LG Solar Panels vs. SunPower Solar Panels: Which Solar Panel Brand Is the Best?
Solar power is the future.
It’s inevitable.
Which solar panel brand should you buy?
LG and SunPower are the two big players in the solar panel market. They both offer high-quality solar panels that are durable, reliable, and efficient.
But which solar panel is better?
Here’s the truth: It depends.
But to help you in your quest for the best solar panel, we’ve created a detailed, unbiased comparison of the LG and SunPower solar panels.
Tenmen Electrical keeps updated on the newest technology, deals, and features of all brands of solar panels and inverters. So, if you require any information or assistance selecting the best solar system, please do not hesitate to contact us.
What is a Solar Panel?
First, let’s quickly recap what a solar panel is.
A solar panel is the part of your solar system that captures the sun’s energy and converts it into usable electricity.
The typical solar panel setup consists of a photovoltaic (PV) array that’s mounted on your roof and an inverter (the piece of equipment that converts the direct current (DC) coming from the solar panel into the alternating current (AC) that your home uses).
Ideally, a solar panel system should generate 10-20 kilowatt-hours of electricity each day, which is equivalent to about one to four hours of full-time use for the average home.
While there are many types of solar panels, most solar panels are based on crystalline silicon. That’s because it works well in various weather conditions and with proper maintenance, it has a long lifespan.
Company background
SunPower solar panels belong to the company Maxeon Solar Technologies, the world leader in solar innovation based in the United States.
Its primary economic activity is designing, manufacturing and selling SunPower solar technology.
They have a presence in over 100 countries and always try to be at the forefront of the latest trends, constantly seeking innovation and improvement in their devices.
They ensure that with their products, you can make your energy needs more flexible, improving performance and power efficiency and protecting the environment.
LG Solar is a company with a long history in photovoltaic solar energy started 30 years ago when they became interested in crystalline silicon cells.
LG has a presence in almost any product that involves technological development and innovation.
The South Korean company is among the world leaders in this industry, and few can compete in the level of quality, service and trust that its years of experience give it.
They are very popular and competitive in Australia and North America, although their product prices are more expensive. They also stand out for their high-gloss designs, the quality of their construction, and the details and finishes.
Comparative Guide
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in global investment in solar panels.
In this post, we will compare two of the world’s major corporations; LG and Sunpower are two of the best firms when it comes to excellent solar products.
Technology, Materials and Composition
Sunpower Solar Panel Technology
Sunpower solar panels feature IBC Maxeon cells (interdigitated back contact). They began their use in 2007 and have since led the industry to be considered the most efficient cells available today.
To give you an idea, unlike the monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar cells that most solar panels have (mounted busbars are used to collect current), IBC cells have a fine grid of conductors built into the back of the cell. -P-type and P-type silicone grille on the back that increases efficiency by eliminating the need for exposed front busbars that partially shade the cell.
SunPower Maxeon IBC cells used on the X series panels – Image source: sunpower.maxeon.com
LG Solar Panel Technology
LG’s solar panel technology is different from Sunpower’s. They mainly manufacture monocrystalline panels but of the N-type (most are of the P-type), which presents a higher efficiency and less degradation during the useful life of the solar panel. Containing cells of N-type improves performance and efficiency.
To better compete in the market, they have also launched a more profitable and economical range – “Mono X Plus” – built with P-type monocrystalline cells at a lower cost.
Perhaps the most frequent problem with LG solar panels is the corrosion of some of their materials.
Quality
Sunpower Solar Panel Quality
IBC cells are of high purity, created with silicon, increase performance and have a low degradation rate.
The Sunpower X series would have the lowest degradation rate and the best performance guarantee in this case.
Following the theme of quality, they link it to sustainability. The company is the only one that is Cradle-to-Cradle certified, making it the global leader in sustainability with a complete closed-loop strategy to take advantage of every stage of the product’s life and beyond.
LG Solar Panel Quality
LG has also been getting ideas from some of its competitors, such as SunPower.
In this case, and has also started producing high-performance N-type interdigitated back contact cells or IBCs. LG Neon R IBC cells use 30 busbars built into the back of the cell.
This means that there are no visible bars in the front of the cell, so shadows are avoided. Also, this silicon design is of high purity and with minimal degradation, less electrical resistance and higher performance.
In terms of quality, both SunPower and LG Solar are high-end solar panel brands. So whichever you choose, you can be sure it will be a solid panel.
