- Fast facts
- Key features
- Pros and cons
- How do the JA Solar JAM60S20 panels work?
- JA Solar JAM60S20 additional features
- How much does the JA Solar JAM60S20 cost?
- JA Solar versus its competitors
- Solar panel maintenance
- What the professionals say
- Customer reviews
- Our recommendation
- Methodology
- Solar panel FAQs

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Established in 2005, JA Solar has since become a significant player in the solar panel industry. Bloomberg ranks it as a Tier 1 manufacturer, and it’s one of the Global Top 500 New Energy Enterprises. The company’s business interests range from silicon wafers, cells, and modules, to complete solar power systems.
JA Solar has nine factories in China, with its headquarters in Shanghai. JA Solar also has a 400-megawatt facility in Malaysia and a 200-megawatt assembly plant in Vietnam, which allows them to offer their products to 135 countries worldwide.
The innovation and manufacturing expertise of JA Solar has allowed them to produce a range of cost-effective and efficient solar panels, the most notable being the JAM60S20 solar panel. JA Solar seems to be expanding in a market where competitors such as LG are ramping down their production.
- Power range: From 370 W to 395 W
- Efficiency: 19.9% to 21.2%
- Product warranty: 12 years
- Performance warranty: 25-year linear power output warranty
- Cost per panel: £100 to £206
- Performance degradation: 0.55% maximum annual performance degradation. 83.1% power output in year 25
- Power tolerance: 0~+5 W
- Weight: 20.2 kg
- Dimensions: L 1769 mm x W 1052 mm x H 35 mm
Key features
- Ideal for: Residential and commercial use.
- Cost: With a price range of £100 to £206, the JA solar JAM60S20 panel is exceptionally cost-effective, considering its impressive 21.2% efficiency and 395 W maximum power output.
- Panel technology: The panels are assembled with multi-busbar PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) monocrystalline cells in a 120 (6×20) configuration, which allows for a higher output of up to 395 W.
- Performance degradation: The JAM60S20 solar panels have a performance degradation rate of 0.55% per year, meaning they will provide a power output of 83.1% in year 25. While not as low as brands such as LG or SunPower, this degradation rate is better than conventional solar panels, which have a typical rate of 0.75% per year.
- Power output: The panels offer a fairly impressive maximum power output of 395 W. The higher the power output, the fewer panels you’ll need to meet your energy requirements.
- Efficiency: The solar panels offer a maximum efficiency of 21.2%. An efficiency rating over 20% is considered very good in the industry, with conventional solar panels providing 15-20%.
- Warranty: JA Solar offers a basic product warranty of only 12 years, but the linear output warranty of 25 years is similar to several of the other best solar panel brands, like LG. Plus, the lower price makes this warranty period more justifiable.
- Quality: The JAM60S20 solar panels are certified by industry-recognised organisations such as TÜV Rheinland and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The quality of the panels lives up to expectations.
Upsides and downsides of JA Solar JAM60S20 solar panels
Before deciding on which solar panels to purchase, it is important to understand the pros and cons of each model. Here are the upsides and downsides of the JA Solar JAM60S20 that we found during our research.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Good value for money |
Low warranty periods |
Company history |
Performance degradation compared to other brands |
Good output and efficiency for the price |
Not the most attractive solar panel design on the market |
Holds up well to extreme weather |
How do the JA Solar JAM60S20 panels work?

The JA Solar JAM60S20 solar panels are constructed with multi-busbar PERC monocrystalline cells in a 120 (6×20) configuration. The PERC cells consist of an additional layer on the back, which allows the panel to absorb more sunlight than conventional solar panels. Coupled with the use of monocrystalline cells, the efficiency rating of 21.2% and power output of 395 W is acceptable, while providing better temperature-dependent performance.
When you purchase the customisable residential solar system from JA Solar, it will come with the right number of solar panels for your home, microinverters, meters, accessories, and the framing structure. This provides all you need to set up your system and start generating electricity.
JA Solar JAM60S20 additional features
The JAM60S20 solar panels can be coupled with nearly any solar inverter, not to mention lithium or lead-acid batteries, charge controllers, and other accessories. The systems can be either off-grid, meaning you use the electricity you generate, or grid-connected, where you export the electricity generated to the National Grid.
How much does the JA Solar JAM60S20 cost?
The JA Solar JAM60S20 is one of the most cost-effective panels on the market, with a price range of £100 to £206 per panel. Based on our findings, a 4 kW system will cost around £6,000. We compared the JAM60S20 solar panels with two other brands to show the vast difference in price.
Product name | Output range | Starting cost (per panel) |
---|---|---|
JA Solar JAM60S20 |
370 W to 395 W |
£100 |
SunPower Maxeon 3 |
355 W to 430 W |
£350 |
LG NeON R |
395 W to 440 W |
£250 |
JA Solar versus its competitors
We compared the JA Solar JAM60S20 panels with the three other best solar panels available in the UK to see how well they match up to the competition. Although they rank lowest in all the categories, don’t let that deter you. The panels still hold up to the other leading brands in terms of power output and efficiency. Even the performance warranty and degradation are similar to LG and Project Solar.
Considering that JAM60S20 solar panels cost nearly two-thirds less than all other brands on this list, they are ideal for customers wanting a low-cost but effective solution. The only negative is the short warranty period of 12 years.
Product | Maximum output | Product warranty | Performance warranty | Performance degradation (% power output at year 25) | Maximum efficiency |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
JA Solar JAM60S20 |
395 W |
12 years |
25 years |
83.10% |
21.20% |
Sunpower Maxeon 3 |
430 W |
40 years |
40 years |
92% |
22.70% |
Project Solar Evolution Elite |
415 W |
Lifetime |
Lifetime |
85% |
21.70% |
LG Neon R |
440 W |
25 years |
25 years |
92.50% |
22.10% |
Solar panel maintenance

