


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.
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.
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.
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.
Similar to SunPower, LG also offers a 25-year warranty which covers transport and labour costs to uninstall and re-install the panels.
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.
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.
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.
Before diving into brands and models you will need to have chosen what type of inverter is most suited to your needs and system (Standard String, Micro, Hybrid, Grid- Tie, Battery etc.) Read more here if you’re still determining which Inverter type is for you.
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.
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.
Last updated February 2019
For a complete list of brands available in Australia see reviews on Canstar Blue
If you’re considering solar for your property or just looking to maximise the savings for your solar system, download a FREE copy of our "Beginner’s Guide To Solar Power".
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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!
Download Your Free Copy Now!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.
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!
Solar Market were so helpful with giving me 3 different quotes to compare. It removed the stress out of going solo and chasing companies to get quotes from. I would highly recommend the team at solar market.
As a home owner looking to upgrade to solar we received prompt and excellent service from Solar Market. We received calls from 3 solar energy companies that arranged home visits with obligation free quotes. Within a week we had all the information and quotes we needed to enable us to make an informed decision. Thank you, Solar Market, for making the process comfortable and easy.
Very prompt response to my enquiry providing several competitive quotes. Also made me aware of what questions I needed to ask when speaking to solar installers. Now I have what I need to make a decision on what installer and system to choose.
I wasn’t sure how to go about adding a solar system. I was pleased after getting quotes and talking with contractors that I could understand what could be done and how much it’d cost. The contractors weren’t pushy and were very helpful.
Once I sent my request for Solar Market to have solar companies contact me with quotes for solar panels on my house, everything was very quick and efficient. The companies that solar market had contact me were professional and very experienced in the industry. Very impressed with the overall experience and professional way things were handled. It did not take long for me to chose a company that suited my needs to supply solar for the house. Thanks, Solar Market.
Received 3 quotes from companies all with good reviews. Using Solar Market made the process easy. Thank you
I made a request for solar panel installation, and Solar Market organised for companies to contact me with quotes. For me it was stress free without the ordeal to do it all myself, very happy with Solar Market service. Managed to find a company within a week to do the solar installation. With all honesty I recommend Solar Market. Thank you, Solar Market.
Solar Market sent out 3 very good companies to give me quotes
Solar Market is a great platform to start with when you are looking to install Solar energy to your house. Contact them today, I did and I am very happy that I did. Cheers Solar Market!
Solar Market is reliable and genuine. This is an excellent service. Keep up the good work.
As a pensioner, funds are limited and we need help finding companies that will supply what we want. Solar Market got in touch with a few companies at no expense to us. It has given us a good start to find what we can afford.
I asked for 3 CEC accredited installers and Solar Market delivered. Cheers!
Contact from the three Solar Companies was received within two days and the follow up from those contacts was very good over the period of time it took to examine the quotes and make a decision. Contact from Solar Market during this process continued during this time to make sure that I was satisfied with the companies who had made contact to provide quotes.
Solar market helped me to choose and understand solar. Great site, I recommend it to everybody looking for solar panels.
Solar Market made it easy to get quotes from reputable companies.
Solar Market put me in touch with three solar installers almost immediately. Two were local supplier/installers and one was a high profile one located in Sydney but using local installers. Solar Market has also followed through with emails asking if I need additional quotes and to kindly rate their service. Could not ask for better service.
I found the Solar Market staff pleasant and helpful. The quotes they sent were very quick and I was more than happy to choose the one which was a standout with their experience and proposal presentation.
Solar Market were great, I had three companies contact me and I have gone with one of them. Their service was very prompt and very professional.
I just found solar market so helpful with giving me the option of 3 different quotes. It certainly took a lot of the stress out of going solar and choosing the companies to get quotes from. I would highly recommend the team at Solar Market.
Solar Market cuts the crap out of what the industry is all about and gives a fair and honest opinion on the products that are best suited for your application. I looked at Solar Market after going to a seminar about what we might get on our house and the products that were recommended at the seminar were on Solar Market’s website. Really Happy
The info on the Solar Market website with Q&A’s and ratings on the different panels and inverters was fantastic. It then allowed me to talk to the solar companies and know what I was talking about. Every aspect of solar is explained to help you make an informed decision. Thanks for your help, cheers!
Find out what rebates and incentives you are entitled to
Find out what solar system size is suitable for your home
Find out everything about solar battery and its benefits
Find out if installing solar is worth it for your home
Get all the facts right before you invest in solar for your home
Read the reviews from experts on the many brands in the market