Investing in solar’s a big decision. You want the right system for your needs and a great return on your investment. That’s why quality matters. But with so many brands on the market, how do you know you’re buying the best solar panels? We suggest you start with these three key questions.

Which type of solar panel should I buy?

Although there are heaps of brands on the market, there are really only three types of solar panels to choose from – monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin film amorphous. A quality solar power retailer will help you choose the best solar panel type for your needs.

Monocrystalline Solar Panels

Monocrystalline solar panels have a good power to size ratio (around 136 to 170 watts per square metre) and perform exceptionally well in cooler conditions. They have a great life span and longevity is excellent.

Polycrystalline Solar Panels

Polycrystalline solar panels have a good efficiency rating – around 120-150 watts per square metre. Marginally less expensive to produce than monocrystalline, they perform slightly better in hotter conditions and have a great life span.

Amorphous Thin Film Solar Panels

Amorphous thin film solar panels have a low conversion efficiency – around 60 to 80 watts per square metre. With a shorter life span than crystalline panels, they work best in hot weather. Because they require 2-3 times more panels and surface area for the same output as crystalline panels, they’re best for inland Australia.

Besides cost, what should I look for in a quality solar panel?

Cost is a great indicator of quality. But it’s not the only thing to keep in mind when choosing your solar panels. You should also ask about:

Durability, life span and performance warranty

A long performance warranty is a sign of the solar PV panel manufacturer’s confidence in their product. Reputable manufacturers offer a 25 year performance warranty as standard – significantly less than this (or no warranty at all) should raise concerns.

Real world performance

The best solar panels need to function on your roof – not just in a testing facility. So make sure you ask about temperature co-efficiency and PID and LID resistance and efficiency.

Temperature co-efficiency

This determines the impact heat has on your panel’s performance after installation. The best solar panels will have a low percentage per degree Celsius.

PID (potential induced degradation) resistance

Caused by stray currents triggered by certain climate conditions, PID can cause significant power loss. A good solar panel has little or no PID.

LID (Light induced degradation) resistance

LID occurs in the first few months after the installation of your solar panel. Although it stabilises, it can still reduce the amount of power the panel produces. A good panel has little or no LID.

What kind of manufacturer should I trust?

We recommend you buy your solar panels from a Tier 1 manufacturer. The top 2% of solar PV manufacturers, they:

• Provide the most innovative and highly tested and proven products
• Have proven manufacturing experience (more than 5 years)
• Use advanced robotic processes and vertical integration in their manufacturing
• Use the highest grade silicon in their solar cell production

All of which adds up to higher quality solar panels which last longer and perform better.

Source Pike Research 2011

Which are the best solar panel brands?

All our solar panels are sourced from Tier 1 brands. In particular, we recommend Canadian Solar, REC, Winaico and SunPower. Here’s why:

Canadian Solar

Committed to providing high quality solar products, solar system solutions and services to customers around the world. As a leading manufacturer of solar modules and PV project developer with about 8 GW of premium quality modules deployed around the world since 2011, Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: CSIQ) is one of the most bankable solar companies.

REC

A fully integrated solar company, REC use a fully automated manufacturing process. All products are warranty supported and independent testing has shown their panels produce more power in real world conditions than their competitors. Focused on providing high quality products at affordable prices, they also invest heavily in research and development.

WINAICO

Taiwans biggest manufacturer of solar modules. When you buy WINAICO, you are buying products from a manufacturer specialising in premium-quality solar panels. All steps in the production process are digitally controlled and make for high transparency.

SunPower

Producing solar cells proven to produce up to 50% more energy per square foot than other solar technologies, SunPower solar panels generate up to 50% more power than conventional designs. Performing better in high temperatures than other brands, they’re also highly efficient during the initial break-in period (other brands can lose as much as 3% efficiency when first exposed to sunlight).

Check out our solar component selection guide here.

Are you ready to invest in solar power?

If you’re considering investing in solar power but aren’t sure where to start, give us a call or emails us for a free quote. Our experienced and highly trained consultants can help you choose the right system for your needs, as well as your budget.