First Solar Vs Sunpower Panels

Here s what you need to know about these key products.

First solar vs sunpower panels.

Sunpower focuses on high efficiency panels that are ideal for rooftop solar. It does not mean a panel offers the highest performance or quality. What is a tier 1 solar panel. Even though they re both in the solar industry first solar and sunpower have very different business models.

First solar s less efficient panels have been completely shut out of the residential and commercial markets limiting the diversity of its business. The common tier 1 rating was developed by bloomberg new energy finance corporation to rate solar panel manufacturer s in terms of financial stability. The other difference between first solar and sunpower is that first solar works with third party racking companies. Sunpower will sell panels on their own but has also designed the oasis power.

Sunpower is also responsible for the technology behind solar impulse the first solar airplane to fly off 100 sun generated power. The tier 1 rating can be somewhat misleading as it does not guarantee and panel is free from defects or will perform over the life of the system.