Sunpower is also responsible for the technology behind solar impulse the first solar airplane to fly off 100 sun generated power.
First solar vs sunpower panels.
The common tier 1 rating was developed by bloomberg new energy finance corporation to rate solar panel manufacturer s in terms of financial stability.
For first solar series 6 will start limited production in mid 2018 while sunpower s low cost p series panels have made a big leap forward.
First solar s less efficient panels have been completely shut out of the residential and commercial markets limiting the diversity of its business.
Even though they re both in the solar industry first solar and sunpower have very different business models.
First solar is hopeful about its new age series 6 solar modules and is on course to ramp up the production of its new 400 watt plus form factor which will keep it competitive in the coming times.
The tier 1 rating can be somewhat misleading as it does not guarantee and panel is free from defects or will perform over the life of the system.
The other difference between first solar and sunpower is that first solar works with third party racking companies.
What is a tier 1 solar panel.
It does not mean a panel offers the highest performance or quality.
Sunpower will sell panels on their own but has also designed the oasis power.