Did LG stop making solar panels?

Yes. LG Electronics announced in February 2022 and completed its exit from the solar panel manufacturing business in May 2022. LG NeON R and NeON 2 panels sold from remaining distributor stock may still be available, but the LG warranty (25 years) cannot be honored by a company that no longer has a solar division. Do not buy new LG solar panels — choose Panasonic EverVolt or REC Alpha Pure-R instead.

Is Panasonic or REC the best premium solar panel?

Both are excellent choices. Panasonic EverVolt wins on lowest annual degradation (0.26%/yr vs REC's 0.40%/yr) and hot-climate performance (HIT heterojunction technology). REC Alpha Pure-R wins on efficiency (22.3% vs 22.2%), lower $/W ($2.80–3.40 vs $3.00–3.50), and best value per kWh over 25 years for most climates. For most homeowners, REC delivers more kWh per dollar invested.

What is the efficiency of Panasonic EverVolt vs REC Alpha?

REC Alpha Pure-R: 22.3% efficiency, 430W per panel. Panasonic EverVolt HK Black: 22.2% efficiency, 410W per panel. Both are among the highest efficiency residential panels on the market. At 22%+, both require ~17–18% less roof space than standard 20% efficient panels for the same kW output.

How much do Panasonic EverVolt solar panels cost?

Panasonic EverVolt typically costs $3.00–3.50/W for panels only (hardware). REC Alpha Pure-R typically costs $2.80–3.40/W. Total installed system cost including inverter, racking, and labor adds $1.00–1.50/W, bringing total to $4.00–5.00/W installed. A 10kW Panasonic system costs roughly $40,000–50,000 fully installed before the 30% federal ITC ($28,000–35,000 after credit).

LG vs Panasonic vs REC Premium Solar Panel Calculator

Compare LG NeON R (discontinued 2022 — read the warning!), Panasonic EverVolt, and REC Alpha Pure-R. Enter roof area, target kW, budget — get panels needed, $/W, 25yr degradation-adjusted production, and Best Value badge.

⚠️ LG Solar Division Discontinued — May 2022

LG Electronics exited the solar panel business in May 2022. LG NeON R panels sold from stock may have invalid warranty claims. Installer support is diminishing. This calculator includes LG for legacy owners and comparison purposes only. Do not purchase new LG solar panels.

Your installation details

Available roof area?

sq ft

Target system size?

Budget (hardware only)?

Top priority?

Premium panel comparison

Recommendation

REC Alpha Pure-R — best value: lowest $/W among premium panels ($2.80–3.40/W), highest efficiency at 22.3%, 25-year warranty. Panasonic is excellent but REC delivers more Wh per dollar for most installs.

Metric	LG NeON R ⚠️ DISCONT.	Panasonic EverVolt	REC Alpha Pure-R Best Value
Efficiency	22.0%	22.2%	22.3%
Watts per panel	405W	410W	430W
Panels needed	25 panels	25 panels	24 panels
Roof area needed	438 sq ft	438 sq ft	420 sq ft
Fits your roof?	Yes	Yes	Yes
$/W (hardware)	$3.25/W	$3.25/W	$3.10/W
Total hardware cost	$32,500	$32,500	$31,000
Within budget	Yes	Yes	Yes
Annual degradation	0.40%/yr	0.26%/yr (best)	0.40%/yr
Output at year 25	90.5%	93.7% (best)	90.5%
25yr total production	348,006 kWh	353,836 kWh	348,006 kWh
Warranty	25yr (INVALID — company closed)	25yr comprehensive	25yr + TrustPower
Still in business?	NO — exited solar May 2022	Yes — active manufacturer	Yes — active manufacturer

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How to Use This Calculator

Enter your roof area and target system size

Available roof area determines how many panels fit. Higher efficiency panels need less roof space for the same kilowatts — REC Alpha Pure-R at 22.3% and Panasonic EverVolt at 22.2% are both excellent choices for space-constrained roofs. The calculator shows panels needed and total roof area consumed for each brand, flagging which fits your roof.

Set your budget and priority

Premium panels range from $2.80–$3.50/W. REC Alpha Pure-R typically lands at the lower end ($2.80–3.40/W) while Panasonic EverVolt runs $3.00–3.50/W. Both qualify for the 30% federal ITC. The calculator shows total hardware cost and whether each brand fits within your budget. Installation (labor, inverter, racking) adds another $1.00–1.50/W on top of panel cost.

The critical LG warning

LG Electronics announced in May 2022 that it was exiting the solar panel business entirely. This affects anyone who: (1) is comparing LG panels available from remaining stock, (2) already owns LG panels and needs replacement units, or (3) inherited a home with LG panels. The calculator prominently flags this risk so you can make an informed decision.

