Cheap Solar Panels (2022 Guide to Affordable Solar Panels)
Here’s what we’ll cover in this guide:
- Are cheap solar panels any good?
- What is the cheapest price for solar panels?
- How do you get the best deal on solar panels?
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Guide to the Most Affordable Solar Panels
The cost of solar panels has declined roughly 80% in the last decade, bolstering the technology’s reputation as an affordable energy source like never before. Now that solar power has reached this cost-effective price point, customers and businesses looking to capitalize on the benefits of solar energy are flooding the market looking for cheap solar panels.
this article, we’ll discuss the most affordable solar panels available and whether it’s better to save money upfront or invest in high-quality models. We’ll also give recommendations for solar panels at the crossroads of affordability and efficiency, providing the best bang for your buck.
If you’re looking for cheap solar panels, one way to find them is to get free quotes from multiple installation companies.
By comparing pricing from a few local installers, you can make sure you’re getting the best deal. To get started, get a quote from one of our preferred partners below.
Nationwide Service
Average cost
SunPower
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Most efficient panels on the market -
National coverage -
Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification -
Great warranty coverage -
Expensive -
Customer service varies by local dealer
Most efficient panels on the market 
Expensive Services Offered
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Solar Panels -
Solar Batteries -
EV Chargers -
System Monitoring
Solar Panels 
Regional Service
Average cost
Blue Raven Solar
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Industry-leading in-house financing -
Competitive pricing -
Excellent reputation -
Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Services Offered
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Solar Panels -
System Monitoring
Regional Service
Average cost
Sunpro Solar
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Industry-leading warranty coverage -
Expansive service area -
Some reported communication issues -
No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
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Solar Panels -
Solar Batteries -
EV Chargers -
Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Are Cheap Solar Panels Any Good?
The cheapest panels are typically manufactured in China (with the U.S. and Germany close behind), and some are cheap for a reason. They can come with underlying issues, most concerningly in the form of environmental and workers rights violations in their production process.
Cheap solar panels also tend to be less durable and will likely come with a shorter lifespan. In fact, the cheapest upfront options sometimes end up to be the most expensive in the long run. A good comparison is buying a car. Though the cheap initial cost of a beater may be the most tempting, frequent repairs, poor gas mileage and checkups can outweigh the initial savings within a few short years.
However, for those whose most important consideration is price, there are still some good options for cheap solar panels on the market today to turn your home into a renewable energy source.
Top 5 Cheap Solar Panels
Below are the five of the cheapest photovoltaic solar panels (that are rated at least 100W) on the market. Bear in mind that the current industry minimum for solar panels capable of powering a home is around 300W.
Panels between 100W and 300W may be suitable for DIY solar projects, off-grid systems and charging things like portable generators or small appliances. Note that prices and availability fluctuate with inventory, demand and supply chain issues. Prices change often when vendors have surplus supply, so sales are frequent.
Customers will not be able to purchase some brands’ panels directly, as they must be ordered from a distributor.
| Cheap Solar Panel | Price Per Panel | Power Rating | Price Per Watt | Efficiency Rating | Warranty |
| Renogy 100W 12 Volt Solar Panel | $125 | 100W | $1.25 | 21% | 1-year materials warranty |
| LONGi #LR6-60-HPB-350M | $225 | 350W | $0.60 | 20.3% | Limited 25-year warranty |
| Canadian Solar Model #CS1H-315MS | $225 | 315W | $0.71 | 18.68% | 25-year output warranty |
| Silfab Solar – SIL-330 NL | $250 | 330W | $0.76 | 17.3% | 12 year module warranty |
| LONGi #LR4-60-HPH-360M | $260 | 360W | $0.72 | 19.8% | 25-year output warranty |
To get an accurate idea of what panels are best for your home, connect with one of our preferred partners below.
Cheap Vs. Affordable Solar Panels
There’s a key distinction between cheap solar panels and the most affordable solar panels. Cheap considers only the price tag. Affordability involves factors beyond initial price, such as price per watt (aka bang for your buck), efficiency of the panel and warranty.
