Outstanding energy density is the priority of many, and your particular project deserves nothing less. Sunpower/ Maxeon 6 is the eagerly awaited next generation solar module by the world renowned module efficiency design leader adding greater investment versatility over its predecessor, the Maxeon 5. All you have to do is pick one.
Model:
Sunpower/ Maxeon 6.
Variants:
Maxeon 6 (66-Cell); 420 – 440W.
Maxeon 6 AC (66-Cell); 420 – 440W.
Maxeon 6 BLK (66-Cell); 410 – 425W.
Maxeon 6 COM (72-Cell); 450 – 475W.
TLDR:
The evolution of the the Maxeon 5 improves on an already outstanding efficiency yet again ensuring a Sunpower Maxeon solar module continues to reign supreme in the world of module energy density in the form of the Maxeon 6. Overall Elite with minor durability variations between models.
The following detailed product analysis for the Maxeon 6 should be used as a guide only. Individual circumstances and compatibilities must always be taken into account when selecting the ideal solar module. This content comprises the Solar Analytica Assessment Criteria (solar modules) based on available product specifications at compilation (refer to post date).
1. Design: 91/100
Sub-Category | Characteristic | Reference | Class. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cell Type
| Monocrystalline (Maxeon Gen 6) | Maxeon 6 data sheet section; Mechanical Data, Solar Cells (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5)
| 100 |
Formation | 152mm, Maxeon 6/AC/BLK; 66 x Maxeon Gen 6 IBC (Integrated Back Contact). Maxeon 6 COM; 72 x Maxeon Gen 6 IBC (Integrated Back Contact). | Maxeon 6 data sheet (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Contact | Patented rear-side, tin-coated, copper metal grid (foundation), IBC (Integrated Back Contact). | Maxeon 6 data sheet (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Enhanced | IBC/Rear Contact, no busbar obstruction. | Maxeon 6 data sheet (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Encapsulation | High-transmission tempered anti-reflective. WITH manufacturer specified Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate laminate substrate. | Maxeon 6 data sheet section; Mechanical Data (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat3) | 80 |
Certifications | TÜV. | Maxeon 6 data sheet section; Warranties, Certifications, and Compliance (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Awards | General Recognition; Sunpower Wins Solar Industry Sustainability Award. | Press release (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat1) | 60 |
Design Overall | Maxeon 6 | Above Avg (Cat4) | 91/100 | |
Sub-Category: Product asset which compiles the category. Characteristic: Scoring characteristic/gauge of the Sub-Category. Reference: Reference material from which the sub-category Characteristic has been derived. Class.: Solar Analytica classification of the nominated score range. Points: Solar Analytica ranking points nominated per solar module property attributing toward an individual sub-category (excluding overall row). Overall (row): combined average of each Sub-Category.
2. DURABILITY: 89/100
Sub-Category | Characteristic | Reference | Class. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Positive loading | Test load – 5400 Pa, min10% coverage ratio, temp. 25 ±5°C, max humidity 75 %, ±5 % load uniformity, 3 cycles of 1 hr applied load. | IEC 61215-2 MQT16 (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat2) | 70 |
Negative loading | Maxeon 6 AC/BLK; Test load – 3600 Pa (80). Maxeon 6 DC/COM; Test load – 2400 Pa (50), min10% coverage ratio, temp. 25 ±5°C, max humidity 75 %, ±5 % load uniformity, 3 cycles of 1 hr applied load. | IEC 61215-2 MQT16 (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat3) | 80 |
Damp heat test | 6000 Hrs – Test Temp: (85 ± 2)°C, Relative humidity: (85 ± 5)%. | IEC 61215-2 MQT13 (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Thermal cycle test | 800+ (2000+) Cycles – Temp range: (-40 ± 2) to (+85 ± 2) °C. | IEC 61215-2 MQT11 (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Potential induced degredation | Resistant. | (IEC TS 62804) PID determined by MQT 13, MQT 15 & MQT 01 of IEC 61215-2 & Clause 5.5 Voltage stress test (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Salt mist resistance | *Pending reference. | *Pending. IEC 61701 (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Amonia resistance | *Pending reference. | *Pending. IEC 62716 (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Sand and dust resistance | *Pending reference. | *Pending. IEC 60068-2-68 (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Hail impact resistance | Diameter: 25mm ±5%, Mass: 7.3-grams ±5%, Speed: 23m/sec ±2%,. | Base, IEC 61215-2 & 61646 (reference documents). | Average | 50 |
Durability Overall | Maxeon 6 AC/BLK | Above Avg (Cat4) | 89/100 | |
Durability Overall | Maxeon 6 DC/COM | Above Avg (Cat4) | 86/100 | |
Sub-Category: Product asset which compiles the category. Characteristic: Scoring characteristic/gauge of the Sub-Category. Reference: Reference material from which the sub-category Characteristic has been derived. Class.: Solar Analytica classification of the nominated score range. Points: Solar Analytica ranking points nominated per solar module property attributing toward an individual sub-category (excluding overall row). Overall (row): combined average of each Sub-Category.
