LONGi Solar – Company History
In Australian, LONGi Solar Panels first came on the scene in 2017 and have since captured a significant portion of the market share. They have established a local Australian office in Sydney to support local customers and installers.
Key Indicators
| LONGi Solar Panels | |
| Bloomberg Tier 1 Ranking | Tier 1 |
| PV Evolution Labs Top Performer (2024) | Yes (6 out of 7 tests) |
| Office location in Australia | Yes |
What is a Bloomberg Tier 1 Solar Panel?
What is PV Evolution Labs Top Performer?
Why is office location in Australia Important?
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How much do LONGi Solar Panels cost?
- Full turnkey Solar System with LONGi Solar Panels
- Installation from a pre-vetted reputable installer from Solar Choice’s network
- The STC rebate and GST
| System Size | Average Fully Installed Cost |
| 15kW | $11,923 |
| 10KW | $8,216 |
| 6.6kW | $5,971 |
| 5kW | $5,244 |
LONGi Solar Panels – Points of Difference
The largest solar panel manufacturer in the world
Vertically Integrated Solar PV Value Chain
LONGi owns most steps in the vertical supply chain to produce a solar panel including producing ingots, silicon wafers and solar cells. This strategy enables them to keep greater control over the supply and quality of each step of the process.
Many other solar panel brands acquire silicon wafers or solar cells from LONGi and pick up the process from there
LONGi only produces monocrystalline PERC solar panels as they have been focused on producing single crystal (mono) silicon wafers since the early 2000s. Generally their panels have higher efficiency due to leading cell technology than their competition at a similar price range.
LONGi Solar Panel Technologies
LONGi Solar currently has 149 solar panels approved by the Clean Energy Council in Australia under the name “LONGi Green Energy Technology Co Ltd”. This is a requirement to be eligible for the federal STC solar rebate.
LONGi has 3 main series of solar panels: Hi-MO 4, Hi-MO 5 and Hi-MO 6 which have a variety of different options to suit residential, commercial and utility-scale projects.
Hi-MO 4 Series
The Hi-MO 4 series uses gallium-doped silicon cells which improves the solar panels resistance to LID. In simple terms the amount of power the panel will produce will remain higher over time than most other panels with an annual degradation rate of 0.55% per year (typically 0.7%). These solar panels also offer a 12-year product warranty which is in line with most of the options on the market.
Hi-MO 5 Series
LONGi have also increased the working current within the panels to ~13amps (from 11amps in the Hi-MO 4m series) which is better suited to the mainstream string inverters that are available.
This range includes the traditional colours and an ‘all-black’ option like the Hi-MO4 series
The series also offers an ‘all black’ option where the solar cells and aluminium frame are black to offer customers a more aesthetically pleasing solution for their roof.
Hi-MO 6 Series
LONGi’s Hi-MO 6 series includes four models, each designed to meet different solar energy needs:
- The Artist: This model is for those who prioritise aesthetics. It features colored panels that blend well with building designs, making solar panels both functional and decorative.
- The Guardian: Ideal for areas with uneven shading, this model has built-in power optimizers that enhance energy output by adjusting the performance of individual panels according to sunlight availability.
- The Explorer: Offering solid performance with an efficiency of up to 22.5%, this model provides a reliable solar solution at an economical price, suitable for a broad range of applications.
- The Scientist: This is the most advanced model in the series, delivering up to 23.0% efficiency. It’s designed to maintain strong performance over time, with a first-year degradation rate of less than 1%. For those needing higher efficiency and enhanced performance, the Scientist is also available in Hi-MO X6 and X6 MAX variants:
- Hi-MO X6: Improves on the standard features with better durability and slightly higher efficiency.
- Hi-MO X6 MAX: Offers the higher performance and efficiency in the series, designed for environments requiring maximum energy output.
HI-MO X6 MAX SCIENTIST Review
We’ve just released our latest in-depth video analysis of the LONGi HI-MO6X MAX SCIENTIST solar panel — one of the most talked-about options in Australia’s premium solar market for 2025.
You can compare the best solar panels in Australia here for more independent expert reviews.
Common Features Across the Series:
- All-Black Design: All models come in an all-black version, favored for its sleek appearance that complements various roofing styles.
Positioning and Performance:
- The Hi-MO 6 series is positioned as a mid-range option, providing a balance between cost and performance. This makes these panels suitable for various settings, from residential homes to small businesses.
Summary: The Hi-MO 6 series by LONGi is tailored to meet diverse requirements, from visual appeal to high energy efficiency, ensuring a suitable choice for nearly any type of installation.
