Solar Panels Rankings - 2021
Top 3 solar panels in Australia | Compare all the major solar panel brands
Comparing prices for solar panel costs can be a difficult task with the amount of online shops and price comparison websites advertising different panel prices for their solar power systems. That’s why we’ve created this simple guide that compares prices to give you a clear answer on the cost of each of the major solar panel brands.
This total cost can be reduced with the help of the Federal Government’s solar rebates, which can offer discounts on the installation costs based on the number of STCs (Small-scale Technology Certificates) that your system earns. For a more precise esalignnonetimate based on your location, you can find an STC calculator here. If you would like to learn more about the Government’s renewable energy subsidy scheme, have a look at our article on Solar Rebates.
The Best Three Solar Panels to Install
1. EGing
With over 17 years worth of experience and an elite-level Research and Development team, EGing PV stands amongst the top-level performers in all of China in terms of solar panel manufacturing and production. Their vertically integrated business model allows them to have the best solar panels while maintaining a great price for consumers.
Their EG-415 is the flagship of their solar panels and is recognized as one of the most efficient panels in the world. The 415W uses a multi-busbar technology pattern, which decreases the resistance loss between your solar panels and your solar inverter unit.
Its solar panel modules can achieve 21.22% efficiency, while having textured solar cell surfaces which allows for great performance, even in low-light or shaded areas. This is due to their half-cell technology. The half-cells can gather more photons even if the panel is partially shaded, which means that you will not lose efficiency if there is something blocking a portion of, our panels. The half-cut cells work in unison with the multi-busbar, which brings about lower resistance levels with higher power output.
Their warranties include a 20-year product warranty on all their panels, with a 25-year linear power warranty as well. Take a deeper dive into the EGing panels with our EGing Solar Panel review.
2. Jinko
Founded in 2006, Jinko Solar has become one of the largest (if not the largest) solar panel manufacturers in the world. Since 2016, they have held a tight grip on the number 1 spot for most solar panels and solar energy systems sold worldwide from China.
Being a huge multi-national company, Jinko Solar now has plants all over the world, with flagship factories in the US, China, and Australia. Their biggest successes have come from the Research and Development teams – who do strict quality control and durability testing. Many solar installers within the Australian market love Jinko Solar’s panels because of their ease of construction and installation.
Cheetah Series: The CHEETAH Solar Panels are Jinko’s most popular model, and the first to be named after a big cat. The CHEETAH Panels have varying sizes from 325, 340, and even 410 watts. They come in the standard 60 or 120 half-cut cell sizes.
The CHEETAH Series solar panels are recognized as the top-selling panel in Australia for the year 2020 and will continue to do so deep into 2021. Those who install Jinko Solar panels have said that they are the best balance between quality and value for the price you pay. Want to know more about Jinko panels? Review our Jinko solar panels
3. SunPower
One of the most reputable solar panel manufacturers in the world – SunPower is known for its ability to innovate and create efficient and durable solar panels and solar energy systems. In the United States – they are the leading residential and commercial solar energy manufacturer and have been ranked #1 in commercial solar for the US since 2017.
One of their latest achievements is their MAXEON Solar Cell technology. It has a patented, flexible copper backing which allows for the cells to not only absorb more photons but to also last longer than conventional silicon-based solar cells. On top of that, all SunPower solar panels are backed by a 25-year warranty, with a performance warranty ranging from 88% to 92% efficiency.
Their A-Series solar panels are built with their latest and greatest solar cells, their MAXEON Gen 5s. They can deliver up to 22.3% efficiency and are known as the world’s first 400 watt solar panels.
Their X-Series solar panels are built with MAXEON Solar cells as well, while delivering a higher efficiency level, at 22.7%. The X-Series panels are built for spaces that are constrained by size and dimensions, which will work perfectly for a backyard project or commercial-grade projects. Take a deeper dive into our Sunpower product review to know more about Sunpower panels.