The Formula

Panels Needed = ⌈Target kW × 1000 ÷ Watts per Panel⌉ Roof Area = Panels × 17.5 sq ft (typical 400W panel) Total Cost = Target kW × 1000 × $/W 25-yr Production = ∑(i=0 to 24) [kW × Peak Sun Hours × 365 × (1 − Degradation)^i] Year-25 Output = Original kW × (1 − Annual Degradation)^25 Degradation: Panasonic 0.26%/yr | REC/LG 0.40%/yr

Panasonic's 0.26%/yr degradation is best-in-class for silicon-based panels. After 25 years, Panasonic retains 93.6% of original output vs LG and REC at 90.5%. On a 10kW system producing 14,600 kWh/yr, that's 456 extra kWh in year 25 alone from Panasonic — worth ~$60/year at $0.13/kWh.

Example

James — 10kW system, 600 sq ft south roof, $35,000 budget

James wants to buy premium panels. His installer mentioned LG, but James noticed the company no longer makes solar panels. He's comparing Panasonic and REC for his Colorado home.

Roof area600 sq ft usable south-facing

Target size10 kW

Budget$35,000 (hardware only)

Results

LG NeON R25 panels, 437 sq ft — ⚠️ DO NOT BUY (discontinued)

Panasonic EverVolt25 panels, 437 sq ft, $32,500 — 25yr production: 338,000 kWh

REC Alpha Pure-R24 panels, 420 sq ft, $31,000 — 25yr production: 335,600 kWh

Best ValueREC Alpha Pure-R — $1,500 less, 1 fewer panel, excellent warranty

For James, REC Alpha Pure-R wins on value: $1,500 less hardware cost, one fewer panel to install, and virtually identical 25-year production. Panasonic's slightly lower degradation adds ~2,400 kWh over 25 years — worth ~$312 at Colorado's $0.13/kWh rate — less than the $1,500 price premium. Both are excellent; Panasonic wins only if degradation guarantee is the absolute top priority.

FAQ

Did LG really stop making solar panels? ▼

Yes. LG Electronics officially announced in February 2022 and completed its exit from the solar panel business in May 2022. LG sold its remaining panel inventory through distributors and installers, meaning panels may still be available from stock — but these panels were manufactured before May 2022 and the warranty claims process has no active parent company to fulfill them. If you have existing LG NeON R or NeON 2 panels installed before 2022, they will continue to produce power — but if you need warranty replacement panels in 2025 or later, LG has no obligation to honor those claims. Plan replacement budgets accordingly.

What should I do if I already own LG solar panels? ▼

If you already have LG panels installed: (1) Document your panel serial numbers and original purchase receipts. (2) Check if your installer offered a workmanship warranty independent of LG's product warranty — many installers carry their own 5–10 year workmanship coverage. (3) Monitor your production monthly via your monitoring system for unexpected drops. (4) Plan for eventual replacement in the 15–20 year timeframe using panels from active manufacturers. LG panels that are working will continue to work — they don't suddenly stop — but warranty protection for defects or degradation is now limited.

Is Panasonic or REC better for hot climates? ▼

Panasonic EverVolt edges ahead in hot climates. Its HIT (Heterojunction) technology combines monocrystalline and amorphous silicon layers, giving it a lower temperature coefficient (about -0.26%/°C vs REC's -0.30%/°C). In Phoenix, AZ where panels regularly reach 65–75°C, this means Panasonic loses about 11% less efficiency on the hottest days vs REC. For most climates (below 40°C ambient, panels reaching ~55°C), the difference is negligible. For desert Southwest installs, Panasonic's temperature performance is a meaningful advantage.

Are REC panels made in the USA? ▼

REC Group is a Norwegian company manufacturing primarily in Singapore and Malaysia. Panasonic manufactures in Malaysia (EverVolt series). Neither brand is primarily US-manufactured, though both comply with applicable import regulations. For US-manufactured panels, look at First Solar (CdTe thin-film), Silfab (Canadian-owned, US manufacturing), and Mission Solar. The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act added bonus tax credits for US-manufactured content — check current IRS guidance on which panels qualify for the additional 10% domestic content bonus.

How does the 25-year warranty work for REC and Panasonic? ▼

Both brands offer 25-year product warranties guaranteeing against manufacturing defects, and 25-year performance warranties guaranteeing minimum output levels. REC's TrustPower pack goes further: it's a single combined 25-year warranty covering both product and performance through registered installers. Panasonic's 25-year warranty requires registration and in some markets includes a "PureLife" extension program. Key requirement: both warranties typically require installation by a certified installer and product registration within 30–90 days of installation. Keep all documentation.

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