Here is our short list of the best quality and most reliable panel manufacturers on the Australian market based on company history, quality, real world performance, service, and feedback from solar industry professionals. This list is generally applicable to most regions with established solar industries including Europe and Asia, however in Japan, Panasonic has a strong position, and in North America, SunPower would take the top spot.

1. LG Energy

2. SunPower

3. REC

4. Q Cells

5. Winaico

* Tindo solar is currently the only Australian solar panel manufacture and is highly regarded by installers and customers alike. However, the limited production volume means they can be difficult to source outside South Australia.

Best Value Solar Panel Manufacturers

Based on feedback from solar professionals, below is our list of the best ‘value’ solar panel manufacturers available in Australia. With a long history in research and development, Trina Solar, Jinko Solar and Canadian Solar are some of the oldest and best-known manufacturers, while LONGi Solar has more recently become the worlds largest manufacturer of monocrystalline cells by volume.

• Trina Solar

• Jinko Solar

• Canadian Solar

• Phono Solar

• Suntech Power

• Hyundai Solar

• LONGi Solar

• JA Solar

LG

LG is regarded as one of the world’s leading manufacturer’s with a premium range of quality, reliable, high performance panels. LG are one a very few manufacturers to offer both a 25 year product and 25 year performance warranty on the Neon 2 and Neon R panels, which both ultilise high grade, long lasting, N-type cells.

LG's range of premium panels are very popular in Australia, USA and Europe and incorporate many industry-leading technologies. The LG Neon 2 panels were the first to use multi-wire busbars together with high-performance N-type cells and are one of the most popular high-end panels available in Australia.

• Power rating* (W): 350W - 380W

• Efficiency (%): 19.3 - 22.0%

• Price range: Med - High $$$$

See the detailed LG solar panel review.

SunPower

Sunpower, now known as Maxeon Solar, is a world leader in high efficiency IBC solar cells and offer an industry-leading performance warranty of 92% retained capacity after 25 years, plus a 25-year manufacturers product warranty.

The new Maxeon series panels use the high-performance IBC N-type cells which are the most efficient solar PV cell technology available today. Although, they do come at a premium price and are not widely used in Australia. The more cost-effective Performance or P series panels from SunPower are gaining popularity for both residential and larger scale commercial installations. In North America, Sunpower panels are very popular and one of the most trusted brands available.

• Power rating* (W): 340W - 450W

• Efficiency (%): 19 - 22.6%

• Price range: Med - Very High $$$$$

See the detailed SunPower solar panel review.

REC

REC manufactures high quality, cost effective panels which have proven to be very popular among installers, in particular the TwinPeak range. As of 2019 all REC TwinPeak and N-peak panels come with a standard 20-year product warranty and improved performance warranty with reduced degradation making it one of the best warranties on the market.

The REC TwinPeak panels were the first to use half-cut cells in the split module format providing higher efficiency and improved shade tolerance. The N-Peak series panels and recently released Alpha series panels utilising advanced N-type Heterojunction (HJT) half-cut cells, now position REC among the industry-leading manufacturers in high performance solar.

• Power rating* (W): 300W - 380W

• Efficiency (%): 18 - 21.7%

• Price range: Med - High $$$

See the detailed REC solar panel review.

Q Cells

Hanwha Q Cells is a well known, high volume panel manufacturer offering a wide range of quality panels for all applications. The latest Q cells G6+ Duo panels are backed by a new 25-year product warranty and improved long term performance warranty with 85% rated output after 25 years.

Q cells offer a very wide range of panels from entry-level standard 60 cell panels using reliable monocrystalline cells, to highly efficient half-cut mono PERC cells used on the Q.Peak Duo G5 and G6 range, and more recently the advanced Q.Peak DUO G8 and G9+ range featuring the latest innovations including zero-gap cells with 12 microwire busbars.

• Power rating* (W): 325W - 460W

• Efficiency (%): 18.8 - 20.8%

• Price range: Med $$$

Winaico

Winaico is a relatively small volume manufacturer offering a premium range of high quality panels which are reasonably priced. Winaico panels now come with a 25-year manufacturers warranty and are well regarded and trusted by installers. They also have a good track record for long term reliability and performance in the harsh Australian conditions.

Winaico’s attention to detail, high strength frame designs and great service also put them ahead of most other manufacturers. The next generation GEMINI series are available in power ratings up to 375W panels and feature high-efficiency mono PERC half-cut cells .

• Power rating* (W): 310W - 375W

• Efficiency (%): 18.8 - 20.6%

• Price range: Med - High $$$

See the detailed Winaico solar panel review.

Performance And Durability Testing

The many advancements in solar cell technology has lead to huge price reductions over recent years with many new low cost, more efficient solar panels being released by the leading Chinese manufacturers. To ensure ongoing quality there are several leading, independent, testing organisation which help verify long term performance and reliability. This is further explained in our guide to selecting a quality solar panel.

 Trina Solar

Trina solar is one of the worlds largest solar panel manufacturers and are investing heavily in low-cost, high-efficiency panels. The well known Trina Honey range of panels are considered great quality and very good value for money, in particular the Honey M (monocrystalline) panels which are now available in the more efficient half-cut 120 cell format up to 370W.

Trina Solar offers a very diverse range of panels from cost-effective mono-crystalline PERC panels to advanced bifacial panels. The latest Vertex and Vertex S (small) series of high-performance panels boosted Trina Solar’s standing as a manufacturer of more advanced and high-efficiency panels.

• Power rating* (W): 280W - 600W

• Efficiency (%): 17 - 20.8%

• Price range: Low - Med $$

See the detailed Trina solar panel review.

