2024 SunPower Solar Review Guide (Costs, Quality, & More)
By Kristina Zagame /
Here’s what you need to know about JA Solar:
Each product and or company featured here has been independently selected by the writer. You can learn more about our review methodology here. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
JA Solar Holdings is based in Shanghai, China, and it manufactures solar panels and a variety of solar-related materials for residential and commercial applications. JA Solar is considered a budget brand, but among the different affordable panel manufacturers, JA Solar delivers relatively high quality and high efficiency ratings for boosted performance and savings.
In this guide, we’ll be taking a look at JA Solar’s panels, including their overall durability and quality, the efficiency they provide and how good they are for home solar systems in general. We’ll also compare them to other top brands to help you decide if JA Solar is the best option for your home.
Average cost
Pros
Cons
Overall, JA Solar makes great panels for homeowners on a budget. The price per watt is considerably lower than you’d find from most other manufacturers, but among other affordable brands, the efficiency rating and performance specifications are above-average. For the cost, JA panels deliver outstanding value.
With that being said, we more commonly recommend higher-quality, higher-efficiency brands, like REC, Maxeon from SunPower, Trina and QCells. These other brands usually have superior warranty coverage and better durability, so they will save you more in energy costs in the long run in many cases.
In the following sections, we’ll take a look at each solar panel option JA Solar manufactures and explain which we recommend for different applications. The company manufactures two lines of panels — DeepBlue 3.0 and DeepBlue 4.0x — and we’ll discuss the individual products within each line below.
The DeepBlue 3.0 product line from JA Solar is the more affordable of the two, meaning it’s the best option if you’re looking to keep your installation prices as low as possible. This line of products includes three distinctive subcategories: DeepBlue 3.0 Light, DeepBlue 3.0 and DeepBlue 3.0 Pro.
The DeepBlue 3.0 Light line of panels from JA Solar are the smallest panels of the bunch and have the lowest wattage per panel, coming in between 380 and 415 watts. Generally speaking, JA Solar panels are larger than the average panels available from other manufacturers, but this product line is in line with the average.
These panels only come with a 12-year product warranty and a 25-year production warranty.
The DeepBlue 3.0 panel lineup is meant for homeowners who aren’t necessarily looking to keep costs as low as possible and instead want to ensure their system performs better and produces more energy.
Overall, we’d recommend this line of panels over the 3.0 Light panels, as higher efficiency ratings and power outputs mean you might be able to get away with fewer panels on your roof. Additionally, higher-efficiency panels mean more production, which could mean greater energy savings over the life of your system.
Like the 3.0 Light line of panels, these also only come with a 12-year product warranty, which is well below the industry standard. However, the production warranty is still quite good, as it lasts for 25 to 30 years, depending on the specific model you have installed.
As you might imagine, the DeepBlue 3.0 Pro series is the highest-performing one in the 3.0 product lineup. They have the highest efficiency ratings, come with the largest wattages and usually boast a 30-year production warranty. However, these still only come with a 12-year equipment warranty.
The DeepBlue 4.0x line of panels from JA Solar boasts higher efficiency ratings than the 3.0 series, and they also all come with the superior 30-year production warranty, which is longer than the coverage for many of the 3.0 panels.
The 4.0 series is going to be a better option overall if you’re looking for maximized efficiency and energy savings, although they do come at a higher price per watt, on average.
We’ll include some information about the DeepBlue 4.0x products below.
JA Solar uses mostly monocrystalline solar panels and half-cut cells, which are more durable, reliable and efficient than polycrystalline (poly) solar panels. Most models also include multi busbars (MBB) to reduce the risk of hotspots and improve overall performance. These are common in many brands, though.
There isn’t much in the way of proprietary clean energy or solar cell technology used in JA Solar panels other than its polycrystalline PERC cells or PERCIUM cells, but it does use a variety of technological advancements to push the performance of its products.
We’ll discuss some of the renewable energy technology JA commonly uses in its solar modules in the following sections.
PERCIUM cells were created by JA Solar; as per the company, they are the first poly cells to surpass the 20% efficiency rating mark, which is pretty impressive.
Polycrystalline cells are made by compressing shards of silicone together rather than cutting the cell from a single silicon wafer, as you’d see in monocrystalline solar cells. Mono PERC cells come with a higher average efficiency rating and superior durability, so they’re generally preferred for home solar systems.
