Maxeon 3 uses Interdigitated Back Contact or IBC solar cells, instead of the more common monocrystalline and polycrystalline cells. That’s like using a tuned-up engine compared to your greying neighbour’s stock car.

While the common options use front-mounted fingers and busbars to gather current, IBC cells use a grid of conductors which are fitted within the rear side of the cell.

All in all, IBC cells stand out because they offer improved efficiency, performance, and an incredibly low degradation rate which helps explain their solid four-decade-long warranty - a warranty that outlasts most normal solar panels and plenty of homeowners.

We also love the Maxeon 3’s performance warranty. According to SunPower, it will perform at 92% of its initial level after 25 years and a little above 88% after four decades.

If you can’t afford a Ferrari, but you’d like to invest in the Ferrari among solar panels, the SunPower Maxeon 3 panels are an option that might outlast (and probably outperform) you.

Pros:

• Highly efficient option

• Large power output

• Durable with a fantastic warranty

Cons:

• It can be trickier to install than most products and you may even run into issues finding an installer for your area

• A little on the costly side.

Still, learning about solar? Check out our guides on how many solar panels you need and how solar car charging works. 

#3 Jinko Solar Tiger Neo 72HL4

Key Stats:

• Power
  550-575 watts

• Efficiency
  26%

• Warranty
  25 years

• Performance warranty
  87.4% after 30 years

• Heat resistance
  0.35% per ° C

• Cost per panel
  £200 to £350

• Weight
  28kg

• Eco-friendly credentials
  N/A

If you want the most powerful roof in town, the Neo 72HL4 might just be the one for you. It won’t make the noise of a power tool but definitely performs like one.

Aside from being powerful, it is relatively affordable and offers a great efficiency rating.

However, its warranty isn’t as great as that of most brands on this list. Like a professional wrestler, it offers a lot of power, but can’t promise a career much longer than 25 years - they might last longer, but the warranty has ended.

Therefore, it’s not likely to last as long, thus we have to put a question mark around its durability.

With that said, its performance warranty after 30 years stands at 87.4% which is still pretty impressive.

Pros:

• Very powerful.

• You won’t need to install as many solar panels to meet your energy demands as you would with most brands. This can save you time and money.

• Great efficiency.

Cons:

• Only a 12-year warranty.

See how long do solar panels last in the UK? 

#4 LG NeON R

Key Stats:

• Power
  350-440 watts

• Efficiency
  8% to 22.3%

• Warranty
  25 years

• Performance warranty
  80% after 25 years

• Heat resistance
  0.38% per ° C

• Cost per panel
  From £300

• Weight
  22kg

• Eco-friendly credentials
  N/A

If you’d prefer something more affordable than the previous two options, you should consider the NeON R from LG. Aside from using capitalization like a texting teen girl, LG knows what they’re doing.

The solar panels may shine in the sun, but on paper, the LG NeON R is a less obvious workhorse. Along with being a fairly powerful option, the NeON R also offers solid efficiency levels.

The 66-cell design of the NeON R provides close to 4% more power than LG’s rivals.

This is thanks to the wiring being fitted at the back of the panel. This means that the NeON R does not suffer from incidental shading at any time of the day.

With a weight of 18.5kg, the LG NeON R is also a lightweight solution for your solar power needs.

As for the 25-year warranty, LG promises that NeON R will continue to offer 92.5% of its original power after this timespan.

Pros:

• Top-notch build quality.

• Great energy efficiency.

• 25-year warranty.

• Lightweight option.

Cons: 

• Falls a little behind many of the panels discussed here in terms of its overall value for money.

PS You can check the average costs of solar panels here. 

#5 Q cells Q.Peak DUO BLK ML-G9

Key Stats:

• Power
  385 watts

• Efficiency
  20.6%

• Warranty
  12 years

• Performance warranty
  86% after 25 years

• Heat resistance
  0.25% per ° C

• Cost per panel
  £200 to £240

• Weight
  19.1kg

• Eco-friendly credentials
  N/A

Another solar tech brand worth looking into is Q Cells. And among their many solar panel products, this one arguably stands out the most.

What makes the Q.Peak DUO BLK ML-G9 so special, aside from its downright bizarre name, is its heat resistance.

With climate change making British summers increasingly hot (and considering that solar panels are often a long-term investment), heat resistance should not be overlooked. Few things are more ironic than an overheated solar panel, and the Q Peak DUO won’t fail you there.

