The Truth About Panel Brands
Here is something most salespeople will not tell you: the brand of panel matters less than the quality of the installation. A great panel installed badly will underperform. A good panel installed well will hum along for decades.
That said, there are real differences between panel types. Here is what you need to know.
The Three Panel Types
Monocrystalline — the best choice for most homes
These are the dark, uniform-looking panels you see on most new installs. They are made from a single silicon crystal, which lets them turn more sunlight into power from the same roof space. If your roof space is limited — and most roofs are — these give you the most power per square foot. This is what we recommend for most Orlando homes.
Polycrystalline — cheaper, fading away
These have a speckled blue look and cost less, but they are less efficient. They used to be popular for budget installs. Today, the price gap has shrunk so much that most installers have moved on to monocrystalline. You will rarely see these quoted on new home systems anymore.
Thin-film — not for home roofs
Thin-film panels are light and flexible. They are used on commercial buildings and in special cases. They need much more space to make the same power, so they make no sense on a typical home roof.
What Actually Matters in Florida
Heat tolerance
Panels lose a little efficiency as they heat up, and Orlando roofs get hot. Panels have a temperature coefficient — a number that tells you how much power they lose per degree of heat. A lower number is better. Ask your installer about it. In Florida, this matters more than squeezing out the last drop of lab-tested efficiency.
Warranty
Look for two warranties: a product warranty (covers defects and failures) and a performance warranty (guarantees how much power the panel will still make decades from now). Most quality panels today carry a 25-year performance warranty. Read the fine print — a warranty is only as good as the company backing it.
Wind rating
Your panels must survive Florida hurricanes. Ask what wind speed the panels and mounting system are rated for, and make sure the whole system meets Florida Building Code wind-load requirements. Our hurricane-proofing guide covers this in detail.
The installer
This is the big one. Proper flashing keeps your roof watertight. Proper wiring keeps your home safe. Proper permitting keeps you legal. Ask how many installs the crew has done, who pulls the permits, and what the workmanship warranty covers.
What Does Not Matter Much
- Tiny efficiency differences. The gap between a 21% panel and a 22% panel is small. Roof space and shading matter far more.
- All-black vs. blue looks. All-black panels look sleeker. They cost a bit more. They do not make meaningfully more power. Pick what you like looking at.
- Brand hype. Marketing budgets do not make electricity. Specs, warranties, and installer quality do.
Questions to Ask Before You Choose
- What panel type and model are you quoting, and why this one for my roof?
- What is the temperature coefficient?
- What are the product and performance warranty terms?
- What wind speed is the mounting system rated for?
- What is your workmanship warranty, and who honors it if you go out of business?
Get a Panel Recommendation for Your Roof
The right panel depends on your roof, your shade, and your budget — not on a brochure. Fill out our contact form and we will tell you honestly what makes sense for your home.