What are the Best Solar Panels and Inverters?

The following resource is a joint review presented by Solar Power Authority and our friend “Solar Dave” in Colorado. You can see his full article on inverters here and his article on panels here.

Best Solar Panels to Use

This is the best brand of solar panels for value vs. efficiency, based on a short interview with Dan Yechout of Namasta Solar

• SunPower and Sanyo solar panels are two high-efficiency and high-end brands, which means you get the most power per square foot — but also the highest cost per watt. SunPower panels are preferred by many buyers because they are all black in color and blend in nicely. They don’t have silver strips or noticeable lines.
• Sharp and Kyocera solar panels are lower-efficiency and lower-cost brands, which may be good if you are not limited by space. Sharp has a new SRS (solar racking system) which is easier to mount and more aesthetically pleasing, but less flexible.

The video above is an interview discussion comparing solar panel brands.

Best Solar Inverters to Use

This is a comparison of different brands of solar panel inverters, also based on a short interview with Dan Yechout of Namasta Solar:

• SunPower has its own line of inverters, with panels that feature reverse polarity (meaning they are positive-grounded). The company get inverters from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) Xantrex or SMA.
• Sharp and Kyocera solar panels SMA and Fronius are preferred, based on reliability in the field and high-efficiency output.

The video above is an interview discussion comparing solar panel inverters.