However, the PERCIUM cells keep manufacturing costs low — one of the benefits of poly panels — but help maximize the efficiency rating. The durability is still lower than mono cells — hence the 12-year equipment warranty from JA — but the efficiency is comparable. That means lower installation costs and similar energy savings over time.
Gapless ribbon technology is tech used by many solar companies. It involves using connective ribbons to string solar cells together so that they overlap on the edges. This eliminates wasted space as compared to when the non-conductive edges of cells are normally soldered together.
Gapless tech also generally improves panel durability since the soldering isn’t rigid. The flexibility of the ribbon allows for some movement before the connection is lost, leading to fewer issues with solar cells failing to produce and a lower risk of losing out on solar savings.
Many of JA Solar’s panels are bifacial, meaning both the top and the bottom can collect sunlight to convert to energy. This helps boost the overall production of the panel because some of the solar energy that would normally escape out the back of the panel can be recaptured by the second face.
Bifacial solar panels may not have a higher efficiency rating than single-face panels, but they tend to collect more power for your home, making them a great option for residential use. Ultimately, that can translate to needing fewer panels on your roof and saving more money over time.
JA Solar panels have temperature coefficients that fall between -0.3% and -0.35%. The temperature coefficient of a panel tells you how much of the starting efficiency the panel loses per degree above 25 degrees (C) or 77 degrees (F). The lower the temperature coefficient, the more efficiency your panels will maintain as the temperature goes up.
The average temperature coefficient for tier-one solar panels is -0.35%. That means all JA panels are either average or above average in terms of efficiency loss in warmer temperatures.
Since JA panels also have above-average efficiency ratings to begin with, that means they will not only outperform most competitors at lower temperatures but also maintain more of their efficiency as they get hotter.
This makes them a great option in just about any climate, although you might want to choose a panel with a temperature coefficient that’s well below average — like Maxeon and Panasonic panels — if you live in a very hot climate.
Aside from the many solar modules mentioned above, JA Solar also manufactures individual components for PV module production, as well as battery storage systems. We’ll include some information about each of these products in the following sections.
Junction boxes are typically affixed to the rear of solar panels and house the electrical wiring that connects your panels together in series. The junction boxes also serve to connect your system as a whole to your home’s electrical box.
Most solar panels use rear-mounted junction boxes, and JA manufactures its own boxes and provides them to other manufacturers.
JA Solar makes the aluminum frames that are used to mount your solar panels to your roof and provide a rigid foundation for stability and panel durability. It’s unclear if JA manufactures aluminum frames for other panel manufacturers.
JA Solar also produces a handful of other PV manufacturing materials, including crystal furnaces for producing silicon crystals, graphites for treating silicon crystals, stencils for producing solar panel electrodes, PV paste, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) film, and other products used in the production of solar panels.
JA Solar makes its own solar batteries. One of the more well-known battery options it offers is for residential use, simply called the JA Energy Storage System. This works seamlessly with your panels to provide off-grid power for your home in the event of a power outage. It can also provide you with effective net metering to help boost solar savings. There are three different types of home solar batteries available, based on your needs.
Unlike many other solar battery manufacturers, JA also produces utility-scale batteries for commercial and industrial use, including a massive backup battery designed for power plants.
It’s difficult to say with certainty how much JA panels for your home will cost for a few reasons. First, every solar array is different. System size, home size, monthly energy consumption, shading on your roof and more all need to be considered to determine what your panels will cost. Plus, cost information can vary by region and installer.
With that being said, though, JA Solar panels are more affordable than many direct competitors, usually coming in at around $3.37 per watt. The national average price for solar panels is around $3.33 per watt, but panel brands that compete with JA Solar — those with similar efficiency ratings, like REC, LONGi, Trina Solar and Canadian Solar — are usually closer to $3.67 per watt.
To put that into perspective, the average solar array in America is 9 kilowatts (kW). For a panel brand that came in at $3.67 per watt, you could expect to pay about $33,030 before any incentives. For the same size system but with JA panels, you might pay closer to $30,000, around $3,000 less.
JA Solar is a manufacturer only, and it doesn’t have an installation team that can install your system for you. This is the norm in the solar industry, although there are exceptions, like Maxeon/SunPower.
As such, your financing options for JA Solar panels will vary based on the solar panel installation company you choose. Many companies only accept cash purchases and solar loans, while others also entertain more accessible solar leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs).
