It doesn’t matter. A solar leasing or PPA (power purchase agreement) installer like Solar City can use whatever panels they want, because they will own the system, which means they receive the rebate (not you). Several Kyocera panels are listed on the CA SB1 Compliant List, and if you were buying a solar system from an installer in California, you should make sure that your equipment makes you eligible for the rebates. But since it’s a PPA, it doesn’t matter for you.

PPA’s or solar leasing are great ways to go solar, and as long as you feel you understand the terms and are getting a good deal (which you likely are) then you don’t need to worry about eligible or efficient equipment. You only buy the energy produced, and the provider will make sure that it installs solar panels that produce over the long-term, or they won’t make any money! So you don’t have to worry!

Thanks for the question! Glad you’re going solar! You’re going to be happy that you did!

Thank you. SunPower 300 and 315 are not included on the chart above because the chart is of “30 of the most common” solar panels used. The size and cost of the SunPower 300 and 315, though they are very efficient, cause them to be used in solar installation projects much less commonly than the panels listed. That’s why I have included a link to the 40 Most Efficient Panels available which includes both mentioned. Good question!

Nice chart! Very usefull.

Can I ask you why SunPower 300 and 315 are not included?

The data is mainly for comparison purposes as the measurements are consistent. Local installers will have more information regarding local production output. My comparison charts are best used to confirm and/or ask about differences in output or efficiency.

PTC refers to PVUSA Test Conditions, which were developed to test and compare PV systems as part of the PVUSA (Photovoltaics for Utility Scale Applications) project. PTC are 1,000 Watts per square meter solar irradiance, 20 degrees C air temperature, and wind speed of 1 meter per second at 10 meters above ground level. PV manufacturers use Standard Test Conditions, or STC, to rate their PV products. STC are 1,000 Watts per square meter solar irradiance, 25 degrees C cell temperature, air mass equal to 1.5, and ASTM G173-03 standard spectrum. The PTC rating, which is lower than the STC rating, is generally recognized as a more realistic measure of PV output because the test conditions better reflect “real-world” solar and climatic conditions, compared to the STC rating. All ratings in the list are DC (direct current) watts.

Neither PTC nor STC account for all ‘real-world’ losses. Actual solar systems will produce lower outputs due to soiling, shading, module mismatch, wire losses, inverter and transformer losses, shortfalls in actual nameplate ratings, panel degradation over time, and high-temperature losses for arrays mounted close to or integrated within a roofline. These loss factors can vary by season, geographic location, mounting technique, azimuth, and array tilt.

–from List of Eligible SB1 Guidelines Compliant Photovoltaic Modules

I know some panels behave better in low light conditions, some are more shade tolerant, heat tolerant etc. I would like to see some true side-by-side annual (or multi-year) results, especially if they come from the northeastern USA.

I will be sure to update these charts when new efficiencies are reached. However, don’t expect this to happen regularly. Solar cells are not equivalent to computer chips. Let us know how the car progresses!

Sharp actually recently came out with the OnEnergy roof-mounted system with a “low-profile rack designed to blend beautifully with a home’s roofline”. Ask your installer if he can provide this system.

The cliff’s not as steep as you think. Solar panels are going to look like solar panels. Companies are focusing on improving efficiency and reducing cost much more so than they are working on aesthetics. Don’t wait for that reason. Plus, the sooner you take the plunge, the sooner you’ll reap the benefits!

As for wiggle-room, solar installers actually have low profit margins despite the news that it’s a booming business. The competition is strong (which is good for the consumer). The wiggle-room, if any, will be in the salesman’s commission. Talk to multiple installers, but remember - they’ve got to feed themselves too.

Good luck Rick!