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Australia’s transition to renewable energy has gained significant traction in recent years, driven by the nation's commitment to combat climate change and achieve a sustainable future. With abundant sunlight and a growing awareness of the environmental and economic benefits, more and more households and businesses are turning to solar energy as a practical and accessible solution. The demand for the best solar panels in Australia continues to rise, with homeowners and businesses seeking cutting-edge technologies to maximise energy generation.
At Smart Energy Answers, we have always been driven by our belief in providing our customers with nothing but the highest quality products. We are constantly striving to stay at the forefront of the industry, offering cutting-edge solar panels and systems that surpass industry standards. Our commitment to innovation and excellence has led us to carefully select the top solar panels that we firmly believe to be the best in the market.
Let’s explore our top 5 for the best solar panels in Australia for 2024.
HT Smart All-Black 475w N-Type
Key Features:
- 21.9% Module Efficiency
- Bloomberg Tier 1 Module Manufacturer
- 25 Yr Products Warranty
- 25 Yr Warranty on power output
- TopCon Optimised Multi-Busbar for maximum light absorption
- Double EL Tested to ensure reliability and avoid microcracks
The HT Smart solar panel stands out as one of the best in the market due to its exceptional features and reliability. With a legacy dating back to 1960, HT has a long history of driving innovation and sustainability in the solar industry. Their expertise in developing solar cells for multiple applications, including earth-satellites, is reflected in the superior performance of their panels.
HT Smart panels’ Half-Cut PERC technology helps reduce internal power loss and increase overall component power for improved efficiency. Its aerospace-grade connections enhance the panels’ durability and compactness and its sleek all-black design adds an aesthetic appeal to rooftop installation. This panel also boasts of a 30-year product warranty and power output warranty demonstrating their confidence in the panel's long-term performance.
Additionally, the HT Smart solar panel is exclusively made for Smart Energy Answers and combines quality design with a highly competitive price point, providing our customers with an affordable yet reliable solar solution.
Hyundai 400W
Key Features:
- 20.4% Module Efficiency
- Bloomberg Tier 1 Module Manufacturer
- 25 Yr Product Warranty
- PERC "Shingled" Technology
- More power generation in low light
- High tolerance for hot weather
- Corrosion Resistant
- Anti LID (Light Induced Degredation)
Hyundai Energy Solutions has tailored this panel to fit Australia's often hot weather conditions. The standout feature of Hyundai's panels lies in their PERC 'shingle' technology, which significantly reduces the electrical current running through the cells compared to traditional square cells found in common panels. This reduction in current translates to lower heat generation, resulting in reduced performance degradation and enhanced tolerance for hot weather conditions. The impressive 400W capacity of the panels means more power can be generated even on smaller roofs. Furthermore, the all-black surface and frame not only contribute to the panels' uniform aesthetic appeal but also enhance their suitability for Australia's hot climate. Coupled with the 25-year product warranty, Hyundai aims to provide customers with a reliable, high-performance solution that optimizes their solar investment.
Canadian Solar
Key Features:
- 21.5% Module Efficiency
- Bloomberg Tier 1 Module Manufacturer
- 12 Yr Product Warranty
- 25 Yr Power Performance Warranty
- Monocrystalline
- up to 5.6% lower system cost
- Heavy snow load up to 5400 Pa, wind load up to 2400 Pa*
- Better shading tolerance
Canadian Solar, a company originally founded in Canada, has grown to become a major player in the global solar industry. While most of their production takes place in China, Canadian Solar also operates two manufacturing facilities in Ontario, Canada. With their strong manufacturing capabilities, Canadian Solar has achieved the distinction of having the fifth largest solar panel manufacturing capacity worldwide, as recognized by Bloomberg NEF.
The Canadian Solar Hiku 6 Mono PERC 550 is a high-quality solar panel that offers exceptional performance and efficiency. With its monocrystalline PERC cell technology, this panel maximizes the absorption of sunlight and converts it into clean electricity effectively. Its robust design and durable construction ensure long-lasting reliability, making it a great choice for commercial solar installations.
REC Alpha Pure Series
Key Features:
- up to 22.2% Module Efficiency
- Bloomberg Tier 1 Module Manufacturer
- 20 Yr Products Warranty
- 25 Yr Warranty on power output
- Advanced cell connection technology reduces current congestion for improved flow
- HJT Cell Technology generates 16% more power on your roof compared to conventional panels
- Allows extreme loads up to 7000 Pa
REC solar panels have indeed been highly recommended in the past. Originally founded in Norway, REC made a significant impact in the solar industry with its innovative split module design utilizing half-cut cells, which provided improved efficiency and performance compared to standard full-size square cells. This design innovation has since become an industry standard, with many manufacturers adopting similar half-cut cell technology.
