Top 6 Tier 1 Solar Panels
Planning to transform your rooftop into a powerhouse of renewable energy? For your convenience, we are going to share 6 tier 1 solar panels recommended for Victoria homes. All the following details are based on our first-hand experience with customers, including listening to their requirements and addressing their inquiries such as pricing, performance, maintenance regarding solar panels.
Let’s first enlist 6 best Tier 1 Solar Panels that we highly recommend for your homes:
- Sunpower
- Canadian Solar
- QCells
- Trina
- Jinko
- REC Solar
In This Post
Tier 1 solar panels for your home
A Tier 1 solar panel refers to a panel manufactured by a reputable and experienced company that has been recognized and rated as Tier 1 by an independent PV industry analyst.
Trina
Trina Solar, a top Chinese solar panel manufacturer, has manufacturing plants in China, Thailand, and Vietnam. They ranked first in the SVTC Solar Scorecard in 2017 and 2018, showcasing their commitment to sustainability. Trina Solar’s headquarters in Australia is located in Sydney, NSW.
How efficient is Trina Solar?
Trina Solar panels with upgraded dual glass achieve impressive module efficiency of up to 22.5% using advanced technology. They feature multi-busbar technology for enhanced light trapping, reduced resistance, and improved reliability. With higher power output and efficiency, Trina Solar panels reduce installation costs and excel in warm weather conditions.
What is its degradation and lifetime?
- First-year degradation 1% and annual degradation at 0.4%
- Up to 25 years product warranty and 30 years power warranty
What is the output of Trina solar panels in relation to rated power?
No. of Solar Cells 144(cells) N type Monocrystalline rates up to 450W. Below are the standard and normal output of Trina solar panels.
| Peak power watts/performance at standard test conditions | 420W | 425W | 430W | 435W | 440W | 445W | 450W |
| Nominal operating cell temperature/performance at normal operating conditions | 320W | 324W | 328W | 332W | 335W | 339W | 343W |
SunPower
Maxeon Solar, based in Singapore, has manufacturing plants in France, Malaysia, Mexico, China, and the Philippines. Their SunPower Maxeon Series incorporates a factory-integrated microinverter system and interdigitated back contact (IBC) solar cells. The IBC cells eliminate grid lines, increasing sunlight absorption for higher energy production and improved efficiency.
SunPower solar efficiency
MAXEON 6 AC SOLAR PANEL is designed to maximize energy generation through leading efficiency, enhanced performance in high temperatures, and higher energy conversion in low-light conditions like mornings, evenings and cloudy days. It rates between 420-440W and gives up to 22.8% efficiency.
What is its degradation and lifetime?
SunPower solar panels offer a remarkable 40-year product and power coverage. In the first year, they guarantee a minimum output of 98.0%. With a maximum annual degradation rate of just 0.25%, these panels ensure long-lasting, consistent performance.
What is the output of SunPower solar panels in relation to rated power?
No. of Solar Cells 66(cells) N type Monocrystalline goes up to 440W. A 440W SunPower solar panel gives an output of 408.8W under normal operating conditions.
QCells
QCells, originally based in Germany, now manufactures their solar panels in Malaysia, China, and South Korea. Notably, QCells has the distinction of being the first solar module manufacturer to pass the industry’s most comprehensive quality program. This highlights their commitment to producing high-quality and reliable solar panels for customers.
QCells Solar efficiency ratio
QCells utilizes Q.ANTUM DUO Technology to maximize module power, resulting in a power range of 405-415W with 108 cells. These modules achieve a high maximum module efficiency of 21.3%. They are designed to deliver optimal yields in any weather condition, with excellent performance in low-light and varying temperatures. With QCells’ advanced technology, you can expect reliable and efficient solar power generation, ensuring pixel-perfect details and peace of mind.
What is its degradation and lifetime?
These solar panels guarantee at least 98% of nominal power in the first year, with a maximum annual degradation rate of 0.5%. They maintain at least 93.5% of nominal power for up to 10 years and at least 86% of nominal power for up to 25 years. This ensures reliable and consistent performance, maximizing your investment’s value.
What is the output of QCells solar panels in relation to rated power?
No. of solar cells are 6×18 monocrystalline Q.ANTUM solar half cells that goes up to 415W. Take a look at how QCells solar panels perform under standard and normal operating conditions.
| Peak power watts/performance at standard test conditions | 405W | 415W |
| Nominal operating cell temperature/performance at normal operating conditions | 303.8W | 311.3W |
Canadian Solar
Most of their production is based in China, Canadian Solar has two manufacturing facilities in Ontario, Canada.
How efficient is Canadian Solar?
These solar panels offer outstanding anti-LeTID (Light and elevated Temperature Induced Degradation) and anti-PID (Potential Induced Degradation) performance. With high energy yield, they provide module power of up to 445W and module efficiency reaching up to 22.8%. This ensures optimal power generation and efficiency, making them a reliable choice for maximizing your solar energy production.
