Best Solar Panels In Australia? Top Brands Chosen By Installers In 2021

Since I started writing about solar energy in 2009, one of the most common questions put to me is:

“Finn, what are the best solar panels?”

It’s an obvious and fair question for someone looking to install a long-lasting, high performing solar power system.

But it’s hard to answer. Everyone has their opinion, and some people are more qualified to answer than others. Further, the best brand to buy depends on whether you want the absolute best PV technology or the best value.

To get some useful answers for Australians considering buying solar panels in 2021, I thought I’d ask the people I consider the most qualified to comment: the 350+ installers who are in the SolarQuotes network.

These folks handle the panels every day and thanks to Australian Consumer Law have to stand behind their faultless operation for decades, even if the manufacturer hightails it. So the installers that plan to be around for decades have a real incentive to only recommend brands they believe will be reliable and around to provide support and warranties for the long run.

Introducing The SolarQuotes Installers’ Choice Awards 2021

We asked the installers in our network 2 questions:

1. What solar panel brand would you put on your own roof if money was no object?
2. What solar panel brand would you put on your own roof if money was tight – and every dollar counts?

The results are a good way for consumers to understand which brands the installers trust both for high-end solar systems and – just as importantly – systems where the consumer doesn’t want to spend top dollar but still wants a reliable, well supported solar panel.

Note: Choosing good brands is only half the equation when buying solar for your home or business. The other half is making sure the system is well installed. The difference between a good and bad solar installation is night and day. Please – never skimp on the install. 

Australian solar installers are busy people. 90 installers responded and the following are the results.

Best High-End Solar Panels in Australia (Money No Object):

We asked SolarQuotes installers:

What solar panel brand would you put on your own roof if money was no object?

Here’s what they told us their favourite ‘top end’ panels are:

First Place: LG (25.27% of votes)

LG Solar is part of LG Electronics, which is part of the South Korean corporation LG. LG Solar has 3 solar panel models:

• the NeON 2
• the higher efficiency NeON R
• the more entry-level Mono X Plus

Joint Second: REC, SunPower (23.08% of votes)

REC was founded in Norway but has all its production in Singapore. The company is owned by the Chinese chemical corporation Bluestar, also known as ChemChina.  REC was a leader in half-cut (aka split-cell) solar panels and have 3 panel models available in Australia:

• a half-cut panel with n-type silicon: N-Peak
• a half-cut panel with n-type silicon: TwinPeak 3
• and their flagship panel: the Alpha

  SunPower is an American firm that manufactures through its spinoff company Maxeon Solar Technologies. It has been going for 35 years, so is one of the world’s longest-established panel manufacturers.

  • their ‘budget’ panel made from overlapping ‘shingle cells’: P3
  • their flagship DC panel: Maxeon 3
  • their flagship AC panel with integrated Enphase inverter: Maxeon 5, which is now available in Australia.

  And here’s where every vote went in the ‘money no object’ category:

  

  Best Budget Solar Panels in Australia (Every Dollar Counts):

  We asked installers:

  What solar panel brand would you put on your own roof if money was tight – and every dollar counts?

  Here’s what they told us their favourite budget panels are:

  

  First Place: Trina (21.98% of votes)

  Trina Solar is a large Chinese solar panel manufacturer with a long history in Australia and has a good track record of honouring warranty claims.

  Second Place: Jinko (16.48% of votes)

  Jinko Solar are another large Chinese panel manufacturer with a good history of supporting Australian consumers and installers.

  Third Place: Longi (13.19% of votes)

  Longi are another giant Chinese solar company. As well as panels, they also manufacture their own monosilicon.  They started selling in earnest in Australia in 2017, so they don’t quite have the Australian track record of Jinko and Trina, but they have been impressive so far; hence the bronze gong.

  Here’s where every vote went:
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