Browsing the market of solar panel brands and models can be an overwhelming experience when deciding to install or upgrade a solar system. To the naked eye, all solar panels look pretty much the same with slight variations of colours, sizes and makes. So how do you select a brand and model of quality that will be sufficient for your energy needs and be reliable throughout its lifetime?
Thanks to Clean Energy Reviews we’ve been able to source a list of the best reviewed and highest regarded solar panel brands available. Reviews were based on quality, performance, value and feedback by solar industry professionals.
Top 4 Panel Brands Available In Australia
SunPower
SunPower is considered the world leader of solar panels but can generally cost around 30% more than their competition. World record holder for the most efficient rooftop solar panels, SunPower is at the forefront of the solar PV industry.
What to expect when investing in SunPower Panels?
More Power / Same Space
SunPower holds the record for the highest efficiency silicon solar panel, which means you can create more power, on smaller roof spaces, with fewer panels (or leave more roof space free for future expansion).
Industry Leading Warranty
SunPower pioneered the solar industry with the first 25-year combined Power and Product Warranty. Unlike most solar warranties that cover just the panels, SunPower’s warranty also covers transport and labour costs to uninstall and re-install the panels. This makes Sunpower one of the safest, long-term solar power investments.
Approx. Cost Per Panel incl GST (AUD): $512
Country of Manufacture: Malaysia/Philippines/Mexico
Average Warranty Length: 25 years
Warranty Inclusive of Removal and Re installation of Panels: Yes
SunPower also had two models rated as the most efficient solar panel models of 2018 with their SunPower X series (up to 21.5% efficiency) & SunPower E series (up to 20.4% efficiency).
LG has a long history in solar photovoltaics beginning over 30 years ago when they first began research into silicon crystalline cells. LG panels can range from competitive pricing to premium pricing, covering a range of modules which are highly regarded and widely available, putting them at the top of the list when it comes to both quality and value for money. LG panels are highly rated by customers and professionals within the solar industry with their impressive black anodised aluminium frames, construction quality and detail.
What to expect when investing in LG Panels?
Similar to SunPower, LG also offers a 25-year warranty which covers transport and labour costs to uninstall and re-install the panels.
Approx. Cost Per Panel incl GST (AUD): $386
Country of Manufacture: South Korea
Average Warranty Length: 25 years
Warranty Inclusive of Removal and Re-installation of Panels: Yes
LG also had one of their models rated as one of the most efficient solar panels of 2018 with their LG energy Neon R (up to 21.4% efficiency).
Winaico is a relatively small volume manufacturer offering a premium range of very high-quality panels which are reasonably priced. Winaico is highly regarded in the solar industry and trusted by installers due to their track record of reliability and performance in the harsh Australian conditions.
What to expect when investing in Winaico Panels?
Approx. Cost Per Panel incl GST (AUD): $231
Country of Manufacture: Taiwan
Average Warranty Length: 15 years
REC
REC manufacture quality, cost-effective panels which have proven to be very popular among solar professionals, in particular, the TwinPeak range of panels. Those in the solar industry rate REC for their reliability and good performance, especially in the harsh Australian climate. REC is now the largest European owned supplier of solar modules and growing rapidly with a total production volume increase of almost 40% in 2018.
What to expect when investing in REC Panels?
Approx. Cost Per Panel incl GST (AUD): $197
Country of Manufacture: Singapore
Average Warranty Length: 10 years
Warranty Inclusive of Removal and Re-installation of Panels: No
Warranty Inclusive of Removal and Re-installation of Panels: No
Highly Reviewed Inverter Brands
Inverters are an integral part to any solar PV system, and are responsible for converting the DC electricity generated by solar panels into AC electricity that can be utilised in your home or sent to the grid. While different inverter products may have distinct features and characteristics, they must perform the DC to AC conversion to be considered an inverter.
Based on reviews and feedback from industry professionals and customers, here are some highly regarded inverters available in Australia. These inverters have been reviewed favorably due to their quality, warranty, features, monitoring, reliability and value.
Fronius
5-10-year warranty for inverters with option to extend
Award winning service and support
Easy installation
Highly regarded by professionals and customers
Compatible with retrofit batteries
Australian presence with an office based in Melbourne
High price range
Fronius inverters average maximum efficiencies of 97 to 98%
All Fronius Inverters are WiFi enabled for easy monitoring, commissioning and warranty.
SolarEdge
Cost effective and reliable
12-year standard warranty which is extendable to 25 years
Unique use of power optimisers to maximise power generation at the individual panel level
Wide range available inclusive of residential, commercial and small utility-scale solar installations
Australian presence with an office is located in Victoria
SolarEdge inverters have a weighted max efficiency of greater than 97%, independent of string length and temperature
SolarEdge’s high quality results in a high price for their inverters
All SolarEdge inverters can be monitored by a web-based portal
SMA
Highly reliable technology requiring less service than competing models, saving time and money over the long-term
Australian presence with an office in Sydney, NSW
One of the most popular inverters in Australia
SMA Sunny Boy Inverters have average maximum efficiencies of 97%.
