Silfab Solar Reviews, Services and Costs (2023)

Silfab Solar panels are available throughout the U.S. and Canada. However, Silfab does not sell its products directly to customers, nor does it install solar panel systems. Silfab focuses solely on panel manufacturing — authorized third-party installers handle purchasing and installation. Some installers can also source Silfab panels through its registered distributors.

As mentioned above, Silfab does not offer installation services. It sells its panels to distributors like Platt Electric, and installation companies such as CED Greentech and Krannich Solar, which then install the panels on homes.

A typical solar installation process involves the following steps:

• Initial consultation: A solar installation company will first analyze your home power use, general energy needs, and roof and electrical layout. Depending on the solar company you choose, a representative may also conduct a site inspection of your home. After gathering the required information, the installer will offer you a quote. If you decide to move forward, you will sign a purchase agreement.

• Design and permits: Your solar energy company will conduct a more detailed analysis of your house, sometimes also using satellite or drone imagery. Using this data, the installer will create a system design specific to your home. Your installer will also apply for any necessary permits with your municipality and utility company. The company can also apply for available solar incentives and rebates in your area.

• Installation: Once you receive the necessary permits, your provider will schedule the installation. System installation can take anywhere from a day to a week, depending on factors such as location, system size and complexity.

• Final inspection and activation: After your solar power system is fully installed, there is one final step before you can switch it on. A representative from your electric company will inspect the system to ensure it follows safety standards. Once your system passes the inspection, it is ready for activation. At that point, you can start using your Silfab solar panels to generate clean energy.

Silfab Solar only offers solar panels. It does not offer other services or products such as photovoltaic (PV) installation or battery storage solutions.

Silfab Solar Panel Options

As of Aug. 2023, Silfab offers three different types of solar panels: Silfab Prime, Silfab Elite and Silfab Commercial. Here is an in-depth look at the three options:

• Silfab Prime: The Prime series is Silfab’s core, basic offering for homeowners looking to go solar. Panels feature an all-black aesthetic and a 20.2% efficiency rating. The Prime model uses half-cut, monocrystalline PERC technology, which ensures high performance.

• Silfab Elite: The Elite solar panel is Silfab’s flagship offering. It offers an excellent efficiency rating of 21.4%, has a 410-watt power rating and is one of the sleekest-looking solar panels on the market. The Elite offers high performance and durability, featuring back-contact technology, a conductive backsheet and an integrated cell design. These panels cost more than Silfab Prime.

• Silfab Commercial: With a power rating of 500 watts, Silfab’s commercial module is its largest and most powerful offering. It uses half-cut cells for better performance and features a panel efficiency of 21%. Owing to its size, this model is reserved for commercial solar plants, not residential homes.

Silfab’s older solar panel models, such as the SIL-370 and SIL-380, are now discontinued. All of Silfab solar modules are designed and manufactured in North America using highly automated processes.

Silfab’s comprehensive warranty structure is one of the key benefits of choosing the brand. While the majority of solar companies offer a 10-year product warranty and a 25-year performance guarantee, Silfab PV modules include a 25-year warranty on craftsmanship and a 30-year power production guarantee.

Silfab includes a standard 12-year product warranty on its panels, which you can freely extend to 25 years by choosing an authorized installer. Silfab’s 30-year performance guarantee promises that from years two through 30, panel degradation will not exceed 0.50% of the specified power rating per year. So at the end of a panel’s 30th service year, it should have a power output that is at least 82.6% of its original rating.

Since Silfab does not install panels, it does not offer a workmanship warranty. However, top solar installers will offer warranties to cover issues related to installation.

On average, the cost of Silfab solar panels ranges from $0.69 to $0.79 per watt before installation. For residential applications, a single Silfab Prime module can cost about $278, while the more premium Elite model has a slightly higher price tag of $315. However, prices may vary depending on the size of your system and the number of panels you need.

For the features and premium quality offered, Silfab’s solar panels provide value for your money. In terms of installed system costs, homeowners can expect to spend $2.75 to $3.25 per watt of installed system capacity. So the average 6 kilowatt (kW) system will cost around $15,000 to $20,000.

Solar pricing will vary depending on your installer, the number of panels you need and other components such as inverters and batteries. Keep in mind that incentives such as the federal solar tax credit can significantly lower the cost of your system.

Silfab Solar has built a strong reputation by offering high-quality solar panels that are strong, sleek and powerful. It not only produces some of the best solar modules in the North American market but also offers leading warranties on its products.

For the features and warranties offered, Silfab’s panels are not too expensive. As a result, Silfab is a good choice for homeowners looking for locally manufactured, high-quality solar products at a reasonable price.

Aniket Bhor is a solar engineer who has spent nearly a decade studying and working in the solar power sector in the European, Asian and North American markets. He is a climate enthusiast and avid cyclist, and he also loves to lose himself in books and cooking.

Tori Addison is an editor with over five years of experience in the digital marketing industry. Her includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.