Jun. 09, 2025
The life of a solar farm is well over 25 years and the solar panel cost component is the single most expensive item in a solar installation costing as much as 40% of the total project cost. When investing in a solar farm one needs to select the right solar panels to ensure he gets the expected power and energy production across the life of the project.
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Most homeowners are confused in solar panel selection. The most frequently asked questions when deciding to select a solar panel are the following.
The short answer to the above question is that solar panels are broadly classified into Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3. Tier 1 solar panels are more reliable and it's advisable to buy them.
Solar panels are made using six main components and assembled in advanced manufacturing facilities with extreme accuracy. These six components are junction box, back sheet, encapsulant EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) film, solar cells, tempered glass, and aluminum frame. Many well-known solar panel manufacturers are vertically integrated, which means one company supplies and manufactures all the main components used to make a solar panel including the silicon ingots and wafers used to make the solar cells. By doing this the manufacturer can ensure there is no drop in quality in any of the key components used to manufacture a solar panel.
However, many solar panel manufacturers also assemble solar panels using externally sourced parts including solar cells, polymer back sheet and encapsulation EVA film. Unfortunately, it’s very difficult for the manufacturer to control the quality of the products sourced.
Based on how the key components are sourced and assembled, solar panels are broadly classified into Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3. One of the main differences between the different tiers of solar panels is based on the manufacturing process. The more automation the lower the chances of human error. Also being more vertically integrated reduces any quality related issues in procurement and manufacturing. Tier 1 solar panels are considered premium quality.
Tier 1 solar panels use the best grade of silicon to produce solar cells. Higher the silicon grade the better the solar panel will perform. In addition, Tier 1 manufacturers control the manufacturing process using advanced robotic processes thereby minimizing or eliminating any human errors in the manufacturing process. They also invest heavily on research and development to stay top of their game. These manufacturers are vertically integrated, that is they tend to manufacture all key components used in a solar panel by themselves. They tend to have an annual production capacity of over 1 GW and have been supplying solar panels for over 5 years.
Tier 1 manufacturers use the best grade materials to produce a solar panel, hence the solar panels are much more expensive. The solar panels from a Tier 1 manufacturer could be as high as 30% more expensive than others.
Tier 1 manufacturers generally provide a 12 year product warranty and 25 year linear performance warranty on the solar panels. They have a highly regarded reputation within the industry for quality and service and are either publicly listed on the stock exchange or have a strong and stable balance sheet. Tier 1 solar panel examples are Jinko Solar, JA Solar, LONGi, Trina Solar and Canadian Solar.
Tier 2 manufacturers use partial robotics in their manufacturing process and rely more on manual work through human production lines. There is a chance of human error in the production line that could lead to lower performance of the solar panel. However, the aim for these manufacturers is to produce good solar panels at a good price. They generally invest very little in research and development and the companies are small to medium in size producing solar panels between 2 and 5 years.
Tier 2 manufacturers also provide product and linear performance warranties on their solar panels but are considered inferior to Tier 1 solar panel warranties. Tier 2 solar panel examples are RenewSys Solar, Luxor Solar and Axitec Solar.
Tier 3 manufacturers are typically assemblers rather than pure panel manufacturers. They assemble other manufacturers' cells into a panel. They generally use human production lines for manual soldering of solar cells instead of advanced robotics because of which the quality can vary based on operator skill set. They have zero investments in research and development.
Tier 3 manufacturers also provide product and linear performance warranties on their solar panels but are considered inferior to Tier 2 solar panel warranties. Tier 3 solar panel examples are Tanfon Solar, Dongson Solar and Lovsun Solar.
When buying a solar panel, you are essentially buying two things, a physical product that generates electricity and a guarantee from a manufacturer that specifies the performance of the solar panel year on year. Keeping this in mind, let's answer the below questions.
The life of a solar panel is well over 25 years. There are two types of warranties generally offered. One is a product warranty that ranges from 5 years to 12 years and the second is a linear performance warranty that ranges from 15 years to 25 years again based on manufacturer.
Ideally you want to select a supplier who gives you the longest product warranty and longest linear performance warranty.
Tier 1 solar panels are built with higher standards (to last longer and produce abundant solar power) and have a highly regarded reputation within the solar industry for quality and service so one can expect Tier 1 manufacturers to honor their product warranty compared to Tier 2 and Tier 3 manufacturers.
Selecting any manufacturer from Tier 1 list of manufacturers is considered reliable. Some of the top performing solar panels are supplied by Jinko Solar, JA Solar, LONGi, Trina Solar and Canadian Solar.
One can expect to spend between 10% to 30% more on Tier 1 solar panels.
When building a solar power system, sourcing and connecting the right components can get complicated. To make consumers’ lives easier, manufacturers like EcoFlow now sell solar panel kits with all the parts you need to get started included right out of the box.
Before investing in a solar panel kit, you need to know what you’re getting, how it comes together, and whether this solution makes sense for your electricity needs.
Read on to learn how a solar panel kit can work for you.