LONGi Solar Panel Specifications (common modules)
LONGi Solar Panel Specifications (Common Models)
| Specification | LONGi 440W Hi-MO 6 Explorer LR5-54HTH-440M | LONGi 450W Hi-MO 6 Scientist LR5-54HTH-450M | LONGi X6 [MAX] Scientist LR7-54HTH 470~475M |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cell Number | 108 Cells | 108 Cells (Half Cut) | 108 Cells (Half Cut) |
| Cell Type | Monocrystalline PERC | Monocrystalline PERC | Monocrystalline PERC |
| Power Output | 440Wp | 450Wp | 470Wp to 475Wp |
| Power Density | 225 W/m² | 230 W/m² | ~231.4W/m² |
| Panel Efficiency | 22.5% | 23.0% | 23.3% |
| Annual Power Degradation | 0.4% | 0.4% | <0.4% |
| First-Year Degradation | Not specified | Not specified | <1.0% |
| Dimensions | 1,722 mm x 1134 mm x 30 mm | 1,722 mm x 1,134 mm x 30 mm | 1,800 mm x 1,134 mm x 30 mm |
| Weight | 20.8 kg | 20.8 kg | 21.6 kg |
| Product Warranty | 15 Years | 25 Years | 25 Years |
| Temperature Coefficient Pmax | -0.290%/°C | -0.290%/°C | -0.280%/°C |
| Made in | China | China | China |
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LONGi’s Warranty Offer for Australian Customers
Solar panels in the Australian market come with a performance warranty and a product warranty.
The product warranty is probably the more important one as it covers manufacturing defects and most problems experienced with solar panels. LONGi typically offers 15 years for their product warranty, however some of the Hi-MO 6 panels have a 25 year product warranty – it is important to check the datasheet of what you’ve been quoted. A product warranty of 25-years is quickly becoming the norm in the Australian market.
Looking through LONGi’s warranty documentation, there is a clearly documented process to claim a warranty and adequate remedies available after an assessment has been made. Given LONGi have an Australian office to assist with this process, this is one of the better options available in the market.
The performance warranty for solar panels guarantees a maximum rate at which the solar panel will degrade over time. LONGi’s latest Hi-MO 6 (Scientist) series guarantees that their solar panels will degrade no more than 1% in the first year and then no more than 0.4% for the following 24 years. This gives them a slight edge of many of their competitors who typically offer (2.5% in year 1 and 0.7% thereafter).
Over time we would expect LONGi solar panels to slightly outperform other cost-effective brands, however making a claim against the performance warranty for a residential customer is difficult without high quality monitoring equipment.
Click here to read LONGi’s full Australian warranty document.
Pros and Cons of LONGi Solar Panels
| Pros | Cons |
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So, are LONGi Solar Panels a good option for me?
Example of a LONGi Commercial Solar Project – Numurkah Solar Farm (Victoria, Aus)
- Date: Q3, 2019
- Type of Application: Utility-scale solar farm
- System Size: 128 MWp
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Reviews from Australians who have installed Longi Panels
They work as efficiently as our Trina panels that were previously installed
Very happy with system output. Looks great on the roof & well distributed.
This was an upgrade to our existing 6.6Kw three-year-old system.
Review left 3 years after system installed
Not sure as they are for investment properties. Tenants don't send feedbacks.
Review left 2 years after system installed
We are happy with the returns from the panels. It looks decent on the roof, nothing to complain about. The reviews on Longi was good and the reason we went with it
Output appears to be great. Love that I can see what's happenning on my phone.
So far so good! Output seems a bit better than expected
the Solar panels look great and are having great output even with the cloudy days we are having
Panels installed on the east and noth parts of the tiled roof. For 8.5kW system installed the maximum (midday) output in January and February, depending on the weather, has been 5.0-6.8kW (sunny or a bit cloudy weather) and about 1.5-2.5kW on dark cloudy day. Daily generation between 15kWh and 48kWh (in summer). Most generated electricity by far goes to the grid.
ground mount. Panels seem to be fine. Not able to compare.
Review left 2 years after system installed
Lied to about the charges costs and then i was charged for the new meter after being told it was included.
Our daughters chose the same panels and installer a couple of years ago.We are confident based on her recordation for ours too.
The solar panels are performing as per specifications
Panels look great and perform as they should. Had to upgrade panels with inverters as there is a shade issue (a very large gumtree impacts on the amount of sun on the panels)
It is a 13kw system but the App says 10Kw.
They look good, but I cannot possibly assess them at this early stage.
Review left 5 years after system installed
We have done the research and happy with Longi
Review left 4 years after system installed
System output has been great. As well as reliable. No issues at all.
Great panels. All black. Excellent performance.
Review left 2 years after system installed
Longi 370W Hi-MO4 model (Mono-PERC, Split-Cell - Black Frame. Everything is working flawlessly so far.
