SunPower and LG are two of the top companies making solar panels. You’ve probably come across them in your research, and you’re wondering which will work better for your home. Here’s a side-by-side comparison of these solar industry rivals.
SunPower has traditionally cornered the market on efficiency. They even set a new record with panels measuring 24.1 percent efficiency in the lab. Their average efficiency is around 20.6 percent, while LG solar panels typically average about 18.8 percent.
Nominal power, the max DC power output of a panel under standardized testing conditions, is another factor in the number of panels you might need. It’s another area where LG is catching up to SunPower.
Your available roof space and how much energy you need will be the biggest determining factors. If you don’t have much space, you might want fewer, more powerful panels. If you have lots of roof space but the upfront cost is a major consideration, then more, lower-efficiency panels could work just as well for a better price point.
SunPower vs. LG – Degradation
Degradation refers to how much solar panel production decreases over time. SunPower leads here.
SunPower guarantees that after 25 years, its panels will still produce 92 percent of initial output.
LG’s NeON R panels have improved their 25-year guarantee from 83.6 percent to 87.0 percent. It’s an improvement for LG, but SunPower still pulls ahead in this field.
SunPower vs. LG – Home Solar Panels and How They Look
As far as looks go, SunPower and LG both strive for a pleasing aesthetic. They offer a range of minimal black models. The size of your roof and your energy needs play into how much of your roof space will need these more discrete additions.
Image credit: AW Solar
Image credit: LG Energy
SunPower vs. LG – Bankability
Think of bankability as your ability to bank on your solar panel warranty, say 15 or 20 years down the line. If you have a 25-year warranty, but the company you have the warranty with goes out of business in 12 years, then you’re out of luck.
As a huge company operating since 1958, LG has notable bankability. It claims long-standing success in the production of a variety of electronics and appliances. Such an anchor in the industry is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.
Founded in 1985, SunPower is a younger company. It’s inherently the more unpredictable choice in the still relatively young solar industry. That being said, they are a juggernaut in the industry, and solar isn’t going anywhere.
But even giants can meet an untimely financial demise. LG has a hefty insurance policy to ensure you’re not left in the lurch should they go out of business, whereas SunPower asks its customers to trust in its high-quality products and managerial prowess. That might be enough, but it’s impossible to say.
Sunpower
LG
Cost
0.57 cents per watt > LG
0.57 cents per watt < Sunpower
Efficiency
20.6% on average
18.8% on average
Degradation
92% output after 25 years
87% output after 25 years
Aesthetic
Minimal black, sleek options
Minimal black, sleek options
Bankability
Founded in 1985, younger but established leader
Established in 1958, electronics industry juggernaut
Will the Solar Tariffs Affect SunPower and LG Solar Pricing?
It’s important to note that while the tariffs may hinder the solar industry in some ways, they won’t damage it irreparably.
Bloomberg New Energy Finance forecasts the tariffs could increase the cost of residential systems by about 3 percent. However, prices probably won’t skyrocket beyond what’s reasonable.
Read about what Solar.com’s Head of Business Development, Kyle Cherrick, has to say about the solar tariffs.
Get Help Picking Your Panels
We hope you found this panel review useful! When you’re ready to start seriously shopping for solar panels, don’t take a stab in the dark.
Let Solar.com curate a comprehensive quote list for you and help you break down the factors that matter.
That way you can get just the right panels at just the right price.
This article was updated 2/22/18 to adjust LG’s NeON R 25 year guarantee from 86% to the correct 87% initial output.
This article was updated 11/28/18 to include an updated performance comparison table between LG and SunPower.
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