However, it's worth noting that REC has undergone mergers and acquisitions. REC is now owned by Reliance New Energy Solar with manufacturing operations based in all of Asia. Based in Mumbai, Reliance stands as the largest private sector company in India, engaging in a diverse range of activities that include hydrocarbon exploration and production, petroleum refining and marketing, petrochemicals, retail, and digital services. Despite these changes, REC remains committed to providing a 20 to 25-year warranty and incorporates advanced high-efficiency PERC cell architecture in their TwinPeak panels.
Although REC panels were once highly recommended, we currently do not offer it as we believe in products that match exceptional quality with competitive pricing to ensure our customers receive the best value for their solar energy solutions. At Smart Energy Answers, we prioritize providing our customers with the highest quality solar panels that offer the best value for their investment.
SunPower
Key Features:
- 22.8% Module Efficiency
- Bloomberg Tier 1 Module Manufacturer
- 40 Yr Power-Product -Service Warranty
- Factory-integrated microinverter
- IBC Monocrystalline N-type
With a reputation as one of the most recommended solar brands, SunPower has consistently delivered top-quality solar solutions. SunPower, a renowned American PV solar system brand, has undergone a spin-off and split into SunPower & Maxeon Solar Technologies which has a headquarter in Singapore. While two of SunPower's panel lines continue to be produced by Maxeon, their newest addition, the U-Series, deviates from this manufacturing arrangement. The U-Series panels are manufactured by a different company.
Currently, SunPower is among the most efficient solar panels there is based on Clean Energy Reviews. However, it's important to note that SunPower panels are often associated with a higher price point, which can make them challenging to justify for some customers, despite the offered 40-year warranty and factory-installed Enphase microinverter.
At Smart Energy Answers, we understand that every customer has unique requirements and budget considerations. While SunPower panels have their multiple advantages, we offer a diverse selection of solar solutions from various reputable manufacturers ensuring the right balance between quality, performance, and affordability.
LG Solar
Key Features:
- 21.4% Module Efficiency
- Corrosion Resistant
- Lower rate of degradation, with 86-88% rated capacity remaining after 25 years
- 12 Wire technology reduces overall resistance and minimises electrical loss
- 25 Yr Products Warranty
- 25 Yr Performance Warranty
- Discontinued in 2022
Additionally, it's worth noting LG Solar, despite its closure, remains noteworthy in the context of discussing top solar panels. LG Solar was once recognized as a top-tier brand, alongside other leading manufacturers like REC and SunPower. Their solar panels boasted some of the highest conversion efficiencies in the industry, delivering impressive performance and reliability. LG's NeON R and NeON 2 models were particularly popular due to their versatility in size and conversion efficiency options. Additionally, LG's NeON H bifacial modules were designed to capture sunlight from both the front and back of the panel, making them ideal for commercial rooftops and carports.
However, in 2022, LG made the decision to close their solar division, discontinuing the production and distribution of LG solar panels. This move affected the availability of LG panels in the market and impacted their standing as a solar industry leader.
Smart Energy Answers was among the top 3 distributors in Australia and in fact, we were recognized for our outstanding work by winning the Best Commercial Project award in 2020.
While LG has decided to close its solar division, the company has expressed its commitment to standing behind its brand and providing support for customers who have already installed LG solar panels for a period of time after their business closure in 2022.
Conclusion
The shift towards renewable solar energy in Australia has gained significant momentum, and as the demand for the best solar panels continues to rise, Smart Energy Answers is committed to providing high-quality products that meet the evolving needs of our customers. In this era of rapidly advancing solar panel technology, where innovation has become paramount, we know that what was once considered the most important aspect of solar panels is no longer the primary focus. Today, the emphasis has shifted to the inverter, with smart solar or module-level power electronics emerging as the future of solar technology.
At Smart Energy Answers, we strongly advise customers that the deciding factor lies in the inverter technology rather than the panel itself. This perspective aligns with the industry's acknowledgment that string inverters, a 35-year-old technology, are no longer at the forefront of efficiency and performance. As a pioneer in the solar energy industry, we proudly lead the way by providing our customers in Australia with the best solar panel options for 2024 and beyond, emphasising the critical role of advanced inverter technology in achieving sustainable and efficient energy solutions.
To learn more about solar systems that suit your specific needs, talk to one of our energy experts today.
