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We review the Project Solar Evo Maxima 490W to help you decide if this solar panel is the best option for you and your power needs.
Founded in 2011 and with over 45,000 solar installations under its belt, Project Solar is the largest solar installer in the UK. The brand also manufactures some of the best solar panels you can buy, including the latest Project Solar Evo Maxima 490W.
In this review, we explore the Project Solar Evo Maxima 490W’s specs, efficiency and warranties to see how it compares to other solar panels.
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| Panel efficiency | 22.65% |
| Power output (W) | 490 W |
| Degradation in first year | N/A |
| Degradation rate per year after first year | N/A |
| Product warranty | Lifetime |
| Performance warranty | Lifetime |
| Weight (kg) | 27.2 kg |
| Size (sq m) | 2.6 sq m |
The Project Solar Evo Maxima 490W is an all-black monocrystalline solar panel that operates well at higher temperatures and in low-light conditions, such as cloudy and foggy days. This is thanks to low light-induced degradation and potential-induced degradation resistance.
The solar panel’s design includes an enhanced mechanical load, which can withstand a wind load of 2,400 pascals (pa) and a snow load of 5,400 pa.
This is how the Project Solar Evo Maxima 490W compares to other solar panels in 2025:
| Solar panel brand | FMB score (out of 10) | Efficiency | Power output | Product warranty | Performance warranty | Customer satisfaction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project Solar Evo Maxima 490W | 8.5 | 22.65% | 490 W | Lifetime | Lifetime | 94.40% |
| Aiko ABC Neostar 3N54 | 7.4 | 24.8% | 495 W | 15 years | 30 years | 90.70% |
| JA Solar JAM72S30 LR | 6.4 | 22.1% | 585 W | 12 years | 25 years | 91.90% |
| Jinko Tiger Neo 72HL4-(V) | 7.1 | 23.4% | 605 W | 12 years | 30 years | 91.50% |
| Perlight PLM-435 DH8N 450W | 7.4 | 23.0% | 450 W | 30 years | 30 years | 91.70% |
| SunPower Maxeon 7DC | 8.9 | 24.1% | 445 W | 40 years | 40 years | 91.20% |
| Suntech Ultra V Pro Mini | 7.2 | 23.2% | 515 W | 15 years | 30 years | 91.70% |
| REC Alpha Pure RX Series | 7.2 | 22.6% | 470 W | 20 years | 25 years | 92.10% |
Project Solar does not publish the cost of their solar panels online. Instead, the company provides customers with a personalised quote upon request.
However, during mystery shopping, the company quoted us a price of £350 per panel, making Project Solar one of the most expensive brands out there.
The cost of your Project Solar panels will depend on the size of your system, whether you add a battery and the price of your solar panel installer. You may also be able to get a solar panel grant to reduce the cost of your system.
Project Solar’s panels require very little maintenance or servicing. If, however, a storm leaves bird droppings or debris on your panels and you’re concerned about degradation, you can use an ordinary garden hose to clear the obstruction.
You should avoid climbing on your roof to clean your panels; instead, remain on the ground and use a long hose. However, regular rain showers should be sufficient to keep your panels clean.
The customers we surveyed gave Project Solar the highest combined customer satisfaction score of all the brands we reviewed. Its rating of 94.4% is notably higher than the 91.9% average.
Meanwhile, 43% of the Project Solar customers we surveyed say they would “very much recommend” the brand, and 54% say they would “somewhat recommend” its solar panels.
Based on our survey, Project Solar stands out from the crowd in terms of meeting the expectations of its customers. The brand’s lifetime warranties are unmatched and great for peace of mind.
However, there are a few drawbacks to the Evo Maxima 490W. For example, its 22.65% efficiency rate is on the wrong side of the 23% average of other solar panels we reviewed. The price of Project Solar solar panels also comes on quotation and is on the high end of the spectrum, which may put some households off.
Project Solar has 14 years of demonstrable experience manufacturing and installing solar panels, and boasts plenty of positive reviews online. Our survey* revealed that 94 per cent of Project Solar customers were satisfied with the service they received from the brand.
Project Solar UK Limited is a private company currently led by CEO Simon Peat.
Alongside its own range of solar panels, Project Solar also installs products from SunPower.
When we review solar panels, our final score is based on the following:
*Survey conducted by the Federation of Master Builders, 2,004 respondents, June 2024.
*FMB survey of 2,004 solar panel owners, June 2024.