3. Efficiency: 95/100
Sub-Category | Characteristic | Reference | Class. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Module efficiency (max) | 22.8% | Maxeon 6 data sheet section; Electrical Data, Module Efficiency (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Temperature coefficient (Pmax) | -0.29%oC | Maxeon 6 data sheet section; Electrical Data, Power Temp Coef. (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat4) | 90 |
Power tolerance (max) | 0~+5% | Maxeon 6 data sheet section; DC Power Data, Power Tolerance (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat4) | 90 |
NOCT power density (max) | 171 W/m2 | Calculated, input source; Maxeon 5 data sheet; Module Power STC, NOCT, Temp Coefficient, Dimensions (LxW) (internal post). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Efficiency Overall | Maxeon 6 | Above Avg (Cat5) | 95/100 | |
Sub-Category: Product asset which compiles the category. Characteristic: Scoring characteristic/gauge of the Sub-Category. Reference: Reference material from which the sub-category Characteristic has been derived. Class.: Solar Analytica classification of the nominated score range. Points: Solar Analytica ranking points nominated per solar module property attributing toward an individual sub-category (excluding overall row). Overall (row): combined average of each Sub-Category.
4. PERFORMANCE: 93/100
IMPORTANT: The Maxeon 6 performance guarantee should be interpreted in conjunction with the entire Maxeon Limited Warranty for PV Modules sold with Microinverters Exhibit A & B (or SPR‐MAX Commercial Document#: 536004 REV A) or that of which succeeds it. Listed below are the Solar Analytica data point indicators for ranking analysis only and are not a substitute for interpretation of the performance guarantee.
Sub-Category | Characteristic | Reference | Class. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1st-year degradation (max) | 2.0%. | Maxeon Limited Warranty for PV Modules sold with Microinverters, EU, Exhibit A, section 1 Limited Product and Power Warranties. (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat3) | 80 |
Annual degradation (max after year-1) | 0.25% p.a. | Maxeon Limited Warranty for PV Modules sold with Microinverters, EU, Exhibit A, section 1 Limited Product and Power Warranties. (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat4) | 90 |
Performance guarantee period | 40-years. | Maxeon Limited Warranty for PV Modules sold with Microinverters, EU, Exhibit A, section 1 Limited Product and Power Warranties. (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Performance guantee assurance | Parts, service and transport | Maxeon Limited Warranty for PV Modules sold with Microinverters, EU, Exhibit A, section 2, Customer Support, Claims Process and Coverage. (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Performance Overall | Maxeon 6 | Above Avg (Cat4) | 93/100 | |
Sub-Category: Product asset which compiles the category. Characteristic: Scoring characteristic/gauge of the Sub-Category. Reference: Reference material from which the sub-category Characteristic has been derived. Class.: Solar Analytica classification of the nominated score range. Points: Solar Analytica ranking points nominated per solar module property attributing toward an individual sub-category (excluding overall row). Overall (row): combined average of each Sub-Category.
