Solar panel efficiency refers to the amount of sunlight (irradiance) that falls on the surface of a solar panel and is converted into electricity. Due to technological advancements, the average panel conversion efficiency has increased from around 15% to over 23% in recent years. This significant jump in efficiency has resulted in higher power ratings for standard-size panels, with some models now achieving over 440W.

Two main factors determine solar panel efficiency: the photovoltaic (PV) cell efficiency, based on the solar cell design and silicon base type, and the total panel efficiency, based on the cell layout, configuration, and panel size. Increasing the panel size can improve efficiency by creating a larger surface area to capture sunlight, with the most powerful solar panels now achieving over 700W power ratings.

Most Efficient Solar Panels in 2024