Disclosure: FMB Home Picks is committed to delivering independent advice and reviews on home products and services. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Learn moreContact us.
Our solar experts break down the Perlight 515W Double Glass PLK Transparent solar panels’ key specs, cost and pros and cons.
With a high power output and efficiency rating, the Perlight 515W Double Glass BLK Transparent panel is one of the best solar panels on the market right now.
It comes backed by great warranties, a strong, durable build and a high percentage of satisfied customers. Read on to find out more about the panel, from its specs, pros and cons and price to how it compares to other models we’ve reviewed.
| Panel efficiency | 23.17% |
| Power output (W) | 515W |
| Degradation in first year | <2% |
| Degradation rate per year after first year | 0.55% |
| Product warranty | 30 years |
| Performance warranty | 30 years |
| Weight (kg) | 27kg |
| Size (sq m) | 2.2sqm |
The Perlight 515W Double Glass BLK Transparent solar panel is made up of N-type, high efficiency cells which maximise its output. These cells generate more watts per square metre compared to older PERC solar panels.
The “double glass” build uses tempered glass on both front and rear instead of polymer backsheet, which improves robustness and provides better moisture and Potential Induced Degradation (PID) resistance in some conditions.
This panel has the second-highest power output of all the panels we’ve reviewed, and one of the highest efficiency ratings, so it’s great for sheer power. That said, it scores quite poorly when it comes to its degradation rates, both in the first and in subsequent years. Its 30-year performance warranty does guarantee it should perform at around 82 per cent efficiency by the end of its lifetime, though.
| Solar panel brand | Efficiency | Power output | Product warranty | Performance warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perlight Double Glass BLK Transparent | 23.17% | 515W | 30 years | 30 years |
| Project Solar Evolution Max | 25.50% | 500W | Lifetime | Lifetime |
| Trina Vertex Bifacial Dual Glass | 22.70% | 505W | 15 years | 30 years |
| REC Alpha Pure RX Series | 22.60% | 470W | 20 years | 25 years |
| Aiko Neostar 3P54 | 23.50% | 470W | 25 years | 30 years |
| JA Solar JAM60S4 LR | 22.70% | 530W | 12 years | 25 years |
| Jinko Tiger Neo 54HL4R-B 445W | 22.27% | 445W | 25 years | 30 years |
| Suntech Ultra V Pro Mini | 23.00% | 460W | 15 years | 30 years |
In terms of solar panel costs, the Perlight 515W Double Glass BLK Transparent panel is relatively affordable. Our research shows it will set you back between £100 and £200 per panel, but the price will be set by your installer as part of a quote including installation, labour and scaffolding costs as well as all the other material required to get your solar system up and running.
Perlight solar panels are relatively low maintenance thanks to their durable build, but we recommend giving them a gentle clean a few times a year, or perhaps after a weather event that might have thrown some debris onto them.
A hose down should be plenty to make sure your panels are back to their full rate of energy generation, but if not, you can use the soft side of a sponge to give them a gentle wipe. Do not use any brushes or abrasives to clean your panels, as that can damage them.
Perlight offers 30-year performance and product warranties on its solar panels, giving you extra peace of mind about their longevity. These are above industry average, second only to Project Solar’s lifetime warranties.
While there aren’t many reviews of Perlight products readily available on the internet, we conducted a survey of over 2,000 solar panel owners*, many of whom were Perlight customers, to find out how they felt about their solar panels. We found that 91.70 per cent of Perlight solar panel owners would recommend the brand.
The Perlight 515W Double Glass BLK Transparent is a high-wattage, high-efficiency double-glass module that competes strongly on watts per square metre. It’s a good pick if you need high output from limited roof area and want long-term warranties.
However, because of its heavy weight (27kg per panel), your installer will need to check roof loading and racking compatibility.
The Perlight 515W Double Glass BLK Transparent is also let down by relatively high degradation rates compared to other panels on the market, which means its efficiency by the end of its life will be lower than others.
Yes, Perlight is a Chinese company based in Zhejiang, but it has a UK and EU sales and customer centre in Oxford, UK.
According to our solar experts, who have carefully reviewed dozens of units, Perlight produces one of the best solar panels on the UK market.
When we review solar panels, our final score is based on the following:
For more information, read our article on how we review solar panels.
* The Federation of Master Builders survey of 2,004 UK solar panel owners, June 2024.