In a mature market which has existed for over 20 years, there are dozens, if not hundreds of solar panel manufacturers and it’s wise to understand represents the equipment for several reasons:
Warranty – is the manufacturer still in business? Do they still honor their product and performance warranty? Most manufacturers offer a minimum of a 10-year product warranty and a 25-year performance warranty. The terms and value of that warranty varies by manufacturer.
Performance & Durability – not all solar panels are created equal. Lower-tier panels can degrade more quickly over time, which results in higher monthly electricity bills due to lost power output.
Efficiency – solar panel technology has improved over time, resulting in higher efficiency meaning power produced per square foot. Lower efficiency panels could limit the amount of remaining available roof space should a new home buyer want to add to the existing solar energy system with a Phase 2.
Aesthetics – some solar panels & racking systems just look nicer than others. The roof is the “crown” of the home, and you want your client to be excited with the architectural design of their new property.