Peimar SM325M solar panels review

Peimar is an Italian manufacturer specialising in the design, research and production of high-efficiency renewable products, including solar panels, inverters and storage batteries. It is known for its focus on quality and is a key player in the renewable energy sector.

While the SM325M offers an affordable cost of solar panel, its durability and performance fall short compared to the best solar panels. However, it remains a reasonable choice for budget-conscious homeowners.

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Technical information

Peimar monocrystalline solar panels are made using a combination of innovative production processes and engineering techniques to deliver maximum output and high performance. Homeowners need fewer panels to generate more energy, which can be useful for smaller roofs. Their long lifespan makes these solar panels a good choice for homeowners looking to recuperate costs and cut energy expenditures in the long term.

  • Power: 325 W
  • Efficiency: 19.48%
  • Warranty: 30-year power output warranty and 20-year product guarantee
  • Cost per panel: From £143
Technical drawing of showing Peimar solar panels dimensions

Key features

  • Highlights: Highly durable monocrystalline panels will last longer and deliver at an optimum level for several years. 
  • Key benefit: These panels are low-cost but deliver high power and efficiency. 
  • Service: Peimar has a base in the UK and can provide expert assistance and technical support whenever required. 
  • Warranty: 30-year linear power warranty and 20-year product guarantee ensure that you will have support well into the future. 
  • Cost: At £143 per panel, this solar panel system is one of the most affordable on the market. 

Pros and cons

The Peimar SM325M is a popular solar panel with several benefits. 

  • Modern design: Peimar SM325M solar panels have an attractive modern design, using matching black cells and panels to blend in with a dark roof. 
  • Solid reputation: Peimar specialises in the design, research and manufacturing of solar panels. They hold a 4.56-star rating on Solar Reviews
  • Cost: At around £143 per panel, Peimar is one of the most affordable solar panel brands on the market. 
  • High wind resistance: With a 5400 Pa for wind loading, Peimar’s performance is nearly double the industry standard 2400 Pa wind rating.
  • Lengthy guarantee: With a lengthy 30-year linear warranty, Peimar demonstrates confidence in its product.

There are always disadvantages that have to be taken into account, including:

  • Performance: With an efficiency of only 19.48%, the Peimar SM325M is not the best performing solar panel on the market. 
  • Output: While 325kW is a fair output, larger homes will benefit from brands offering 400kW outputs, like SunPower or LG. 
  • Degradation: While panels will degrade 3% in the first year and then approximately 0.59% for every subsequent year, which is a much faster rate of degradation than many of its competitors, our best panels typically have an initial degradation rate of 1%.

How the Peimar SM325M solar panel works

Monocrystalline solar panels use cells made from a single pure crystal of silicon. Daylight excites the electrons in the silicon, stimulating them to flow and create an electric current. The panels then capture this electricity, which is used to power homes and devices. Monocrystalline panels efficiently convert sunlight into energy because the single-crystal structure allows for a smooth flow of electrons.

Peimar SM325M add-ons

Peimar offers a range of accessories and add-ons that help homeowners get the most out of their solar panel system at an additional cost. There’s a wide range of inverters available, managed via an online portal or app. 

Homeowners may also want to purchase a combination inverter and storage battery to store surplus energy, which can also be managed via a convenient web or phone app. Some homeowners also purchase optimisers, which are small devices that connect inverters to panels to monitor their performance in real time.

How does the Peimar SM325M compare with other solar panels?

Peimar is an affordable, entry-level solar panel. However, its output, efficiency and degradation fall short compared to many brands. Its 30-year linear warranty can be compared favourably with those of market leaders, such as Project Solar and Jinko.   

This table is an overview of how Peimar SM325M solar panels compare to others on the market.

Solar panel brandEfficiencySolar panel outputWarranty
Peimar SM325M19.48%325W30 years
Project Solar Evo Super Max Series 45521%455W30 years
Jinko Tiger Neo 72HL4 605W23.4%605W30 years
JA Solar JAM72S30 LR 585W22.1%585W25 years
Panasonic HIT N 245W19.40%245W25 years

Pricing for the JA Solar panel brand is similar to Peimar; however, it typically offers a linear warranty of 25 years and a product warranty of 12 years compared with Peimar’s 30-year linear and 20-year product warranties.

If you are looking for a solid product at a low price that can beat the performance of the Peimar SM325M, the Panasonic HIT N 245W is a good choice. This panel’s size makes it easy to adapt to smaller roofs or those with a complicated design, while its efficiency of 19.4% makes it comparable to the Peimar solar panel. Panasonic is still an affordable option at around £250 per panel (excluding installation and labour costs) and has a 25-year warranty.

Note that Panasonic no longer manufactures solar panels in house but still works with third-party manufacturers. The Panasonic HIT N 245W may still be available to buy from some providers, and the company will honour warranties.

What does the Peimar SM325M cost?

Peimar PM325M solar panels are among the most affordable on the market, although there are some trade-offs in terms of quality. Here’s how it compares to others:

NameOutputCost per panel excluding extras and labour
Trina Solar TSM-DE06X365WFrom £208+
Peimar SM325M325WFrom £143+
Panasonic HIT N 245W245WFrom £250+

Maintaining Peimar SM325M solar panels

Peimar solar panels require little to no maintenance from homeowners. In fact, homeowners are discouraged from actively cleaning or tampering with the solar panels once they’ve been installed. 

If you do notice any issue with the performance of your solar panels, it’s best to contact Peimar directly to investigate. If you notice a build-up of dust or debris on the solar panel that is not washing off with regular rainfall, you can use a hose while on the ground to gently clean the solar panels.

Final recommendation

Peimar panels are affordable and efficient. While they are not the most powerful on the market, there are a lot of advantages to choosing Peimar. They are cheaper than most, perform well, and come with attractive warranties. 

The sleek, slim, and all-black design makes them easy to live with in the long term, and while durability isn’t the best on the market, it’s far from the worst. Judging by the number of positive reviews written by customers on various sites, most homeowners are happy with their Peimar panels. 

In short, they provide a solid output and performance for space-restricted homes, homes with complex roofing designs, or homes located in areas where they face challenging weather conditions. They are also great for budget-conscious homeowners that want to purchase solar panels for their starter or retirement homes. 

Solar panel FAQs

The average cost of a solar panel installation is £7,100 (£9,600 with a battery) for a typical three-bedroom property, so the initial expense can be seen as a disadvantage. However, with prices still falling and the rising cost of energy in the UK, they make their money back much quicker than they used to – in some cases as little as five to seven years.

Solar energy is dependant on the weather conditions, which can be another disadvantage depending on the region you live. If your part of the country sees a lot of sun and clear days, investing in a solar panel system makes a lot of financial (and environmental) sense. But if your area experiences a lot of darker days, you might be better off investing in ground or air source heat pumps to produce electricity.

Rachel is a seasoned writer who has been producing online and print content for seven years.

As a home tech expert for Independent Advisor, Rachel researches and writes buying guides and reviews, helping consumers navigate the realms of broadband and home security gadgets. Rachel also covers home tech for The Federation of Master Builders, where she reviews and tests home security devices.

She started as a news and lifestyle journalist in Hong Kong reporting on island-wide news stories, food and drink and the city’s events. She’s written for editorial platforms Sassy Hong Kong, Localiiz and Bay Media. While in Hong Kong she attended PR events, interviewed local talent and project-managed photoshoots.

Rachel holds a BA in English Language and Creative Writing and is committed to simplifying tech jargon and producing unbiased reviews.