In fact, when temperatures reach 25°C, the Qcells panel only loses 0.25% of its efficiency for each degree that the temperature increases - just like the average construction worker.

This is well above the industry average.

Pros:

• Great heat resistance.

• Significant power output.

• Not too expensive.

Cons:

• The efficiency rating is a bit lower than most in this list.

#6 Sharp Sunsnap ND-F2Q235

Key Stats:

• Power
  235 watts

• Efficiency
  14%

• Warranty
  25 years

• Performance warranty
  85.2% after 25 years

• Heat resistance
  0.27% per ° C

• Cost per panel
  From £300

• Weight 
  21.2kg

• Eco-friendly credentials
  N/A

The Sunsnap ND-F2Q235 from Sharp is a great choice if you’re after low-profile solar panels.

Sharp was founded more than a century ago (no, not as a solar panel manufacturer) and is a strong brand in the solar tech sector with a great reputation.

This Sharp solar panel offers discreet mounting. That means they won’t be as noticeable as traditional solar panels - the installer still comes during the daytime and won’t be dressed up to throw off any curious looks.

Beyond that, it comes with a rail-free mounting system making it seamlessly blend in with your roof. This is great from an aesthetic point of view. It’s like plastic surgery for your house but with the addition of adding green power.

However, its low power and efficiency ratings may not bode well with many customers.

But it's low-profile earns it a place on our list for those primarily concerned with this attribute.

Pros:

• Discreet, low-profile option.

• Long-lasting and prominent brand.

Cons:

• A little on the expensive side.

• Closer to an average efficiency rating.

• Not very powerful.

#7 Project Solar Evolution Ultramax

Key Stats:

• Power
  345 watts

• Efficiency
  N/A

• Warranty
  Lifetime product warranty

• Performance warranty
  85% after 25 years

• Heat resistance
  0.38% per ° C

• Cost per panel
  Bespoke quotes*

• Weight
  20.8kg

• Eco-friendly credentials
  N/A 

Another brilliant choice from Project Solar UK is the Evolution Ultramax.

Along with a great warranty, Project Solar guarantees 85% of its original power output after 30 years. Its output isn’t stellar but it’s still a solid figure of 345 watts. Unless you’re running an industrial tomato plantation in your garden shed, the Evolution Ultramax delivers enough power for the average household.

Project Solar offers a range of additional benefits if you sign up with them.

Along with lifetime warranties on their panels, you can get a £7,500 reward if you refer their panels to a friend or even a not-so-close schoolmate you haven’t talked to in ten years. They don’t seem to care how close you are.

Beware, you don’t get the money unless they follow through and have the panels installed, of course.

Pros:

• Amazing warranties.

• Fantastic customer perks.

Cons:

• Not the most powerful option.

#8 Panasonic HIT N 245W

Key Stats:

• Power
  245 watts

• Efficiency
  Up to 19.4%

• Warranty
  25 years

• Cost per panel
  £250 to £295

• Performance warranty
  88.2% after 40 years

• Heat resistance
  0.27% per ° C

• Cost per panel
  £300 to £350

• Weight
  21.2kg

• Eco-friendly credentials
  all panels are recycled

Despite Panasonic being best known for its cameras and TVs, they’ve also been working on solar technology for several decades. This makes sense because now you can power your Panasonic TV with Panasonic-made solar power.

If you have a small roof, the HIT N 245W might be the right solar panel for you. It turns out that here, too, it’s not the size that matters, but what you get out of it.

This Panasonic solar panel comes in a range of design options meaning you can get one that best suits your roof - even if your roof is rather picky.

What’s better is that the HIT N 245W has a length of just below 160cm and a width of under 80cm. It’s lightweight too, weighing only 15kg.

What should you know before buying solar? Have a flat roof? Read all about flat roof solar and if you have a conservatory, it is possible to have solar on a conservatory roof too. 

Pros:

• Not too costly.

• Compact and light.

• Great for small roofs.

Cons:

• Not as efficient as most options on this list.

• Not the most powerful choice.

• Unsuitable for larger roofs.

