Canadian Solar vs. Jinko Solar: Which Brand Offers the Best Value for Your Money?
The push for renewable energy is increasing, and the growing energy prices in Australia make more homeowners install solar panels on their roofs. As a result, comparisons like Canadian Solar vs Jinko Solar are becoming more common as homeowners seek affordable and efficient options. This way, homeowners can provide themselves with cheaper energy and increase their home value as well.
However, in the sea of possibilities, choosing the best solar panel brand seems like a big headache. Fortunately, there are best-value solar panels that easily stand out from the rest, making it easier for us to identify which ones to root for—for instance, Canadian Solar and Jinko Solar.
Canadian Solar is a well-known brand in Australia with a reputation for its reliable solar power systems, ensuring affordability, efficiency, and durability. Jinko Solar, on the other hand, is highly favoured for its cost-effectiveness, making it a popular option for roof installations. So which one is better for your home or business?
Let’s compare two of the most popular solar panel brands in Australia to decide: Jinko vs Canadian Solar. To provide a comprehensive solar panel comparison, we will look at the:
- Efficiency and overall performance,
- Warranties the companies issue,
- Value for money,
- Return on investment.
Brand Overview: Canadian Solar vs Jinko Solar
Canadian Solar was founded in 2001 and ultimately became a global leader in solar power solutions. Its range of solar panels are known for its top-tier photovoltaic modules, guaranteeing solar PV systems that last. The company caters to residential, commercial, and utility-scale solar projects worldwide with innovation and sustainability serving as its foundation. While it was established in Canada, the brand’s main manufacturing base is in China.
Jinko Solar was established in 2006 and has quickly grown to become one of the largest solar panel manufacturers in the world. The company’s solid reputation for developing high-performing solar products was all thanks to cutting-edge solar technology that highlights reliability and performance. Jinko is also no stranger to solar panel brand rankings. In the 2024 Bloomberg BNEF Bankability Report, Jinko was named the most bankable solar module company, a testament to the company’s pristine reputation.
Performance and Efficiency Comparison
A solar panel’s efficiency rating shows how much of the light that falls onto it is actually converted into electricity. The higher the rating, the better the panel. With most panels today, the efficiency falls in the ~20% range.
Canadian Solar offers panels with 22.5% peak performance, while Jinko Solar has panels with an efficiency rating of around 22.24%, although newer models have been announced to have higher efficiency ratings. As their panels have 440W rated output, the difference in performance means that Canadian Solar panels will be a bit smaller, which is perfect for homes with limited roof space. This way, you can get the same energy output in a smaller space.
In this Canadian vs Jinko solar panels showdown, one thing is clear: both Canadian Solar and Jinko Solar are highly efficient and reliable options not only in Australia, but also on a global scale. The latter, however, is better known for its more advanced technology.
Canadian Solar Key Specifications
Efficiency: Solar panels from Canadian Solar offer efficiency ratings that range from 19.5% to 22.5%.
Degradation Rate: Solar panels using N-Type cells and TOPCon technology are more advanced than others, guaranteeing power degradation less than 1% in the first year and less than 0.4% per year after that.
Temperature Coefficient: Modules generally have a temperature coefficient around –0.35% to -0.38% per °C, hence, efficiency slightly drops as temperature rises.
Module Types: Produces a variety of solar panel module types, including monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and bifacial panels. It also offers N-type TOPCon modules, known for high efficiency and low degradation.
Jinko Solar Key Specifications
Efficiency: Solar panels from Jinko Solar have efficiency ratings that range from 20% to 21.5%, although the newer Tiger Neo 3.0 panels can reach up to 24.8% efficiency.
Degradation Rate: Jinko’s Tiger Neo panels, for instance, are built for initial year degradation of 1% and an annual linear degradation rate of 0.4%, similar to Canadian Solar’s more advanced products.
Temperature Coefficient: The Jinko Tiger Neo 440W, for example, has a temperature coefficient of 0.29% per °C.
Module Types: Mainly produces monocrystalline PERC modules, including advanced half-cut and bifacial designs. The Tiger and Cheetah series, in particular, are popular for their high output and efficiency.
Cost and ROI Analysis
Jinko Solar generally offers solar panels for a lower price than Canadian Solar. Jinko Solar panels come down to around $0.7 per Watt, while Canadian Solar generally costs around $1 per Watt of installed power. Pay attention that these prices do not include installation and maintenance costs. When it comes to their reliability, both companies have a proven track record of high-quality products that will last you for years to come.
