Maxeon solar panel review: Top tier and top dollar

Image from Maxeon

With up to 22.8% efficiency ratings, Maxeon panels outshine the average solar panel on the EnergySage Marketplace — but they also cost about 20% more per watt.

Maxeon's high-efficiency solar panels not only harness more sunlight to generate electricity but also boast top-tier specifications across the board, from temperature coefficient to warranty terms. But it comes at a price. Ranked as the second most expensive solar panel on EnergySage, Maxeon faces competition from brands offering comparable specs at a lower cost.

Maxeon solar panels primarily cater to performance-focused solar enthusiasts. If affordability is your priority, Maxeon solar panels might not be for you.

Maxeon currently offers two solar panel lines: the Maxeon (formerly M-Series) and the Performance series (formerly P-Series). They follow a “better-best” strategy, with the Performance line being “better” and the Maxeon line being “best”.

Maxeon Solar Panels

Performance Solar Panels

For solar panels, the most important specs to watch are:

• Efficiency: How well a solar panel captures sunlight and converts it into electricity for your home, expressed as a percentage (i.e., 22.2%). The higher, the better. 

• Temperature coefficient: How well your solar panels perform in less-than-ideal conditions, expressed as a percentage per degree (i.e., 0.34% / °C). The lower, the better. 

• Warranty: Guarantees that the company will replace your panel if it fails due to manufacturing defects or environmental issues. Warranties also guarantee a certain amount of production throughout the 25+ year term.

Maxeon vs. other popular brands

*Prices reflect the average quoted price for each solar panel brand based on EnergySage Marketplace data. Prices may differ for the specific model listed.

Maxeon Solar Technologies is the former manufacturing arm of SunPower. While the two brands officially split in 2020, they were still largely perceived as synonymous in the U.S. residential solar world thanks to their exclusive partnership that only recently ended in March 2024, a few months before SunPower filed for bankruptcy. 

SunPower branded and installed all Maxeon panels for residential systems until this year. Because of this, Maxeon-specific customer reviews are few and far between; we’ve only received one Maxeon customer review on the EnergySage Marketplace, whereas SunPower amassed 568 reviews. 

We turned to other resources and forums to learn more about customers' experiences with Maxeon. From what we found, the consensus is that people seem pleased with Maxeon’s performance but question whether the efficiency advantage justifies that premium price tag when cheaper, comparable panels exist.

Maxeon will support SunPower solar panel warranties

A chief concern for many SunPower customers post-Chapter 11 Bankruptcy is their warranty coverage; SunPower is winding down its operations, but it’s existing customer base still have solar panel systems to maintain. What are they supposed to do now that the company behind the Complete Confidence warranty has closed its doors? 

Fortunately, Maxeon announced its support for SunPower customers. The manufacturer will provide product warranty coverage on solar panels made by Maxeon (this doesn’t include support for other system components like inverters).

The most efficient solar panels on the market  

A solar panel’s job is to convert as much sunlight into available power as possible. Maxeon solar panels do that best. An efficient solar panel system translates into more renewable energy sent to power your home, lower electric bills, reduced reliance on the utility grid and fossil fuels, and a more valuable investment. Although Maxeon panels are on the more expensive side of the market, the panels’ lifetime savings can outweigh the upfront cost. 

Built to last & backed by a 40-year warranty  

Maxeon solar cell technology is the best of the best. Known for outstanding durability and reliability, Maxeon employs both interdigitated back contact (IBC) and shingled solar cell technology. 

As the name suggests, IBC cells have electrical contacts on the back rather than on the front like conventional solar cells. This eliminates any metal grid-like lines on the front of the panel, allowing for the entire front of the cell to absorb sunlight. The back of the panel is held together with a layer of durable copper to prevent corrosion and other common causes of failure. 

Shingled solar cells are regular cells cut into strips and arranged like shingles on a roof. Instead of using metal ribbons to connect the cells, shingled solar cells use an electrically conductive adhesive (ECA), boosting flexibility and durability. 

The enhanced durability of Maxeon’s solar technology decreases your chances of needing to call on your warranty coverage. Still, the company backs up its products with the longest warranty, just in case. The 40-year warranty covers both panel and performance (many other product warranties only last 10 to 12 years). But, only systems installed by official Maxeon partners are eligible for the 40-year warranty. Depending on your installer, you may only qualify for the standard 25-year warranty.

Good for those with space constraints 

The more efficient the solar panel, the fewer you’ll need to install. If you have a smaller roof or just want to minimize the number of panels you need for aesthetic reasons, Maxeon could be the way to go. 

*Price reflects the average price per watt based on more than 10,000 real-world quotes on the EnergySage Marketplace in the first half of 2023. It is not specific to the model listed.

The premium price isn’t always worth it

Maxeon solar panels are the most efficient on the market, but its competitors are also getting really good at solar technology. Looking at the table above, Maxeon has REC Group and QCELLS beat on efficiency, but REC offers the best temperature coefficient and is the cheapest option of the three. Maxeon’s 40-year warranty is by far the longest, but that only extends to systems installed by an official Maxeon partner. Otherwise, Maxeon offers a 25-year warranty, which is pretty standard across the industry at this point. 

Some Redditers claim that Maxeon solar panels are overrated and overpriced. Sure, the efficiency is a plus, but cheaper solar panels can perform well enough if installed correctly. The quality of the actual installation is more important to long-term savings than the panels themselves. Still, others advocate paying more and trusting the company that’s been at it for decades rather than a newer, lesser-known brand. 

Your roof might need to be replaced before your panels 

Maxeon’s 40-year warranty is, without a doubt, one of the strongest in the industry. If you have a metal or tile roof that’s less than 10 years old, it should be able to support your solar panels throughout their 40-year useful life. But asphalt roofs usually only last up to 30 years, meaning you’ll need to remove and reinstall the panels to repair the roof at some point, which can cost up to $6,000. 

This isn’t exactly a disadvantage—you’d have to maintain your roof anyway, and paying $1,500 to $6,000 to remove and reinstall your panels is a lot cheaper than purchasing a whole new system—but it’s something to keep in mind.

Maxeon solar panels perform excellently. A robust warranty backs them to protect your investment and provide peace of mind. But Maxeon solar panels are expensive. If affordability is your priority, these might not be the panels for you. Other solar panel manufacturers like REC Group and QCELLS aren’t far behind spec-wise and often come at a lower price. Ultimately, the best way to determine whether Maxeon solar panels are the best solution for your home is to review multiple quotes with different solar equipment before deciding.