Due to the many advances in photovoltaic technology over the last decade, the average panel conversion efficiency has increased from 15% to over 24%. As. . Today, most panels are at least 20% efficient, but the best ones convert over 22% of the sun's energy into electricity. After reviewing hundreds of solar panel models, we found five brands that lead the pack: CW Energy, Maxeon, Qcells, SEG Solar, Silfab, and CertainTeed. High-efficiency panels tend to generate more power, making them more likely to maximize your energy savings over. . This guide breaks down everything you need to know about solar panel efficiency, including how it's calculated, what the top-performing panels are, and why it matters for California homeowners navigating the post–NEM 3. The companies providing quotes may differ from those described in our independent reviews. Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team. .