How Efficient are Long Island Solar Panels in 2026?

The average solar panel on Long Island is around 20% efficient, meaning it converts 20% of the sun’s energy into electricity. However, some panels are slightly higher, such as REC Solar Panels, which average around 22% efficiency. Qcells panels also have similar efficiency figures of around 22.5% when looking at the Q.TRON range.

Solar panel efficiency matters for your residential solar installation on Long Island, but it’s not the only factor that contributes to your long-term savings. Power Solutions will plan your system to maximize energy production and long-term savings, ensuring you get the most value out of solar.

How Important is Solar Panel Efficiency?

Solar panel efficiency matters, but there are diminishing returns when you get to the upper end of high-efficiency panels.

• Solar panel efficiency matters most if you have limited roof space because you can maximize the output from a smaller footprint.
• Efficiency is less important if you have ample roof space. For example, installing more panels at a lower efficiency (18% to 20%) will reduce the total cost without sacrificing output.
• Degradation rate also matters. Panels lose efficiency over time, so a high-efficiency panel that degrades slowly will produce more energy over its lifetime.

Most homeowners aren’t choosing specific efficiency numbers, because the number is baked into the overall solar design. When you install residential solar with Power Solutions, we always aim to maximize the available roof space. This might mean choosing the most efficient panels available, but just as often means going for something slightly lower to reduce total cost without sacrificing total output.

Plan Your Solar Installation with Power Solutions

A Long Island solar contractor can tell you which panels are best for you after visiting your home. At Power Solutions, we offer free ballpark estimates based on satellite data. If you like the early numbers, we will visit your home for a detailed on-site survey. We will check and measure your roof and evaluate the whole property and its shade structures with drones and modeling software. With data about your roof’s pitch, orientation to the sun, and daily shading, we can design the most efficient system that maximizes savings across every season.

Ready to get started? Request your free solar estimate today or call Power Solutions at (631) 348-0001.