Sunpower solar panels reviews

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About Sunpower, Solar Panels

Sunpower solar panels review

SunPower is an American firm that lends its name to high quality solar panels; with most models now being produced through its spinoff Maxeon Solar Technologies. The company's products are widely considered among the best available. 

Sunpower Maxeon solar panels have the highest efficiency currently on the market, are likely to be the best at tolerating partial shade -  and they have a 40 year product warranty in Australia (see further notes on warranty below). In addition, SunPower panels are corrosion resistant, which makes them suitable for installation anywhere in Australia.

Maxeon have an Australian office in Melbourne..

Production Capacity And Output

At the start of 2018 SunPower had 1.2 gigawatts of solar cell manufacturing capacity and 1.9 gigawatts of solar panel manufacturing capacity. In 2019, the company shipped  2.5 GW of modules, representing 80% growth over 2018. Fast forward to 2022, and 2 GW was shipped.

Current production capacity is noted as: Interdigitated Back Contact (“IBC”) technology modules: 1 GW, P-Series: 1.8 GW, and 12 GW through a joint venture with Huansheng Photovoltaic (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd.

Manufacturing Locations

SunPower is as American as apple pie and so is majority owned by a French oil company. This makes sense because the French were eating apple pies long before Americans ever did.

SunPower's headquarters are in San Jose in California.  They abandoned manufacturing in the United States for a long time but then resumed at a plant they bought from SolarWorld Americas in order to avoid Trump's solar panel tariffs. But in January 2021, SunPower announced it was closing its Hillsboro plant. Other subsequent changes means Maxeon is now manufacturing all SunPower panel models.

Maxeon has manufacturing capacity in Malaysia, the Philippines and Mexico.  SunPower entered into a joint venture to produce their P series panels in China.

Company History

SunPower was founded in 1985 by Richard Swanson, who was responsible for Swanson's Law. It states that for every doubling of production capability, the cost of solar panels falls by 20%. Despite ups and downs in prices, it has proven to be roughly accurate and I hope the effect will continue into the future.

As it has managed to stick around for 38 years so far, SunPower is one of the oldest solar panel brands in existence.

However, in November 2019, SunPower announced it would spin off much of its solar panel manufacturing into a new company – Maxeon Solar Technologies. That process was completed in August 2020 and now the company's panels aside from the P Series are marketed under the name "SunPower Maxeon".

SunPower Maxeon's 40 Year Replacement Product Warranty

In February 2022, Maxeon Solar Technologies announced the product and performance warranty on panels sold under SunPower Maxeon brand in Australia had been extended from 25 years to 40 years. In terms of the Sunpower Maxeon 5  and 6 AC, the 40 years only covers the panel, while the integrated microinverter is covered under Enphase’s 25 year warranty.

It should be noted the product warranty for SunPower P series panels (i.e. non-Maxeon branded) is still 25 years.

Maxeon's product warranty (and that of the SunPower P Series) undertakes to either repair, replace, or refund the purchase price of the defective PV modules. It used to be that all SunPower panels were covered by a full replacement warranty, rather than the company also having repair/refund options.

Panel Reliability

While this figure is now out of date, SunPower has  previously said their panel failure rate is only 1 in 37,000. Hopefully it's even better now, although I know some panels have been replaced under warranty.  Because the large majority of their panels were well under 25 years old at the time, this doesn't mean there is only a 1 in 37,000 chance of a panel failing during its 25 year warranty period, but it still suggests they are very reliable.

SunPower Maxeon Solar Panels Resist The Effects Of Heat

SunPower panels suffer considerably less decrease in efficiency due to the effects of heat than the average panels.  Their coefficiency of Pmax ranges is as little as -0.29% depending on the model, while the industry average is around -0.35%.  This is how much their output is decreased by for each degree celcisus the panel temperature is above 25 degrees.  Note that the temperature of panels in the sun can be much higher than the air temperature and can reach 65 degrees on hot days. 

SunPower Panels Tolerate Partial Shade Well

Partial shade can cause a major reduction in the performance of solar cells as one badly performing solar cell can drag down the performance of others, so just one bird poop can have a major effect. But SunPower used various technologies to minimise its impact, and that has continued under Maxeon manufacturing.

SunPower Had Financial Difficulties

SunPower had been experiencing financial difficulties, posting significant losses in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

For the fiscal year 2019, SunPower's assets and liabilities were almost equal, which is not a good situation to be in.  Their financial position was hurt by falling solar panel prices and also President Trump's US solar tariffs -- despite SunPower winning an exemption

There was speculation that SunPower would go bankrupt, but the recent move to shift all solar panel manufacturing to Maxeon may play out well.

But even if I was certain SunPower wouldn't be around in the future to honour their warranties, I would still be fine with installing them on my roof because their high reliability means the chance of me needing their warranty should be extremely small.

