Latest news with #Perlight
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The Independent
30-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Perlight Black Grid solar panel review: best for long warranty
This Perlight Black Grid review explores why this panel is a top choice for homeowners seeking both long-term performance and an extended warranty. It's part of our expert-reviewed guide to the best solar panels for UK homes. If you're weighing up whether solar panels are worth it, this review — and our full guide to the best solar panel installers — will help you make an informed decision. The Perlight Black Grid solar panel stands out in a crowded market, not only for its sleek design and solid efficiency but for offering one of the longest warranties available. Choosing the best solar panels for your home involves more than just headline specs, especially as installation is often the most expensive part of the total cost of solar panels. That's why long-term durability matters. Commercial solar growth has driven significant tech advances in recent years. Many panels now offer similar specs on paper — comparable power output, 25- to 30-year lifespans, and sleek all-black designs. But with installation often being the largest part of the overall , and British weather posing its own set of challenges, the stakes for getting the right system are high. While solar panel prices have dropped dramatically, thanks in part to China's manufacturing scale and innovation, installation costs remain high due to labour, scaffolding, and system integration. So it's worth considering the total system cost, not just the price per panel, when selecting the best panel for your home. Why choose the Perlight Black Grid? Price, installed: £895 to £1,195 per kW Efficiency: 26 per cent Wattage per panel: 500W Type: N-Type Made in: China Degradation: 87.4 per cent after 30 years Warranty: 30 years Founded in 2006, Perlight is a Chinese manufacturer of solar panels with a long track record. Its Black Grid solar panel offers an impressive 30-year warranty — five years longer than the industry standard — making it ideal for those looking to maximise long-term savings and reduce replacement concerns. This longer guarantee can offer extra peace of mind, particularly if you're financing your solar panel system over time or plan to remain in your home for decades. That said, many panels rated for 25 years will likely keep performing beyond their warranty period. In terms of performance, the Perlight Black Grid solar panel also offers better efficiency and a higher power rating, delivering 500W per panel, than other solar panels on our list. While the degradation rate is slightly lower than other top-tier models, it still holds up well, retaining nearly 87 per cent of output after 30 years. The company is also somewhat shy about filing facts about itself compared to its competitors, although it passes all the necessary regulatory hurdles. One downside is that Perlight isn't a Tier-1 manufacturer, meaning it hasn't been ranked by BloombergNEF for financial transparency and bankability. However, it has a long track record and its global footprint — shipping to over 100 countries — and compliance with international standards suggest a reliable product. The panels also have high pressure resistance, meaning they should be able to withstand the bumps, bangs and weather that 30 years on a roof will throw at them. The panels are built with high pressure resistance, which should help them withstand the UK's often unpredictable weather over several decades. Like most solar panels on the market today, these are manufactured in China, which has invested heavily in clean energy production and now dominates the global solar supply chain. China's lead in silicon refinement and solar R&D means many of the world's best solar panels come from Chinese firms. While the cost of panels has fallen by about 90% since 2000, installation costs have risen due to labour and inflation, so total system cost still needs careful budgeting. Pros: Market-leading 30-year warranty High efficiency and power output Cons: A 30-year product warranty is hard to come by in any product but Perlight offers one of the longest warranties available in the market Paul Evans, head of renewables at solar panel fitter Glow Green How we compiled our guide To compile our list, we spoke to experts on the ground and have broken down the top-performing brands based on real-world value, not just technical specs. We've prioritised long-term performance, value for money, and the reputation of the best solar panel installers in the UK. And if you're wondering if solar panels are worth it for your home, this guide is designed to help you make a smart, informed decision that pays off over time, whether you're upgrading an old array or fitting solar panels for the first time. Most panels are guaranteed for 25 years and offer similar power output, size, efficiency and looks. So we've weighted our judgement towards cost and degradation, which describes how much power the cells will provide after a number of years. The higher the percentage, the better. Much of your decision will also depend on which installer you go with, as many have preferred brands they work with due to bulk purchasing. You'll also see a lot of unfamiliar Chinese names as you do your research, but many of these are Tier-1 manufacturers in clean energy with strong track records in quality and durability. Why trust us
