Residential Solar System Ratings, We Review The Brands...

With our residential solar system ratings, you can cut through all of the sales hype and find value. You could spend hour upon hour sorting through the brands and the claims of the various manufacturers but we have already done the work.

For your convenience, we have also included the manufacturer's web address and our comments concerning the advantages and disadvantages of their products.

AMERISOLAR----------------amerisolar.us----------------<1* These solar panels are from WORLDWIDE ENERGY AND MANUFACTURING USA, INC. They are basic systems and their website is not much help. The warranty on the systems is not as good as some of the other brands.

ASTRONERGY----------------astronergy.com---------------<1* This brand is a part of the CHINT GROUP. The SOLARMATE smart off-grid kits are available in three configurations. The MINI produces 50 watts, the STANDARD produces 200 watts, and the KING configuration produces 400 watts of power. Although none of the configurations are large enough to power an entire modern home, they can provide the basics. The 3KWP kit is a integrated rooftop grid connected system to power the whole home and maybe even sell some back to the utility company. Their website is not much help and does not have a stated warranty policy.

BP SOLAR------------------bp.com------------------------3* Their SOLAR HOME SOLUTIONS systems are grid tied and can be roof or ground mounted. They offer an optional system monitor and they are available for installation through selected HOME DEPOT stores.(When you purchase them through HOME DEPOT, the warranty is very good.)

CENTROSOLAR----------centrosolaramerica.com-------------<1* The CENTROPACK packages are grid-tie systems that have a good warranty on most of the parts of the system. The warranty on the solar panels themselves is not as good as some of the other brands.

CONERGY-------------------conergy.us--------------------<1* This brand offers a variety of custom designed systems for both the home and commercial buildings. They offer financing for homeowners through CLEAN POWER FINANCE but the warranty is not as good as some brands and they do not offer prepackaged kits.

DAWN SOLAR----------------dawnsolar.com-----------------<1* These systems combine solar water heating (solar thermal) with electric (PV) to form a solar CHP system. The system produces 2 kw of heat for hot water and 1.5 to 2 kw of electricity att the same time.

e-SOLAR -----------------esolar.com.au-----------------<1* This brand offers grid-tie systems from 1 to 5 kw and off-grid power backup systems from 720 to 3600 watts. They can be purchased online from the manufacturer but their website is not much help and does not have a stated warranty policy.

GE------------------------gepower.com-------------------<1* Their BRILLIANCE systems have plug and play wiring which makes installation easy. They can be roof or ground mounted and roof integrated (BIPV) options are available. The systems must be installed by dealers and the manufacturer's website is not much help.

GIORDANO------------------giordano.fr--------------------3* These systems are made in France and can be roof mounted or integrated into the roof with their HELIOTOITUR system. The power production of the systems can be remotely monitored by internet connection. The systems are backed by a very good warranty.

GRANT---------------------grantuk.com--------------------2* This brand is available in the U.K. They offer six sizes of kits to match the needs of your home and offer in-roof or on-roof mounting systems. With their "SUNNY BEAM" option, you can remotely monitor the performance of the system. The systems are backed by a good guarantee.

JAYSOLAR------------------jaysolar.net------------------<1* These units are made and sold in India. Their "HOME LIGHT SYSTEMS" are very small systems that charge a small battery. The manufacturer's website is not much help and does not have a stated warraanty policy.

KAMAL---------------------kamalsolar.com----------------<1* This brand is made and sold in India. They offer a small offgrid system that is designed for two to four hours of operation on a fully charged battery. The manufacturer's website is not much help and does not have a stated warranty policy.

KOTAK---------------------kotakurja.com-----------------<1* This brand is made and sold in India. Their SUNHOME 150 is an off-grid system but it is for smaller applications as the output is only 130 watts. The manufacturer's website is not much help and does not have a stated warranty policy.

KVAZAR--------------------kvazar.com--------------------<1* These systems are made in the Ukraine and are sold throughout Europe, Africa, and North America. "Quasar" is available in five stand alone system sizes and are for off-grid applications. The warranty on the panels is not very good when compared to other brands.

KYOCERA-------------------kyocerasolar.com---------------3* The MYGEN system is available worldwide and is a grid tie system that is modular and fully expandable. They offer five different packages from 1440 watts to 5040 watts. The manufacturer has a dealer locator on their website and the systems are backed by a very good warranty.