 Jinko Solar

JinkoSolar is the largest Chinese solar panel manufacturer by volume and produce a wide range of cost-effective and reliable panels. The Jinko engineers work closely with the Australian UNSW solar research center of excellence and have achieved several efficiency records over the years through their continuous research and development in new PV cell technology.

The Cheetah range (mono) of panels from JinkoSolar are one of the most popular low-cost panels on the market with a great track record for reliability, and good support from local offices. More recently, the powerful Tiger and Tiger Pro series of panels from Jinko has pushed the boundaries of PV cell innovation and technology.

• Power rating* (W): 280W - 585W

• Efficiency (%): 17 - 20.7%

• Price range: Low - Med $$

   

  See the detailed JinkoSolar panel review.

Canadian Solar

Canadian Solar is the fifth largest solar panel manufacturer in the world and produces a wide range of cost-effective, reliable panels. The company generally focused on more cost-effective polycrystalline cells and developed some advanced high-efficiency panels based on the half-cut polycrystalline cell design. However, over recent years, Canadian Solar shifted to developing more efficient mono-PERC cell based panels like the HiDM and powerful HiKu series.

The new-generation HiKu6 range of monocrystalline split-cell panels from Canadian Solar are becoming more popular among installers as a quality, affordable, high-performance panel backed by good support from local offices.

• Power rating* (W): 295W - 590W

• Efficiency (%): 18 - 21.3%

• Price range: Low - Med $$

See the detailed Canadian Solar panel review.

LONGi Solar

LONGi Solar has grown rapidly over the last few years to become not only one of the largest Chinese solar panel manufacturers, but the largest monocrystalline cell manufacturer in the world. LONGi produce a wide range of cost-effective and reliable panels which only use monocrystalline cells. In fact, part of the industry shift towards more efficient mono and mono PERC cells was due to the massive investment by LONGi in large scale mono wafer manufacturing.

The Hi-MO 4 mono PERC range of panels from LONGi Solar use the common 120 split-cell format and have become one of the most popular and affordable 370W panels on the market.

• Power rating* (W): 300W - 540W

• Efficiency (%): 18 - 21.0%

• Price range: Low - Med $$

*Power rating (W) listed - Residential (60 cell) panels only.

In addition to continuous feedback from our solar specialists the clean energy reviews team invite all solar industry professionals and installers to give your feedback (positive or negative) from experience with any modules.

Most Efficient Solar Panels

Popular Solar Panel Models

In addition to the best manufacturers there are a few models which are favorites among our specialists and many Australian installers due to a combination quality, efficiency, performance and value for money. These panels are also proving very popular in the US and much of Europe, in particular the range of modules from Sunpower, REC, LG and Q-cells.

LG NeON 2

LG Neon 2 panels use high efficiency mono N-type cells with advanced rear side absorption technology similar to PERC cells, along with 12 ‘Cello’ thin wire busbars to further improve efficiency and performance. The Neon 2 range, from 335W to 370W power ratings, are covered by a leading 25-year product warranty and an impressive performance warranty of 90% retained capacity after 25 years. LG panels are also built on high-strength frames with very high wind load ratings which make them one of the strongest panels on the market. See full LG solar panel review here.

See the full LG Neon 2 Specification datasheet.

SunPower P19 Series

The SunPower Performance series panels have become a popular choice for larger-scale commercial installations due to the high quality and performance. Unlike other SunPower panels which use higher grade, high-cost IBC cells, the P series uses a shingled cell design which is a much more cost-effective design. The shingled cells are more tolerant to partial shading and less prone to micro-cracking which can be an issue with panels using conventional full-size square solar cells. Despite being based on standard P-type silicon, SunPower still offers a 25-year manufacturer’s warranty. See the full SunPower solar panels review here.

See the full Sunpower P19 series specifications datasheet.

REC Alpha Series

REC’s renowned Alpha range of panels incorporate advanced heterojunction (HJT) cell technology in a split-cell format to achieve an impressive 21.7% efficiency at 380W. The half-size cell format, developed by REC, increases efficiency and improves performance, especially in partially shaded conditions. The next-generation Alpha series from REC take the half-cut panel design to the next level utilising advanced N-type HJT silicon cells to create one of the best performing and most-efficient panels available today. See the complete REC solar panels review.

See the full REC Alpha specifications datasheet

Q Cells Q.Peak Duo G6+

Hanwha Q cells, previously known as Q cells, is regaining popularity as a medium to high-end panel option in Australia as the company releases advanced new modules including the advanced Q.Peak Duo G9+ range of modules with micro-wire busbars achieving up to 20.3% efficiency. The current Q.Peak DUO G6 panels, rated up to 355W, have become a popular choice in Australia for those looking for a more affordable panel backed by a 25 product and performance warranty period backed by a well-established manufacture. See the complete Q cells solar panels review.

See the full Q Cells Q.Peak DUO G6+ datasheet.

Jinko Solar Cheetah PLUS

The Cheetah PLUS 370W monocrystalline panels from JinkoSolar are built on the modern 66 cell or 132 split-cell format and have quickly become one of the most popular panels on the market. The modules offer a good combination of quality, efficiency and affordability. The mono PERC cells use the common Passivated Emitter Rear Contact (PERC) technology offering up to 20.15% efficiency and are backed by a standard 12 years manufactures warranty, plus are guaranteed against any excessive degradation caused by PID and LeTiD effects.

See the JinkoSolar Cheetah specification sheet.

Trina Solar Honey M

The new generation Trina Honey M range of panels are a very popular choice in Australia due to the high-performance multi-busbar (MBB) split-cell format which is fast becoming the new industry trend for high-efficiency panels. Trina panels are known for both quality and value for money and are backed very large, well-established manufacturer together and a standard 12-year manufacturers warranty. The latest Honey M split-cell range are available from 350W to 375W, with up to 20.5% efficiency. See full Trina Solar review here.