SunPower is one of the most respected names in the solar panel industry throughout 30 countries, and the company manufactures some of the best solar panels available. Its niche has been developing the highest-efficiency solar panels on the market, and the SunPower Maxeon 7DC is a great example of this.

Below, you can learn why the SunPower Maxeon 7DC 445W is our best-reviewed solar panel, and you can see all the important technical information and what the customers we surveyed* think of the brand.

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SunPower Maxeon 7DC 445W technical information

Panel efficiency24.1%
Power output (W)445 W
Degradation first year2.00%
Degradation rate per year after first year 0.25%
Product warranty40 years
Performance warranty 40 years
Weight (kg)20.7 kg
Size (sq m)1.8 sq m

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Pros of the SunPower Maxeon 7DC 445W

  • Best-reviewed solar panel: The SunPower Maxeon 7DC 445W received the highest score of all the panels we’ve reviewed, with 8.3 out of 10.
  • Best for durability: The SunPower Maxeon 7DC 445W is the best solar panel for durability, thanks to its low 10-year degradation rate of 4.25% and above-average 40-year product and performance warranties.
  • Best for sustainability: The company is the only one of those we reviewed that received 10 out of 10 for sustainability. This means its panels are lead-free and use recycled materials, and the provider also recycles old panels.
  • Smallest size: Not only is the SunPower Maxeon 7DC 445W the most durable and sustainable panel, it is also the smallest and lightest panel we’ve reviewed, so it’s suitable if you’re tight on space.

Cons of the SunPower Maxeon 7DC 445W

  • Energy production satisfaction: SunPower scored lowest when we asked customers how satisfied they were with the energy production of their panels.
  • Warranty requires registration: SunPower has a 40-year warranty, but to benefit from this, you’ll need to register your panels with the company. It’s also not available in all countries or on all installations.

How the SunPower Maxeon 7DC 445W works

According to SunPower, the Maxeon 7DC 445W is designed to work better in high temperatures, but it also maintains a high conversion rate in low-light conditions. This is because the panel’s factory-integrated microinverter allows the system to minimise the impact of shade on its performance.

The expected degradation rate is 2.00% in the first year, followed by 0.25% annually. This gives it a 10-year degradation rate of 4.25%, compared with an average of 4.77% for our best solar panels.

The size and weight of the Maxeon 7DC 445W also makes it suitable for smaller roofs. At 20.7 kg, it is notably lighter than the 23.5 kg average weight of the panels we’ve reviewed. Similarly, with a physical footprint of 1.8 square miles, it is smaller than the standard 2.2 square miles.

How does the SunPower Maxeon 7DC 445W compare with other solar panels?

This is how the SunPower Maxeon 7DC 445W compares with other solar panels:

Solar panel brandFMB score (out of 10)EfficiencyPower outputProduct warrantyPerformance warrantyCustomer satisfaction
SunPower Maxeon 7DC8.924.1%445 W40 years40 years91.20%
Aiko ABC Neostar 3N547.424.8%495 W15 years30 years90.70%
JA Solar JAM72S30 LR 6.422.1%585 W12 years25 years91.90%
Jinko Tiger Neo 72HL4-(V)7.123.4%605 W12 years30 years91.50%
Perlight PLM-435 DH8N 450W7.423.0%450 W30 years30 years91.70%
Project Solar Evo Max Super Series8.221.18%480 WLifetimeLifetime94.40%
Suntech Ultra V Pro Mini 7.223.2%515 W15 years30 years91.70%
REC Alpha Pure RX Series7.222.6%470 W20 years25 years92.10%

How much do SunPower solar panels cost?

Based on our research, the price of SunPower solar panels ranges between £200 and £300 per panel. However, the specific cost of your setup will depend on the model you choose, the price of your solar panel installer, the size of your system and whether you are eligible for a solar panel grant.

Maintaining SunPower Maxeon 7DC 445W solar panels

The SunPower Maxeon 7DC requires minimal maintenance, and its warranty covers any damage to the solar panel. As per the SunPower website, the company designed the panels with typical debris accumulation in mind, and seasonal rain should clear such debris or dust from the surface.

However, if severe soiling occurs, you can clean the panels from the ground with a standard garden hose. You should do so early in the morning or late in the evening when the panels are cooler.

SunPower customer reviews

With 90% of surveyed customers saying the brand met or exceeded their expectations for energy production, SunPower scored the lowest of the providers we reviewed. The average across all brands was 92%.


However, 43% of customers said they would “very much recommend” SunPower solar panels, while 53% said they would “somewhat recommend” the brand.

Final recommendation

There’s a reason the SunPower Maxeon 7DC 445W is our best-reviewed solar panel. Lengthy product and performance warranties, a below-average 10-year degradation rate and a sustainable ethos all make it easy for us to recommend it. As a bonus, its size and weight make it ideal for smaller roofs.

SunPower FAQs

With a score of 8.9 out of 10, the SunPower Maxeon 6AC 445W is our best-reviewed solar panel.

Maxeon Solar Technologies manufactures SunPower solar panels. SunPower Corporation UK Ltd. – a subsidiary of Maxeon Solar Technologies – sells the panels in the UK.

The SunPower Corporation has declared bankruptcy in the US. However, the manufacturer of SunPower solar panels, Maxeon Solar Technologies, is a completely separate company, so SunPower Corp’s bankruptcy does not affect it.

Our methodology 

When we review solar panels, our final score is based on the following: 

  • Durability
    • Rate of degradation after 10 years
    • Product warranty
    • Performance warranty
  • Performance
    • Panel efficiency
    • Power-to-weight ratio
    • Power-per-square-metre ratio
  • Customer satisfaction
    • Results of our survey of more than 2,000 solar panel owners in the UK
  • Sustainability
    • Are the panels lead-free?
    • Do the panels use recycled materials?
    • Does the provider recycle old solar panels?

Sources

*FMB survey of 2,004 solar panel owners, June 2024.

Connor Campbell

Senior Writer

Connor Campbell is an experienced personal finance writer who has been producing online content for 10 years.

Throughout his career, Connor has strived to demystify complex topics to help consumers make the best decisions, whether that’s what solar panel to pick, how to get cheaper car insurance, or which business bank account to open. 

He has written extensively on a number of personal finance topics for Independent Advisor, NerdWallet, and Spreadex, and has been quoted in a range of publications, including The Guardian, BBC, Evening Standard, Daily Express and The Mirror.