How efficient are solar panels?

A solar panel's efficiency will vary depending on the brand and the type of solar panel. Monocrystalline solar panels – the black models used in most installations these days – typically have efficiencies above 20%, while the slightly outdated blue polycrystalline solar panels usually offer efficiency rates of 13% to 16%.

What is a solar panel efficiency rating?

A solar panel's efficiency measures its ability to convert sunlight into usable electricity. If the sun shines on a solar panel with a 20% efficiency rating, 20% of the sun's energy will convert to solar energy in ideal conditions.

What is the maximum solar panel efficiency?

In the residential market, the most efficient solar panels come from Maxeon and are 24.1% efficient. Larger, utility-scale solar panels can be more efficient than residential panels and technology still in research phases has almost doubled that efficiency.

How efficient are solar panels in 2025?

Basically, the more efficient solar panels are, the more power they can generate. In 2025, its standard for residential solar panels to be between 21% and 22% efficient – but many brands are reaching ratings in the 23% range. Here are the most efficient solar panels that are currently available in 2025: Is solar panel efficiency important?

What does'solar panel efficiency' mean?

What does ‘solar panel efficiency’ mean? 'Solar panel efficiency' refers to the amount of naturally occurring light a solar panel can convert into electricity in standard test conditions, which is a set of environmental factors used across the industry to measure efficiency.

How efficient are solar cells?

Research into solar cells (the energy-producing components that make up solar panels) has produced much higher efficiencies in the lab. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory tracks the highest efficiencies achieved in standardized lab conditions. The highest-ever solar cell efficiency was 47.6%, recorded in June 2022.