SunPower Review

Overview

Most of us tend to get our electricity the traditional way, delivered via a power company that charges you based on how much you use each month. The electrical utility company delivers power via wires which go to your breaker box and is then distributed around your home. While this is the most common method of powering your lights and charging your devices, it is also often one of the most expensive and dirtiest options.

Power plants rely on the burning of fuels in order to produce electricity, and this type of method is referred to as a nonrenewable energy source. Once the fuels are burned, they are gone, and plants require new fuels in order to generate more energy. As people become more aware of the planet and learning how to sustain it, options for renewable energy sources become increasingly popular. 

One of the best ways to power your home is to use a renewable energy source such as sunlight. Adding solar panels to your roof means that you can harvest that energy and then distribute it around your home the same way you would with a regular utility company. Some people choose to buy solar systems and have them installed, and other opt to rent the panels and simply pay for the energy they use every month. 

SunPower is one of the top companies when it comes to creating solar panels, and they also have developed a state of the art solar system that can be installed in residential homes, small or large business, and even government or public organizations. With a wide range of products, and top of the line craftsmanship, SunPower is leading the way for clean, renewable energy.

Company Information

Founded in 1985, SunPower has spent the last few decades growing into the powerhouse that they are  today. While there are numerous companies creating solar panels and selling home energy solutions, few have as many patents or have advanced their technology quite the way SunPower has. 

The company first got their start in the late 70’s when Dr. Richard Swanson decided to take a deeper look into the oil industry and the concept of using solar energy. While there were some solar cells being used at the time for high-tech satellites, it was not a mainstream product available to the masses. His goal was to find a way to make solar power more accessible while also making it more efficient and powerful. 

By the 1990’s, SunPower was well on its way to making a strong name for itself, and it did this by developing energy systems to power race cars and airplanes. They managed to create their unique PV Cells, which they used to power a solar race car in 1993 during a race in Australia. Not only did their race car win, but it caught the attention of NASA, who later used the same technology in 1997 to power their NASA Pathfinder, an unmanned high-altitude aircraft.

The 2000s saw more accomplishments from SunPower, and they continued to grow in popularity both in the private and public sector. From government contracts to customer home solutions, the technology continued to advance into what we now see today in their line of panels and full solar systems.

Technology

Beginning in 2007, SunPower developed and started producing what is known today as the most efficient solar cell technology on the market. IBC cells, which stands for Interdigitated Back Contact, are both highly efficient and have the lowest degradation rate of any cell to date. They achieve this by using rear-side conductors instead of front mounted ones, eliminating any shading that can occur and instead maximizing the amount of power that can be generated. These cells are also mounted on a more secure and durable base, preventing them from degrading over time and leading to a 25-year guarantee. While most cells lose significant capacity by the 25 year mark, IBC cells perform at about 92% capacity even after two and a half decades.

When it comes to efficiency, SunPower significantly outperforms the competition. Solar panel efficiency is judged based on how much sunshine it is able to convert into usable energy and electricity. On average, most solar panels have an efficiency of around 14% to 18%, but the SunPower panels perform at around 16.5% to 22.8%. With higher efficiency you not only save yourself more money, but you also create a backlog which can be stored for later use. 

The IBC cells that SunPower uses are called Maxeon, and they have a couple of unique features which help them perform so well. For starters, they are designed without any metal gridlines, a feature that is both aesthetically pleasing as well as functional. Removing the gridlines expands the surface area of the panel, allowing for greater sunlight absorption throughout the day. Each cell is then mounted on top of solid metal, a durable and resistant material that reduces the risk of corrosion from the elements. Since the panels are mounted to the roof and exposed to the elements year round, this added level of durability makes for a longer lasting system.

Below is a breakdown of how SunPower compares with more traditional solar panels, giving a more in-depth understanding of why they are leading the industry with their designs.

Panels & Cell Designs

SunPower has a wide range of products, beginning with their individual panels and ending with their fully integrated solar systems. When looking at just the panels themselves, there are four options that are currently offered: the A Series, X Series, E Series, and P Series. The graph below helps to highlight some of the key differences between them.