MARLEC--------------------marlec.co.uk-------------------2* Their PV HOME ENERGISER KIT is available in sizes from 500 watts to 3.5 kw. The kit is a grid-tie system that uses roof mount panels from BP SOLAR. The systems can be purchased online and are backed by a good guarantee.

MISSOURI WIND & SOLAR-----mwands.com--------------------<1* The kit offered by this company consists of two 130 watt panels which gives it a rather low output. The system is easy to install as it plugs into a standard outlet but the warranty is not very good.

NAPS----------------------napssystems.com---------------<1* This brand offers off-grid and building integrated systems as well as grid tied systems. The NAPS POWER PACK systems are a standard compact system that is very good for rural situations where there is no grid system. The manufacturer's website is not much help and does not have a stated warranty policy.

OKSOLAR-------------------oksolar.com--------------------1* This brand offers both grid tied and off grid systems. They offer three sizes of systems and they can be purchased online.

READY SOLAR---------------readysolar.com-----------------4* The SOLAR IN A BOX systems feature modular design for easy expansion of your system. They feature microinverters in the panels instead of a central inverter. The systems can be roof mounted or ground mounted for convenience and are backed by a good guarantee.

SHARP---------------------sharponenergy.com--------------3* Their OnENERGY system features customized packages and low profile racks to make the panels less noticeable. They also offer building integrated (BIPV) and ground mounted options. The systems use integrated grounding which makes the modules easier and less expensive to install. The warranty on the systems is very good.

SILICON SOLAR-------------siliconsolar.com---------------1* This brand offers both grid tied and off grid solutions. They have five sizes of packages available and can be purchased through the manufacturer's online store. The warranty is not as good as many brands.

SOLARCENTURY--------------solarcentury.com---------------2* This brand is made in the U.K. and is available throughout Europe. The C21 solar tiles are easy to install and are backed by a good guarantee.

SOLAR SLATE------------- solarslate-ltd.com ----------<1* These systems are made and sold in the U.K. They feature roof integrated photovoltaics that look like traditional slate tiles. They feature plug and play easy installation and they are virtually invisible. The guarantee on the panels is not as good as some of the other brands but it is a very good option if you have a traditional slate roof.

SOLAR WORLD------------- solar-world.com --------------4* This brand is from COLORADO INSTRUMENTS INC. and features a grid tied do it yourself system. The SGT-160 features modular design for expansion and each module has a micro inverter which makes installation easy and quick. They have an optional energy management unit (EMU) available for monitoring the system as well as a tilting kit. You can purchase the systems online.

SUNFORCE------------------sunforceproducts.com----------<1* This brand offers a PRO SERIES SOLAR BACKUP POWER KIT which is easy to install as no tools are required. It only has a power output of 45 watts but works with 12 volt or 110 volt appliances. The systems are available at many retailers and home improvement stores but the warranty is not very good.

SUNSOURCE-----------------lennox.com---------------------2* This system is designed to be integrated with their heating and cooling systems. The system allows up to 15 panels to be added and each of them has a microinverter so that you can build the system over time. The systems are backed by a good warranty and can be monitored through a website to ensure optimum performance.

SUNTECH----------------- suntech-power.com ------------2* This brand offers a variety of products. They are backed by a good warranty but they are not sold in kits. Their "JUST ROOF" building integrated systems entirely replace the roof and the panels become the roof. This can help to lower the cost of the system.

SUNVOLT-------------------sunvoltenergy.net-------------<1* This brand features three sizes of remote solar power kits (80, 160, & 320 watt). They are for off-grid operation but an optional 1500watt dc to ac converter is available. They can be purchased online.

SUNWAYS-------------------sunways.eu---------------------2* These systems are available in Europe. The manufacturer offers an online selection/design tool. The ECOLINE systems use state of the art technology and are backed by a good guarantee.

UNI-SOLAR ------------- uni-solar.com ----------------2* These stystems are from UNITED SOLAR OVONIC and feature building integrated solutions. The systems are sold through dealers and the warranty is not as good many other brands. The manufacturer's website is not much help.

WESTINGHOUSE----------westinghousesolar.com--------------5* This brand offers a great option for the homeowner that wants to do the installation by themselves. The AC kits have built-in microinverters which are state of the art technology and provide for easy installation. The manufacturer encourages the diy-er and the kits are backed by a very good warranty.

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