Overview of Seraphim – Company History
Seraphim is a Chinese solar panel manufacturer, originally established in 2011. Established with a mission to develop a better world through continuous solar innovation, this is backed by 100+ members of their research and development team. This research has resulted in over 100 technical patents being lodged.
With manufacturing plants located in China, South Africa, and Vietnam, Seraphim has distributed modules to more than 40 countries worldwide. Seraphim has a 5 GW solar module production capacity, placing them as a mid-tier manufacturer in the global market.
Seraphim first entered the Australian market back in 2012. In mid 2020 Seraphim have increased their push into the Australian market agreeing to a 50 MW solar module supply agreement with the Australian based solar wholesaler and importer Raystech Group. The companies that import Seraphim Solar’s panels hold the responsibility for servicing warranty claims in the Australian market.
Read below our in-depth Seraphim solar panels review.
Key Panel Indicators
| Seraphim Solar Panel | |
| Bloomberg Tier 1 Ranking | Yes |
| PV Evolution Labs Top Performer | Yes (4/6) |
| Office location in Australia | No |
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.
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.
Seraphim Solar Panels are currently ranked in the PV Evolution Labs Top Performers across 4 of the 6 annual tests in the latest report.
See full list of PV Evolution Labs Top Performing Solar Panels
Why Is Office Location in Australia Important?
Most solar panel manufacturers entering the Australian market first set up their distribution channels and worry about customer service later. This has led to many unhappy customers who are left trying to contact Chinese head offices to claim on their product warranty. Seraphim’s global website names a sales center location in Melbourne but there is no ability to process warranty claims. They have outsourced the warranty claim function to SAE Group, who are a Solar Installer based in Tweed Heads New South Wales.
Relying on your solar installer is not always an option as we’ve seen many residential solar installers (including the large ones) go out of business well within the lifetime of the systems they are installing.
They currently have a shared office space on Collins St in Melbourne and an Australian phone number (03 9900 6423). They are still have not created an Australian website as most of the other Chinese solar panel manufacturers have done, so it seems they are keeping the Australian market with low overheads.
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How Much Do Seraphim Solar Panels Cost?
Based on Solar Choice’s database we have provided the below-average costs as an indicative guide. These prices include:
- Full turnkey Solar System with Seraphim 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 |
| 6kW | $4,996 |
| 8kW | $7,901 |
| 10kW | $9,647 |
Important Note: Prices will vary depending on location, inverter brand and which installer is used
Model Range Available in Australia
The majority of Seraphim’s currently available solar panels are approved by the Clean Energy Council for the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, which is Australia’s home solar rebate program.
S2 Series
The S2 Series features bificial and monofacial panels originally launched in 2019 and featuring their ‘Blade’ panel. The panels used half cell technology as is now commonly adopted across the solar panel industry to improve yield and resilience to shading.
- Seraphim SRP-320-BMB 120 Cells Datasheet 320-335Wp
- Seraphim SRP-390-BMA 144 Cells Datasheet 390-405Wp
- Seraphim SRP-425-BMZ 156 Cells Mono PERC Datasheet 425-450Wp
- Seraphim SRP-440-BMZ 156 Cells Mono PERC Datasheet 435-450Wp
S3 Series
The later S3 Series also features monofacial and bificial panels with efficiencies up to 20.07% (SRP-375-BMB-HV). The S3 series also features a multi-busbar and slightly larger 166mm silicon wafers which help increase the total output of the panel.
- Seraphim SRP-370-BMB 120 Cells Mono PERC Datasheet 360-375Wp
- Seraphim SRP-440-BMA 144 Cells Mono PERC Datasheet 430-445Wp
SRP-BMB-DG Series
The SRP-BMB-DG Series features dual-glass technology meaning both the front and back sheet are made of glass. This reduces the likelihood of faults and degradation and results with a slightly heavier result with the 120 Cell panels weighing 22.5 kilos. The increased durability of the panels enables Seraphim to offer a 15 year product warranty and a 30 year performance warranty (compared to 10 years product and 25 years performance for the s2 and s3 series). This series reaches as maximum efficiency of 19.89 for SRP-410-BMA-DG.
- Seraphim SRP-330-BMB-DG 120 Cells Mono PERC Datasheet 325-340Wp
- Seraphim SRP-400-BMA-DG 144 Cells Mono PERC Datasheet 395-410Wp
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Seraphim Solar Panel Specifications
| Seraphim Bifacial 158 Half-Cell 60 Mono Perc-Plus Frame | Seraphim 158 Half-Cell 60 Poly
|
Seraphim Smart-Tigo Perc | |
| Cell Number | 120 half-cut cells | 120 half-cut cells | 60 cells |
| Cell Type | PERC Monocrystalline
|
Polycrystalline | PERC Monocrystalline
|
| Power Output | 320Wp | 295Wp | 315Wp |
| Nominal Power Voltage | 34.3V | 32.9V | 32.8V |
| Power Density | 184.97 W/m² | 177.71 W/m² | 193.25 W/m² |
| Panel Efficiency | 18.46% | 17.76% | 19.36% |
| Annual Power Degradation | Not disclosed | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Dimensions | 1720 x 1008 x 30mm
(1.73m²) |
1674 x 992 x 35mm
(1.66m²) |
1640 x 992 x 35 mm
(1.63m²) |
| Weight | 22.5kg | 18.5kg | 17.5kg |
| Product Warranty | 15 years | 10 years | 15 years |
| Performance Warranty | 30 years | 25 years | 25 years |
| Operational Temperature Range | -40°C to 85°C
|
-40°C to 85°C
|
-40°C to 85°C
|
| Made in | China | China | China |
Seraphim Commercial Solar Project
An example of a Seraphim commercial project is the system that was installed for the lighting retailer Beacon in June of 2016. The system consisted of 384 SRP-260-6PB modules, totalling a system capacity of 100kW. The system installed in Melbourne took the team of 9 technicians 2 weeks to fully install and connect to the grid. With estimated electricity production of 130 thousand kW/h annually, it will significantly reduce Beacon’s energy consumption costs. The project also included the installation of a Tesla electric car charger. The innovative drive of Seraphim was on display, as illustrated through the installed panel array for Beacon. (pictured below)
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Jack Boutchard
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Reviews from Australians who have installed Seraphim Panels
These seem to work fine, but I was quoted a more efficient cell, but delivered an older style.
Can't comment as only had it < 2 months. Waiting for bill to see benefits.
Look OK. No issues so far
Each panel is independent
