Support Centre for Installers

SunPower Reserve can be paired with both AC and DC solar systems and can be retrofitted to an existing solar array or in a hybrid AC or DC scenario where a second array is added.

SunPower Performance 6 solar panels are the predecessor of our latest generation, SunPower Performance 7 solar panels. The technology is different between generation 6 and 7, but both generations are exceptional when compared to standard panels.

There are a variety of key technical differences between SunPower Performance 6 solar panels and standard panels, including the design and layout of the solar cells, the conductive material used, and the electric architecture—which combine to enhance their reliability, performance and aesthetics.

To go into a bit more technical detail, we laser cut Mono PERC cells into six strips and layer them in a shingled configuration to create a ‘hypercell’. This shingled hypercell allows us to fit more active cell area into each panel, boosting power and efficiency. Using high-quality materials and premium encapsulants, they are built to last in harsh weather conditions. SunPower Performance 6 panels feature a unique parallel circuit architecture that significantly limits power loss in shade and soiling. The result is a superior shingled panel constructed with commodity cells, outperforming standard panels in efficiency, performance and reliability.

Not all solar systems are created equal. Of all solar panels on the market, SunPower panels convert more sunlight into electricity. This means our solar panels generate more power than conventional panels1 within the same amount of space and you’ll need fewer solar panels to produce the energy you need. You can maximise your available roof space to choose the best, unobstructed location for electricity production. You'll save more money on electricity costs over time with SunPower.

Every single panel is electrically tested and inspected for cosmetic criteria at the end of the production line. Regardless of the cosmetic grade, the cosmetic effects do not affect performance or reliability.

PV solar panels produce direct current (DC) electricity, where electrons flow in a single direction, like a battery powering a light bulb. In contrast, alternating current (AC) electricity alternates the electron flow, similar to a car engine's movement. AC electricity is generated by spinning a coil of wire near a magnet, powered by various energy sources like gas, hydro, nuclear, coal, wind, or solar.

This will depend on your panel wattage, your battery watt-hour (Wh) capacity (a measurement of storage capacity) and the weather. A 150 Wh battery will charge faster than a 500 Wh battery because the 500 Wh battery has more storage capacity, therefore requiring more time to fully charge. In addition, a 100-watt panel will charge a battery faster than a 50-watt panel exposed to the same amount of sunlight.

Charging time will be affected by weather, shade, time-of-day, age and use of battery, efficiency of the charge controller, placement of the solar panels, and other operational factors. Be sure to look on your solar-compatible battery for an estimate of charging times as well as panel-wattage compatibility, and always check the charging characteristics of the battery to ensure it’s compatible with the wattage of the panel.

For higher battery capacity (greater than 150 Wh) we recommend using a 100-watt panel. Before doing this, however, please ensure that the battery you are charging is compatible with this wattage and use a compatible charge controller.