Mission, 385W PV Module,

Efficiency

The term “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 Mission Solar panels will vary depending on the specific model that you choose for your system. Across Mission Solar’s product line, panels have an efficiency rating of 18.05% to 18.95%.

Performance (temperature coefficient)

For this portion of EnergySage’s Mission Solar panel reviews, we use the temperature coefficient to evaluate solar panel performance. The temperature coefficient is an indicator of how well your solar panel can handle less-than-ideal conditions. Solar panels, like other electronic equipment, perform better when they are 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 Mission Solar MSE275SO5T panel has a temperature coefficient of -0.415%/°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 0.415%. If its temperature increases all the way to 35° C (95° F), electricity production will reduce by 4.15%.

Your solar panels will likely see more than a few hot and sunny days over the course of each year, so ideally, they will have the lowest temperature coefficient possible. Mission Solar panel temperature coefficients are consistently at -0.38%/°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 as a result of manufacturing defects or environmental issues.

Most solar panel manufacturers offer a 10-year materials warranty, but some higher-end solar panels come with a 12, 15, 20, or even 25-year warranty. Mission Solar offers a 12-year warranty against any defects in their solar panels, which is above with the industry standard offered by most panel manufacturers.

UL 1731