Solar Panel Price Index
| Manufacturer | 6.6kW (basic inverter) | 9.9kW (basic inverter) | 6.6kW (premium inverter) | 9.9kW (premium inverter) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $8500 – $9500 | $12500 – $13500 | $10000 – $9500 | $14000 – $15000 |
 | $6000 – $7000 | $8500 – $9500 | $7500 – $8500 | $10500 – $11500 |
 | $5000 – $6000 | $7000 – $8000 | $6500 – $7500 | $9000 – $10000 |
 | $5000 – $6000 | $7000 – $8000 | $6500 – $7500 | $9000 – $10000 |
 | $5000 – $6000 | $6500 – $7500 | $6000 – $7000 | $9000 – $10000 |
 | $5000 – $6000 | $6500 – $7500 | $6000 – $7000 | $9000 – $10000 |
 | $5000 – $6000 | $6500 – $7500 | $6000 – $7000 | $9000 – $10000 |
 | $5000 – $6000 | $6500 – $7500 | $6000 – $7000 | $9000 – $10000 |
 | $5000 – $6000 | $6500 – $7500 | $6000 – $7000 | $9000 – $10000 |
This solar panel cost comparison table provides a clear view of the range of prices between the major solar energy brands and the price jump between the different sized solar systems.
One notable price difference is between systems with a basic inverter and a premium inverter. Inverters convert the DC electricity created by your solar panels into usable AC electricity that can power your home and everything in it. The higher the quality of your inverter, the greater the efficiency of the conversion. This means that your inverter plays a large role in the amount of electricity you can get out of your panels. The premium inverters have a steeper upfront cost, however over the lifetime of your solar panels this can result in a greater return on investment.
The Price of Extra Features
| Feature | Extra Cost |
|---|---|
| Double Storey | $500 – $1500 |
| Split Array | $150 – $350 |
| Switchboard Upgrade | $800 – $1800 |
| Optimizers | $85 – $150 |
| Monitoring Units/Export Limiters | $350 – $1000 |
| Tilt Kits | $50 – $100 |
FAQ - About Solar Panels
Tier 1 Panels are the top ranking solar panel manufacturers based off the Bloomberg Financial Review of their Financial Position. This certifies that the Manufacturing company can cover its warranties and will be in business in 25 years. It also means that these companies have the backing to do more Research and Development on their products, giving them more of an edge in the market.
Poly panels are the cheapest solar panel technology on the market. You can tell a Poly Panel from the inconsistent blue colour on the face. Poly panels are a good option for those prioritising affordability and with plenty of roof space.
Mono panels are significantly higher performing than the Poly panels. They are distinguishable by their jet black face without blue colouring. Mono panels are an excellent choice for those looking for strong performance and with limited roof space.
Bi-facial panels have cells on both the front and the back, giving them two faces from which to convert sunshine. This gives bifacial panels an increased power output and efficiency as they’re able to absorb both the direct sunlight and the second-hand light from the rear.
In a standard full cell solar panel, one portion of shade can stop the whole circuit from working. Half cell panels split the panel into two circuits, allowing one half to function while the other is impeded by shade.
Product warranties refer to the material and workmanship of the product. This type of warranty generally covers defects and equipment failure for the duration of the warranty.
A performance warranty refers to the guarantee of a baseline electrical production output for the duration of the warranty. Solar panels are generally built to last 25+ years. There is some natural decline in the performance and efficiency of the panels over the course of their lifetime, however this is generally no more than 10-20% in total. If your panel production drops below the guaranteed levels, then your warranty will allow you to have your system fixed or replaced.
Temperature coefficient measures the effect of high temperatures on the productivity of your solar panels. High heat impedes on the performance of electronics. Temperature coefficient for solar panels is expressed as a percentage of output lost for every 1°C of temperature increase. Solar panels are tested at a base temperature of 25°C, making this the reference point for temperature coefficient.
While the effects of temperature on your panels are generally negligible, they can help to calculate a more accurate estimate for the output of your system.
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