5. Guarantee: 92/100
IMPORTANT: The Maxeon 6 product guarantee should be interpreted in conjunction with the entire Maxeon Limited Warranty for PV Modules sold with Microinverters Exhibit A & B (or SPR‐MAX Commercial Document#: 536004 REV A) or that of which succeeds it. Listed below are the Solar Analytica data point indicators for ranking analysis only and are not a substitute for interpretation of the product guarantee.
Sub-Category | Characteristic | Reference | Class. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Guarantee period
| 40-years. | Maxeon Limited Warranty for PV Modules sold with Microinverters, EU, Exhibit A, section 1 Limited Product and Power Warranties. (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5)
| 100
|
Guarantee assurance | Parts, service and transport. | Maxeon Limited Warranty for PV Modules sold with Microinverters, EU, Exhibit A, section 2, Customer Support, Claims Process and Coverage. (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Manufacturer established | 1985 (37-years). | Wikipedia: Sunpower Corporation (external) | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Certified installer network | Yes, WITH additional end-user/ installer benefits. | Linked from manufacturers regional websites. | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Manufacturer bankability | CCC+, Feb 2022. | PV Moduletech bankability ratings (external). | Above Avg (Cat1) | 60 |
Guarantee Overall | Maxeon 6 | Above Avg (Cat4) | 92/100 | |
Sub-Category: Product asset which compiles the category. Characteristic: Scoring characteristic/gauge of the Sub-Category. Reference: Reference material from which the sub-category Characteristic has been derived. Class.: Solar Analytica classification of the nominated score range. Points: Solar Analytica ranking points nominated per solar module property attributing toward an individual sub-category (excluding overall row). Overall (row): combined average of each Sub-Category.
Overall: 92/100
Category | Classification | Score | Detail | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Design
| Elite | Above Avg (Cat4) | 91 | Criteria >
|
Durability | Elite | Above Avg (Cat4) | 89/86 | Criteria > |
Efficiency | Outstanding | Above Avg (Cat5) | 95 | Criteria > |
Performance | Elite | Above Avg (Cat4) | 93 | Criteria > |
Guarantee | Elite | Above Avg (Cat4) | 92 | Criteria > |
Overall: Maxeon 6 (AC & BLK) | Above Avg (Cat4) | 92/100 | ||
Overall: Maxeon 6 (DC & COM) | Above Avg (Cat4) | 91/100 | ||
Is there a sub-category value that requires an amendment? Submit an amendment request using the Amendment request form.
General product questions should be made using the comments section at the bottom of this post (keep scrolling).
The Sunpower Maxeon 3 range of solar modules has been calculated using the Solar Analytica Assessment Criteria (solar modules) 2.1.1.
- Sunpower Maxeon 6 (66-cell) datasheet.
- Sunpower Maxeon 6 (66-cell) AC datasheet.
- Sunpower Maxeon 6 (66-cell) BLK datasheet.
- Sunpower Maxeon 6 (72-cell) datasheet.
- Warranty for Maxeon PV Modules / SPR‐MAX, SPR‐E and SPR‐X Commercial warranty document.
- Sunpower Maxeon IBC white paper 40-year Useful Life.
- Sunpower Solar IEC referenced installation manual.
- Powerhouse Brattørkaia Wins 2020 Smarter E Award in “Outstanding Projects” Category Maxeon Solar Technologies Mediaroom.
- IEC 61215-2 External site >
- IEC 61701 External site >
- IEC 62716 External site >
- IEC TS 62804-1-1 External site >
- IEC 60068-2-68 External site >
How does the current range of Sunpower Maxeon solar panels compare against each other?
At the time of writing the following Sunpower Maxeon solar panels were analysed alongside the Maxeon 6 series;
- Sunpower Maxeon Performance 3.
- Sunpower Maxeon 3.
- Sunpower Maxeon 5.
- Sunpower Maxeon 6.
