Tindo Solar Panels: An Independent Review by Solar Choice

This Tindo solar panel review is performed independently by Solar Choice and has no affiliation with Tindo or any other solar manufacturer.

Overview of Tindo Solar – Company History

Tindo Solar was founded in 2011 by Adrian Ferraretto and they are currently the only solar panel manufacturer in Australia. Their manufacturing plant is based in Adelaide and they distribute solar panels across Australia. Tindo’s name comes from the Kaurna Aboriginal word for ‘sun’. The Kaurna peoples are indigenous to the Adelaide plains, where the company’s manufacturing plant is located.

In 2017, Tindo Solar Pty Ltd was purchased by solar panel installer Cool or Cosy. Cool or Cosy owner, Glenn Morelli, has expanded the manufacturing plant to a current capacity of 60MW per year. Tindo distributed their panels directly to solar installation companies across Australia. In South Australia the only authorised reseller of Tindo Solar Panels is Cool or Cosy.

Tindo Solar import many of their required components from overseas, however the solar panels are engineered and assembled in Australia.

Key Indicators

What is a Bloomberg Tier 1 Solar Panel?

Bloomberg’s infamous tier 1 ranking is NOT a measure of Solar Panel quality in any way. It is simply an indication of the bankability of the manufacturer based on publicly released information on the financial health of the company. This should give you an idea if the company is a large, well-known manufacturer.

Tindo Solar is not on the current Bloomberg Tier 1 list

See full list of Bloomberg Tier 1 Solar Panels

What is PV Evolution Labs Top Performer?

PV Evolution Labs with support from DNV GL independently test solar panel reliability. The tests are voluntary, with solar panel manufacturers paying to participate in the testing. This testing process is internationally renowned and is an accurate reflection of the solar panel’s performance.

Tindo Solar Panels have not featured in PV Evolution Labs Top Performers lists.

See full list of PV Evolution Labs Top Performing Solar Panels

Why is Having an Office Location in Australia Important?

Many solar panel manufacturers enter the Australian market by first establishing distribution channels, often neglecting customer service. This approach has resulted in numerous dissatisfied customers struggling to contact Chinese headquarters for their 10-year product warranty claims.

Depending on your solar installer isn’t always reliable. Since 2011, over 700 residential solar installers, including major ones, have gone out of business, well within the lifespan of the systems they installed.

Tindo Solar sets itself apart with its manufacturing plant and main headquarters in Mawson Lakes, Adelaide, SA.

Tindo Solar Panels – Points of Difference

Tindo Solar Panels stand out because they are made in Australia, a market typically dominated by Chinese companies. Tindo banks on customers preferring an Australian-made and owned brand, emphasizing high-quality production.

Tindo Solar sources high-quality parts globally, using Q-cells solar cells, Dupont back sheets, Dow Corning edge seals, Bridgestone EVAsky encapsulant, FPE junction box, Saint Gobain Glass, and Enecsys micro-inverters to ensure quality over price.

Furthermore, Tindo offers Adelaide residents the chance to inspect their plant with short notice. This transparency in their operations and confidence in their technology highlight their commitment to leading assembly practices in solar panel production.

See below factory tour:

Tindo Solar Panels Available in Australia

Currently, 34 of Tindo solar panels are approved by the Clean Energy Council (listed under the name of Tindo Operations Co Pty Ltd) for the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme – Australia’s home solar rebate program.

However, the below 3 solar panel models are currently all that is available at the time of writing this article:

Tindo Karra 60 cell 

There is currently 1 Tindo Karra 60 cell solar panels available in Australia. The 330W solar panel is made up of 60 monocrystalline silicon cells with PERC technology which was developed at the UNSW. The 5 bus bars on each solar cell reduces the distance between each busbar (see as the white lines crossing within each solar cell), which in turn reduces the internal resistance losses. The module has a respectable rated panel efficiency of 19.8%.

This panel featured Tedlar^® based backsheet which provides a high level of resistance against the elements. The solar panel comes with a 12 year product warranty and 25 year performance warranty that ensures at least 80% power output at the end of the 25th year.

Tindo Karra 66 Cell

Tindo are manufacturing two 66 cell solar panels – Karra 360W and Karra 365W. As the names state, they both are made up of 66 silicon cells and have the same cell type and technologies as Tindo Karra 60 cell. Panel efficiencies of 360W and 365W are 19.5% and 19.8% respectively, all above the market average.

Both solar modules offer a 12 year product warranty and a 25 year performance warranty which guarantees 80% of the nominal output at the end of the 25th year.

Tindo Karra 72 Cell

The Tindo Karra 72 Cell solar panel is a larger commercial module with a Mono-PERC cell type same as above. A panel efficiency of 20.1% supports the 400W nominal power output. This panel features the Tedlar^® based backsheet the same as above which provides  long-life protection.

This larger Karra solar panel also offers  12 years limited product warranty and 25 years limited warranty that ensure at least 80% power output at the end of the 25th year.

Tindo Solar Warranty

Tindo Solar panels come with both a product and a performance warranty. The product warranty, typically lasting 10 years with most manufacturers, covers manufacturing defects that cause damage or malfunction. Tindo stands out by offering a 12-year standard product warranty, exceeding the industry norm.

The performance warranty ensures a specific output level throughout the panel’s lifespan. Usually, this means guaranteeing 80% of the nameplate output after 25 years. Tindo Solar Energy matches this standard by offering a 25-year performance warranty with an 80% output guarantee, meeting market expectations.

Unique to Tindo, customers can directly contact their Australian manufacturing plant for warranty claims, a service no other company offers.

Read more about Tindo’s warranty terms and conditions.

Comparison of Tindo Solar Panel Specifications (common modules)

Should I Buy Tindo Solar Panels?

Investing in Tindo Solar panels supports an Australian company and feels good. Their panels match the mid-market quality and come with a strong warranty policy. However, if you seek the best solar panels and are willing to pay a premium, you might consider larger foreign brands like LG, Sunpower, or REC.

Example of Tindo Solar project

In 2014, Tindo Solar completed a 65kW solar system project for Flinders University’s Law and Commerce building, utilizing 260W panels manufactured by Tindo Solar. This system is predicted to produce 95MWh of electricity annually, significantly reducing the University’s dependence on grid-supplied energy.

Read more product reviews from Solar Choice

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Jeff Sykes

CEO at Solar Choice

Jeff has consulted on over 20MW of commercial solar projects, ranging from SMEs to ASX top 100 companies. Jeff has also provided independent advice to 100s of residential solar, battery and EV charging customers across every state in Australia. He holds an MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management and is an expert in business strategy and financial analysis.

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