Solar equipment buying guide
Compare solar equipment with confidence.
Explore how UTICA categorises panels and inverters, compare published assessment scores, and understand what product warranties cover.
Reliability
Performance
Total value
UTICA selection categories, not independent laboratory ratings.
01 / Find your fit
Three tiers, three buying priorities.
Tiers express UTICA's selection criteria and buying priorities. They are not independent laboratory ratings or a universal verdict on any manufacturer.
Long-term assurance focus
A selection focused on warranty support, manufacturer history and performance assurance, alongside product specifications.
Examples: REC panels; eligible FIMER and UTICA Premium inverters. Exact models and availability vary.
Balanced value
A selection balancing technical performance, manufacturer support and total system cost.
Examples: AIKO, Jinko and Trina panels; Huawei and Sungrow inverters. Exact models and availability vary.
Lower upfront cost
A selection emphasising purchase price and practical specifications, with model-specific warranty and support considerations.
Examples: Risen panels and Solis inverters. Exact models and availability vary.
A higher tier does not automatically mean higher module efficiency or a longer warranty for every model. Always compare the exact product specifications and terms.
02 / Case study: REC vs AIKO
REC vs AIKO: a practical comparison
This example compares two manufacturers using UTICA's published brand-level assessments. The scores highlight different results across the measured categories, not a universal ranking of individual panel models.
REC
UTICA Premium tier
AIKO
UTICA Standard tier
Scores are UTICA's normalised, brand-level assessments from its Singapore guide. They are not physical efficiency percentages or guaranteed degradation rates.
Efficiency assessment
UTICA score / 100Stability and degradation assessment
UTICA score / 100Product warranty listed in UTICA's guide
REC
25 years*
AIKO
25 years*
*Figures as presented in UTICA's guide. Contractual coverage depends on the exact panel, installation route, registration and warranty documents.
REC: stability assessment
REC scores 94/100 for stability and degradation in UTICA's published assessment. This is a brand-level evaluation, not a guaranteed power-retention rate. Check the exact model's temperature coefficient and performance warranty for a technical comparison.
AIKO: efficiency assessment
AIKO scores 90/100 for efficiency in the same assessment, compared with REC's 92/100. Actual module efficiency and usable power depend on the selected model. Compare datasheets, roof fit and installed cost alongside the published scores.
03 / Read the fine print
REC warranty: an example of the terms
Product and performance warranties are different. This REC Alpha Pure-R example explains the published thresholds and conditions; it does not represent every REC model or compare AIKO warranty terms.
Performance warranty timeline
100%
Nameplate rating
98%
After year 1
92%
At year 25
REC's stated performance threshold allows a maximum 2% decline in year one and 0.25 percentage points annually over the next 24 years. It is a minimum warranted power output, not a prediction of annual electricity generation.
Applies to the referenced REC Alpha Pure-R warranty; confirm the current terms for the specific product.
Product warranty is different
Standard product
20 years
ProTrust eligible
25 years
Extended product coverage through REC ProTrust is conditional. REC specifies installation by a Certified Solar Professional and installer registration of the panels. Labour terms vary by applicable conditions and location.
Do not assume every REC installation automatically receives a 25-year product and labour warranty.
Warranty eligibility, exclusions and claims follow the current official document for the exact model. Manufacturer documents take precedence over this educational guide.
04 / How Solar Picks works
A product tier isn't a system series
Individual panels and inverters use P, S or B. UTICA's ready-made Solar Systems are separately classified and keep their original approved combinations, even when components have different tiers.
Custom Solar Picks
P + P · S + S · B + B
Only approved panel and inverter brands from the official lineup, with compatibility checks.
Official UTICA packages
Original configuration
May appear through the package-offer probability, retaining their original components and included bonuses.
Accessories use their own selection rules and are not restricted by panel/inverter tiers.
Frequently asked questions
Does Premium mean a solar panel is guaranteed to last longer?
No. Premium expresses UTICA's selection priorities and overall confidence. It is not a lifetime guarantee. A specific panel's warranty, exclusions and documented performance thresholds define the contractual coverage.
Can a Standard panel be more efficient than a Premium panel?
Yes. Efficiency, temperature coefficients and warranty terms vary by exact model. A single metric does not determine the overall tier, and the brand-level scores below are not physical efficiency percentages.
Does Basic mean low-quality equipment?
No. Basic prioritises upfront affordability. Buyers should still compare the specific product's datasheet, compatibility, support options and warranty terms.
Are product tiers the same as UTICA Solar System series?
No. P, S and B describe individual panels and inverters. Official UTICA Solar Systems have separate package-series labels and may contain components from different product tiers.
How does Solar Picks decide what can be combined?
Custom Solar Picks combinations use eligible panel and inverter brands from UTICA's official system lineup, then apply same-tier P/P, S/S or B/B matching and technical checks. Official predefined packages may be offered through a separate recommendation pathway with their original configurations. Accessories are not subject to the panel/inverter tier restriction.
Ready to explore?
Find equipment that fits your roof and priorities.
Compare equipment and official packages through Solar Picks, then speak with UTICA when you need engineering or installation guidance.