#9 JA Solar JAM60S20

Key Stats:

• Power
  365 to 395 watts

• Efficiency
  21%

• Warranty
  12 years

• Cost per panel
  From £100

• Eco-friendly credentials
  N/A

Many households throughout the UK are on a tight budget these days due to the ongoing cost of living crisis. If you’re thinking of selling a kidney, just hold off for a moment and consider JA Solar. 

This panel from JA Solar will interest many potential buyers. That’s because the JAM60S20 is priced at as little as £100 per panel! This means that soon enough, solar panels will be cheaper than a carton of eggs.

Despite the lower cost, this product still offers a solid efficiency rating and a decent amount of power.

With that being said, its warranty is not as long as most solar panels we’re reviewing today nor is this product likely to last as long - much like that carton of eggs.

Pros:

• Strong efficiency rating.

• Decent power figures.

Cons:

• Not the most durable option.

• Only a 12-year product warranty.

#10 Panasonic HIT N340

Key Stats:

• Power - 340 watts.

• Efficiency -20%.

• Warranty - 25 years.

• Performance warranty - 86.2% after 25 years.

• Heat resistance - 0.25% per ° C.

• Cost per panel - £200 to £240.

• Weight - 19kg. 

• Eco-friendly credentials - Net zero by 2050.

Panasonic’s HIT N340 is another appealing solar product from the renowned tech brand. Weighing just 19kg, the HIT N340 is on the lighter side. Fun fact: this means it weighs the same as an adult elephant’s heart.

Moreover, it has a power tolerance (how much solar power it can produce above or below its expected capacity at any particular time) of +34W/-0W. That means the HIT N340 is less likely to disappoint you than the English national football team, which never really overperforms. 

This is a solid figure. It means that in practice, it could produce an output of up to 374 watts. It’s also not too costly.

With that said, its efficiency level is a bit low compared to the rest of the panels discussed today.

Pros:

• Good power rating.

Cons:

• Not the highest efficiency rating.

#11 Project Solar Evolution Elite 400

Key Stats:

• Power
  395-415 watts

• Efficiency
  22%

• Warranty
  Lifetime product warranty

• Performance warranty
  85% after 20 years

• Heat resistance
  0.38% per ° C

• Cost per panel
  N/A

• Weight
  20.8kg

• Eco-friendly credentials
  N/A

*Project Solar does not list the price of individual panels.

However, they claim that the average solar panel system will cost approximately £8,000.

For an average home (with around ten solar panels being installed), the cost would come to about £800 per panel, which is certainly on the expensive side.

Next up we have one of our overall favourite solar panel products on the market; the Evolution Elite 400 from Project Solar.

Along with a high output, it also has a solid, above-average efficiency rating. We also like its lifetime product warranty, which means your children will fight over who gets to keep the Evolution Elite 400 panels.

According to Project Solar, Evolution Elite 400 panels will perform at 92% of their original levels after 12 years, 85% after 25 years, and 80% after three decades.

That’s a little below the ridiculously high standard set by SunPower for their Maxeon 3, but nothing to be ashamed of.

It’s the blend between high performance and lower cost that makes customers prefer the Evolution Elite 400. If the Maxeon 3 is a Ferrari, the Evolution Elite 400 is a BMW convertible - it won’t get the attention of supermodels, but it will land you a date.

Check out our full in-depth article on whether solar is worth it in the UK. 

Pros:

• Great overall product.

• Powerful and efficient.

• Lifetime product warranty.

Cons:

• Expensive choice.

When considering solar energy, it’s important to understand solar panel sizes and how they impact installation and energy output, as well as to stay informed with the latest solar statistics on the growing adoption of renewable energy in the UK. Additionally, you might be eligible for solar panel grants that can help reduce installation costs, making solar more affordable. To ensure your system runs efficiently, proper cleaning of solar panels is key, while weighing up the pros and cons of solar power can help you make a well-informed decision about whether it’s the right choice for your home.

What is solar panel efficiency? 

The energy efficiency of a solar panel refers to how much of the sunlight hitting its surface is converted into electricity.

So, if a panel has an efficiency rating of 18% that means that 18% or nearly 1/5th of the solar energy reaching the panel becomes electricity.

If you’re not a fan of math, feel free to skip this paragraph. To be a little more scientific, the following calculation is used to work out how efficient a solar panel is:

Now that we’ve welcomed back our detouring mathematics fanatics, let’s keep going and learn that most domestic solar panels have an efficiency rate in the range of 15-22%.

