In the world of solar energy, not all solar panels are created equal. Important measures like efficiency and durability have to stand up to make your investment worth it. It doesn’t help that there are so many options to choose from.
REC and LG both make some of the more popular options in this realm. While they have their similarities, there are some big differences that set them apart. The article below is going to explore which panel reigns supreme.
REC Solar Overview
REC was founded in Norway in 1996. They are Europe’s largest manufacturer. They are now an international company represented on three different continents. As with most solar companies, their brand mission emphasizes environmental stewardship.
REC provides solar solutions for both residential and commercial spaces, as well as power plants. They particularly like to promote their involvement in providing solar energy for big commercial enterprises.
They sell only panels and have not branched out into other areas of the space, like other solar equipment. Even so, they offer a wide variety of panels to choose from.
REC Solar Review
REC solar panels are most impressive in their value. They can cost anywhere between $2.50 and $3.42 per watt. You usually want your cost to stay around $3 per watt or below, so many of their panels are great budget options.
These panels are fairly efficient as well. They are anywhere between 16.5% and 21.7%. This percentage measures how well the panels will capture the sunlight they need to create energy from. Their efficiency is a solid choice, depending on which version you end up wanting.
Temperature coefficiency is another important metric to gauge how well a panel performs. If weather conditions are suboptimal, it gives you an idea of whether the panel will do its job well.
The REC solar panels are between -0.37 and -0.26. You want this number to be lower to indicate good performance and these numbers reflect that the panels will perform well.
The warranty is very generous, with 25 years for the product, performance, and future service needs. This reflects how much the company is willing to stand behind its work.
LG Solar Overview
LG Business is the larger company that the Solar division lives under. This is a humongous company that is a power player in the world of IT and appliances. The LG company was started in the late 1950s in South Korea.
The company made moves in the solar world over 30 years ago. They provide solar products for residential and commercial spaces.
LG created its own module, the LG NeON R, which they claim is the secret behind their panel’s higher performance. They sell several different panel options, from high-powered to budget. All offer the 25-year product warranty.
LG Solar Review
LG’s panels set the standard for efficiency. Their products average in the efficiency rate at about 20.8%, thanks to their LG NeON R module. This is one of the higher averages throughout the industry.
When it comes to performance, the temperature coefficiency for these panels is a satisfying number. They range between -0.40 to -0.30. The lower numbers indicate better performance, and these are a solid average number.
With LG’s warranties, they offer 25 years. This is the same as REC – which is to say, very generous. The standard warranty can be as low as 12 years, so LG also shows they value their products in this area.
Where LG has a harder time comparing is with the price. With all of the quality they display, the price tag goes along with it. They are somewhat higher than REC at $2.44 – $3.26. While not a premium price model, it can be out of reach for some.
Which is the better brand?
To figure out the winner here, you ultimately need to keep in mind what is most important to you. If staying at a low cost is your priority, the REC solar panels will likely be your first choice. They offer panels that stay below the LG model’s lowest version.
If you want the absolute best panel that will give you a higher efficiency rate and save money in the future, the LG will win in that regard. The efficiency rating is outstanding, and the temperature coefficiency and warranty are both on par with REC.
But where the LG seems to win out overall is in its strength as a company. LG is a huge corporation with branches in many sectors. You can rely on them to support you in the future because their financial earnings will not be solely dependent on how solar energy is doing.
There are many avenues to go down in the world of solar energy, especially as it becomes a more popular form of energy. If you keep these key attributes in mind, you can make the best decision no matter what your priorities are.