Renowned for their high quality
Premium cost for their superior technology
5-year warranty with option to extend up to 20 years (dependent on model).
Warranty includes all costs in the unlikely event of an issue/failure, including shipping and on-site replacement
Offer a number of different internet-based monitoring solutions
Reliability – these guys deliver unparalleled power output all year round
Easy installation
ABB
Australian presence with an office located in Sydney, NSW
Max efficiencies of up to 97%
All ABB inverters come with a 5-year warranty that can be extended to 10, 15 and 20 years for a fee.
ABB solar inverters offer remote monitoring via the Aurora Vision Plant Management Platform
Highly regarded customer service and reliability
Delta
Australian Presence with an Australian office located in Victoria
Average maximum efficiencies of 96-97%, depending on model
Manufactured exclusively in China, they are less expensive than the inverters
Delta inverters come with a 10-year product warranty as standard
Delta string inverters can be monitored wirelessly with the SOLIVIA Monitor 2.0. Also compatible with third party monitoring systems Web’log and Solar-lo.
Popular Battery Brands
Battery storage is becoming increasingly popular due to batteries becoming more affordable in recent years with more brands and options becoming available. Once you’ve determined what battery storage setup you require or want for your solar system (retrofit, hybrid/battery ready, plug in and play or standalone) you can then discuss with installers what may be the best brand and model to make the most out of your excess energy. Here are some popular brands you’ll see around the Australian market.
Tesla Powerwall
Lithium-ion battery
Global leader in technology innovation
Life expectancy of 15 years and comes with a 10-year performance warranty
Doesn’t include a solar inverter or an in-built energy management system
Simple installation and low maintenance
Modern design
Enphase Energy
Modular lithium-ion phosphate battery
Expected life expectancy of 10 years
Built in monitoring option
One of the lowest costing systems ($1,900-$3000)
Compatible with most solar systems meaning no need to upgrade to a hybrid inverter
Magellanpower
WA company
Hybrid Energy Storage System
Output efficiency of 97%
All in one unit
Easy installation
Compatible with most solar systems due to inbuilt hybrid inverter
10-year performance warranty
Mobile app monitoring option
LG Chem
15 to 20-year life expectancy
10-year warranty
Large range of sizes
Low-voltage and high-voltage options
Lithium-ion battery technology
Last updated February 2019
For a complete list of brands available in Australia see reviews on Canstar Blue
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Includes detailed explanations and diagrams of the various types of solar systems and their parts, solar battery storage systems, Government incentives, expected ROI periods, finance, energy saving tips and more!
Received Quotes Tailored Quotes Suited To My Circumstances
I was able to get some good quotes and actually discuss the system I needed for my circumstances. I was informed on the quality of the parts used as well as the warranties provided. Tradesman were prompt and very professional.
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Website Provided The Information I Needed
The information on the Solar Market’s website was great and assisted me in understanding what I needed for my home and what rebates I could claim. I received 3 Quotes within a few days from solar companies near my residence. Cheers for the quick service!
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Took The Stress Out Of Searching For Solar Companies
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Prompt Service and Home Visit From Providers
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For some households a battery system can be of great benefit and minimise a home’s reliance on the grid. However, it’s important to understand for a battery to be useful your solar system needs to be generating excess energy for the battery to store, which you can then use at night or when the sun is not out.
When selecting a battery, you’ll want to invest in a system that is most suited to your home and can drive the best return on investment (ROI). Despite a larger upfront cost, a higher quality battery may significantly increase your ROI.
Battery systems start from $6,000 and costs can vary greatly based on the following factors:
Cycle Life-Time
The number of times a battery can fully charge and discharge.
Battery Power (kW)
How fast it can be charged or discharged.
Storage Capacity (kWh)
The maximum amount of energy a battery system can store.
Battery Management System (BMS)
An electronic ‘smart’ system that gathers data and manages the battery ensuring it does not overload or operate outside of its safe functioning zone..
Inverter
Battery systems require their own inverter if your solar system does not have a hybrid inverter.
'All-In-One Unit’
A system which includes the battery, BMS and an inverter all in one unit.
Warranty
Length of time or cycles the battery system is under guarantee.
Blackout Protection/Backup
It’s important to note this is not a common feature of a battery system and could cost thousands of dollars to include. Blackout protection not only requires additional components but also a specialised installation and rewiring. For grid-connected homes, the cost for blackout protection can outweigh the benefit.
Additionally, if your purpose for adding battery is to go Off-Grid and become completely independent from the grid you will need to ensure your solar system can generate enough energy to power your home and your battery system is large enough to store this energy. For homes in metro areas going Off-grid is not cost effective and is only recommended for those in remote areas with limited access to the grid. Off-grid solar systems with battery start at approximately $30,000.
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