SunPower Solar Panels
The Best Solar Panels - SunPower X Series In Australia
They make some of the best modules in the world. Founded by Dr Richard Swanson in 1985, SunPower Solar Panels have been there since the start. There are three series in range - the X, E and also the P. In this case the P Series is mainly for solar farms and the like. Our eyes are on those for your home though and that is the SunPower X Series and the E Series. In Australia, they have the "X" models SPR-X21 which is 345w and the SPR-X21 that is 335w. The "E" models are the SPR-E19 which is 320w and the SPR-E20 that is 327w. While reading through you will see why they are a major force in the PV industry.
Swanson's Law
While we have touched on Dr Swanson he is famous for something else too. When the market was new, "Swanson's Law" was a way to guess where it was going. Some have said that he devised "Swanson's Law", but this is not true. The aircraft industry since the 1930's used the same way to plot growth. But as he helped found the PV industry, maybe he should have naming rights? It says that as module totals world wide double, then the price falls by 20%. For a time this "law" was true, but big money from China has blown it out. They 'broke the law' so who knows where it is heading now?
What Is So Good About Them?
Maybe you have thought what makes a module better, and so how will it help you? To get an idea of how it all works in depth means a lot of reading. So it will be hard going to try in this small space. Well can we just say SunPower Solar are at the top and also the best solar panels you can get? In fact what makes a module 'efficient' is how well it can turn sun light in to power. So the more the better. In effect the best modules can do this with less area. So this is then what you might say is the "SunPower edge". While most are 14% to 18% efficient, these are a lot better, up to 19.1% and 22.2%. These small amounts in fact mean a lot. This goes some way to show why they are so far ahead of the pack.
25 Years, Now That's A Warranty
One of the things you see right away when you look at them is their size. The X Series and E are the same, the module seems more square than others. In fact they are about the same size as other panels. So the out put they have been able to get from almost the same size is quite special. Also they have a thick, strong copper base too, not found on others. They are dark and have a 'clean look', and in fact there is a heavy duty 46mm frame. What's more, no other would deal with shade as well, and add that huge 25 year warranty too. Their panels are still some of the most efficient you can get, with LG as their main rival. But no one has that 25 year warranty.
They Handle Our Harsh Land So Well
As we said, SunPower Solar panels turn more sun light into power than others, and this gives you 36% more. This means they make 60% more out put over 25 years , as a result, you save more on your bills. On the X Series this is in fact up to 70% over the same time frame. All have the great "Maxeon" tech, so that lets these modules put out a lot more ‘zap’. But the SunPower X Series has the "Gen III" Maxeon cells. Whereas on the "E" Series it has the "Gen II". The SunPower X Series might have a slight edge over the "E", but it will cost more. They stand up to salt well too, so have the best rating for this as well. These go well with our harsh Aussie climate so are the ones to get if you live by the sea.
Are They A Super Panel?
The National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) tests modules so they know a good one when they see it. The NREL says the main cause of failure is due to cell wiring breaks and corrosion. They say 86% of faults are due to 40.7% cell connection breaks and also 45.3% by corrosion. So it’s fair to say a great panel will have these things sorted out. It’s no surprise then that these are two main areas that Sun Power has worked hard on to get right. So it’s no wonder then why they have a drop out rate of only about 1 in 20,000. Add to that an predicted life span of 40 years, and in effect you have a super panel. OK, so you pay a lot of money, but only a few put this work in their panels.
This Is What A Real Warranty Looks Like
SunPower has a great warranty that few get close to. If a panel fails, you get a new one, and in fact they pay for the lot. They can do this as their modules have such a low fail rate. With warranty it’s a good thing in fact, to look at how one of these things goes together. It’s also a good thing to know what goes into one too. As there is a high level of both factors, this is what makes them such a safe bet. These would then be the best looking modules too, if you rate such things highly. When you decide if these are for you, keep in mind that they are the best you will likely get. The future looks good for Sun Power, after all these years they're still the best.