Although solar systems require minimal maintenance, dirt and dust can accumulate on your panels. This is particularly notable in areas that experience adverse weather conditions, or are near roads and industrial zones. If left unchecked, this can result in performance losses and can even damage your solar panels. So, inspecting and cleaning your panels is crucial.
To optimise your JA Solar JAM60S20 panel, we recommend inspecting and cleaning the panels at least once a year—or more frequently if you live in an area susceptible to dirt and dust. The maintenance instructions provided by JA Solar include a list of things to consider when cleaning your solar panels, although we recommend hiring a professional to do this, as they will have the correct safety equipment.
What the professionals say
The JA Solar JAM60S20 solar panels have received positive feedback from experts, and here are a few of their quotes.
“We would recommend the JA Solar JAM60S20 to homeowners on a budget that want to power their home for 10 to 12 years or less. The panels are a little rigid for homes with complicated roofs, but can easily power both smaller urban homes and larger suburban roofs.” —Federation of Master Builders
“JA Solar offers high-efficiency solar panels at a mid-range price point, in comparison to their mid-range competitors, JA solar panels are more affordable, have a higher average efficiency rate, and offer a longer product warranty. The efficiency rating greater than 19% is similar to the ratings found with premium solar modules, which come in at a higher price point ($0.30/watt on average). The solar panels expected output at the 25-year benchmark is lower than some of their competitors, but on par with industry standards.” —Solaris
“JA Solar is a large well established Chinese company that manufactures reliable cost-effective solar panels for a range of applications including residential, commercial and utility-scale systems. The company is not known for producing the most efficient panels but tends to focus on incorporating proven solar cell technologies to deliver reliable and affordable panels backed by a respectable 12 to 15-year product warranty.” —Jason Svarc via Clean Energy Reviews
Customer reviews
JA Solar has received positive feedback from customers, with a 4.62/5 rating on SolarReviews. Many customers were recommended the panels from installers based on our research, and their reviews often don’t include how satisfied they were with the panels themselves.
“During our installation window—which happened to be a high-demand period as incentives were set to reduce this panel—was what was available within our generation goals. It seems sleek, fits our roof and style well with the dark black/navy blue appearance and has been making clean energy as expected.” —Troy via SolarReviews
“I did a little research and thought they would be a good fit. Cost effective for our project.” —Tim Gohla via SolarReviews
“Installed the mono perc cells and have seen great returns delivering above and beyond what I expected.” —Jason via Solar Run
Our recommendation
The JA Solar JAM60S20 solar panels offer an excellent blend of performance and affordability. They’re the best solar panels for home, if you are interested in solar energy but don’t have the budget for leading brands. The only downside is the low warranty period of 12 years, but if you plan to move homes within that time frame then this product is perfect for you.
How we chose the best solar panels in the UK
We conducted thorough research and compared some of the top-rated solar panels UK suppliers to help us offer an honest and informative JA Solar JAM60S20 solar panels review. To do this, we looked at costs, product quality, warranty terms, customer reviews, and expert opinions. This enabled us to develop our own view of JA Solar’s solar panels system.
Frequently asked questions about solar panels
How do solar panels work?
Most residential solar panel systems utilise something called the photovoltaic effect. Solar panels are constructed of cells made with semiconducting materials such as silicon. When light hits the cells, photons in the electromagnetic radiation from the sun heat them up, which causes electrons to start moving. This movement creates an electric current, which is then captured by plates and wires within the solar panel in the form of a direct current (DC) electrical charge. An inverter connected to the solar panels converts the DC into alternating current (AC), which can then be used to power all of the electric appliances in your house.
Are solar panels worth it?
In short, yes—solar panels can be a worthwhile investment thanks to a number of factors, including a decrease in cost over the last decade, the savings that can be made on rapidly rising energy bills, income from excess electricity sold back to the grid via the Smart Export Guarantee, and advancements in solar panel technology that have made them more efficient using less space.
Do solar panels work in the UK?
While the amount of electricity that can be produced by solar panels varies in different parts of the UK—a system in the south of England will typically be more efficient than a system in Scotland, for instance—they do work well across the nation. It is said that if you can see outside without artificial light, your solar panels are working. This is because they do not need direct sunlight to work. This means solar panels work even in the rain, on cloudy days, and during the winter when it is snowing—all typical weather conditions seen throughout the UK.