Upsolar solar panels: The complete review

Upsolar is a global solar panel manufacturer established in 2006. Though it started in China, the company manufactures panels in various regions, including the U.S., Europe, and Asia. In addition to manufacturing solar panel equipment, Upsolar also provides solar loans and develops large-scale solar projects.

Upsolar primarily provides 60 72-cell and half-cut monocrystalline solar panels for residential homeowners. This includes a line of all-black, 60-cell panels.

There are some important metrics to consider when comparing your solar panel options. The most informative metrics are efficiencies, performance, warranties, and price. EnergySage has reviewed the specifications of Upsolar panels available in the U.S. market to help make your solar research process as easy as possible. As the leading online marketplace for homeowners considering solar, EnergySage is uniquely positioned to evaluate the technical specifications of Upsolar solar panels and help you compare them to other manufacturers on the market.

Based on EnergySage's analysis, Upsolar solar panels are a good investment for homeowners and businesses seeking reasonably priced panels for their solar installation. For solar shoppers with plenty of space to install, lower-wattage Upsolar products can be a good option. Still, the company also has some panels that offer above-average efficiency (which would come at a higher price). Upsolar also offers industry-standard panel warranties.

Look at how Upsolar solar panels compare against other leading panel manufacturers frequently featured in offers to homeowners and businesses shopping for solar on the EnergySage Marketplace. You can learn more about each of these criteria in the breakdown below.

Efficiency

"Solar panel efficiency" refers to how well a solar panel captures sunlight and converts it into useful electricity. In the same conditions, a high-efficiency solar panel will produce more electricity than a lower-efficiency panel of the same size. For this reason, a higher efficiency rating is generally preferable.

The efficiency of your Upsolar solar panels will vary depending on the specific model that you choose for your system. Across Upsolar's solar product line, panels have an efficiency rating of 16.5% to 19.4%.

Performance (Temperature Coefficient)

For this portion of EnergySage's Upsolar panel reviews, we use the temperature coefficient to evaluate solar panel performance. The temperature coefficient indicates how well your solar panel can handle less-than-ideal conditions. Solar panels, like other electronic equipment, perform better when kept cool (ideally around 25° C/77° F). The temperature coefficient tells you how much your panel's performance will change during hot sunny summer days.

For every degree above 25° C (77° F), your solar panel's electricity production will decrease by its temperature coefficient. For example, the Upsolar UP-M315M panel has a temperature coefficient of -0.40%/°C. This means that if the panel's temperature increases by one degree from 25° C (77° F) to 26° C (79° F), its electricity production will decrease by 0.4%. If its temperature increases to 35° C (95° F), electricity production will reduce by 4.0%.

Your solar panels will likely see more than a few hot and sunny days each year, so ideally, they will have the lowest temperature coefficient possible. As you can see in the graph below, the Upsolar solar panel temperature coefficient ranges from -0.43 to -0.40%/°C.

Warranties

Whether you're buying a TV, a car, or solar panels, the manufacturer should stand behind their product with a strong warranty. A solar panel's material warranty (sometimes referred to as the product or equipment warranty) is a guarantee from the manufacturer that they will replace your panel if it fails due to manufacturing defects or environmental issues.

Upsolar offers a 25-year warranty against any defects in its solar panels.

Note: Upsolar hasn't been quoted enough recently on our platform for accurate, updated cost figures. The data below is from 2020.

For many homeowners, the final decision around solar equipment rests on cost. The total price you pay for a solar energy system with Upsolar panels will vary depending on the other equipment (such as inverters and mounts) used in the installation and the characteristics of your roof.

To identify the range of prices for Upsolar PV systems, we analyzed quotes, including Upsolar solar panels that homeowners received from installers on the EnergySage Solar Marketplace. Most Upsolar PV systems are typically priced between $2.69 and $3.83 per watt. This is in line with what you can expect to pay for panels of similar quality.

This means that, for an average 6 kW system, your gross cost (before you subtract any tax credits or other incentives) would be anywhere from $16,140 to $22,980. Additionally, most homeowners pay much less than the total gross cost. With the 30% federal tax credit for solar, a 6 kW system with Upsolar panels would cost anywhere from $11,298 to $16,086. Plenty of state-level solar incentives and rebates can help you reduce upfront costs even further.

The best way to determine whether Upsolar's panels are the best for your home is to review multiple quotes with different solar equipment options before deciding. When you compare your options on the EnergySage Marketplace, you'll find the right combination of price and quality that meets your needs.

Many of our qualified, vetted solar installers offer Upsolar solar panels in their quotes to EnergySage users. When registering, note in your profile that you're interested in receiving quotes that include Upsolar for your home.