The Independent
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Glow Green solar review: why it's our top-rated installer
Welcome to the Independent's in-depth Glow Green solar review, our top pick for solar panel fitters. If you're interested in generating your own cheap solar power and you're ready to choose a company to fit your solar panels and connect them to your home, this guide will help you compare options and costs. Glow Green has been around since 2011, making it one of the longer-established solar fitting companies. It also offers a fixed-cost guarantee, which will appeal to many buyers looking to keep to a budget. It's also one of the cheapest options on the market. There are about 4,000 solar installers in the UK, making the choice a dizzying one. But most only operate in certain areas, thinning the field for many homeowners. We compared the cost of solar panels, warranty, and factors such as solar panel grants and customer satisfaction to curate a list of the best solar panel installers. Our top pick is Glow Green because of its 14 years in the market and competitive pricing. But if access to certain panels or a longer guarantee is your top priority, we have other fitters on our expert list. Why Glow Green? Price per installed kilowatt on a standard house: £795 to £1,195 With a battery pack: £945 to £2,295 with 5kW battery Guarantee length: 5 years, insurance-backed Area covered: All of Great Britain Typical time from inquiry to installation: 87 days Founded: 2011 As well as being affordable, Glow Green has access to high-power 500w panels from Chinese firm Perlight, whereas most competitor panels push out 400-450 watts. These are a good option if your roof space is limited, as you will get maximum output for the area that you have. Panels are one of the cheaper parts of a solar installation — most of the cost goes on scaffolding and labour. Perlight panels also offer a 30-year guarantee, the longest we have seen in the UK, which may provide some comfort for those who don't want to have to rent scaffolding again for a while. Perlight panels boast high pressure resistance, meaning they should be able to withstand the bumps, bangs, and harsh conditions that 30 years on a roof will bring. Glow Green will also fit DMEGC Infinity panels, which came top of our best solar panels roundup. DMEGC is considered a tier-1 solar panel manufacturer, an industry term for the biggest and longest-running solar panel makers, which have solid financial strength. The status is not a be-all and end-all for solar panel buyers, but does indicate that a company has a good chance of honouring its guarantees and that its manufacturing processes are solid, which is useful when you consider how long the panels need to last. The DMEGC Infinity solar panel provides a good compromise between power output, long warranty and decent power longevity, offering more than 87 per cent of its box-fresh output after 30 years. What else can Glow Green solar do? Glow Green can fit heat pumps, EV chargers, boilers, and air conditioning units. The company is also a Tesla Premium-certified installer and a Duracell platinum partner for battery fittings. This means choosing them affords some choice when it comes to panels, batteries, and other gear. Choosing to get a heat pump — perhaps using the government's grant scheme to save money — along with solar panels and other green upgrades at the same time could help you negotiate a better deal. We went along to watch a Glow Green installation, so we can attest to the quality of the company's work. The takeaway from this Glow Green solar review is that the company stands out in a crowded and competitive market owing to its competitive pricing, product range, and excellent track record. Pros: Long guarantee Fixed costs Established firm Plenty of product choice Cons: Some mixed reviews Common questions about Green Glow solar panel installations How much does Glow Green solar panel installation cost? Glow Green charges between £795 and £1,195 per installed kilowatt for a standard house. If you include a 5kW battery pack, prices range from £945 to £2,295. Is Glow Green a certified solar installer? Yes. Glow Green is a Tesla Premium Certified Installer and a Duracell Platinum Partner for battery installations. How long does Glow Green take to install solar panels? On average, installation takes around 87 days from the initial enquiry to completion, although this can vary depending on demand and site conditions. Which solar panels does Glow Green offer? Glow Green installs Perlight 500W panels with a 30-year performance warranty, as well as DMEGC Infinity panels, which are tier-1 rated. Glow Green covers all of Great Britain, offering installations from Cornwall to Scotland.
