Over the past decade, Silfab Solar Inc. has emerged as a leading solar panel manufacturer. The company leverages advanced automation for swift, precise production of premium solar panels.
Silfab’s strengths extend beyond its manufacturing capabilities. With operations in Canada and Washington State, the company boasts a North American presence, ensuring its products are locally made and tailored for the U.S. market.
The substantial U.S. manufacturing output has earned Silfab the Buy American Act certification. This credential has facilitated the adoption of Silfab panels in U.S. Military and Federal Aviation Administration installations, bolstering the company’s reputation. Looking ahead, Silfab aims to further strengthen its American footprint by establishing a solar cell factory within the country.
In this review, we’ll examine Silfab Solar’s product range and assess its position in the competitive solar market landscape.
What range of products is available from Silfab Solar?
Silfab specializes in the production of solar modules for both domestic and commercial use. All of Silfab’s photovoltaic (PV) modules incorporate monocrystalline solar cells. The primary residential panels provided by Silfab encompass:
- Silfab Elite
- Silfab Prime
The Silfab Elite range represents the company’s most efficient line of solar panels, exclusively produced in the United States. These top-performance panels are available in two wattages: 380 W and 410 W.
Silfab’s panels utilize PERC (Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell) technology, which offers improved electricity generation compared to standard photovoltaic cells. The Elite series features “back contact” cells, minimizing shading issues and maximizing energy collection. This fusion of PERC and back contact technologies boosts the Elite panels’ overall efficiency.
The Prime model showcases Silfab’s half-cell design. These smaller cells reduce current flow and resistive losses, resulting in higher energy output. Additionally, their compact size enhances durability by decreasing the risk of cracking under stress. Silfab Prime panels are available with a 370-watt capacity.
How do Silfab Solar panels measure up against their market counterparts?
Technical details of Silfab’s Elite and Prime solar panels under Standard Test Conditions (STC) are given below:
Power Rating
A solar panel’s power rating indicates its electricity generation capacity. Silfab’s panels align with industry standards for monocrystalline modules, offering outputs between 350 W and 400 W.
Cell Type
While solar panels traditionally used either monocrystalline or polycrystalline cells, modern panels like Silfab’s primarily utilize monocrystalline silicon. Silfab enhances this technology by incorporating advanced features such as half-cut and back contact cells.
Efficiency Rating
Silfab panels demonstrate high efficiency. Both Elite and Prime lines exceed 20% efficiency, placing them in the “premium efficiency” category alongside top-tier manufacturers.
Power Tolerance
Power tolerance reflects potential variations in a panel’s power production from its rated capacity under Standard Test Conditions (STC). Silfab panels have a -0/+10 W power tolerance, guaranteeing at least rated power with the possibility of up to 10 W higher output.
Temperature Coefficient
Solar panel performance decreases as temperature rises. The temperature coefficient quantifies this relationship, measuring output reduction per degree Celsius above 25°C. Silfab’s panels feature industry-standard coefficients: -0.38%/°C for Elite modules and -0.36%/°C for Prime models.
Workmanship warranty
All Silfab’s solar panels come with the same workmanship product warranty. The warranty covers repairs, replacements, and refunds for defective materials.
Initially, the panels come with a 12-year warranty from the delivery date, but this can be extended to 25 years if purchased and installed by a registered Silfab installer like 8MSolar.
Power warranty
The power or performance warranty provides homeowners with an estimate of the solar panels’ power output over time. As solar panels age, they degrade slightly and generate less power.
According to Silfab’s 30-year performance warranty, the panels will operate at 97.1% of their initial power rating after Year 1, with a maximum degradation rate of 0.5% per year thereafter.
By Year 30, the panels have a performance guarantee of 82.6% of their original rated capacity.
Silfab Solar Panel Pricing
For an accurate, personalized estimate, contacting Silfab directly is advised. On average, Silfab panels cost about $0.70 per watt before installation. For a typical 6kW residential system, the panels alone would cost approximately $4,200.
Total Cost Breakdown
The panel price is just one component of the overall expense. Installation requires partnering with a local distributor who handles setup and provides necessary additional materials.
Including installation and materials, the per-watt cost for Silfab panels increases to $2.85-$3.05. For a 6kW system, this translates to a total installed cost of $17,100-$18,300.
Incentives and Savings
These figures don’t account for potential financial incentives. Many regions offer tax credits or rebates for adopting renewable energy, which can significantly reduce overall costs. Eligible homeowners may pay substantially less than the listed prices. It’s crucial to research current local incentives and consult financial or tax experts to maximize savings.
While initial costs may seem high, long-term savings, environmental benefits, and possible tax advantages make Silfab solar panels a compelling option for many homeowners.
How it Looks
Beyond their high performance, Silfab panels are aesthetically pleasing. Their design and entirely black coloring make them a sleek and harmonious addition to your roof. They can also be installed low profile, meaning they don’t protrude as much as some traditional solar panels.
Are Silfab Solar panels the right choice for your home? If you’re considering switching to solar power, Silfab Solar panels are an excellent option. They provide high-quality modules, and the company has a wealth of industry experience.
Looking to Purchase Silfab Solar Panels?
Silfab’s offerings, while meeting industry benchmarks, are far from conventional. The company incorporates cutting-edge solar cell technology into their panels, delivering high-quality products.
A standout feature of Silfab, uncovered during our review process, is its North American foundation. With production facilities in Ontario, Canada, and Bellingham, Washington, Silfab presents a refreshing alternative to the numerous overseas-based solar panel manufacturers, particularly those in China.
Silfab Solar panels are a sound choice for your home’s solar power system. If Silfab is right for you and your are looking for solar installer in NC, give 8MSolar a call today, and check out some of the other equipment we carry and install!
