JA Solar JAM60S20 solar panels review

All you need to know about the technical information, advantages and disadvantages, as well as our recommendations in this JA Solar JAM60S20 solar panels review.

By Architectural Digest UK Reviews Team

October 19, 2023
JA Solar JAM60S20 solar panels

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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.

Key features

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.

ProsCons

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?

A computer-generated image of a neighbourhood of new homes with solar panels.
Solar panels can be suitable for different types of property. (Image credit: Adobe)

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 nameOutput rangeStarting 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.

ProductMaximum outputProduct warrantyPerformance warrantyPerformance 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

A person cleaning a solar panel with a soft cloth
We recommend hiring a professional to clean your solar panels to avoid damaging them. (Image credit: Adobe)

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.