We recommend a cash purchase if at all possible. This demands the entire system price paid upfront, but it also gives you instant ownership of your panels, which means the shortest possible panel payback period and the highest solar savings in the long run. Loans are slightly less beneficial because of the interest you’ll have to pay, but they’re our next most recommended option.
Thankfully, cash purchases are more accessible with JA panels than most other brands, as they tend to be more affordable.
Solar leases and PPAs don’t lead to panel ownership, so they don’t let you take the federal investment tax credit (ITC). They also yield minimal savings in the long run and could complicate the sale of your home.
Although panels manufactured by JA Solar are more affordable than modules from many competitors, most customers still look for ways to save money when purchasing them. There are a few things you can do to help keep costs down, which we’ll discuss in the following sections.
One of the best solar panel savings strategies is to take as many solar incentives and rebate programs as possible. All U.S. residents have access to the federal tax credit, which is a credit to your income taxes for 30% of your system total. On average, this carries a potential value of over $8,991.
Many states, municipalities and utility companies offer local incentives as well, including tax credits, solar rebates and more. We recommend you speak with your solar panel installer and check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) for more information on what’s available in your area. Most residents can save thousands by taking federal, state and local incentives.
Paying for your system in cash is easier when you go with JA panels than it is with many other tier-one brands because of the lower cost per watt. Paying in cash is also highly beneficial in the long run, even though it means a higher cost upfront.
Cash payments lead to immediate panel ownership, so you won’t pay any interest for your system. The average system paid for in cash pays itself off in energy savings in 11 years and then saves an additional $31,513, on average, over the remaining panel lifespan.
That’s around $5,000 more that you’ll save than if you paid with a solar loan and around $25,000 more than you’d save over time if you went with a lease or a PPA.
Finally, we recommend you get a few different quotes for your system. Every solar installer charges different prices for labor and administrative fees, and some upcharge JA panels more than others. Getting a few different quotes for your solar project can help you get the best price possible for the system you need, sometimes saving thousands of dollars.
As mentioned above, JA PV panels are more affordable than many competitive panel options, but they lack the reliability and durability that you’d find in more expensive brands.
All JA panels come with a 12-year equipment warranty, which is less than half of the industry average of 25 years. Most of JA’s direct competitors — like REC, Trina, QCells, Jinko Solar and Canadian Solar — come with a full 25-year warranty for the equipment and manufacturer defects.
Ultimately, you’ll get more life out of other tier-one brands, so while JA panels are affordable upfront, they could end up costing you money in the long run if you run into issues after the 12-year warranty is up.
JA panels also come with either a 25-year or a 30-year production guarantee. Some models, like the JAM54S31 MR panel in the DeepBlue 3.0 Light product line, have a 25-year warranty that guarantees no more than 0.55% efficiency degradation per year. That leaves you with a below-average 86.25% efficiency at the end of the warranty period.
Some of the Pro panels in the DeepBlue 3.0 lineup have lower annual degradation of 0.45%.
The DeepBlue 4.0x JAM54D41 GB panels have one of the best solar panel performance warranties, guaranteeing no more than a 1% dip in efficiency in the first year, followed by a maximum of 0.4% per year thereafter.
For comparison, the industry average is 2.5% in the first year and 0.4% annually thereafter, leaving you with a total efficiency loss of 12.1%. Maxeon panels have one of the slowest degradation rates in the industry and guarantee 92% of the starting efficiency after 25 years.
As we discussed above, JA Solar is not an installer and only manufactures PV equipment. As such, you’ll need to choose a solar panel installer that carries JA panels and work with the provider to have your system installed. Most of the larger national companies do not install JA panels, so you’re best off contacting local installers to see if they carry them.
Below, we’ll include the steps you’ll need to follow to have a solar array installed using JA solar modules.
Since JA Solar PV panels are usually installed by local installation companies rather than national ones, you can use the tool below to get estimates from local companies that carry and install JA panels and comparable brands.
Most of the reviews online regarding solar services are for installers, so it’s difficult to parse which comments refer to the reliability or quality of individual panels as opposed to the company that installs them.
With that being said, we have read through dozens of reviews to get a sense of the overall performance of JA panels and the customer sentiment toward their quality. Generally speaking, customers are pleased with the power production they see from JA panels, although there are some concerns regarding panel durability and longevity.