As you can see, most of the panels utilize Maxeon cells, but the P Series goes a different route with shingled cell technology. What this means is that the panels are built from individual shingles, a more durable and long lasting method than the other options presented. These cells are far less prone to developing cracks, a common issue seen in large sized panels, making them a great choice for large sized projects such as commercial grade buildings. While durability is increased, the downside to shingled cells is that they are a bit less efficient than the Maxeons cells. Although it isn’t a dramatic difference, it still is worth noting as residential homes who do not need such a large surface area covered may prefer to opt for a more efficient option.

The X Series is SunPower’s flagship model, and in terms of efficiency is their top performer. Within this series there are three variations, starting with the base model X20, teh step up X21, and the high performing X22. This series is mainly designed for residential purposes, but they can be installed for commercial purposes if desired. They work by creating around 44% more energy per panel, making them ideal for smaller surface areas. With less panels required, homeowners save money not only on their electrical bills but also in the initial cost of purchase.

In terms of versatility, the E Series is the one most adaptable to any situation and is used in both residential and commercial situations. They are similar to the X Series in both efficiency and energy power, although they are a little smaller in both regards. For efficiency, the E Series is an even 20%, putting them higher than the shingled model, but lower than both the A and X. They also deliver around 36% more power per panel, which is 8% lower than the X series. They feature an average power rating of 327W, so while they may not be the most powerful, they are still extremely efficient.

Finally, there is the A Series, which is SunPower’s newest panel. These are by far the most powerful cells on the market, and they deliver both incredible amounts of energy as well as the highest wattage when it comes to residential panels. Requiring fewer panels overall to power the home, the A Series can save you significant amounts of money year after year, and they maintain that ability just as long as the other options in the series.

Which panels you select will come down to cost and location. If you are looking to purchase for commercial purposes, you will likely be leaning more towards the P Series, an economical and durable option. However, if you are looking for panels for your home, and have some extra money to spare, the A Series is the absolute best choice out there.

Fully Integrated Systems

All four panels offered by SunPower can be utilized in one of their three solar systems, a completed set-up that helps deliver power quickly and efficiently. The three available systems are the Equinox, Helix, and Oasis.

Each system is specifically designed for a certain type of location, making it highly customized to that place’s particular needs. Instead of a one-size-fit-all approach, SunPower adapts their panels so that they are most efficient where they are. For residential purposes, the focus is on more aesthetically pleasing, high efficiency panels that require less space. For commercial purposes, they adapt their system for a quicker and more simplified installation process, allowing them to place large volumes of panels quickly. Finally, the Oasis System, which was created specifically for power plants, utilizes far more technology both in the panels themselves as well as in the tools used for monitoring and maintaining the area. Featuring overhead drone monitoring and robotic, built in cleaners, the Oasis System produces vast amounts of energy with very little manual upkeep.

All of SunPowers solar systems come with a 25 year warranty, ensuring that they retain their performance level for that amount of time. A common problem with solar panels is that over time they begin to degrade and it reduces the amount of power they are able to produce. As solar panels become less efficient, they convert less sunlight and ultimately end up needing to be replaced. After 25 years, standard solar panels typically have lost about 20% of their performance power, and as you move past the 25 year mark that number continues to drop significantly. With SunPower Systems, the average amount of degradation is only around 8%, meaning the panels will still absorb and convert 92% of the sunlight into usable energy. 

Bottom Line

When it comes to purchasing solar panels you will be hard pressed to find a company that beats out SunPower. In terms of power, performance, and durability, SunPower has advanced far beyond the competition and they continue to develop new cell technology to further their abilities. With a 25 year warranty and half the degradation of other panels, choosing to go with them for your upgrade is a no-brainer.

However, the one downside is that SunPower focuses on development and building rather than installation and maintenance. There is no in-house financing, no payment plans, and no option to pay as you go instead of buying the system outright. For anyone who is looking for that type of set-up, SunPower will not be the right fit as their focus truly is on creating integrative systems for people or businesses to own. 

With that said, those who are in the market to purchase a home solar system will be amazed at what SunPower has to offer and the quality of each and every panel. Innovative ideas and advanced technology come together to create high-efficiency panels that not only operate beautifully but look beautiful as well. A true leader in the world of clean energy solutions, SunPower is a worthwhile company to look into before you make the switch to renewable energy.