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Aniket Bhor is a solar engineer who has spent nearly a decade studying and working in the solar power sector in the European, Asian and North American markets. He is a climate enthusiast and avid cyclist, and he also loves to lose himself in books and cooking. 2kw Solar System
Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.
In the increasingly competitive business of solar panel manufacturing, Silfab Solar has earned a reputation for producing high-quality solar panels in North America. The company offers premium, monocrystalline solar panels with high efficiencies, durable construction and leading warranties.
Take a closer look at the company’s offerings, pros and cons, pricing and warranties in this Silfab solar panel review. You can also compare Silfab against our other picks for top residential solar panel options.
Silfab Solar panels are available throughout the U.S. and Canada. However, Silfab does not sell its products directly to customers, nor does it install solar panel systems. Silfab focuses solely on panel manufacturing — authorized third-party installers handle purchasing and installation. Some installers can also source Silfab panels through its registered distributors.
As mentioned above, Silfab does not offer installation services. It sells its panels to distributors like Platt Electric, and installation companies such as CED Greentech and Krannich Solar, which then install the panels on homes.
A typical solar installation process involves the following steps:
Silfab Solar only offers solar panels. It does not offer other services or products such as photovoltaic (PV) installation or battery storage solutions.
As of Aug. 2023, Silfab offers three different types of solar panels: Silfab Prime, Silfab Elite and Silfab Commercial. Here is an in-depth look at the three options:
Silfab’s older solar panel models, such as the SIL-370 and SIL-380, are now discontinued. All of Silfab solar modules are designed and manufactured in North America using highly automated processes.
Silfab’s comprehensive warranty structure is one of the key benefits of choosing the brand. While the majority of solar companies offer a 10-year product warranty and a 25-year performance guarantee, Silfab PV modules include a 25-year warranty on craftsmanship and a 30-year power production guarantee.
Silfab includes a standard 12-year product warranty on its panels, which you can freely extend to 25 years by choosing an authorized installer. Silfab’s 30-year performance guarantee promises that from years two through 30, panel degradation will not exceed 0.50% of the specified power rating per year. So at the end of a panel’s 30th service year, it should have a power output that is at least 82.6% of its original rating.
Since Silfab does not install panels, it does not offer a workmanship warranty. However, top solar installers will offer warranties to cover issues related to installation.
On average, the cost of Silfab solar panels ranges from $0.69 to $0.79 per watt before installation. For residential applications, a single Silfab Prime module can cost about $278, while the more premium Elite model has a slightly higher price tag of $315. However, prices may vary depending on the size of your system and the number of panels you need.
For the features and premium quality offered, Silfab’s solar panels provide value for your money. In terms of installed system costs, homeowners can expect to spend $2.75 to $3.25 per watt of installed system capacity. So the average 6 kilowatt (kW) system will cost around $15,000 to $20,000.
Solar pricing will vary depending on your installer, the number of panels you need and other components such as inverters and batteries. Keep in mind that incentives such as the federal solar tax credit can significantly lower the cost of your system.
Silfab Solar has built a strong reputation by offering high-quality solar panels that are strong, sleek and powerful. It not only produces some of the best solar modules in the North American market but also offers leading warranties on its products.
For the features and warranties offered, Silfab’s panels are not too expensive. As a result, Silfab is a good choice for homeowners looking for locally manufactured, high-quality solar products at a reasonable price.
Silfab Solar Inc. is a Canadian solar panel company founded in Mississauga, Ontario. It manufactures all of its products in North America, with no overseas outsourcing. Silfab has production facilities in Burlington and Bellingham, Wash. and Toronto.
Silfab Solar is a tier-1 solar panel manufacturer with certifications from some of the top third-party testing laboratories in the solar industry. Silfab uses a modern, fully-automated manufacturing process, and its PV panels feature high efficiencies and overall quality.
There are several types of solar panels suited for residential purposes, including monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film panels. Installers typically recommend monocrystalline solar cells for residential installations since they feature a higher efficiency than other options.
But the other components you choose for your system can also affect overall performance. For instance, using Enphase microinverters can offer longer warranties and higher output.
Many tier-1 renewable energy companies offer solar panels with high-efficiency ratings and innovative technologies. While it is difficult to select a specific panel brand as the best, leading solar brands include SunPower, Tesla, Q Cells, Silfab and Panasonic. The best fit for you will depend on your installer, energy needs and budget.
If you choose higher-wattage solar panels for your home, you will need fewer panels. But a higher wattage also increases the physical dimensions of the panel. In some cases, installing panels that are too large can be difficult on complex roof layouts. Typically, manufacturers design higher-wattage panels for commercial applications and slightly lower-wattage models for home solar systems.
We closely evaluate solar installation companies with a focus on the factors most important to homeowners like you. We based our solar company methodology on input from multiple homeowner surveys, discussions with industry experts and research into the renewable energy market. Our review process involves assessing each company on the following criteria, which we then use to calculate a rating out of 5 stars. Cost and payment options (20 points): Cost is one of the most important factors when installing a solar energy system. Solar providers that offer cash purchases and in-house loan financing earn full points in this category. Companies also receive bonus points for offering solar panel leasing or power purchase agreements (PPAs). Services (20 points): In addition to solar installations, companies offering backup battery and electric vehicle charger installations, energy efficiency audits and system monitoring earn the most points in this category. Companies can also receive points for completing installations in-house, as opposed to using third-party contractors. Reputation (20 points): To assess the reputation of each company, we consider Google star ratings, Better Business Bureau (BBB) scores and reviews, and NABCEP certification status . We also look at customer complaint rates on sites like the BBB and weigh how the company responds. Warranty (15 points): We verify that each company offers workmanship, product and performance warranties on all of its solar installs. A provider earns more points for extending warranties that meet or exceed industry standards, including 10 years for system workmanship and products and 25 years for panel performance. Customer Support (10 points): Solar companies that offer virtual consultations, a mobile app, 24/7 customer support and high customer satisfaction with backend support earn the most points in this category. Industry Experience (10 points): Providers with 10 or more years of experience in the solar installation industry earn a perfect score in this category. Sustainability (5 points):To measure sustainability, we assess each company based on whether it shares a detailed sustainability statement or ESG disclosures on its website. We also conduct research to see if companies offer end-of-life panel disposal programs or have eco-friendly community partnerships.
Aniket Bhor is a solar engineer who has spent nearly a decade studying and working in the solar power sector in the European, Asian and North American markets. He is a climate enthusiast and avid cyclist, and he also loves to lose himself in books and cooking.
Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.
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