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Side-by-side specs for every panel NuWatt installs. Compare wattage, efficiency, warranty, cell technology, and pricing across all 8 panels to find the right fit for your roof.
Every solar panel NuWatt installs, compared across the specs that matter most. Green highlights indicate the best value in each row.
| Specification | QCells Q.PEAK DUO BLK ML-G10+ | QCells Q.TRON BLK M-G11S+ | Silfab SIL-440-BG | REC Alpha Pure-RX | CW Enerji CWT450-108PMH | Mission Solar MSE410SX6T | Canadian Solar CS7N-445MS HiKu7 | SEG Solar SEG-440-BM-HV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wattage | 410W | 435W | 440W | 460W | 450W | 410W | 445W | 440W |
| Efficiency | 21.1% | 22% | 22.2% | 22.5% | 20.8% | 21% | 22.3% | 22.1% |
| Cell Type | Mono PERC | N-type TOPCon | HJT | HJT | Mono PERC | Mono PERC | N-type TOPCon | Mono PERC Bifacial |
| Temp Coefficient | -0.34%/°C | -0.3%/°C | -0.26%/°C | -0.24%/°C | -0.35%/°C | -0.35%/°C | -0.29%/°C | -0.3%/°C |
| Product Warranty | 25 yr | 25 yr | 30 yr | 25 yr | 15 yr | 25 yr | 25 yr | 25 yr |
| Performance Warranty | 25 yr | 25 yr | 30 yr | 25 yr | 25 yr | 25 yr | 25 yr | 30 yr |
| Year 25 Output | 86% | 88% | 90.8% | 92% | 84.8% | 85% | 89.4% | 88.9% |
| Weight | 20.8 kg | 21 kg | 20.5 kg | 21.5 kg | 23.5 kg | 21.8 kg | 21.8 kg | 21.2 kg |
| Dimensions | 1722×1134mm | 1722×1134mm | 1722×1134mm | 1821×1016mm | 2094×1038mm | 1755×1038mm | 1762×1134mm | 1722×1134mm |
| Made In | Georgia, USA | Georgia, USA | Washington, USA / Ontario, Canada | Singapore | Turkey | San Antonio, Texas, USA | Southeast Asia (Thailand/Vietnam) | Houston, Texas, USA (assembled from Korean cells) |
| Price Tier | Base / Budget | Moderate | Premium | Premium | Base / Budget | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
This is the most common decision NuWatt customers face: stick with the tried-and-true Q.PEAK DUO or upgrade to the Q.TRON with newer N-type TOPCon cell technology. Both come from the same QCells factory in Dalton, Georgia and share identical frame dimensions, so swapping between them changes nothing about the physical installation.
The Q.PEAK DUO at 410W uses proven Mono PERC technology that has dominated residential solar for a decade. It delivers rock-solid reliability at the lowest price per watt in our lineup. The Q.TRON at 435W upgrades to N-type TOPCon cells, which means 6% more power from the exact same footprint, better temperature performance (-0.30 vs -0.34%/C), and a stronger year-25 degradation guarantee (88% vs 86%).
The price difference is about $0.08/W, which works out to roughly $640 more on an 8 kW system. For homeowners with abundant roof space, the Q.PEAK DUO remains the smart choice because you can simply add one or two more panels to match the Q.TRON system output at a lower total cost. But if your roof is space-constrained, the Q.TRON lets you extract more power without expanding your array.
| Specification | QCells Q.PEAK DUO BLK ML-G10+ | QCells Q.TRON BLK M-G11S+ |
|---|---|---|
| Wattage | 410W | 435W |
| Efficiency | 21.1% | 22% |
| Cell Type | Mono PERC | N-type TOPCon |
| Temp Coefficient | -0.34%/°C | -0.3%/°C |
| Product Warranty | 25 yr | 25 yr |
| Performance Warranty | 25 yr | 25 yr |
| Year 25 Output | 86% | 88% |
| Weight | 20.8 kg | 21 kg |
| Dimensions | 1722×1134mm | 1722×1134mm |
| Made In | Georgia, USA | Georgia, USA |
| Price Tier | Base / Budget | Moderate |
For most homes, the Q.PEAK DUO wins. It delivers the best value per watt and has the longest field track record. Upgrade to the Q.TRON if your roof is tight on space or you want the peace of mind that comes with slower degradation. Both are made in the USA and backed by one of the most financially stable manufacturers in solar.
