SunPower Solar Panels vs Canadian Solar Panels: Which Solar Panel Brand Is The Best?
Solar panels have become an essential part of the global energy revolution. This energy source helps us be self-sufficient in terms of energy, and it helps us save money by breaking free from power providers. It is one of the best renewable energy sources, and we are helping the planet while ensuring that we have an endless supply of electricity.
When choosing your solar panels, there is no one-size-fits-all answer; it all comes down to what you want, your home, your budget, the dimensions of your roof, the location, and so on.
Uncertainty regarding selecting one brand of solar panels over another is one of the significant drawbacks you might experience.
To assist you a bit in the process, we have compared two of the most renowned brands on the global market: SunPower Solar Panels and Canadian Solar Panels.
We have previously reviewed SunPower vs. LG solar panels, and now it is time to compare Canadian vs. SunPower.
Many elements must be considered, which we will go over in detail below: technology, materials, composition, quality, performance and degradation, efficiency, and warranty.
Tenmen Electrical stays up to speed on all solar panel and inverter brands’ latest technology, prices, and features. So, if you need any information or help to decide on the best solar system, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Company Background
SunPower is a subsidiary of the American multinational Maxeon Solar Technologies, well-known worldwide for its solar panels and solar energy innovations.
It’s primary economic activity is the design, manufacturing, and selling of SunPower Solar Technology. They have a global presence and many years of market expertise and are already in over 100 nations.
They work hard to guarantee that their products can improve and make energy demands more flexible while also preserving the environment and improving the design and quality of their products.
Dr Shawn Qu was a professor in his home in China before moving to Canada to pursue a Master’s degree in Chemistry. He didn’t leave, and in 2001 he started the Canadian Solar Panel company.
In 2019, the company was already one of the world’s five largest solar panel makers for extensive solar garden areas and residential and industrial photovoltaic self-consumption facilities.
Canadian Solar is in over 150 countries around the world and, unlike
other manufacturers, is vertically integrated, allowing it to make ingots, wafers, solar cells, solar panels, and other associated solar products. In other words, the company controls the panel manufacturing process from start to end.
Comparative Guide for SunPower Solar & Canadian Solar Panels
Solar energy is quickly becoming one of the most popular ways for Australians to generate power.
And it is not for nothing that the profitability gained by installing solar panels allows you to recover your investment and underlines Australians’ rising relevance and care for the environment.
It is one of the most environmentally friendly energy sources accessible to us. In this post, we will compare SunPower and Canadian Solar Panels, two of the country’s leading firms in solar energy. They are two of the most significant companies regarding high-quality solar equipment.
Technology, Materials and Composition
SunPower Solar Panel Technology
SunPower solar panels use IBC Maxeon cells, a more advanced type of cell (interdigitated back contact).
These cells have been in use since 2007 and have helped the company become the world leader in solar panels since they are the most efficient form of cell available today.
Monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar cells are the most popular type of cells and will sound familiar to you; they are the ones found in most solar panels (attached busbars are used to collect current), but in this case, IBC cells have a thin grid of conductors at the back of the cell itself. So -On the back is a P-type and P-type silicone grille.
SunPower Maxeon IBC cells used on the X series panels – Image source: sunpower.maxeon.com
Canadian Solar Panel Technology
Canadian solar uses PERC cell and split cell technologies for increased efficiency.
As a result, it can develop a more productive, functional, and lucrative solar cell that exceeds your previously created conventional models. This has resulted in a little price hike, but it has also enhanced their products.
Currently, they also manufacture a double model, which increases the efficiency of the solar panels even further.
Quality
SunPower Solar Panel Quality
One of SunPower’s key qualities is that they work with IBC cells, which are made with high purity and are silicon-based. Therefore, it is possible to increase yield while decreasing the degradation rate using this material.
As a result, the SunPower panels, specifically the SunPower X series, would have the lowest degradation rate available on the market and, consequently, the greatest performance guarantee.
In addition, they combine the quality of their products with sustainability and respect for the environment. That is why they have the Cradle-to-Cradle certification: which makes them world leaders in sustainability with a complete closed cycle strategy, by which they manage to take advantage of each stage of the product’s life.
Canadian Solar Panel Quality
One of the company’s main benefits is its excellent mix of pricing, performance, and quality. This indicates that they are not the most outstanding quality on the market, but they are good.
