Looking to get a 10kwatt install from a company locally (Newport Solar)... and they use SolarWorld Sunmodule Plus SW - 280 watt, panels.  Is there any major difference in brands? 

How do these things hold up to hail storms etc..?

-Ken

Yes there are different tier manufacturers, look into that on http://www.solarpaneltalk.com

I am not able to see differences based on the brand for the three different brands that I have been monitoring when the performance is normalized by the advertised power output. Details are provided at http://www.residentialenergylaboratory.com/comparison_of_pv_systems.html.

Consider:

UL approval
space for a given output
efficiency when they heat up
mounting

otherwise, it's mostly $/watt.

Ya, I agree with jonr. Brand does not matter as much, however you should consider some core factors - efficiency when it heat up, it should be UL approved, etc.