Shining Bright: Unveiling the Best Solar Panels for Houses in Australia

Investing in solar panels for your house is a big step. It is, however, a decision with clear benefits seeing how renewable energy helps consumers save on electricity bills and paves the way for a more sustainable future. Once you’ve decided it’s time for you to go solar, the next step would be to determine which manufacturers produce the best solar panels for your home. 

Knowing your options, doing extensive research, and examining whether they’re the right choice that will fit your needs and budget are essential steps to make an informed decision. So, what are the best solar panels for houses in Australia? We investigate below. 

Trina Vertex S+

Trina Solar is one of the largest solar manufacturers in the world, as well as one of the best-value solar panels for house in Australia. An affordable option than most of the competition, the Trina Vertex S+ panel is known for its efficiency and durability, ensuring that your solar energy investment pays off for years to come. 

The Vertex S+ panels employ a dual-glass and an n type i-TOPCon cell technology. Utilising dual glass instead of the traditional backsheet improves durability, fire resistance, and performance. Trina’s latest solar tech, which is now encoded in the powerful Vertex S+, allows them to increase the performance warranty up to 30 years. The product warranty itself is 25 years. 

More than performing large-scale solar installations around the world, Trina deploys a team of scientists working on energy-efficient product research in many of the world’s leading universities. The company’s goal is to accelerate the development of sustainable energy solutions, making renewable energy more accessible. 

Hyundai UF Series

Car manufacturing giant Hyundai entered the solar industry in 2005, proceeding to enter the Australian market four years later. While they exited in 2011, Hyundai Solar returned in 2018, having made distribution deals with local solar distributors such as Solar Juice and Supply Partners. 

Hyundai’s UF Series are the ones currently available in Australia. These panels feature PERC shingled cells and in various capacities up to 400W. Hyundai panels also provide a respectable efficiency (up to 21.3%) and a satisfactory temperature coefficient (-0.34%/°C ) to help with efficiency and performance even in high temperatures. 

Their suitability for installation anywhere in Australia is largely due to their panels being salt mist corrosion resistant. Both the product and performance warranty lasts 25 years.

Sunpower Maxeon 6

Sunpower Maxeon 6 is a top-quality panel that comes with a staggering 40-year warranty, solar industry’s longest coverage. With lifespan and warranty being important factors in any purchase, especially significant investments like a solar power system, the Maxeon panel is a strong contender despite its hefty price. 

Another warranty that matters is performance. Even the performance of the best solar panels for house or commercial facilities will degrade over time. As of this writing, Maxeon panels guarantee 88% of their rated output after 40 years. The more affordable Sunpower option, the Performance panels, come with a 30-year product warranty, which is still enough to outlast the competition. 

JA Solar

JA Solar is a Beijing-headquartered company that entered the Australian market in 2013. They have since become one of Australia’s most affordable and trusted brands of solar panels. To underscore the scope of their services in the country, their largest installations in Australia include the 70 MW power station in NSW and 172 stations in Northern Cooks.

JA Solar’s Mono PERC half-cell panels, in particular, deliver one of the highest energy outputs and shade tolerance. JA Solar’s panels are offered in different capacities up to 555W and come with a 12-year product guarantee and a 25-year linear power guarantee.

REC Alpha Pure Series

Best known for producing high-quality solar panels for house with long warranties and enhanced reliability, REC Group is a reputable brand. Their REC Alpha Pure panels display REC’s revolutionary design with increased panel efficiency and power output courtesy of top-tier monocrystalline cells.

The best part is the affordability. REC Alpha Pure panels are reasonably priced for such impressive panels. REC Group offers 25 years of warranty for both product and performance. While we’ve seen longer coverages, it’s the lower degradation rate that warrants a closer look. 

REC’s top-of-the-line Alpha Pure series solar panels lose only 0.25% of their power annually after the first year, meaning performance will still be guaranteed over 92% even after 25 years. That’s one of the few highest guarantees we’ve seen so far. 

Solar panels for house: Frequently asked questions

How many solar panels do I need?

Choosing the right solar panel size depends on multiple factors, including the size of your home, average energy consumption, and the efficiency of the solar panels. Typically, a 6.6kW solar system consisting of 16-18 panels is large enough to power the average Australian house. 

What are solar panels made of?

Solar panels are made up of photovoltaic (PV) cells, also called solar cells. The majority of solar cells are made from silicon, a semiconductor material installed in a metal panel frame with a glass casing. 

What is the lifespan of solar panels?

Solar panels generally have a lifespan of 25 to 30 years. Their efficiency may degrade slightly over time, but most high-quality panels can be reliable for long-term use as they still generate a substantial amount of electricity even after 25 years.

Do solar panels need maintenance?

Yes. It’s recommended to clean solar panels occasionally to remove grime such as dirt, dust, debris, and other accumulations. Regular inspections by an expert can ensure the highest efficiency of your solar power system. 

Can I install solar panels myself?

DIY installation kits are available if you’re confident to install solar panels on your own. However, it’s recommended to hire expert installers to ensure safety, optimal efficiency, and compliance with local regulations and standards.