Most residential models have dual-cell PERC technology: To fully use radiation, PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) incorporates a reflecting layer (Dielectric Layer)… This layer permits a portion of the photons that travel through the cell to be reflected, enhancing the panel’s overall efficiency.
They do, however, have a greater temperature coefficient. For example, if the temperature goes over 25 degrees Celsius / 77 degrees Fahrenheit, the panels’ efficiency will decline due to their temperature coefficient. The temperature coefficient of most Canadian solar power models is high.
SunPower and Canadian Solar are both high-quality solar panel brands. However, SunPower positions on the upper end of the range, while Canadian Solar will be in the middle.
Performance and Degradation
SunPower Solar Panel Performance and Degradation
In terms of performance, SunPower IBC cells are made of N-type silicon, which is of great purity.
They have one extra electron than silicon, making them negative (N): they have a higher efficiency potential than P-type cells, but they are also more expensive since they require an additional step in their manufacturing.
SunPower can promise 92% leading energy retention capacity in 25 years at least on its Maxeon 2 and Maxeon 3 E and X series compared to P-type.
Canadian Solar Panel Performance and Degradation
Silicon cells are also used in Canadian panels. They are now attempting to catch up with the competition by using N-type polycrystalline silicon (pure silicon) solar cells, similar to SunPower.
They want to increase the efficiency and performance of solar panels with this, as we will explain in the following paragraph.
Canadian Solar promises that the power degradation in the first year will be no more than 2.5 per cent of the nameplate power. Between years 2 and 25, the actual power reduction will be less than 0.7 per cent.
SunPower panels deteriorate at a median yearly rate of 0.2 percent, which is 70% less than the yearly degradation rate of conventional panels. SunPower therefore exceeds Canadian Solar in terms of quality and long-term performance.
Efficiency
The efficiency of a clean solar panel relates to how efficiently it captures released light and converts it into useful power. We know how vital panel efficiency is since the more efficient a panel is, the more power it produces compared to another with lesser efficiency.
SunPower Solar Panel Efficiency
SunPower’s efficiency is indeed one of its selling points.
The Maxeon 3, with a new format, is one of its most recent products to hit the market. It is offered in 370 and 400 Wp sizes, and it has the highest efficiency in the series at 22.6%. This panel is generally acknowledged as the market’s most efficient domestic solar panel.
Then, in other product series, such as the X series, they have managed to enhance efficiency and achieve up to 20% higher efficiency than their basic model. Then there are versions with 21.4% efficiency (Model X21) or 22.2% efficiency (Model X22).
Canadian Solar Panel Efficiency
The panel’s efficiency will vary based on the type selected for your house or company. For example, Canadian solar panels generally provide efficiencies ranging from 15.88% to 19.91%.
Aside from not having as high levels as its competitor SunPower, its efficiency diminishes by around 0.55% per year.
SunPower solar panels are more efficient than Canadian Solar Panels in terms of efficiency. This means that SunPower panels will be able to convert more sunshine into energy.
Solar Panel Warranty
SunPower Solar Panel Warranty
SunPower offers a 25-year warranty and a performance guarantee of 92% capacity retention in its E and X series products and the Maxeon 2 and Maxeon 3 series of its new generation.
SunPower solar panels are expected to have a useful life of more than 40 years, offering an absolute return on investment.
Canadian Solar Panel Warranty
The Canadian solar panel manufacturer has six primary sites in North America, Germany, Japan, Australia, Brazil, and China and provides an extensive network of customer care and support services.
They provide a 12-year product warranty as well as a 25-year performance warranty. Most new versions have a performance guarantee, whereas bifacial panels offer a 30-year warranty.
Both solar panel manufacturers provide excellent panel warranties. Both Canadian Solar and Sunpower provide a 25-year performance guarantee that ensures a certain percentage of efficiency even after this time period has passed.
Conclusion: SunPower or Canadian Solar?
As we mentioned at the beginning, there is no one-size-fits-all solution; it all depends on what you want, your home, the proportions, the location, your budget and so on.
In terms of cost, Canadian Solar Panel is significantly less expensive and better suited to most budgets.
SunPower undoubtedly has very high levels of quality and efficiency; its efficiency is nearly the highest available on the market, and as a result, it is also one of the most costly options.
Similarly, you should know that the price of a solar panel is relative when considering the profitability you will receive from it.
Having said that, which of the two companies would you choose? Please share your thoughts with us!
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