The most economical photovoltaic panel home solution

Most solar panels are at least 20% efficient, but the best ones are over 22% efficient. We reviewed the efficiency ratings of hundreds of home solar panel models and found that five brands stood out: Maxeon, Qcells, Canadian Solar, REC, and Panasonic.

Our top recommendations for residential solar customers are the panels from Maxeon. This manufacturer has a long history in the solar industry and is known for its innovations and solar technologies that push the envelope in terms of efficiency, performance, durability and overall quality.

Trina Solar, a Chinese company that makes this kind of panel, set a world record in June 2025 by creating a 30.6% efficient model. With a 360W power rating across a 1.185m² panel, this product would easily top our list – except it hasn't been released to the public yet, and likely won't be for years.

Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article. REC and Maxeon offer two of the best solar panels that CNET experts have evaluated. Both brands offer highly efficient solar panels backed with strong production guarantees over 25 years.

Installers of Panasonic solar panels can be found around the US. Canadian Solar makes one of the most efficient solar panels on the market. While its suite of panels doesn't quite match the leaders here in terms of performance and warranty, they're not much behind. If your installer offers Canadian Solar panels, you're getting quality panels.

With wattage options between 445W and 470W, it stands out as one of the most powerful residential solar panels available. The panel has a temperature coefficient of -0.29%, which means it maintains strong performance even as temperatures rise, ensuring consistent energy production throughout the year.