Short answer

• Yes — solar panel prices vary substantially by brand. Premium brands (SunPower/Maxeon, historically Panasonic/REC on some lines) typically cost noticeably more per watt than mass‑market manufacturers (Jinko, Trina, LONGi, Canadian Solar, JA Solar, Q CELLS). Typical installed system prices in the U.S. in 2024–2025 run roughly $2.4–$3.5 per watt, but the panel portion and the per‑watt difference by brand can move the total by several hundred to a few thousand dollars for a normal residential system. (solar.com)

Why brands differ in price (the important drivers)

• Module technology and efficiency: higher‑efficiency cells (e.g., N‑type TOPCon, Maxeon cell designs, SunPower’s high‑efficiency cells) cost more to make and therefore command higher prices. Higher efficiency also means fewer panels and racking for the same power, which can raise upfront panel cost but lower balance‑of‑system costs. (accio.com)
• Power rating (W per panel) and packaging: high‑wattage 400–700W modules often (but not always) cost more per panel while delivering better $/W at the module level for large systems. (solartechonline.com)
• Product and performance warranties / degradation rate: longer product warranties or lower annual degradation (guaranteed output after 25 years) are priced at a premium. Premium brands often offer stronger warranties or lower expected degradation. (solar.com)
• Manufacturing quality and brand reputation: “Tier‑1” global manufacturers with vertical production and quality controls can charge more than low‑cost commodity suppliers. (nerdwallet.com)
• Supply, tariffs, and local distribution: availability, import costs, and local dealer/installer margins create regional price variation by brand. (homeadvisor.com)

How much more do premium panels cost?

• The premium delta varies by year and market, but in 2024–2025 a common pattern is: mass‑market/value brands (Jinko, Trina, LONGi, JA Solar, Canadian Solar, Q CELLS) being the lower‑cost options, and premium brands (SunPower/Maxeon and some REC/Panasonic models) costing a noticeable premium. Published and market estimates suggest panel‑level premiums from roughly $0.10–$0.50+/W (and sometimes more at the very high end) depending on model and region — which translates into roughly $300–$3,000 difference on a typical 6–10 kW residential system. (Exact numbers fluctuate with supply and policy changes.) (solaremporium.com.au)

Examples (typical market positioning)

• Value / high‑volume: Jinko, Trina, LONGi, JA Solar, Canadian Solar — generally lower module prices, good performance for the price. (accio.com)
• Mid / reliable: Q CELLS, REC — midrange pricing, solid warranties and reliability. (nerdwallet.com)
• Premium: SunPower/Maxeon (highest efficiency and premium warranty), some REC high‑end lines and historically Panasonic — higher cost per panel and per watt. (solar.com)

What to compare when brands and quotes look different

• Installed price ($/W) for the whole system (not only panels). Panels are only part of the cost. (solar.com)
• Panel efficiency and nameplate wattage (affects how many panels you need). (solartechonline.com)
• Performance warranty (25‑year output warranty and yearly degradation rate) and product warranty length. (solar.com)
• Temperature coefficient and real‑world performance (important in hot climates). (solaremporium.com.au)
• Installer quality, microinverter/optimizer choice, and balance‑of‑system components — poor installation can ruin a premium panel’s advantage. (homeadvisor.com)

Practical guidance

• Get 3+ detailed quotes that list panel model, inverter, racking, and per‑watt installed price. Compare apples to apples (same system output, same inverter/optimizers if possible). (solar.com)
• If roof space is limited or you want the highest possible production per square foot (e.g., small roof, shading), a higher‑efficiency premium module can be worth the extra cost. (solartechonline.com)
• If budget is primary and you have ample roof area, a value brand module (Jinko/Trina/LONGi) typically gives the lowest upfront cost and good long‑term economics. (solaremporium.com.au)

If you want, I can

• Look up current typical installed $/W or panel prices for specific brands/models in your state (I’d need your ZIP code or state). This will let me show actual price ranges and a likely dollar difference for a 6–10 kW system in your area. (Because prices and incentives change frequently, I’d pull live market quotes.)

References

• Solar.com — U.S. average installed costs and factors affecting cost. (solar.com)
• EnergySage / NerdWallet state cost summaries (2024–2025 data cited). (nerdwallet.com)
• Market/vendor pricing and brand positioning examples (Jinko/wholesale and retail price summaries). (accio.com)

Would you like short brand‑by‑brand example price ranges for a 6 kW system in your state or ZIP code? I can fetch current local quotes and show the likely dollar difference between a “value” vs “premium” panel package.