Solar panel brand reviews

Solar panels are a long-term investment as they'll be on your roof for 20 years or more. 

So choosing the right solar PV (photovoltaic) system for your home – from the best solar panel brand – is important.

To help you choose a solar panel brand, we reveal the most popular ones among Which? members, and tell you what owners think of them.

In April 2024, we surveyed more than 2,000 Which? members who have solar panels on their home. Use our independent results to see the current popular brands, how they compare and how they differ in terms of use and maintenance.

Which? members can log in to see what owners of each brand think of them. If you're not a member, join Which? to get access to the results or our independent research.

How do you buy solar panels?

It's unusual to choose a specific solar panel brand at the outset. Instead you're likely to encounter different brand options as you get quotes from different installers. Typically, your chosen installer will buy the panels to fit on your home.

Some only install solar panels from one brand, while others may install panels from a few brands. They may suggest a particular brand depending on your requirements. 

Nearly half of owners in our survey said the solar panel brand they used was the only one installed by their fitter. Another 18% said they chose from several brands fitted by their installer.

Product availability in the UK can also determine which brands installers are able to fit. 

When you talk to different installers (we'd recommend getting three quotes), use our research on solar panel brands to help you choose between them.

Read our full buying advice for solar panels.

Does the brand of solar panel matter?

Solar panel brands vary in terms of their:

• product range
• maximum power output
• efficiency
• warranties (for the product and power output)
• what owners think of them.

We've outlined the differences between the most popular brands below. The quality of the installation and other equipment (such as the inverter) also contribute to how good the solar panel system is overall. Price also varies depending on the solar panel brand and installer.

The most popular solar panel brands

The Which? members we surveyed owned solar PV panels from more than 20 different brands. The most commonly owned by those who bought them recently were:

• JA Solar
• Jinko Solar
• Longi
• SolarEdge
• Trina Solar

Which are the best solar panels brands?

Here's how the most popular solar panel brands in our survey compared on warranties and maximum power output and efficiency, when we last checked in May 2024.

SolarEdge, JA Solar, Trina Solar, Jinko and Longi: solar panel brands reviewed by owners

To help you narrow down the choice from your installer, or check how a suggested brand compares, we surveyed more than 2,000 people with solar panels on their homes. 

Their feedback gives you unique insight into the five brands in the table above on:

• Why (or whether) owners chose the brand.
• What owners like most about their solar panels.
• Gripes and frustrations owners have with their solar panels.
• Owners' assessment of their solar panels' electricity production and appearance.
• What owners think of the manufacturer's customer service (if they've needed to use it).

Which? members can log in to see what owners of each brand think of them in the section below. If you're not a member, join Which? to get access to the results or our independent research.

Next steps towards your new solar panels

As well as deciding on your installer and the brand of solar panels, you can use our advice to:

• Find out how much solar panels cost for different system sizes and outputs.
• Gauge if solar panels are worth it for your home.
• Weigh up the benefits and costs of pairing your panels with solar panel battery storage.
• Check if your home is suitable and know what to expect from a solar panel installation.