Warranty claim procedure for orphaned SunPower customers

If you have purchased Sunpower panels from a solar installer that has gone out of business, the responsibility for warranty claims falls to Sunpower or Maxeon, depending on the type of solar panel installed. They can be contacted on 1800 786 769, and will arrange for an installer in their network to diagnose and rectify any problems with the panels - with labor costs involved covered by the warranty.

My Recommendation

I would have no problem installing SunPower Maxeon panels on my roof, and this would be the case even if I expected SunPower or Maxeon to go bust and not be around to honour their warranties.

But while SunPower panels are very high quality, they do carry a hefty premium and so it will be necessary to decide if they are worth the extra expense.

SunPower is also very popular with Australian installers. In the SolarQuotes Installers' Choice Awards, SunPower was voted second in the best solar panels in 2023 category, and also achieved second place for best after-sales support.

Sunpower Solar Panel Reviews

Bought From: SAE Group Brisbane North Show additional information
Bought From: GEM Energy Show additional information
Bought From: Solar4Life Show additional information
These all black P series panels look great on our roof and are super reliable in getting the output as promised. I would highly recommend this series of solar panel.
Bought From: Positive Energy Solutions Pty Ltd
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Bought From: Lenergy Show additional information
Bought From: Energy Buster Show additional information
Bought From: Solar Pro Bendigo Show additional information
Bought From: MP Electrical and Solar Show additional information
Bought From: Natural Solar Show additional information
Bought From: Goulburn Solar Show additional information
Bought From: SAE Group GC Mid Show additional information
Bought From: Helcro Solar Show additional information
Bought From: Gedlec Energy Show additional information
Bought From: Evo Solar Geelong Show additional information
Look and perform great
Bought From: Eco Solar
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We went with the SunPower Performance 6 BLK panels, as they will be prominent from the street. These all-black panels are a premium but do look quite stunning.
Bought From: OBrien Electrical And Plumbing Rowville Residential
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The Solar panels have preformed faultlessly as well, delivering 8 Mega-walts of power, very happy with the enphase system and also the installation.
Bought From: Evo Solar Geelong
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Bought From: Natural Solar Show additional information
Bought From: SAE Group Sth Sunny Coast Show additional information
Bought From: Total Solar and Electrical Pty Ltd Show additional information
Top of the line with factory-installed Enphase micro-inverters. The big selling point for me beyond their history and reputation, was the 40-year warranty on the panel, as well as 25 years for the inverters vs. 10 if you buy other panels.
Bought From: Natural Solar
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Bought From: SAE Group Yamba - Ballina Show additional information
Bought From: NRG Solar SA Show additional information
Bought From: Penrith Solar Centre NSW Show additional information
Fantastic. I’ve really only had autumn/ winter generation. Very happy with east f west facing panels. Gives a regular flow during the day for my 1 person house. Although the top wattage Maxeon panels were not available at installation I got an extra panel fir a similar price. Being near the coast Maxeon were salt corrosion rated which others on my very short list dud not state.
Bought From: Solargain Perth
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Bought From: RTB Electric Pty Ltd Show additional information
High performance as expected.
Bought From: Penrith Solar Centre NSW
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Bought From: SAE Group Nth Sunny Coast Show additional information
Bought From: Natural Solar Show additional information
It all looks great so hopefully the future will be worthwhile.
Bought From: Fased Solar
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As we have yet to pay a bill in 2023 (and that includes the winter months in South Australia) I would say we couldn’t be more pleased!
Bought From: Energy Buster
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Bought From: Synergyze Electrical Show additional information
Bought From: SAE Group Brisbane East Show additional information
Bought From: Penrith Solar Centre NSW Show additional information
Bought From: TCK Solar Pty Ltd Show additional information
Bought From: Green Solar Energy Sydney Show additional information
Bought From: Penrith Solar Centre NSW Show additional information
Bought From: Evo Solar Geelong Show additional information
Bought From: Natrix Solar Show additional information
Bought From: Westsun Solar Show additional information
No issues so far, operating without a hitch.
Bought From: Penrith Solar Centre NSW
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Solar panels are great and my bills have decreased immensely over the last 12 months, especially during the summer
Bought From: Lightning Energy Melbourne
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Bought the first set in 2009 and no problems over 14 years.
Bought From: Koala Solar
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Bought From: Penrith Solar Centre NSW Show additional information
No issues experienced in the first 10 months
Bought From: Hello Sun Newcastle
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Penrith Solar Centre use SunPower Performance panels, which is a high grade solar panel. We wanted high quality performing solar panels.
Bought From: Penrith Solar Centre NSW
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Bought From: Natural Solar Show additional information
Bought From: Green Wave Solar Pty Ltd Show additional information
Excellent Panels - Can't fault them.
And they look great too - Fully matt black!
Bought From: All Green Environmental Solutions
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Bought From: Innovate Energy ACT Show additional information

