Mission Solar: The Complete Review

Mission Solar is a U.S. based solar panel manufacturer headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. Though newer to the market than other panel manufacturers, Mission Solar panels are becoming an increasingly popular option with shoppers on the EnergySage Marketplace. Because they assemble solar panel modules in the U.S., Mission Solar modules are exempt from Trump’s solar tariff.

Whether you’re shopping solely for American-made panels, or more broadly looking to evaluate your solar PV options, an in-depth review of solar panel specifications is the best way to feel confident with your equipment choice. EnergySage’s Mission Solar panels review breaks down the details to evaluate how Mission Solar panels compare to other panel brands on the market.

How do Mission Solar panels compare to panels from other manufacturers?

There are some important metrics to take a look at when comparing your solar panel options. The most valuable metrics to evaluate are efficiencies, performance, warranties, and price. EnergySage has reviewed the specifications of Mission Solar panels to help make your solar research process as easy as possible. As the leading online marketplace for homeowners considering solar, EnergySage is uniquely positioned to evaluate the technical specifications of Mission Solar panels and help you compare them to other manufacturers on the market.

Based on EnergySage’s analysis, Mission Solar panels are a good investment for homeowners and businesses seeking reasonably priced panels for their solar installation. For solar shoppers with plenty of space to install, standard-wattage Mission Solar products can be a good option, but the company also has some panels that offer above-average efficiency for (which would come at a higher price). Mission Solar also offers industry standard panel warranties.

Take a look at how Mission Solar panels compare against other leading panel manufacturers that are frequently featured in offers to homeowners and businesses shopping for solar on the EnergySage Solar Marketplace. You can learn more about each of these criteria in the breakdown below.

Efficiency

The term “solar panel efficiency” refers to how well a solar panel captures sunlight and converts it into useful electricity. In the same conditions, a high-efficiency solar panel will produce more electricity than a lower-efficiency panel of the same size. For this reason, a higher efficiency rating is generally preferable.

The efficiency of your Mission Solar panels will vary depending on the specific model that you choose for your system. Across Mission Solar’s product line, panels have an efficiency rating of 16{0b7da518931e2dc7f5435818fa9adcc81ac764ac1dff918ce2cdfc05099e9974} to 18.4{0b7da518931e2dc7f5435818fa9adcc81ac764ac1dff918ce2cdfc05099e9974}. Most of Mission Solar’s panels fall into the “standard” efficiency range for solar, but some of the panels on the higher end have a “premium” efficiency rating.

Performance (temperature coefficient)

For this portion of EnergySage’s Mission Solar panel reviews, we use the temperature coefficient to evaluate solar panel performance. The temperature coefficient is an indicator of how well your solar panel can handle less-than-ideal conditions. Solar panels, like other electronic equipment, perform better when they are kept cool (ideally around 25° C/77° F). The temperature coefficient tells you how much your panel’s performance will change during hot sunny summer days.

For every degree above 25° C (77° F), your solar panel’s electricity production will decrease by its temperature coefficient. For example, the Mission Solar MSE275SO5T panel has a temperature coefficient of -0.415{0b7da518931e2dc7f5435818fa9adcc81ac764ac1dff918ce2cdfc05099e9974}/°C. This means that, if the panel’s temperature increases by one degree from 25° C (77° F) to 26° C (79° F), its electricity production will decrease by 0.415{0b7da518931e2dc7f5435818fa9adcc81ac764ac1dff918ce2cdfc05099e9974}. If its temperature increases all the way to 35° C (95° F), electricity production will reduce by 4.15{0b7da518931e2dc7f5435818fa9adcc81ac764ac1dff918ce2cdfc05099e9974}.

Your solar panels will likely see more than a few hot and sunny days over the course of each year, so ideally, they will have the lowest temperature coefficient possible. As you can see in the graph below, Mission Solar panel temperature coefficients range from -0.419 to -0.318{0b7da518931e2dc7f5435818fa9adcc81ac764ac1dff918ce2cdfc05099e9974}/°C.

Warranties

Whether you’re buying a TV, a car, or solar panels, the manufacturer should stand behind their product with a strong warranty. A solar panel’s material warranty (sometimes referred to as the product or equipment warranty) is a guarantee from the manufacturer that they will replace your panel if it fails as a result of manufacturing defects or environmental issues.

Most solar panel manufacturers offer a 10-year materials warranty, but some higher-end solar panels come with a 12, 15, 20, or even 25-year warranty. Mission Solar offers a 10-year warranty against any defects in their solar panels, which is in line with the industry standard offered by most panel manufacturers.

How much do Mission Solar panels cost?

For many homeowners, the final decision around the solar equipment you choose rests on cost. The total price you pay for a solar energy system with Mission Solar panels will vary depending on the other equipment (such as inverters and mounts) used in the installation, as well as the characteristics of your roof.

To identify the range of prices for Mission Solar PV systems, we analyzed quotes including their panels that homeowners received from installers on the EnergySage Solar Marketplace. Most Mission Solar PV systems are typically priced between $2.87 and $3.10 per watt. This is an affordable price that is in line with what you can expect to pay for panels of similar quality.

Mission Solar Panels compared to competitors

This means that, for an average 5 kW system, your gross cost (before you subtract any tax credits or other incentives) would be anywhere from $14,350 to $15,000. Additionally, most homeowners end up paying much less than the total gross cost. With the 30 percent federal tax credit for solar, a 5 kW system with Mission Solar panels would cost anywhere from $10,045 to $10,500. There are plenty of state-level solar incentives and rebates that can help you reduce upfront costs even further.

How to find the best price for Mission Solar panels and more

The best way to determine whether Mission Solar panels are the best solar panels for your home is to review multiple quotes with different solar equipment options before making a decision. When you compare all of your options on the EnergySage Solar Marketplace, you’ll find the right combination of price and quality that meets your needs.

Many of our qualified, pre-vetted solar installers offer Mission Solar panels in their quotes to EnergySage users. When registering, simply note in your profile that you’re interested in receiving quotes that include Mission Solar for your home.

Other EnergySage solar equipment resources

• Read the complete review for Axitec, Canadian Solar, Hanwha Q CELLS, JinkoSolar, Kyocera, LG, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, SolarWorld, Suniva, SunPower, Trina, and Upsolar solar panels
• Learn more about all of the criteria to use when comparing solar equipment
• Understand the EnergySage solar panel rating system
• Get an instant solar estimate customized to your home