Solar Panels Comparison: Types & Brands

sunpower, rec & lg solar panels

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How do Solar Panels work?

Through the photovoltaic effect solar panels convert sunlight in direct current (DC) electricity. Solar panels typically have 60 or 72 ‘cells’ which contain silicon. Silicon is the active element in a solar panel which will generate surplus electrons depending on the length of time and intensity of the sun irradiance it receives. The solar cells are encased in glass in groups of 60 or 72 with a backing sheet and are usually framed with aluminium to create a solar panel.

Different Types of Solar Panels

The most common panel types are monocrystalline and polycrystalline. These technologies have been around for a number of years and are proven in the Australian climate. When it comes to finding the best solar system for your needs, solar panels using newer technology (see below table) can offer benefits by increasing the energy generated in various conditions. Note that some of these newer technologies come at a cost premium as they are not produce at the same scale as monocrystalline and polycrystalline yet.

PolycrystallinePolycrystalline panels (sometimes called Multicrystalline) use silicon crystal composed of many small grains with no rules between the arrangement of the grains within a solar cell. They appear perfectly rectangular with no rounded or squared edgesPolycrystalline solar panel
MonocrystallineMonocrystalline panels are easy to identify as they typically have a diamond shaped external colouring indicating a high-purity silicon (See image below). These panels utilise single large grains of crystal to create each silicon module. These solar cells are higher efficiency than Polycrystalline.Monocrystaline solar panel
Mono PERC Solar PanelsInvented by the UNSW, PERC panels have changed the cell structure of Solar Modules to improve the efficiency leading to greater power per square metre. Mono PERC Solar Panel
Bifacial Solar PanelsBifacial solar panels are designed to capture light from the underside of the panel as well. They are typically installed on tilt frames where reflective roof sheeting can ‘bounce’ some sunlight back towards the bottom of the panel increasing the generated energy. Bifacial Solar Panel
Frameless Solar PanelsTypically solar panels come with an aluminium frame. Frameless panels use heavy duty glass to avoid this requirement and reduce the dust build up that occurs over time along the framing. Frameless Solar Panels
Lightweight or Flexible Solar PanelsPanels with thinner solar cells can be up to 7x lighter than a regular panel. Read more in our detailed guide.Verditek Flexible solar panel
Split Cell (Half Cut) Solar PanelsSplitting a solar cell in half has the effect of halfing the output but dividing the resistance by 4. This means with some extra engineering it is possible to generate 10-20% more energy from these panels with the same amount of silicon and roof space.Split Cell (Half Cut) Solar Panels

Three tests to determine if a Solar Panel brand is good

Our main advice is do not take any individuals (friend, installer, neighbour) opinion on what is a good solar panel brand and look at the independent tests and rankings for solar panels. To determine if the panel you have been quoted is a good one – first see if the brand appears on the below 2 lists (and read what the list means) and then head to their website and understand their warranty claim process.

If however you’re short of time and want to get to the point, we’ve written an article on the 10 Best Solar Panels in Australia 2021.

This ranking reflects the opinion of Solar Choice only and we encourage readers to do their own research and come to their own conclusions.

Test 1 – Tier One Ranking

The 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 the company. This should give you an idea if the company is a large, well-known manufacturer.

Tier 1 Ranking 2020 – Q4

Panel Capacity MW Panel Capacity MW
LONGi 35,200 Seraphim 5,500
Jinko 27,500 Jolywood 3,300
Trina 23,650 SunPower 3,080
JA Solar 16,500 LG 2,640
Canadian 15,400 Phono 2,200
Risen 13,860 REC Group 1,980
Q CELLS 11,770 ET Solar 1,760
Suntech 11,000 Ulica 1,100
Talesun 7,700 Hyundai 540
Eging 5,720 Leapton 660
ZNShine 5,500

* Note some panels have been left out that are not sold in Australia based on the CEC Approved Product List

Test 2 – Is the panel a PV Evolution Labs Top Performer?

PV Evolution Labs have in partnership with DNV GL been independently testing Solar Panels reliability since 2014. It is a voluntary test which manufacturers have to pay to be a part of, but is considered internationally as an excellent indication of Solar Panel quality.

Their latest report released in May 2021 lists solar panels from the following manufacturers as Top Performers:

Test Description Top Performers 2021
Thermal Cycling Panels endure 600 cycles from -40°C to 85°C Astronergy ET Solar GCL
Hyundai Jinko LONGi
SunPower Phono Solar Q CELLS
REC Group Seraphim
Damp Heat Panels are placed in 85°C temperature with 85% humidity for 2,000 hours ET Solar GCL Hyundai
JA Solar LG LONGi
SunPower Q CELLS REC Group
Seraphim Talesun VSUN
Mechanical Stress Sequence Panels are subjected to mechanical loads and thermal cycling to propogate cracks. ET Solar Jinko LG
LONGi SunPower Phono Solar
Q CELLS Seraphim
Potential-Induced Degradation (PID) Panels loaded to max voltage applied with heat and humidity to identify possible degradation ET Solar JA Solar Jinko
Jolywood LG LONGi
SunPower Phono Solar Q CELLS
REC Group Risen Energy Talesun
LID + LETID Light induced degration is tested using specialised equipment involving light soaking and flash testing Astronergy ET Solar Hyundai
JA Solar Jinko Jolywood
LG LONGi SunPower
Phono Solar Q CELLS REC Group
Risen Energy Talesun Trina Solar
PAN Performance This test assesses the amount of energy a panel will produce in a matrix of operating conditions Astronergy ET Solar GCL
LONGi Seraphim