Sunpower has 71 solar panels in our database

Model Type Size (W) PTC (W) Performance Ratio
PL-PLT-63L-BLK-UMonocrystalline635587.30
PL-SUNP-SPR-215Monocrystalline21519892.09
PL-SUNP-SPR-290Monocrystalline29026691.72
PL-SUNP-SPR-305Monocrystalline30528192.13
PL-SUNP-SPR-308EMonocrystalline30828391.88
PL-SUNP-SPR-315EMonocrystalline31529092.06
SER-220PPolycrystalline22019588.64
SER-228PPolycrystalline22820288.60
SER-235PPolycrystalline23521290.21
SPR-200-BLK-UMonocrystalline20018090.00
SPR-200-WHT-UMonocrystalline20018291.00
SPR-205-BLK-UMonocrystalline20518489.76
SPR-208-WHT-UMonocrystalline20818990.87
SPR-210-BLK-UMonocrystalline21018990.00
SPR-210-WHT-UMonocrystalline21019492.38
SPR-217-WHT-UMonocrystalline21719790.78
SPR-220-BLK-UMonocrystalline22019890.00
SPR-220-WHT-UMonocrystalline22020090.91
SPR-225-BLK-UMonocrystalline22520591.11
SPR-225NE-BLK-DMonocrystalline22520691.56
SPR-230-WHT-UMonocrystalline23021292.17
SPR-230E-WHT-DMonocrystalline23020990.87
SPR-230NE-BLK-DMonocrystalline23021191.74
SPR-235NE-WHT-DMonocrystalline23521691.91
SPR-238E-WHT-D (72 Mono cells)Monocrystalline23821791.18
SPR-240E-WHT-DMonocrystalline24021991.25
SPR-240E-WHT-U-ACPVMonocrystalline24021991.25
SPR-245NE-WHT-D (72 Mono cells)Monocrystalline24522692.24
SPR-245NE-WHT-U-240 ACPVMonocrystalline24522692.24
SPR-250NX-BLK-DMonocrystalline25023292.80
SPR-295E-WHT-DMonocrystalline29527191.86
SPR-300E-WHT-DMonocrystalline30027692.00
SPR-310E-WHT-D (96 cells)Monocrystalline31028591.94
SPR-318E-WHT-D (96 Mono cells)Monocrystalline31829392.14
SPR-320NE-WHT-DMonocrystalline32029592.19
SPR-320NE-WHT-D (96 Mono cells)Monocrystalline32029592.19
SPR-327NE-WHT-D (96 Mono cells)Monocrystalline32730192.05
SPR-335NX-BLK-DMonocrystalline33531192.84
SPR-343J-WHT-DMonocrystalline34331892.71
SPR-390E-WHT-DMonocrystalline39036192.56
SPR-400E-WHT-DMonocrystalline40037192.75
SPR-410NE-WHT-DMonocrystalline41038092.68
SPR-415E-WHT-DMonocrystalline41538592.77
SPR-425E-WHT-DMonocrystalline42539192.00
SPR-435NE-WHT-DMonocrystalline43540091.95
SPR-440NE-WHT-DMonocrystalline44040592.05
SPR-445J-WHT-DMonocrystalline44541392.81
SPR-76R-BLK-UMonocrystalline766585.53
SPR-E18-235Monocrystalline23521691.91
SPR-E18-295-COMMonocrystalline29527191.86
SPR-E18-305-COMMonocrystalline30528192.13
SPR-E19-235Monocrystalline23521691.91
SPR-E19-310-COMMonocrystalline31028591.94
SPR-E19-315Monocrystalline31529092.06
SPR-E19-320Monocrystalline32029592.19
SPR-E20-245Monocrystalline24522692.24
SPR-E20-327Monocrystalline32730192.05
SPR-E20-435-COMMonocrystalline43540091.95
SPR-X19-240-BLKMonocrystalline24022493.33
SPR-X20-245Monocrystalline24523294.69
SPR-X20-255Monocrystalline25524194.51
SPR-X20-327Monocrystalline32730894.19
SPR-X21-335Monocrystalline33531493.73
SPR-X21-345Monocrystalline34532393.62
SPR-X21-345-COMMonocrystalline34532092.75
SPR-X22-340-BLKMonocrystalline34031893.53
SPR-X22-359Monocrystalline35933392.76
SPR-X22-360Monocrystalline36033492.78
SPR-X22-460-COMMonocrystalline46043895.22
SPR-X22-470-COMMonocrystalline47043893.19
SPR-X22-475-COMMonocrystalline47544393.26
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