If you are looking for name brand recognition in your solar modules, then you might consider Thomas Edison's little enterprise, the General Electric Company (GE).

Founded in 1892, GE has historically chartered a path to aggressively monopolize most emerging technology markets, and PV solar panels are no exception. In 2004 GE purchased AstroPower and became one of the first mega-corporations to officially jump into the solar panel mass production market.

Though at the time it was simply thought of as a wise investment of an undervalued (and near bankrupt) company, in the past four years GE has grown their solar program considerably and in 2007 supplied 363 roof-mounted solar panels at the top of 45 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City to generate electricity for the first solar powered Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.

Available for residential applications, the GEPV 200 Solar Panel generates up to 200 watts at peak performance making it one of the most robust solar modules on the market. Weighing-in at thirty-nine pounds and measuring 39 inches by 58 inches, the GEPV 200 costs close to $1,100, though can often be found for less than this with volume discounts and when ordered online.

Some of the selling points of the GE line of PV modules include easy installation with pre-drilled holes, a 25-year warrantee, and durable construction to resist rain, sleet, and hail. The GEPV 200 is rated for winds up to 125 miles per hour. For smaller applications GE offers a full range of PV modules including the 50 watt GEPV50 for around $352, and the GEPV100 for $589.

Homeowners can purchase individual solar modules, or sign up for a package deal from GE directly. The GE Brilliance Solar Electric Power System is a complete energy generation system that includes a monitor to show you how much energy you are generating, consuming, and saving.