A cheap solar panel isn’t worth anything if it breaks without a warranty to replace it. The cost of a solar panel is set by the manufacturer and involves a variety of factors, from cost of production to expected lifetime. Let’s break down the factors that go into solar panel costs.
Solar Panel Efficiency
The greater a panel’s efficiency, the more energy each solar cell’s power output will be. Efficiency matters, as a homeowner will have to buy far fewer panels to meet their energy needs with higher-efficiency panels. The most solar efficient panels usually cost more to manufacture, raising their price point and total installed cost.
Solar Panel Power
The power, or wattage, of a solar panel reflects how many watts (W) of energy the panel is capable of generating when producing at maximum capacity. Most modern residential solar panels have power factors between 300 and 350W.
As is true with high-efficiency panels, a customer needs to purchase fewer panels overall if they have a higher power output. While they’ll typically have a greater upfront cost, high-output panels will provide better value over time.
Solar Panel Warranty
A warranty is simple to understand, yet no less important to consider. Bearing in mind that the average lifetime of a solar panel system is about 25 years, warranties are essential in ensuring reliable energy output. Though solar panels are very durable, a lot can happen over 25 years.
Falling tree branches can crack a panel, rooftop critters can chew up wiring and untreated water damage can corrode a system. Some of the cheapest panels will come with the worst warranties, and costs can add up quickly if a solar power system runs into trouble.
Solar Panel Quality
Similar to solar panel efficiency and power, the cost of a solar panel has much to do with its quality. The cheapest solar panels on the market will be of the poorest quality, making them far more prone to breaks, issues and quick aging. The higher the quality of the parts in a solar panel, the more expensive it becomes. However, this is just another time when “cheap” panels are far from the most affordable solar panels in the long run.
5 Best Value Solar Panels
With all this in mind, below are our recommendations for the most affordable home solar panels on the market in 2022.
| Most Affordable Solar Panel | Price Per Panel | Power Rating | Price Per Watt | Efficiency Rating | Warranty |
| LONGi #LR6-60-HPB-350M | $225 | 350W | $0.60 | 20.3% | Limited 25-year warranty |
| Hanwha Q Cell 340W Q.PEAK DUO | $240 | 340W | $0.70 | 19% | 25-year warranty |
| Canadian Solar Model #CS1H-315MS | $225 | 315W | $0.71 | 18.68% | 25-year output warranty |
| LONGi #LR4-60-HPH-360M | $260 | 360W | $0.72 | 19.8% | 25-year output warranty |
| JA Solar Technology JAM60S10 -340/MR | $240 | 330 | $0.73 | 20.2% | 25-year output warranty |
LONGi and Q Cell are two of the most affordable solar brands that maintain reputations for good quality at a low price. As you can see, they both provide exceptional price per watt and efficiency without sacrificing warranty. A solar installation with low price per watt and high efficiency provides a number of benefits for a solar customer.
With more power and efficiency per panel, a homeowner won’t need to purchase as many panels to meet their household energy needs.
To get an accurate idea of what panels are best for your home, connect with one of our preferred partners below.
FAQ: Cheap Solar Panels
Polycrystalline solar panels tend to be cheaper (and lower quality) than monocrystalline panels. You can read more about the difference between these types of panels in our monocrystalline vs. polycrystalline solar panel review.
The cheapest way to acquire solar panels is to purchase them through a distributor in bulk. Though one can save a significant amount of money purchasing and installing solar panels on their own, solar companies can access a wider range of products and get them for lower prices than what’s available to the general public.
There are many excellent affordable options for solar panels due to the rapid advancement of the technology and industry behind them. There are also a great number of cheap panels that are unreliable, break easily and are likely produced unethically. The best solar panels balance quality and price.
For DIY installations of off-grid uses, Renogy produces and sells excellent solar panels that are around 100 watts. For residential applications, LONGi and Q Cell have the best reputation for affordable, high-quality solar panels.
