Support Centre for Homeowners

There are a variety of key technical differences between SunPower Performance solar panels and Conventional Panels, including the design and layout of the solar cells and the electric architecture—which combine to enhance the reliability, performance and aesthetics of Performance panels.

To go into a bit more technical detail, first, we laser cut each SunPower Performance cell into strips and layer them in a shingled configuration to create a ‘hypercell’. This shingled hypercell allows us to fit more active cell area into each panel, boosting power and efficiency. Second, Performance cells are connected with a flexible joint interconnection to offer multiple and redundant paths for energy flow. This allows us to remove the front contact conductive ribbons and solder bonds found in conventional cells that can block active cell area and deteriorate over time, leading to cell failures and power deficits. Finally, SunPower Performance panels feature a unique parallel circuit architecture that significantly limits power loss in shade and soiling. The result is a superior shingled panel constructed with commodity cells, outperforming conventional panels in efficiency, performance and reliability.

A simulated PV system performance has been evaluated in Madrid with the following results for roofs with limited space available:

• 30% more power on the roof
• 42% higher performance
• Half the degradation

In a space unconstrained situation also in Madrid:

• 10% higher yield
• Half the degradation
• Similar cash flows
• Lower risk for future maintenance

SunPower systems will also benefit from leading warranty coverage—up to 40 years in the case of SunPower Maxeon AC panels. Enphase microinverters are warranted for 25 years. For assumptions and a personalized simulation, please contact us to be connected to a SunPower installer.​

SunPower® Performance solar panels use high efficiency mono PERC cells, as opposed to SunPower's proprietary back contact technology developed for our Maxeon panels.

AC solutions are compatible with AC energy storage solutions. When using Enphase Storage, you can see the energy flows on Enlighten, Enphase’s system monitoring application. If you choose a different storage solution provider, you will need to use their monitoring application to see the energy flows of the battery.​

Some customers have achieved some clever customised DIY solutions for re-directing surplus power using Enphase APIs, however, Enphase does not currently offer products that re-direct surplus power.​

SunPower residential and commercial panels are backed by a 25-year limited Combined Power and Product Warranty.