* Note some panels have been left out of the above table that are not sold in Australia based on the CEC Approved Product List

You can download their full report here for free

Test 3 – Does the manufacturer have an Australian office and easy warranty claim process?

Most solar panel manufacturers entering the Australian market, first setup 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 10-year product warranty.

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.

To make sure you have options to claim warranty, Solar Choice recommends:

  1. Visit the Solar Panel manufacturers website
  2. Make sure they have an Australian office with an office number you can call
  3. Make sure the warranty claim process is clearly outlined on their website
Solar Panel Brand Product Warranty Australian Office
Astronergy 12 years Yes
Canadian Solar 12-15 years Yes
EGing 10 years No
ET Solar 10 years No
GCL 12 years No
Hanwha Q Cells 12-25 years Yes
JA Solar 12 years No
Jinko Solar 12-25 years Yes
LG 15-25 years Yes
LONGi Solar 12 years Yes
REC Group 10-20 years Yes
Risen Energy 12 years Yes
Seraphim Energy 10-15 years No
SunPower 25 years Yes
SunTech 15 years Yes
Trina Solar 10-12 years Yes
Vikram Solar 10-12 years No
Winaico Solar 15-25 years Yes
ZNShine 12 years Yes

 

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Industry Standards for Warranties

For solar panels there is now an internationally accepted standard for the length of warranties:

  1. Performance warranty of 25 years to output of 80% of nameplate wattage
  2. Product warranty of 10 years covering product defects

While you never see solar panel warranties with shorter than “25 & 10”, each manufacturer has a different warranty agreement and claims process. Generally speaking dealing with a reputable solar panel brand will ensure that you are receiving fair and reasonable warranty terms.

Some solar panel manufacturers have chosen to differentiate themselves from the masses by offering up to 25 year product warranties and 30 year performance warranties. Typically these come with considerable extra cost – so the choice is with the consumer whether they want to spend more for a ‘BMW’ or whether they are happy with a ‘Ford Falcon’.

The Wholesale Cost of Solar Panels

Across utility scale Solar PV projects in Australia, the market for large corporates buying solar power has plummeted to below 5c per kWh ($50 per MWh) reflecting increasing economies of scale of both the manufacturers and the construction companies. While your local solar installer doesn’t have access to the same rates for solar equipment they passed on cost benefits from the continued increase in efficiencies in manufacturing facilities.

Wholesale rates for solar panels are not published and are dependent on manufacturer, purchase power, the Australian Dollar and other market factors. As a ballpark guide buying directly from wholesalers costs for most cost-effective brands are currently between AUD$0.35 to AUD$0.50 per watt and can be less than $0.30 if buying at scale from manufacturers.

The best and fairest guide we can give you for the average costs of Solar in Australia are published monthly in the Solar Price Index and is split by size and by Australian state.

To help you find the best solar system: Solar Choice Price Index as at January 2021

 

For those researching for independent information regarding the best solar panels in Australia, use Solar Choice.

 

Compare solar quotes from up to 7 local installers now.

 

Comments

    1. Hi Jeewan,

      Risen would be considered a mid-range panel. They are on the cheaper side to buy at a solar wholesaler, but present a reasonable option if you are looking for a cost effective system. It might be worth considering paying a little bit more for one of the panels that are on the top performers list above?

      Regards,
      Solar Choice Staff

  1. Sunpower panels do not appear. Are they no longer considered a top line performer?
    Thank you.
    Wagga

    1. Hi Wagga,

      Sunpower are generally considered a premium panel with significantly longer warranties than most alternatives. They have not chosen (paid) to participate in the DNV GL voluntary testing, so perhaps they may feel they don’t need the additional credibility rating.

      I would still feel confident recommending Sunpower in any circumstances – if you’re willing to pay a bit more for longer warranties and a higher quality panel.

      Regards
      SC Staff

  2. Hello. Wondering why LG panels do not rate in the DNV GL Top Performers test?
    Thanks
    Begnat

    1. Hi Begnat,

      They have ranked in previous years but this year this have missed out. DNV GL do not publish reasons for panels not being on the list, so it’s unclear whether they didn’t participate or didn’t perform well. We would assume the former.

      In our opinion LG panels are an excellent solar panel for consumers happy to pay a premium for a longer warranty period.

      Regards,
      Solar Choice Staff

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