Star Solar panels review 2024: California girls

Another little star has sparked in the American sky of solar companies – Star Solar from California. Is this newcomer worth placing a bet? Let’s find it out in our Star Solar panels review.

Star Solar is a dark horse of American solar market

Owned by women and led by women, Star Solar is a young yet ambitious American solar company founded in 2022 and based in Los Angeles, California. Star Solar combines reliable technology and dedicated customer service to make a sustainable and energy-independent lifestyle attainable for everyone.

The company is young and they have a lot to work on. So far, finding any information about them online is a challenge, even on the company’s own website. It’s not clear where the panels are made, what kind of technologies the company uses, and where the company goes from here.

Star Solar panels: Strong warranty, moderate efficiency

The company offers a limited range of panels, currently consisting of two solar modules – 400W and 440W. In terms of power output, Star Solar panels fall within the industry average for residential solar panels. Their efficiency sits around 20%, which is slightly lower than the top performers. This might translate to needing more space to build a powerful solar system compared to some competitors.

Star Solar shines with its warranty. Both panels come with a 30-year power warranty, guaranteeing over 80% of its initial power output after 30 years. Additionally, they boast a 30-year product warranty, ensuring durability and protection against material defects. However, we would advise taking these numbers with a grain of salt. Star Solar is young, and statistics show that 50% of businesses in the US go bankrupt in the first 5 years of operation. If things don’t work out for Star Solar, no one will reimburse you for the warranty. 

The company positions itself as a value-driven brand, offering competitive prices compared to premium panel manufacturers. Star Solar’s panel prices are average – the cost per watt ranges from $0.7 to $1. They are higher than those of Chinese competitors, but follow the pricing of most US solar companies, such as Silfab, Mission Solar, or Solar4America. Since the company is new, there aren’t many Star Solar panels’ reviews online.

Star Solar panels: Pros

Let’s take a glance at the bright and dark sides of Star Solar panels. What do these panels shine with? Let’s start with the pros:

✓ Extended warranties
Star Solar surpasses the industry standard by offering a 30-year warranty on both power output and product quality. This translates to guaranteed performance and protection against material defects for three decades, providing exceptional long-term value and reducing concerns about future replacements. But again, where is the guarantee that the company will exist in 30 years?

✓ Competitive pricing
Following the value-driven approach, Star Solar targets budget-conscious consumers by offering panels at competitive rates without compromising on quality. This makes solar energy more accessible to a wider audience.

✓ Low-light performance
Star Solar incorporates split cell technology, doubling the number of connections in each panel. This translates to a remarkable 17% increase in power output compared to conventional full-cell panels, especially in low-light conditions. This makes Star panels particularly suitable for regions with less direct sunlight, maximizing energy generation even in less than ideal weather.

✓ Extreme weather resilience
Star Solar panels are engineered to withstand harsh weather conditions. They can handle significant snow loads up to 5,400 Pa and high wind speeds up to 210 mph, ensuring their durability and performance even in areas prone to extreme weather events.

Star Solar panels: Cons

While Star Solar presents several attractive features, it’s essential to acknowledge potential drawbacks before making a decision. Here are some we’re not happy about:

✗ Limited product range
Compared to major brands offering diverse panel sizes, wattages, and technologies, Star Solar has only two models available. If things go well, perhaps the company will expand its product line.

✗ Average efficiency
Star Solar panels fall within the industry average for efficiency, hovering around 20%. This means you might need more space to build a powerful system compared to higher-efficiency brands. 

✗ Limited online presence
Compared to brands with comprehensive online resources, Star Solar’s limited online presence might make it challenging to access detailed information about both panels and the company.

✗ No reputation to speak of
It takes a lot of time for a brand to build a name for itself and earn the people’s trust. Star Solar hasn’t had the time to do it yet. There are barely any reviews for Star Solar panels and this makes any potential customer hesitant. No offense but being a new kid on the block means you’ll have to prove yourself. 

Star Solar panels overview: First steps

Let’s move on to the panels themselves. What PV modules has Star Solar decided to start their journey on the market with?

STAR 400W panel — Nice home option

The Star Solar 400W panel offers 400 watts of power with 20.5% efficiency, making it an optimal choice for home installations. The module is backed by a 30-year warranty on both product and performance. The panel performs well in low-light conditions, making it suitable for areas with less direct sunlight. While not the most powerful panel on the market, the Star Solar 400W offers good performance and durability at a competitive price.

STAR 440W panel — Powerful choice

The Star Solar 440W panel boasts a slightly higher power output of 440W compared to its 400W counterpart while having a slightly lower efficiency rating of 20.31%. This panel also benefits from a comprehensive 30-year warranty covering both product and performance. Similar to the 400W panel, it excels in low-light conditions and is built to withstand harsh weather, making it a versatile option for various climates.

A1 SolarStore recommends Star Solar 440W

Out of stock

Star Solar 440W Solar Panels 120 Cell STAR-MF10-440W

• Price per Watt$0
• Rated Power Output 440 W
• Voltage (VOC)41.2V
• Number of cells120
• Cell TypeMonocrystalline

Delivery on Dec 31 – Jan 06

Star Solar 440W solar panel is the most competitive model that the brand offers so far. It is a good option for residential and even small commercial systems. The panel looks good and the warranties are amazing. If you are interested in the brand, that’s the panel we would suggest.

A1 SolarStore verdict: Time will tell

Now, as we are close to ending this Star Solar panel review, let’s list the important facts about the brand and its product:

• Star Solar is a young American solar company founded in 2022 and based in Los Angeles, California. 

• Power output of Star Solar panels ranges from 400W to 440W, while their efficiency generally floats around 20%.

• The cost of Star Solar panels falls within the $0.7 to $1 range.

• Star Solar panels are backed up with a 30-year product and performance warranty.

• Star Solar panels demonstrate good performance in low-light and poor weather conditions.

• Star Solar offers primarily residential solar panels.

Star Solar is yet to make a name for itself. So far, their panels seem like a nice option for budget-minded homeowners and businesses seeking a balance between price and value. However, if you prioritize cutting-edge technology, maximum efficiency, or wider product options, this is where our new hero loses out. With that, we end our Star Solar solar panels review and hope that they stay around. Check out Star Solar panels in our store and let us know what you think!

Julia Zaraeva

Author

Years of experience in translation and a love of nature help Julia find the right words to encourage going solar. She joined the team in 2023 and is happy to make her contribution to a greener future.

More articles from this author