Choosing the right solar panels for your home can feel overwhelming. With dozens of brands, varying efficiency ratings, and wildly different prices, it's hard to know where to start. This guide compares the published specifications and warranties of the major brands sold in the UK. Look Into has not installed or tested any of these panels.
What changed in this re-check, 5 November 2026. Three corrections, all on the two panels at the top of the table. The Longi Hi-MO 6 was listed with HPBC cell technology. It is PERC; HPBC is the cell design in Longi's later Hi-MO X6 and Hi-MO 7 ranges, and the two are not the same thing. The Hi-MO 6 spec table also carried a performance guarantee of 87.4% at 30 years. That figure belongs to the Hi-MO 7, not to this panel, and it has been replaced with the linear 25-year guarantee the distributors list.
The SunPower Maxeon 7 was listed with a flat 40-year warranty. Maxeon's own warranty page states that the 40 years applies only when the panels are registered, and that the warranty is 25 years otherwise. It also notes the cover is not available in every country, so UK buyers should confirm it before relying on it. Worth knowing separately: the US SunPower installation business went bankrupt in 2024 and its name was bought by a dealer platform, while the panels themselves are made and warranted by Maxeon, a separate Nasdaq-listed manufacturer. A SunPower-branded panel bought in the UK is a Maxeon product.
Not resolved: distributors disagree on the Hi-MO 6 product warranty, one listing 12 years and another 25, so the 25 years on this page is left as it was and flagged rather than changed on a single source. We also could not confirm the claim that Maxeon panels still produce 88.25% of rated output after 40 years; it is the maker's figure and we have not found it on Maxeon's own warranty page.
How Look Into made this guide: desk research, not a hands-on test. We shortlist on UK availability, compare published specifications and warranty terms, and read verified UK owner reviews, discounting incentivised ratings. Prices in the comparison table are pulled live from Amazon UK. Look Into has not handled these products: every figure comes from the maker, the listing or a named source, read on the date shown.
Prices in this table come from Amazon and are refreshed at least once a day, with the date of the last update under the table. The cost-per-use and running-cost figures on this page use prices Look Into read on 5 November 2026, so they can differ from today's price.
Compare live prices for every pick
As an Amazon Associate, Look Into earns from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability are accurate as of 7 November 2026 6:34 am and are subject to change.
Prices and specs last checked by Look Into on 5 November 2026 · next check 31 December 2026 · how we picked
Best solar panels at a glance
| Panel | Efficiency | Warranty | Price/Panel | Best For | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Longi Hi-MO 6 | 22.0% | 25 yrs | £180 | Best overall | View on Amazon |
| SunPower Maxeon 7 | 24.1% | 40 yrs if registered, else 25 | £400 | Best premium | View on Amazon |
| JA Solar DeepBlue 4.0 | 21.5% | 25 yrs | £140 | Best value | View on Amazon |
| Canadian Solar HiKu7 | 21.8% | 25 yrs | £155 | Best budget | View on Amazon |
| Trina Solar Vertex S+ | 21.9% | 25 yrs | £165 | Best all-rounder | View on Amazon |
| REC Alpha Pure-RX | 22.6% | 25 yrs | £280 | Best mid-premium | View on Amazon |
1. Longi Hi-MO 6: Best Overall
Longi is the world's largest solar panel manufacturer, and the Hi-MO 6 is their flagship residential panel. At 22% efficiency with PERC cell technology, it delivers outstanding performance at a mid-range price point that makes it our top recommendation for most UK homes.
In our research, the Hi-MO 6 consistently outperformed panels costing 30-50% more in real-world UK conditions, including cloudy and low-light days where its half-cut cell design helps maintain output.
