Next Energy Alliance is a fairly new brand on the market but they’re already making waves and turning heads. Next Energy Alliance modules are made with the same attention to detail and same great materials as any of the top modules on the market. Our manufacturer produces for many other big-name companies and is a leader in original equipment manufacturing (OEM).
There are four important areas to compare and evaluate solar panels, those are: efficiency, performance, warranties, and price. Next Energy Alliance solar panels are a great panel for homeowners looking to add high-quality, affordable panels.
Efficiency
When people talk about solar panel efficiency they’re really talking about how well the solar panel can convert sunlight into usable electricity. It’s measured by gauging how a solar panel performs in ideal conditions. In these conditions a higher-efficiency panel produces more electricity than a lower-efficiency panel.
An average solar panel efficiency rating is between 15% and 17% according to Energy Sage. Next Energy Alliance panels come in at 18%, just above the average.
It’s important to keep in mind that often times more efficiency means a bigger price tag. Despite this fact you don’t always get the expected return on investment since ideal conditions are rare. While it’s important to look at efficiency it’s even more important to put that efficiency into context by evaluating performance.
Performance
Performance is how well a solar panel can produce electricity under imperfect (real-life) conditions. Efficiency ratings are given based on perfect lab conditions. If you haven’t noticed though, your roof exist in a bubble of perfect conditions.
Much like any electronic, solar panels perform best at cooler temperatures, ideally around 77° F (25° C). This is important because the temperature coefficient is what’s used to gauge performance. In Utah and Idaho where summer temperatures can soar having panels with a high temperature coefficient is important.
As a general rule of thumb for every degree above 25° C (77° F), your solar panel’s electricity production will decrease by its temperature coefficient. The average temperature coefficient is around -.4%/° C but Next Energy Alliance panels sit right around -.2 making it one of the highest performing panels on the market.
So why does this matter? Let’s say the panel’s temperature increases by one degree from 25° C (77° F) to 26° C (79° F), its electricity production will decrease by 0.2%. If its temperature increases all the way to 35° C (95° F), a 10° C difference, electricity production will be reduced by 2.0%.
Warranty
Whenever you make a major purchase you want the peace of mind that the product is going to meet expectations. Whether it’s a TV or your new car, it’s important the the manufacturer stand behind their products. Solar panels are no different.
Next Energy Alliance Panels come with a 10-year product warranty and a 25-year performance warranty. The 10-year product warranty covers any defects, premature wear and tear, etc. The 25-year performance warranty simply covers the performance of the panel ensuring that they keep working and producing power.
Output of any solar panel will decline over the life of the panel. The performance warranty ensures that the output doesn’t decline too quickly too soon. The Next Energy Alliance warranty ensures that at 25 years the performance will be at or above 80%.
Another great feature of the Next Energy Alliance warranty is that the warranty is processed in the United States. Needing to make a warranty claim is never fun having to submit a claim to a manufacturer in a foreign country can make matters even more frustrating.
Price
For many price is really the deciding factor when deciding which solar panels to buy. Solar can be expensive and you want to get the most bang for your buck. Oftentimes choosing cheaper panels means sacrificing quality and decreasing your return on investment. Bottom line? Cheap panels mean less power… usually.
Next Energy Alliance has above average efficiency and performance and you would think that would result in an above average price. In Utah the average price/watt is between $3.20 and $3.40. Next Energy Alliance 300w panels start at around $1.65/watt!
The Takeaway
With all of these factors taken into account this is why we’re excited about Next Energy Alliance! With above average efficiency, above average performance, a solid warranty and an unbeatable price, we know our customers will love these panels.