Solar power can seem complicated at first. Fortunately, many solar kits are designed to make harnessing the sun’s renewable energy simple.
Usually, a solar panel kit contains (at minimum) photovoltaic (PV) solar panels and an inverter. The PV panels collect energy from the sun, while the inverter converts the energy from DC to AC so you can use the electric power in your home. Unless you’re investing in a grid-tied solar power system, you’ll also need a solar battery system to store the energy and make it all work.
Some solar kits combine everything you need for a fully functional solar power installation, including the solar battery, solar charge controller, inverter, and cabling. EcoFlow’s Power Kits, for example, include all the components you need to collect, store, and convert solar energy to electricity. The package saves you the time and effort of purchasing separate parts and checking compatibility. Power Kits are easy to install and get up and running quickly.
A solar kit begins with collecting the sun’s energy. As sunlight hits your solar panels, the panels collect the sun’s energy for your system. The system then stores, converts, and transfers power to your home, RV, appliances, or whatever you connect the system to.
Some solar kits include everything you need for that process to run effectively. However, you need to consider how much electricity you will consume. The size of the solar kit you need for your RV or tiny home will differ from what you need for a camping trip or an entire house.
When you purchase a solar kit, you must determine how much power you need and ensure that your equipment will provide it. There are online tools provided by solar power kit manufacturers that can help you with these calculations by taking into account your energy needs.
Another crucial consideration is the hours of sunlight and resulting solar power generation you can expect where you live.
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All of this factors into what solar power system is right for you.
Delivering solar energy requires more than just installing solar panels. A complete solar energy system will include components to collect, store, convert, and transfer power to your home or your RV. If you opt for a grid-tied system, you may be able to sell any extra electricity you generate back to your utility company through net metering.
Understanding how each component functions within the system can help you when you’re making a decision about which solar panel kit to purchase.
The process starts with PV solar panels collecting the sun’s energy.
Solar panels vary in conversion efficiency depending on the materials that manufacturers use. Common types of solar panels include monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin film.
You don’t want to skimp on solar panel quality. An experienced, reputable manufacturer is critical to getting the most from your system.
If you opt for an off-grid solar panel system, you’ll need to store the sun’s energy in a solar battery.
An adequately sized solar battery ensures you’ll have sufficient electricity for when you need it most.
A common misconception about solar power is that it doesn’t work on overcast days or at night. Battery storage is the key to allowing solar energy to meet your electricity needs any time of day or season. Having adequate storage capacity is essential if you’re going off-grid.
Solar panels generally collect the sun’s energy as DC electricity. Your home runs on AC electricity. An inverter converts solar DC electricity to AC to power your household appliances and devices.
A solar panel kit from a reputable manufacturer will include all the cables you need to connect components. Having the right cables in your kit can save a great deal of time and frustration trying to buy them separately.
Solar panel kits that provide mounting hardware can save you hours of time if you choose to install the system yourself.
Not all photovoltaic (PV) solar panels serve the same function. Depending on your specific use case, you might want panels mounted on a rooftop or travel affixed to an RV. The size and shape of your mounting space can similarly affect what you need.
Rigid PV panels like the 400W rigid solar panels from EcoFlow are the best choice for permanent installations — especially on your rooftop. They are the heaviest, thickest, and sturdiest type of panel, built to withstand the forces of nature.
When you have a large, flat surface to place them on, these remain the gold standard for photovoltaic panel efficiency. On the other hand, they can be harder to install and don’t work well for non-flat surfaces or portable installations.
Sometimes you want a solar kit that you can take with you. Portable solar panels typically fold into a suitcase-style carrier. They’re convenient if you want to connect a small appliance or device on the go or even provide electricity in your RV when you travel. They are lightweight and easy to transport.
Flexible solar panels — also commonly known as thin-film — bend and adjust to the shape of a curved surface and can be ideal for a fixed solar source on a smaller home or a vehicle. They are light and easy to install. However, they are less efficient than rigid or portable solar panels.
You can DIY your solar panel kit if you choose. A DIY solar kit build typically requires purchasing separate components from several manufacturers and ensuring cross-compatibility.
While building a DIY solar panel kit may seem tempting from a costs saving perspective, ensuring every component will work well together makes it a challenging endeavor.
Not all solar system components work together. While EcoFlow panels are compatible with most third-party balance of system components, this is not always the case.
If you assemble a custom solar panel kit, you’ll need to research each part and ensure the entire assembly will work together seamlessly.
Manufacturing quality varies widely among suppliers. Purchasing the cheapest components is rarely the best long-term choice.
Going solar requires a substantial upfront investment. If you buy inexpensive components, you may never recoup your ROI.
A plug-and-play solar power system — like EcoFlow’s Power Kits — makes assembly easy, even for DIY novices. Separately purchasing each component can be challenging for even an experienced handyperson.
EcoFlow’s Power Kits come with every component you need to build and install a solar power system for your tiny home or RV.
EcoFlow can help you find and purchase the best kit for your individual needs.
There’s even a free online calculator to help you determine which Power Kit is right for you.
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