Performance and Degradation
Sunpower Solar Panel Performance and Degradation
The SunPower IBC cells are built on a base of high-purity N-type silicon, which can also improve performance and have a lower rate of degradation.
That’s why SunPower can provide a leading 92% retention capacity in 25-year in the E-series and X-series, Maxeon 2 and Maxeon 3 series.
LG Solar Panel Performance and Degradation
The advanced N-type battery used by LG has excellent long-term performance in terms of low light-induced degradation (LID). LID is a common problem because all solar cells will reduce power output over time.
The average energy loss in the first year is 3% and after that, approximately 0.8% per year. This results in an average of 80-82% original rated capacity after 25 years.
However, the degradation rate of LG cells is much lower, which improves overall performance and increases power production, claiming to maintain around 90% of nominal capacity after 25 years.
While that may not seem like much difference, when you add solar panels one by one, it really makes a difference. So, I would say Sunpower outperforms LG in terms of quality and long term performance. This means you will get more power from the SunPower system after 25 years, compared to LG’s solar system.
Solar Panel Efficiency
Sunpower Solar Panel Efficiency
Sunpower solar panels are among the most efficient in the industry.
Maxeon 3 is its new flagship format and is available in two sizes: 370 and 400 Wp. It tops the range with an impressive maximum efficiency of 22.6%, making it the most efficient residential solar panel in the world.
X series, with new models achieving an efficiency of 20% slightly higher than its base model. In addition, it has the X21 model with a maximum efficiency of 21.4% and finally the X22 with a maximum efficiency of 22.2%.
LG Solar Panel Efficiency
According to some of the latest LG models:
- Mono X Plus efficiency: up to 19.8% at 370W
- Neon 2 efficiency: up to 21.4% at max 370W
- Neon R efficiency: up to 22.0% at max 380W
They are quite high ratios within the efficiency levels compared to other important brands on the market.
In terms of efficiency, Sunpower solar panels are more efficient than LG panels. Essentially, this means that Sunpower panels will convert more sunlight into energy.
Solar Panel Warranty
Sunpower Solar Panel Warranty
While that number has probably changed by now, SunPower previously said its panel failure rate is only 1 in 37,000.
SunPower comes with a 25-year manufacturer’s warranty as well as offering the leading performance guarantee of 92% of the capacity retained after 25 years on both the E and X series, as well as the new generation Maxeon 2 and Maxeon 3 series.
Also, SunPower’s solar cell technology determines an expected useful life of well over 40 years.
LG Solar Panel Warranty
LG offers a 25-year product and performance warranty on Neon 2 and Neon R panels.
LG’s performance guarantee is well above the industry average with a minimum retention capacity of 90.08% after 25 years on the Neon 2 range and 90.8% on the Neon R range.
Offering this type of warranty shows the high level of confidence LG places in its products and highlights the long-term performance and low degradation potential of N-type silicon cells.
Now, these two solar panels offer extremely good panel warranties. LG and Sunpower both have a 25-year performance guarantee which guarantees a certain % efficiency even after this period.
However, what is not so obvious to others is the safety of these companies in protecting their warranties. For example, if you buy your solar panels today, will these companies be around in 25 years?
In this case, we have to say that LG might be more reliable, as it is not only a supplier of solar panels but also a multi-million dollar electronics supplier. This is different from SunPower as they only do solar panels.
It’s worth mentioning that regular cleaning helps extending the life span of every solar panel, regardless of brands.
Conclusion: Sunpower or LG Solar Panels
So, which brand of solar panels is the best? Sunpower or Lg?
Well, that’s a matter of opinion. The truth is that both brands are top-quality solar panels. Any of these options will be an excellent investment for your home.
If you have enough roof space and the budget is not an issue, we recommend you go for the Sunpower Maxeon 3 aesthetic.
However, if you are looking for an excellent quality solar panel that is also more affordable, SunPower Performance is the way to go.
LG is also a great option; it has a huge reputation and great bankability; however, they don’t have a lower price option like Sunpower.
It is important to note that you should never buy solar panels just for the price. While price is undoubtedly a factor, there are many other important factors to consider.
You can’t make a bad decision opting for either of these two.
Which one do you go for, Sunpower or LG?
If you are ready to go, click on the link to get a quote from Sunpower Solar Panels or LG Solar Panels.
