Last updated: March 2026
GP Solar Panels is the reference library for photovoltaic technology — covering solar cell types, legacy manufacturer histories, complete model specifications, and technical guides for installed solar systems. Whether you have a 15-year-old Sharp or Suntech system and need specifications, or you’re researching the differences between PERC, TOPCon, and HJT for a new installation, you’ll find detailed, accurate information here.
Solar Panel Technology Guides
Start with our in-depth guides to each major solar cell technology:
- Monocrystalline Silicon Solar Panels — The current mainstream technology: how the Czochralski process works, BSF vs PERC vs TOPCon vs HJT architectures, N-type vs P-type silicon, half-cut cells, and what to look for in 2026
- Polycrystalline Silicon Solar Panels — How multi-grain silicon is cast and sawn into wafers, real efficiency numbers, honest comparison with modern mono PERC, and whether poly still makes sense for any application in 2026
- Amorphous Silicon Solar Panels — The original thin-film technology: how it works, the Staebler-Wronski effect, efficiency vs crystalline, and who should still use it (BIPV, RV, off-grid, overcast climates)
- Hybrid Silicon Solar Panels (HIT/HJT) — Sanyo’s breakthrough technology that combines amorphous and crystalline silicon: superior temperature coefficient, lower degradation, bifacial capability, and current HJT manufacturers
- String Ribbon Silicon Solar Panels — Evergreen Solar’s zero-kerf-waste manufacturing process: how silicon ribbons are grown from a melt, performance vs cast polycrystalline, and why the technology failed commercially
Solar Inverter Guide
The inverter is the most critical component of any solar system. Our comprehensive guide covers how DC-to-AC conversion works, all four inverter types (string, microinverter, power optimizer, hybrid), how to size an inverter correctly, MPPT explained, efficiency ratings, and expected lifespan:
How Do Inverters Work With Solar Panels: Complete Guide 2026
Legacy Solar Brand Encyclopedia
Millions of solar panels from brands that no longer sell in Western markets are still installed and producing electricity today. We maintain the most comprehensive reference for these legacy brands — including complete model specifications, company histories, and guidance for system owners:
- Sharp Solar Panels — Full history (1959–2026), complete NT-175, NU-235, ND-224 and 15+ model specs, what happened to Sharp solar, performance after 10+ years
- Sanyo Solar Panels — HIT technology explained in depth, full HIP-195/215/220 specs, the Sanyo→Panasonic transition, adding panels to legacy HIT systems
- Suntech Solar Panels — Rise and fall of the world’s largest solar manufacturer, STP230/250/280 specs, warranty reality after bankruptcy
- BP Solar Panels — BP’s 38-year solar history (1973–2011), BP380J/BP3230T specs, Deepwater Horizon and the shutdown
- REC Solar Panels — Legacy REC225AE/REC230 specs, TwinPeak series, current REC Alpha HJT products — REC is still active in 2026
- Kyocera Solar Panels — KC85T, KD230 and full model database, Kyocera’s legendary 30-year durability record
- Canadian Solar Panels — CS6P-220/230/235 legacy specs plus current HiHero HJT and TOPCon products — still actively selling in 2026
- Evergreen Solar Panels — String ribbon technology, ES-A-195/200/205 specs, the 2011 bankruptcy story
- Schott Solar / RWE Schott Solar Panels — EFG ribbon technology, ASE series specs, 2012 shutdown
- SolarWorld Solar Panels — German and US manufacturing, SW230–SW300 specs, anti-China trade cases, 2017 insolvency
- Mitsubishi Solar Panels — PV-MLU250, PV-MF200 specs, Japanese manufacturing quality
- Kaneka Solar Panels — BIPV amorphous/hybrid technology, 26.7% world record cell
- Yingli Solar Panels — World’s largest manufacturer at peak, Panda mono specs, financial collapse
About GP Solar Panels
GP Solar Panels has been tracking photovoltaic technology since 2013. Our mission is to maintain accurate, detailed technical information about solar panels — particularly for the millions of legacy systems installed during the 2005–2015 solar installation boom that are now entering their second decade of operation. System owners looking for model specifications, troubleshooting guidance, or replacement options will find this site more useful than generic solar content sites that focus only on new installations.
We are based in New York City, NY. Questions or corrections? Contact us at the address below.
Solar Panel Price Reference Data
The tables below contain historical price data from US solar distributors for reference purposes. These prices are from the 2010–2015 period and do not reflect current market pricing. They are preserved for insurance valuations, system appraisals, and historical research into early US solar market development.
For reference: Current solar panel prices (2026) range from approximately $0.20–0.35/W for standard monocrystalline PERC panels (module only, no installation) to $0.40–0.65/W for premium TOPCon and $0.55–0.80/W for HJT panels. Installed system costs average $2.50–3.50/W for residential depending on system size, location, and complexity.
