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.

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

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

With our Maxeon solar panels we offer the longest warrany in the industry: 40 years. And that covers both the product and the performance, which is not the case for all the other standard panel warranties. That’s because we know that our technology is designed to last even more than 40 years. Our Performance value line are backed by a 25-year Warranty. . Regular maintenance, environmental conditions, usage patterns, and technological advancements can influence their lifespan.

All AC module installations must be Internet connected for the monitoring to receive the 25-year microinverter warranty. This Internet connection reports data to the Enphase monitoring platform, Enlighten on a per microinverter/module basis. The performance of each microinverter and module is visible to the installer via Enlighten and alerts are provided for any faulty equipment, such as an under-performing PV module or a faulty microinverter.

A SunPower Maxeon solar panel can provide up to 85% more energy over its lifetime1 Power output varies by installation and location. Please consult your installer partner about expected output for the life of your system.  compared to other panels. It has a strong power output advantage from day one and maintains that power advantage over time with a .2% annual degradation rate. With its industry-leading 40-year warranty, this panel will grow in value over time.