Most solar panel installations in the UK now use panels from five manufacturers: Longi, JA Solar, Canadian Solar, Jinko, and REC. Between them they account for the vast majority of residential installations. All five produce panels that will perform reliably for 25+ years. The differences between them are smaller than manufacturers' marketing suggests - but they matter for some buyers more than others.
This is what each brand actually offers and who it suits.
How to Read Panel Specifications
Two numbers matter most: efficiency and degradation rate.
Efficiency tells you how much of the sunlight hitting the panel converts to electricity. Standard panels in 2026 run 20-22%. Premium panels reach 22-24%. In practical terms, a 1% efficiency difference between two panels of the same physical size means roughly 5% more output from the higher-efficiency model. For a 4kW system, that's around 150-170 kWh more per year - worth around £37-£42 at current electricity prices.
Degradation rate determines how much output the panel loses year on year. The industry standard is around 0.4-0.5% annually after the first year. A panel rated at 400W today should produce around 330-340W after 25 years at that rate. Better panels degrade at 0.3% or less, which preserves around 5% more output over the system's life.
The shift from PERC to TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) technology is the main story of 2024-2026. TOPCon uses N-type silicon cells, which degrade more slowly, perform better in low light and high temperatures, and are now available across mid-range and premium panels - not just the top tier.
The Five Main Brands
Longi Solar
Longi's Hi-MO 6 and Hi-MO 7 series are the efficiency benchmark for residential installations. The Hi-MO 7 reaches 23.2% in the top configurations, making it the choice when roof space is tight and you need maximum output per square metre.
Longi backs its panels with a 30-year product warranty - 5-10 years more than most competitors. Degradation is rated at 0.4% annually after year one, with year-one degradation capped at 1%.
The trade-off is price. Longi panels cost around £180-£220 per panel, roughly 25-35% more than mid-range alternatives. For a 10-panel system, that premium runs to £400-£800 over a JA Solar or Canadian Solar installation. Over 30 years, the additional generation from higher efficiency may offset the price difference - but only if roof space is genuinely limited.
Best for: Small or partially shaded roofs where every square metre counts, and buyers who want the longest warranty available.
JA Solar
JA Solar's DeepBlue 4.0 series offers efficiencies of 21-22.3% using TOPCon technology, at a price point around £130-£160 per panel. For most UK homes with adequate roof space, JA Solar represents the clearest value proposition in 2026.
The company has manufactured solar panels since 2005 and is one of the top three global producers by volume. UK supply is consistent. The 25-year product warranty and 30-year performance warranty cover the full system lifespan of most installations.
The DeepBlue 4.0 series is available in all-black and silver-framed versions, with panel sizes from 400W to 440W. Most Hampshire installers can source these with lead times of a few days.
Best for: Most UK homes. Good efficiency, strong warranties, competitive pricing, and reliable supply.
Canadian Solar
Canadian Solar is neither Canadian-owned nor Canadian-manufactured - the company is headquartered in Ontario but produces panels in Asia. The name is a frequent source of confusion.
That aside, the HiKu7 series performs well. TOPCon technology gives efficiencies of 21.4-22.2%, with a 25-year product warranty and degradation rates of 0.4% annually. Canadian Solar has been in the UK market long enough to have an established installer and support network, which matters if you need a warranty claim handled 15 years from installation.
Pricing sits slightly above JA Solar - around £140-£170 per panel - with performance broadly comparable. The main argument for Canadian Solar over JA Solar is the UK support infrastructure.
Best for: Buyers who weight post-installation support and brand longevity over upfront cost.
Jinko Solar
Jinko is the world's largest solar panel manufacturer by volume. That scale drives down component costs and tightens quality control tolerances in ways smaller manufacturers can't match.
The Tiger Neo series uses N-type TOPCon cells with efficiencies up to 22.5%. Pricing sits at £130-£160 per panel, competitive with JA Solar. The 25-year product warranty and 30-year linear performance warranty are strong.
Jinko's reputation has historically been associated with large commercial projects rather than premium residential work, but the Tiger Neo range has shifted that. Performance data from the last three years shows degradation rates comparable to Longi.
