Maxeon Solar Technologies announced on 11 April 2024 that its new SunPower Performance 7 solar panels are immediately available to residential and commercial customers in EMEA and APAC, sold through authorised installer networks and distributors1. The company, headquartered in Singapore and listed on NASDAQ as MAXN, describes the panels as designed for distributed generation projects1.
The Performance 7 uses the latest generation of Maxeon's patented TOPCon cell technology in a shingled-cell design1. Maxeon states the architecture is engineered for more effective shade management, mitigation of hotspots and cooler cell temperatures than standard panels, and that improvements to temperature coefficients, bifacial factor and annual degradation support long-term energy yield1. The panels have a glass-glass construction and are described as built to withstand hail, wind, snow and extreme temperature swings1. They carry a 30-year Power, Product and Service warranty, which Maxeon calls best-in-class and more comprehensive than standard solar panel warranties1.
"We are confident that the new Performance Line provides the right combination of price and performance, helping our customers meet their financial and energy goals, with the peace-of-mind offered by our comprehensive, industry-leading warranty."
The panels received Cradle to Cradle Certified Bronze distinction, following assessment of Maxeon's entire Performance 7 production process and value chain by MBDC, a C2C Certified Assessment Body1. The assessment used the Cradle to Cradle Certified Product Standard Version 3.1, covering Material Health, Material Reutilization, Renewable Energy and Carbon Management, Water Stewardship and Social Fairness1. Maxeon says the certification allows customers to count it as a positive factor towards LEED certification1.
| Item | Detail as announced |
|---|---|
| Cell technology | Latest generation patented TOPCon, shingled-cell design1 |
| Construction | Glass-glass1 |
| Warranty | 30-year Power, Product and Service1 |
| Certification | Cradle to Cradle Certified Bronze1 |
| Availability | EMEA and APAC, residential and commercial, via authorised installers and distributors1 |
Maxeon states it has over 35 years of solar energy leadership, more than 1,650 patents, a network of more than 1,700 partners and distributors, and more than one million customers worldwide1. No UK-specific pricing, efficiency figures or availability dates were given in the announcement, and no UK launch date has been reported1.
Why it matters for households
For a household weighing solar panels as a route to energy independence, the practical points in this announcement are the warranty length, the shade and heat performance claims, and the route to purchase. A 30-year power, product and service warranty is longer than many standard panel warranties, which matters because a panel's output guarantee is what underpins the payback calculation on a roof array1. Shade management and cooler cell temperatures are relevant to UK roofs, which are often partly shaded by chimneys, dormers or neighbouring buildings, and to output on warm days1. The glass-glass build and the hail, wind and snow claims speak to durability rather than to generation1.
Availability is stated for EMEA and APAC through authorised installer networks and distributors, so a UK household would reach this product through an installer or distributor rather than direct purchase1. The Cradle to Cradle Bronze certification concerns manufacturing sustainability and is a factor Maxeon says counts towards LEED certification, which is a building rating rather than a household energy measure1. Full specifications for the range are set out in the site's guide to SunPower and Maxeon panels, with the earlier Maxeon 3 covered separately.
What happens next
The announcement gives no dated next steps. It states only that the panels are immediately available in EMEA and APAC1. No UK-specific launch, pricing or installer availability has been reported1.