Reader-supported: we may earn a commission from some links. Learn more
Sun Switch Reviews

Sun Switch Reviews

Independent solar reviews

Honest, plain-language reviews of solar panels, batteries, inverters and installers — so you can compare before you commit.

PanelsBatteriesInvertersInstallersCosts

Browse by category

PanelsEfficiency, warranties and real-world value of solar panels.BatteriesHome battery storage: capacity, power, warranties and backup.InvertersString, micro and hybrid inverters compared.InstallersHow installers compare on quotes, workmanship and support.CostsWhat solar really costs and how to read a quote.

Spec comparison

Compare panels, batteries and inverters

How we review →

Solar panels

Solar panels — spec comparison · Sources accessed
Maxeon 6 SPR-MAX6-440 Series 425–440 W. Datasheet published March 2024; check current US availability. Monocrystalline IBC (Gen 6), 66 cells44022.8-0.2940 (Maxeon Partner install + registration) / 25 standard40 / 25Not stated (yr 1 ≥98.0%, then max 0.25%/yr)
Qcells Q.TRON BLK M-G2+ 440 Series 420–440 W. Efficiency is the datasheet minimum (430 W bin: ≥22.0%). N-type (Q.ANTUM NEO), 108 half-cells440≥22.5 (min.)-0.292525≥90.58% (yr 1 ≥98.5%, then max 0.33%/yr)
REC Alpha Pure-RX 470 US series 450–470 W. REC ProTrust also adds up to 25 yr labor (systems <25 kW). Heterojunction, 88 half-cut bifacial cells47022.6-0.2420 (25 with REC ProTrust via certified installer)2592% (yr 1 ≥98%, then max 0.25%/yr)
Silfab Prime SIL-440 QD Datasheet dated Aug 2026. N-type, 108 half-cells44022.6-0.2912 (extendable to 25 with registration/conditions)30≥90.8% (≥89.3% at yr 30)

Specs from manufacturer datasheets (and warranty documents where linked), accessed Oct 3, 2026. Each product name links to its manufacturer source. Listed alphabetically by manufacturer — the order is not a ranking. No prices, scores or ratings are shown: [Rating pending hands-on review]. Click a column header to sort.

Home batteries

Home batteries — spec comparison · Sources accessed
Enphase IQ Battery 5P (IQBATTERY-5P-1P-NA) · US warranty 240 VAC. Warranty registration within 45 days required (US warranty doc). LFP; AC-coupled (6 embedded IQ8D-BAT microinverters)53.847.68 (3 s)90 AC / 96 DC15 yrs or 6,000 cycles70% at yr 10 / 60% at yr 15†
FranklinWH aPower 2 (APR-10K15V2-US) Charge 8 kW. Up to 15 units per aGate (225 kWh). LFP; AC-coupled1510 (11.5 kVA)15 (10 s)90 (grid → battery → load)15 yrs or 60 MWh throughputNot confirmed (in end-user warranty doc)
SolarEdge Home Battery 400V (BAT-10K1P) Lithium-ion; DC-coupled to SolarEdge Home Hub9.757.5 (10 s)94.5 (peak)10 yrs70%†
Tesla Powerwall 3 (1707000-xx-y) · Warranty (PDF) Rated at 25 °C, beginning of life. Charge 5 kW (8 kW with expansions). Warranty may drop to 4 yrs without reliable internet (owner's manual). Lithium-ion (chemistry not stated on datasheet); integrated hybrid inverter, up to 20 kW DC PV13.511.5 (configurable 5.8 / 7.6 / 10 / 11.5); 15.4 off-grid PV-onlyNot stated in kW (185 A LRA motor start)89 (solar → battery → home)10 yrs70% at yr 10

Specs from manufacturer datasheets (and warranty documents where linked), accessed Oct 3, 2026. Each product name links to its manufacturer source. Listed alphabetically by manufacturer — the order is not a ranking. No prices, scores or ratings are shown: [Rating pending hands-on review]. † = value taken from a search snippet of the manufacturer’s PDF; not yet confirmed against the full document. Click a column header to sort.

Inverters

Inverters — spec comparison · Sources accessed
Enphase IQ8HC-72-M-US Per-unit rating at 240 VAC (208 VAC: 366 VA peak, 96.5%). Labels may say 380 VA; datasheet footnote certifies 384 VA continuous. Microinverter0.3840.38497Up to 25
Enphase IQ8M-72-2-US Per-unit rating at 240 VAC. Sibling IQ8A: 366 VA peak / 349 VA continuous / 97.0%. Microinverter0.3250.3397.5Up to 25
SolarEdge Home Hub SE7600H-US 240 VAC. Efficiency 98.5% at 208 V; max 99.2%. Family: 3.8 / 5.7 / 7.6 / 10 / 11.4 kW. Single-phase string/hybrid inverter (with optimizers)7.6—9912 (extendable; datasheet badge reads “12–25 year”)†
Tesla Powerwall 3 integrated solar inverter Efficiency is solar-to-home CEC weighted. Hybrid inverter built into battery; up to 20 kW DC PV11.5—97.510

Specs from manufacturer datasheets (and warranty documents where linked), accessed Oct 3, 2026. Each product name links to its manufacturer source. Listed alphabetically by manufacturer — the order is not a ranking. No prices, scores or ratings are shown: [Rating pending hands-on review]. — = not listed in our source data. † = value taken from a search snippet of the manufacturer’s PDF; not yet confirmed against the full document. Click a column header to sort.

New to solar?

Start here

Full beginner’s guide →

  1. Check your fit

    Roof, shade, bills and how long you’ll stay.

  2. Learn the gear

    Panels, inverters and batteries in plain English.

  3. Understand costs

    Read a quote and compare cost per watt.

  4. Compare installers

    Get several written quotes; check licenses.

Our methodology

How we review

  • We compare manufacturer spec sheets and warranty documents side by side.
  • We explain what we actually tested or researched for each review.
  • Affiliate relationships never determine ratings or rankings.
  • We date every review and update it when products or prices change.
Read the full methodology →

Get new reviews in your inbox

Occasional emails when we publish a review or a price guide changes.

[Placeholder — not connected to an email service yet.]

FTC disclosure: Sun Switch Reviews is reader-supported. When you buy through some links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t influence our ratings or recommendations. Read our full disclosure.