Read the full Q.PEAK vs Q.TRON comparisonBoth the REC Alpha Pure-RX and Silfab SIL-440 use Heterojunction (HJT) cell technology, which represents the cutting edge of mainstream solar manufacturing. HJT combines crystalline silicon with amorphous silicon thin-film layers for the best temperature performance and lowest degradation rates available. But these two panels take very different approaches to the HJT formula.
The REC Alpha Pure-RX at 460W is the raw performance leader. It has the highest wattage and efficiency (22.5%) in our entire lineup, plus the best temperature coefficient (-0.24%/C) and an industry-leading 92% year-25 output guarantee. If you need maximum watts from minimum roof space, nothing else comes close. The trade-off is price: at $0.18/W above the QCells baseline, it is our most expensive option, and it is manufactured in Singapore.
The Silfab SIL-440 takes a different value proposition. At 440W, it trails the REC in wattage but counters with a 30-year product and performance warranty (the longest in our lineup), North American manufacturing in Washington state and Ontario, and a lower price premium ($0.12/W). For homeowners who prioritize where their panels are made and want the security of a three-decade warranty, Silfab is the stronger choice.
| Specification | REC Alpha Pure-RX | Silfab SIL-440-BG |
|---|---|---|
| Wattage | 460W | 440W |
| Efficiency | 22.5% | 22.2% |
| Cell Type | HJT | HJT |
| Temp Coefficient | -0.24%/°C | -0.26%/°C |
| Product Warranty | 25 yr | 30 yr |
| Performance Warranty | 25 yr | 30 yr |
| Year 25 Output | 92% | 90.8% |
| Weight | 21.5 kg | 20.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 1821×1016mm | 1722×1134mm |
| Made In | Singapore | Washington, USA / Ontario, Canada |
| Price Tier | Premium | Premium |
Choose REC Alpha if roof space is your primary constraint and you need every watt possible. Choose Silfab if you value North American manufacturing and the longest warranty available. Both are excellent premium panels. As NuWatt installers, we find the Silfab slightly easier to recommend because the 30-year warranty provides exceptional long-term protection, and the price premium is more modest.
Read the full REC Alpha vs Silfab comparisonBoth panels use the same underlying N-type TOPCon cell architecture, which makes this a true apples-to-apples comparison. N-type TOPCon is widely considered the successor to Mono PERC for mainstream residential solar, offering lower degradation and better hot-weather performance without the cost premium of HJT.
Canadian Solar's HiKu7 at 445W and 22.3% efficiency edges out the QCells Q.TRON (435W, 22.0%) on pure specs. It also has a slightly better temperature coefficient (-0.29 vs -0.30%/C) and a stronger year-25 guarantee (89.4% vs 88%). Canadian Solar is the world's largest panel manufacturer by volume and a publicly traded company (NASDAQ: CSIQ), which gives homeowners confidence that the warranty will be honored decades from now.
The QCells Q.TRON counters with domestic manufacturing in Dalton, Georgia, and a lower price point ($0.08/W premium vs Canadian Solar's $0.10/W). For homeowners who care about where their panels are manufactured or who want to keep costs closer to the budget tier, the Q.TRON delivers strong N-type TOPCon performance without the import logistics. Canadian Solar panels ship from factories in Thailand and Vietnam.
| Specification | QCells Q.TRON BLK M-G11S+ | Canadian Solar CS7N-445MS HiKu7 |
|---|---|---|
| Wattage | 435W | 445W |
| Efficiency | 22% | 22.3% |
| Cell Type | N-type TOPCon | N-type TOPCon |
| Temp Coefficient | -0.3%/°C | -0.29%/°C |
| Product Warranty | 25 yr | 25 yr |
| Performance Warranty | 25 yr | 25 yr |
| Year 25 Output | 88% | 89.4% |
| Weight | 21 kg | 21.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 1722×1134mm | 1762×1134mm |
| Made In | Georgia, USA | Southeast Asia (Thailand/Vietnam) |
| Price Tier | Moderate | Moderate |
Canadian Solar HiKu7 wins on pure specs with higher wattage, efficiency, and a marginally better warranty guarantee. QCells Q.TRON wins on manufacturing origin and price. For NuWatt customers who want Made-in-USA panels at the best price, we lean toward the Q.TRON. For those focused on maximizing per-panel output, the HiKu7 delivers more watts from a nearly identical footprint.