The reviews for JA panels are generally pretty positive, with customers specifically mentioning that the solar production was equal to or better than what they expected. This is unsurprising, seeing as JA panels have above-average efficiency ratings.
Additionally, customers comment regularly on the overall quality for the money. JA panels are more affordable than many competing brands but deliver similar efficiency ratings. The solar savings most customers see — especially shortly after installation — are outstanding based on the cost of the systems.
The positive aspects mentioned in reviews show up about as often as they do in other brand reviews, although more customers comment positively about the price than they would for other panel options.
There are some negative reviews regarding JA panels as well, which, unfortunately, mention that the longevity of the panels isn’t ideal. JA panels come with a 12-year equipment warranty, and some of the panel models are polycrystalline panels, which usually means less appealing durability.
Some customers have run into issues with panels failing sooner than other brands would be expected to. It’s important to remember that the installation company also plays a role in proper panel functionality.
JA Solar is one of the best budget brands, but it is far from the most durable and reliable option. If you’re looking to keep installation costs as low as possible, JA Solar might suit you well. If you want a better balance between cost and long-term performance, though, we would recommend a different, more expensive option with longer warranty coverage and better longevity.
The table below includes a quick side-by-side look at how JA Solar compares to some other popular solar panel brands.
JA Solar | REC | Panasonic | Silfab | SunPower | |
Max Efficiency Rating | 22.5% | 22.3% | 22.2% | 21.4% | 22.8% |
Power Tolerance | -0%/+5% | -0%/+5% | -3%/+3% | -0%/+10% | -0%/+5% |
Temperature Coefficient | -.04% | -.032% | -0.26% | -0.39% | -.027% |
Degradation Per Year (After 1st Year) | 0.45% | 0.5% | 0.26% | 0.5% | 0.25% |
Equipment Warranty Term | 12 years | 20 years | 25 years | 25 years | 40 years |
Efficiency Warranty Term | 25 – 30 years | 25 years | 25 years | 25 years | 40 years |
Average Price Per Watt | $3.37 | $3.67 | $3.90 | $3.67 | $4.00 |
Panel Manufacturer Review | – | Read our REC Panel Review | – | Read Our Silfab Panel Review | Read Our SunPower Panel Review |
Generally speaking, yes, we would consider putting JA Solar panels on our own roofs. JA panels are a great option for homeowners on a budget, and while there are many brands we’d choose before we went with JA Solar, it’s one of the best-performing and highest-efficiency budget brands available for residential solar power systems.
With that being said, we’d personally prefer a panel brand with better longevity and more robust warranty coverage, even if that meant paying more per watt for the peace of mind and a longer period of savings.
No matter which panel brand you choose, we recommend you get a few different quotes from installers in your area to make sure you’re getting the best deal available. You can use the tool below to get quotes for your solar array from reputable local installers.
When we review a solar panel manufacturer like JA, we look at every panel option available from the company and compare it to other brands based on six main factors that we believe are most important to providing quality and consistency in a solar system. We’ll explain these six criteria below and how JA scores in each of them.
The cost information presented in this article is derived from a comprehensive analysis, incorporating data from multiple industry sources. The average cost per watt per state was calculated based on figures from Consumer Affairs, Energy Sage, and Berkeley Lab’s Electricity Markets & Policy Department. Additionally, monthly energy consumption and the average monthly cost of electricity were sourced from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, ensuring a well-rounded and accurate representation of the information presented.
In the following sections, we’ll answer some of the most common questions we see about JA Solar and the quality and performance of its products.
JA makes a high-efficiency solar panel that is great for solar customers on a budget. The panels have impressive performance specifications and datasheets, and the per-watt price is below what you’d find from most competitors. The panel durability and reliability aren’t ideal, but for the price, the overall quality is quite good.
Yes, JA solar panels are considered tier-one panels, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance. Generally speaking, this brand has a positive reputation in the solar industry and boasts impressive performance specifications in line with other tier-one brands.
Yes, JA Solar is based in Shanghai, China, and it has production facilities in Vietnam and Malaysia as well. Ultimately, manufacturing outside of the U.S. means lower prices for the quality you get, although it does leave room for less appealing standards when it comes to sustainability.
Like all other brands, the cost of solar panels from JA Solar can fluctuate based on many factors, including your location, your installer and more. However, the average cost of JA Solar panels is around $3.37 per watt, which is lower than you’d expect for most direct competitors.