Here is a rough comparison of the energy produced by a single panel during its lifetime and the price per obtained kWh of green energy:
| Solar Panel | Realistic Power Output (W) | Expected Annual Energy Production (kWh) | 10-year Energy Production (kWh) | 30 Year Energy Production (kWh) | Final Price of Energy (cents/kWh) |
| Jinko Solar 440W | 352 | 514 | 5140 | 15420 | 2.00 |
| Canadian Solar 440W | 352 | 514 | 5140 | 15420 | 2.85 |
Average efficiency taken at 80%, with 4 hours of direct sunlight exposure in the day
The average ROI period is also important. While we could see that the price of energy per kWh is lower with Jinko Solar, it is safe to assume that the ROI period is lower as well. Let’s compare and see what ROI Jinko Solar and Canadian Solar have in different states in Australia:
| State | Energy Price (cents/kWh) | Jinko Solar Payback Period (Years) | Canadian Solar Payback Period (Years) |
| ACT | 27.58 | 2.34 | 3.46 |
| NSW | 27.56 | 2.34 | 3.46 |
| SA | 34.15 | 1.86 | 2.74 |
| SEQ | 19.44 | 3.44 | 5.16 |
| TAS | 25 | 2.61 | 3.87 |
| VIC | 25.19 | 2.58 | 3.83 |
Prices per kWh may differ depending on your energy use, energy plan and the distributor within the state; the ROI refers to the price of panels themselves, excluding the price of installation and maintenance
Warranty and Product Lifespan
Canadian Solar offers a 25-year product warranty and a 30-year power warranty. Jinko Solar offers the same warranty on their products. Both companies have doubled their product warranties from 2020. A 25-year product warranty is more than enough to meet the expectations of even the most demanding household, as it matches the expected lifespan of these products.
Real-World User Reviews and Installer Feedback
Jinko Solar fares well when it comes to popularity, meaning it receives more positive ratings than Canadian Solar. That’s not to say that the latter is not efficient and reliable, Jinko is simply more popular in Australia and very commonly used. While review sites praise Canadian Solar for durability, efficiency, and helpful after-sales support, Jinko shines due to its innovative solar technology.
Sustainability and Manufacturing Practices
Both champions of renewable energy, Canadian Solar and Jinko Solar are committed to being a driving force in sustainable practices. Both are also reputable companies that adhere to strict manufacturing practices to guarantee quality and safety of their products. But it’s also worth noting that they differ in their respective strategies.
For instance, Canadian Solar emphasises its commitment to quality control throughout the solar panel lifecycle. Jinko Solar, meanwhile, implements innovative manufacturing and efficiency. Jinko also has a more concrete sustainability framework, including joining the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)—a global body that allows businesses to set emissions reductions targets in line with the latest climate science.
Which Brand Offers the Best Value in 2025?
The efficiency of solar panels is key to ensuring your system’s performance and even longevity. With efficiency as primary consideration, Jinko Solar emerges as the better brand since it delivers slightly higher efficiency at a lower price. Based on reputation and popularity, more users and installers swear by Jinko’s solar panels as well.
Overall, Jinko Solar offers slightly better value for money in 2025 due to its:
- Higher efficiency
- Lower price
- Great installer and user feedback
- Widely available
FAQs
While Canadian Solar was founded in Canada and retains its corporate offices there, the company’s primary manufacturing base is in China. The solar panels being sold in Australia also come from China.
Jinko solar panels last up to 25 years—that’s solar power generation for cheaper electricity for a very long period of time.
Generally, it is not advisable to install a solar system with different solar panels, so combining Canadian and Jinko panels is not a good idea. Solar panels are usually sold in modules with identical electrical properties and characteristics. Installing panels with varying specifications can lead to inefficiencies and even safety issues.
Both Jinko and Canadian Solar have their own solar batteries, which makes integration hassle-free. While they offer their own energy storage solutions, Jinko and Canadian solar panels are also designed to integrate with other battery brands as long as they’re compatible in terms of voltage and chemistry.
Final Verdict: Canadian Solar vs Jinko Solar
Both Canadian Solar and Jinko Solar are reputable brands known for their high-quality solar panels, making either a solid choice.Canadian Solar offers slightly smaller solar panels, while Jinko Solar has a lower price and shorter payback periods. Ultimately, the best option comes down to your budget and energy needs.
Contact us today to get a quote on both products. Our experts can always help you get the best possible deal and work out which panel is the best for your home solar project.