Read the full Q.TRON vs Canadian Solar comparisonWhen total installed cost is the primary decision factor, these three panels compete for the value crown. Each takes a different approach: QCells Q.PEAK DUO delivers proven reliability from a massive US factory, CW Enerji squeezes out maximum wattage at the absolute lowest cost per watt, and Mission Solar offers Texas-made patriotism at a slight premium.
The QCells Q.PEAK DUO (410W) is our baseline panel and the one we install most often. Its combination of Georgia manufacturing, 25-year warranty, half-cut cell shade tolerance, and competitive pricing makes it extremely hard to beat for standard residential rooftop installations. It is the safest, most proven choice in the budget tier.
CW Enerji (450W) delivers the highest wattage in the budget tier, but at a cost: the panel is physically much larger (2094mm vs 1722mm tall), heavier (23.5 kg), and has a shorter 15-year product warranty. It works best for ground-mount installations and large, unobstructed roof faces. Mission Solar (410W) matches the Q.PEAK DUO in specs but is manufactured in San Antonio, Texas. It costs slightly more ($0.05/W premium) and has a marginally lower year-25 guarantee (85% vs 86%), making it a niche choice for buyers who specifically want Texas-made panels.
| Specification | QCells Q.PEAK DUO BLK ML-G10+ | CW Enerji CWT450-108PMH | Mission Solar MSE410SX6T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wattage | 410W | 450W | 410W |
| Efficiency | 21.1% | 20.8% | 21% |
| Cell Type | Mono PERC | Mono PERC | Mono PERC |
| Temp Coefficient | -0.34%/°C | -0.35%/°C | -0.35%/°C |
| Product Warranty | 25 yr | 15 yr | 25 yr |
| Performance Warranty | 25 yr | 25 yr | 25 yr |
| Year 25 Output | 86% | 84.8% | 85% |
| Weight | 20.8 kg | 23.5 kg | 21.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 1722×1134mm | 2094×1038mm | 1755×1038mm |
| Made In | Georgia, USA | Turkey | San Antonio, Texas, USA |
| Price Tier | Base / Budget | Base / Budget | Moderate |
QCells Q.PEAK DUO is the clear budget winner for rooftop installations. It has the best combination of price, warranty, reliability, and installation ease. Choose CW Enerji only for ground-mount systems where the larger panel size is not an issue and cost savings are the top priority. Mission Solar is a solid panel for buyers who specifically want Texas manufacturing.
Ground-mount solar installations have different priorities than rooftop systems. Panel weight matters less because there is no roof load concern. Panel dimensions are unrestricted. And importantly, the space between the panels and the ground surface creates an opportunity for bifacial energy gain, where light reflecting off the ground hits the back of the panel and generates additional electricity.
SEG Solar's SEG-440-BM-HV is specifically designed for this scenario. Its bifacial Mono PERC glass-glass construction captures light from both sides, producing 10-15% more energy on ground-mounts over light-colored surfaces like gravel, concrete, or light soil. The 30-year performance warranty and Korean cell quality add durability confidence. SEG is assembled in Houston, Texas with Korean cells, giving it partial domestic content.
