The development of solar technology with increased affordability and accessibility of solar power systems has proven to have a positive impact on the environment and the finances of the Australian population. Solar power provides an inexhaustible energy source in the form of a cleaner, greener source of energy. With expenses always on the rise across Australia, our current ways of life turn out to be unavoidably costly. Families and companies around the continent have collectively observed the increased prices of electricity. Installing a solar power system on the roof of your home or business in Australia can help you to save on your bills while helping to lessen your carbon footprint at the same time. In order to bring a positive impact on the environment, we must look for sustainable energy solutions. By investing in a solar power system, you're not only saving money on electricity bills, but contributing to a greener future while also increasing the value of your home or business.
There are many factors to take into account when you are choosing the best solar panels for your home or business. The market is filled with solar panels with varying efficiency ratings, warranties, costs, and other performance specs which make it hard to know exactly which ones are the best for you. Some of the factors that affect the performance of a solar panel brand have been listed and discussed in detail in this article for your reference -
Based on the performance of the solar panels currently being solar in the Australian market, we have narrowed down a list of some of the best solar panels and have ranked them based on their efficiency. A solar panel’s efficiency is a measure of how well it converts sunlight into electricity. Based only on maximum module efficiency, here are the top five manufacturers that make some of the most premium and the best solar panels:
| RANK | MANUFACTURER | PANEL EFFICIENCY |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SunPower | 22.8% |
| 2 | LG | 22.1% |
| 3 | REC | 21.9% |
| 4 | Panasonic | 21.7% |
| 5 | Q CELLS | 21.4% |
A solar panel brand with a higher efficiency rating is considered better because it means that your solar panel is able to convert more of the sunlight it captures into electricity. The best solar panels available in the Australian market at the moment are SunPower’s A-Series Residential Solar Panels, which are 22.8% efficient at their maximum.
A solar panel’s temperature coefficient is a measure of how much a solar panel’s production is lowered in hot temperatures. Based only on the lowest temperature coefficient available in a panel (lower is more efficient), here are the top five best solar panel manufacturers:
Best solar panels by temperature coefficient
| RANK | MANUFACTURER | TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Panasonic | -0.26 |
| 2 | REC | -0.26 |
| 3 | AXITEC | 0.26 |
| 4 | Solartech Universal | -0.26 |
| 5 | SunSpark Technology | -0.28 |
Higher or lower cell temperatures will either reduce or increase the power output by a specific amount for every degree above or below 25°C—this is called the power temperature coefficient, measured in percentage per °C. How does this work? Let’s say your panels have a temperature coefficient of -0.30 and an overall efficiency of 20%. At 30°C, your panels would only operate at an efficiency of about 18.5%–a power loss of about 1.5%.
| MANUFACTURER | WARRANTY PERIOD |
|---|---|
| LG Solar | 25 years |
| Panasonic | 25 years |
| Silfab | 25 years |
| Solaria | 25 years |
| SunPower | 25 years |
| Q CELLS | 25 years |
| REC | 25 years |
| Mission Solar | 25 years |
| LA Solar Group | 25 years |
| Winaico | 25 years |
As shown above, all of the top solar panel manufacturers ranked by materials warranty offer the same length of warranty, setting this tier of companies apart. For reference, the industry standard for panel materials warranties is 12- 15 years. By investing in premium solar panel brands, you are assured a much smoother after installation experience should you experience any issues.
Contact One Solar today for a free quote on the best solar panel brand for your roof and have a smooth transition to solar.