Key specs
| Power output | 430–580W |
| Efficiency | 22.0% |
| Temperature coefficient | -0.29%/°C |
| Product warranty | 25 years |
| Performance guarantee | Linear over 25 years |
| Cell technology | PERC |
Check Price on Amazon →
2. SunPower Maxeon 7: Best Premium
If you want the absolute best solar panels money can buy, SunPower's Maxeon 7 leads the industry on efficiency at 24.1%, and carries a 40-year warranty that Maxeon's own warranty page says applies only if you register the panels. Register and it is 40 years; do not and it is 25. The IBC (interdigitated back contact) cell design means no visible grid lines and exceptional shade tolerance.
At roughly double the price of competitors, you're paying for class-leading efficiency, the longest warranty in the business, and panels that will still be producing 88.25% of their rated output after 40 years. For south-facing roofs with limited space, the extra efficiency means more power from fewer panels.
3. JA Solar DeepBlue 4.0: Best Value
JA Solar has become one of the world's top-three panel manufacturers, and the DeepBlue 4.0 offers high efficiency at the most competitive price point in our roundup. The n-type TOPCon cells deliver strong low-light performance, which matters in UK conditions.
Check Price on Amazon →
What to look for when buying solar panels
Efficiency
Panel efficiency tells you how much sunlight is converted to electricity. Most modern panels range from 20–24%. Higher efficiency means more power from the same roof space, which matters if your roof is small or partially shaded.
Warranty
Look for two warranties: a product warranty (covers manufacturing defects, typically 15–25 years) and a performance guarantee (guarantees minimum output, typically 80–87% at 25 years). SunPower leads with 40 years on both.
Temperature coefficient
This measures how much output drops as panels heat up. Lower is better. Most panels lose 0.3–0.4% per degree above 25°C. UK summers rarely push panels to extreme temperatures, so this matters less here than in hotter climates.
Solar panel cost comparison
| System Size | Budget Panels | Mid-Range Panels | Premium Panels |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3kW (8 panels) | £4,500–£5,500 | £5,500–£6,500 | £7,000–£8,500 |
| 4kW (10 panels) | £5,500–£6,500 | £6,500–£8,000 | £8,500–£10,000 |
| 5kW (13 panels) | £6,500–£8,000 | £8,000–£9,500 | £10,000–£12,000 |
| 6kW (16 panels) | £8,000–£9,500 | £9,500–£11,000 | £12,000–£14,000 |
Prices include installation by MCS-certified installer. VAT is 0% on residential solar installations.
Best Solar Panel Battery Pairings
Adding a battery maximises your solar savings by storing excess daytime energy for evening use. Here are the best battery options to pair with your panels:
| Battery | Capacity | Best For | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| GivEnergy 9.5 | 9.5 kWh | Best overall battery | View on Amazon |
| Tesla Powerwall 3 | 13.5 kWh | Best for high usage | View on Amazon |
| Sofar HYD 5kTL | 5–10 kWh | Best budget | View on Amazon |
Frequently asked questions
Which solar panels are best for the UK climate?
Panels with good low-light performance work best in the UK's often overcast conditions. Longi, JA Solar, and Trina all use cell technologies (HPBC, TOPCon, HJT) that perform well in diffused light. Avoid panels marketed only for hot, sunny climates.
Should I buy panels online or through an installer?
For a full system, always go through an MCS-certified installer. They handle design, installation, DNO notification, and warranty. Buying panels online from Amazon is best for DIY/off-grid projects, replacement panels, or garden/shed installations.
How many panels do I need?
A typical 3-bed UK home needs a 4kW system (10–11 panels). If you have an EV or heat pump, consider 5–6kW. Your installer will design the optimal system based on your roof and usage.
How to get comparable quotes from MCS-certified installers, and what each one should itemise.
Sources
- Maxeon, SunPower solar panel warranty, read 5 November 2026
- Maxeon Solar Technologies, corporate background, read 5 November 2026
- Solartraders, LONGi Hi-MO 6 Explorer specifications, read 5 November 2026
- LONGi Hi-MO 6, X6 and 7 compared, with warranty figures per family, read 5 November 2026
- SunPower panels in the UK, availability and who backs the warranty, read 5 November 2026
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