Silfab's SIL-440 is also bifacial-capable thanks to its glass-glass HJT construction, but it was designed primarily as a premium rooftop panel. It has the best temperature coefficient in our lineup (-0.26%/C), which matters slightly less for ground-mounts where airflow keeps panels cooler. Silfab's 30-year product warranty (vs SEG's 25-year product warranty) is the strongest in our lineup, and its North American manufacturing appeals to domestic-content-focused buyers.
| Specification | SEG Solar SEG-440-BM-HV | Silfab SIL-440-BG |
|---|---|---|
| Wattage | 440W | 440W |
| Efficiency | 22.1% | 22.2% |
| Cell Type | Mono PERC Bifacial | HJT |
| Temp Coefficient | -0.3%/°C | -0.26%/°C |
| Product Warranty | 25 yr | 30 yr |
| Performance Warranty | 30 yr | 30 yr |
| Year 25 Output | 88.9% | 90.8% |
| Weight | 21.2 kg | 20.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 1722×1134mm | 1722×1134mm |
| Made In | Houston, Texas, USA (assembled from Korean cells) | Washington, USA / Ontario, Canada |
| Price Tier | Moderate | Premium |
For ground-mount installations, SEG Solar is the better match. Its bifacial design delivers meaningful energy gains (10-15%) when elevated above reflective surfaces. For rooftop installations, Silfab is the stronger choice with its superior HJT temperature performance and 30-year product warranty. If you need a single panel that works well in both scenarios, Silfab is more versatile.
Every roof and budget is different. Here are the six factors that matter most when choosing between panels.
Limited roof area means you need more watts per panel. Higher wattage and efficiency let you hit your target system size with fewer panels.
Best picks:
Tight budget? Our base panel delivers excellent quality at the lowest cost. More flexible? Step up for better technology and longer warranties.
Best picks:
If supporting domestic manufacturing matters, several panels in our lineup are made in the United States or North America.
Made in USA/North America:
Each cell technology offers a different balance of cost, performance, and field-proven reliability.
By technology:
All panels carry at least a 25-year warranty, but coverage levels vary. Longer warranties and lower degradation guarantees mean more confidence.
By warranty strength:
Ground-mount systems benefit from bifacial panels that capture reflected light from the surface below for 10-15% more energy production.
Best picks:
NuWatt designs custom solar systems matched to your roof, budget, and energy goals. Get a free, no-obligation quote with a personalized panel recommendation and accurate pricing for your specific home.
Common questions about choosing the right solar panel for your home.
For most homeowners, the QCells Q.PEAK DUO BLK ML-G10+ (410W) is the best overall choice. It offers the lowest installed cost per watt, is made in Georgia, USA, has a 25-year warranty, and delivers proven reliability across thousands of NuWatt installations. About 70% of our customers choose this panel.
Yes, marginally. N-type TOPCon panels like the QCells Q.TRON and Canadian Solar HiKu7 have lower degradation rates, better temperature performance, and reduced light-induced degradation compared to Mono PERC. In practice, this translates to about 2-3% more energy production over 25 years. Whether the premium is worth it depends on your roof space and budget.
On standard flush rooftop mounts, bifacial panels like the SEG Solar SEG-440 gain only 2-5% additional energy because very little light reaches the back of the panel. Bifacial technology matters significantly more for ground-mount, pergola, and carport installations where reflected light can boost production by 10-15%.
HJT (Heterojunction) panels like the REC Alpha Pure-RX and Silfab SIL-440 offer the best temperature performance and lowest degradation. They are worth the premium if you have limited roof space and need maximum power per panel, or if you live in a very hot climate. For homeowners with ample roof space, the savings from standard panels typically outweigh HJT advantages.
Approximately 70% of NuWatt customers choose the QCells Q.PEAK DUO (410W) for its unbeatable value. About 15% upgrade to the QCells Q.TRON (435W) for the newer N-type TOPCon technology. The remaining 15% select specialty options like the Silfab SIL-440 (for North American manufacturing and 30-year warranty), Canadian Solar HiKu7 (for maximum TOPCon wattage), or SEG Solar (for ground-mount bifacial applications).
Start with your roof space and budget. If you have plenty of roof space, the QCells Q.PEAK DUO delivers the best value. If space is limited, consider higher-wattage options like the Canadian Solar HiKu7 (445W) or REC Alpha (460W). If domestic manufacturing matters, look at QCells (Georgia), Silfab (Washington), or Mission Solar (Texas). NuWatt provides personalized recommendations during your free consultation.