These are usually monocrystalline or polycrystalline panels with the former being, on average, a little more efficient. 

Often choosing a solar panel is a balancing act between budget constraints, functionality (including efficiency) and aesthetics. 

What other factors are important to consider? 

When choosing the right solar panels for your home, several factors can influence their performance and suitability.

While your primary goal is to maximise power generation throughout the year, your budget and aesthetic preferences will also play a significant role in your decision-making process.

Here are the key factors to consider:

1. Solar Panel Efficiency

Solar panel efficiency refers to the percentage of sunlight that a panel can convert into usable electricity. Higher-efficiency panels can generate more power in a given space, making them ideal for homes with limited roof space.

Monocrystalline panels typically offer the highest efficiency rates, often exceeding 20%, while polycrystalline and thin-film panels usually have lower efficiency rates.

Your property's location, roof pitch and the amount of shading will also have an impact on energy generation, find out how much, using our free design tool. 

2. Solar Panel Power Output

Power output, measured in watts, indicates the amount of electricity a panel can produce under standard testing conditions. Higher-wattage panels can generate more electricity, which is crucial for meeting your energy needs.

Prioritising higher-powered panels is often a smart choice for those with limited roof space who aim to achieve specific energy production goals. These panels can generate more electricity per square metre, maximising the efficiency and output of your solar installation even when space is at a premium.

When comparing panels, consider the total system size required to cover your household’s energy consumption or the energy production goal you have in mind. 

3. Guarantees and Degradation Rates

Solar panels come with performance guarantees and warranties that protect your investment.

A standard performance warranty covers 25-30 years, ensuring panels maintain a certain performance level over time e.g. will produce energy at a minimum percentage of original output after a certain period of time. 

Degradation rates indicate how much the panel’s efficiency will decrease annually. Panels with lower degradation rates will retain their efficiency longer, providing better long-term value.

The product warranty protects you from defects in materials and workmanship and typically ranges from 10 to 25 years. 

When comparing panels, check the datasheet to find the degradation rates, performance warranty and product warranty. 

Some solar panel manufacturers like REA are now offering a 25-year product warranty and a performance warranty of 85% after 25 years. 

Are solar panels efficient in the UK?

We all know about the unpredictability of the British weather, so do solar panels hold their own? Well, the simple answer is yes.

But it also depends on the type of solar panels and equipment you buy. Older generations of solar panels were less efficient, but more importantly, so were older inverters.

If you’re buying solar on a ‘string inverter’ (older tech), you’ll have one big inverter that needs quite a lot of energy to even fire itself up and get your solar panels going.

New generation tech — also known as microinverters — are tiny inverters on the back of each panel, essentially making them all their power plant and requiring much less light.

Essentially, this means they’ll be producing your energy early in the morning and in low light conditions that we’re used to in the UK. High-performance products such as the REA Fusion 2 panel are also dual-sided, allowing for up to 20% increased performance from the sunlight.

Wondering how different solar installers compare? Check out our in-depth solar installer comparison here. 

Next Steps For Your Solar Journey:

When planning to install solar panels for your home, there are several important factors to consider. Make sure to refer to the following guides to help you make informed decisions:

• How much do solar panels cost? 

• Are solar panels worth it for your home? 

• Is your roof suitable for solar panels? 

• What are the best solar panels available? 

• Is battery storage worth it? 

• Tier 1 vs Tier 2 Solar Panels

To dive deeper into these topics, head over to our advice section, check out our YouTube channel for informative videos, or read a customer case study to see how others have benefited from their solar installation. 

Get a Quote for Solar Today 

Without boasting you should get your solar installed with us, here's why: 

• Thousands of Happy Customers: We boast an average score of 4.9 on Trustpilot, outperforming the market leader.

• Which? Trusted Trader: Heatable is proudly recognised as a Which? Trusted Trader.

• MCS Accredited: Our accreditation by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) ensures high-quality standards.

• Exclusive Panels: We offer REA Fusion solar panels, available only through Heatable.

• Consumer Protection: As members of the HIES consumer code, we provide 2-year deposit protection.

• Flexible Payment Options: Choose from multiple payment methods, including finance options.

• Fixed Price Guarantee: Enjoy transparency with no hidden costs.

• Save Your Quote: You can save your quote and decide later.

• Bespoke Design Tool: Draw your own conclusion (literally) on whether solar is worth it for you, here.