Best for: Value buyers who want TOPCon technology and strong specifications at mid-range pricing.
REC Solar
REC panels are manufactured in Singapore using heterojunction (HJT) cell technology. HJT panels have a lower temperature coefficient than TOPCon, meaning they lose less output on hot summer days. In the UK, where summer temperatures are moderate, this advantage is smaller than in warmer climates - but HJT also performs particularly well in diffuse light conditions, which are common in the UK year-round.
The Alpha Pure REC series reaches efficiencies of 22.3-22.6%. The all-black design and premium build quality position these as the aesthetics choice for buyers who want panels that blend with the roof. Pricing is around £190-£230 per panel.
REC's warranties are strong: 25 years product, 25 years performance. The limitation is availability - REC produces at lower volumes than the Chinese manufacturers, and stock can be tighter.
Best for: Buyers for whom aesthetics matter, those in areas with particularly diffuse light conditions, and anyone willing to pay a premium for European-adjacent manufacturing standards.
Brand Comparison
| Brand | Technology | Peak efficiency | Product warranty | Price per panel |
| Longi Hi-MO 7 | TOPCon | 23.2% | 30 years | £180-£220 |
| JA DeepBlue 4.0 | TOPCon | 22.3% | 25 years | £130-£160 |
| Canadian HiKu7 | TOPCon | 22.2% | 25 years | £140-£170 |
| Jinko Tiger Neo | TOPCon | 22.5% | 25 years | £130-£160 |
| REC Alpha Pure | HJT | 22.6% | 25 years | £190-£230 |
Low-light performance is more relevant in the UK than peak efficiency. All five brands above perform well in diffuse light. This is where TOPCon and HJT both have a clear edge over older PERC technology - a consideration if you're comparing against budget panels from lesser-known manufacturers.
Temperature coefficient is less critical here than in southern Europe or Australia. UK summer temperatures rarely push panel surfaces above 45-50°C, so the difference between -0.26%/°C (REC) and -0.35%/°C (standard TOPCon) amounts to a small efficiency difference on a handful of hot days per year.
MCS certification is non-negotiable. It's required for SEG export registration and for Boiler Upgrade Scheme eligibility on combined solar and heat pump installations. Any installer fitting panels on your roof must hold MCS certification; the panels themselves should be on the MCS product list.
Installer support often matters more than brand choice. A well-installed mid-range panel from a reputable installer will outperform a poorly installed premium panel. Check your installer's MCS certification, HIES or RECC membership, and local references before focusing on which brand they propose.
FAQ
Do I need the highest-efficiency panels available? Only if roof space is tight. On a standard 4-5 bedroom house with a south-facing roof, a 4kW system of mid-range panels (21% efficiency) fits comfortably and generates as much electricity as the same-capacity system using premium panels. Higher efficiency matters when you can only fit 6-8 panels and need maximum output from them.
Are cheaper panels from less-known brands worth considering? The main risks with unknown brands are warranty support and degradation rates. A 25-year warranty from a manufacturer that stops trading in 10 years is worth nothing. All five brands above have the financial scale and UK market presence to make long-term warranty claims realistic.
What's the difference between N-type and P-type panels? P-type (PERC) was the standard until around 2023. N-type (TOPCon, HJT) degrades more slowly, performs better in low light, and has a lower temperature coefficient. In 2026, most mid-range and premium panels use N-type technology. If a quote includes P-type panels at a significant discount, it's worth asking why.
How much does the brand choice affect payback period? On a typical 4kW system, the difference between mid-range JA Solar and premium Longi panels is around £400-£800. The additional annual generation from Longi's higher efficiency is roughly £40-£60. That makes the premium panel a 7-13 year payback on the price difference alone - which only makes sense if roof space constrains system size.
Is all-black worth paying extra for? Aesthetically, yes, if that matters to you. Technically, all-black panels run marginally hotter (the black backsheet absorbs more heat), which can reduce output by 1-2% on very hot days. In the UK climate this is a negligible difference.
CRG Direct installs panels from all major brands and can advise on the right choice for your roof, budget, and energy goals. MCS Certified, HIES Accredited.
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