What is its degradation and lifetime?
1st year power degradation no more than 1%, subsequent annual power degradation no more than 0.4%.
What is the output of Canadian solar panels in relation to rated power?
No. of solar cells are 108 [2 X (9 X 6) ] which is Mono-crystalline reaches up to 445W. How Canadian solar panels perform under standard and normal operating conditions?
| Peak power watts/performance at standard test conditions | 420W | 425W | 430W | 435W | 440W | 445W |
| Nominal operating cell temperature/performance at normal operating conditions | 318W | 321W | 325W | 329W | 333W | 337W |
REC Solar
REC, founded in Norway in 1996, is a vertically integrated solar energy company offering reliable clean energy solutions. With integrated manufacturing and a reputation for high product quality and low warranty claims, REC is a trusted global provider of solar panels and solutions.
REC Solar efficiency
No. of 120 half-cut cells with REC heterojunction cell technology 6 strings of 20 cells in series with max panel (385W-410W) efficiency of up to 22.2%.
What is it’s degradation and life time?
It comes up with 20 year product warranty and 25 year linear power output warranty, maximum annual power degradation of 0.25% p.a. It guarantees 92% of power after 25 years.
What is the output of REC solar panels in relation to rated power?
Take a look at output of REC solar panels under normal and standard conditions.
| Peak power watts/performance at standard test conditions | 385W | 390W | 395W | 400W | 405W | 410W |
| Nominal operating cell temperature/performance at normal operating conditions | 293W | 297W | 301W | 305W | 309W | 312W |
Jinko
Founded in 2006, Jinko Solar, a Chinese enterprise, after manufacturing facilities in Malaysia and Vietnam, Jinko Solar makes solar panels in Jacksonville, Florida, its first manufacturing facility in the United States.
How efficient is Jinko Solar?
Tiger Neo N-type 54HL4R-(V) rates up to 425W-445W having MONO-FACIAL MODULE. Better light trapping and current collection to improve module power output and reliability that gives us efficiency of 22.27%.
What is it’s degradation and life time?
Jinko comes up with 25 year product warranty and 30 year linear power warranty with 0.40% annual degradation Over 30 years.
What is the output of Jinko solar panels in relation to rated power?
Residential standard 108 cells have standard 425W-450W. No. of cells are 108 (2×54) with cell type of N type Monocrystalline. Below table shows output of Jinko solar panels under standard and normal operating conditions.
| Peak power watts/performance at standard test conditions | 425W | 430W | 435W | 440W | 445W |
| Nominal operating cell temperature/performance at normal operating conditions | 320W | 323W | 327W | 331W | 335W |
Cost Difference
Budget is a major constraint for some users. Therefore, we offer a wide range of solar panels and suggest them while staying within their budget.
| Solar Panel Company | Pricing | Pricing per Watt (AUD) |
| SunPower | Premium solar panels with a high price tag | $0.30 |
| Trina Solar | Typically falls within the mid-range pricing category | $0.27 |
| QCELLS | Known for competitive pricing, often considered mid to high-range | $0.27 |
| REC Solar | Slightly higher in pricing compared to average, known for high-quality products | $0.27-$0.30 |
| Jinko Solar | Offers a range of products with varying price points, often considered mid-range/economical | $0.25 |
| Canadian Solar | Known for bit high pricing | $0.27 – $0.30 |
Please note that prices may vary depending on the market from which you are obtaining the solar panels. Furthermore, these prices are not constant and can fluctuate based on various factors. However, we have provided you with the recent cost at which we are currently selling the solar panels.
Closing Notes: 6 Tier 1 Solar Panels Recommended for Victoria Homes
All these 6 tier 1 solar panels are highly efficient and have better ROI. We recommend these panels to various customer for different solar PV systems (e.g. 8.8kW, 6.6kW). Take a look at the performance image below:
You have to analyze it closely. In this graph you can see that Jinko is performing well/above QCells. This is not the case, you have to consider the power Wattages as well. Jinko 425-445W yields up to 22.27% efficiency. However, QCells 405-415W is up to 21.3% efficient.
We suggest considering SunPower and Canadian Solar panels as they are highly efficient, although they come with a higher price. Trina and REC panels are our next recommendations, and Jinko and QCells are also worth considering if the budget is bit low.
| Higher budget, best efficiency | SunPower and Canadian solar panels | |
| Cost effective, better efficiency | Trina, QCells and REC | |
| Budget friendly options | Jinko |
Answering the key questions
Why should you choose tier 1 solar panels?
If you are seeking improved and rapid return on investment (ROI) and want peace of mind regarding warranty, degradation, and long-term performance, opting for tier 1 solar panels is the better choice. Tier 1 solar panels are worth it.
Are there other tier 1 solar panels not mentioned in this article?
Yes, there are other tier 1 solar panels not mentioned in this article. Longi, JA solar and Seraphim are also considered tier 1 solar panels. If you have a limited budget and are looking for an affordable option within the tier 1 category, you can consider Longi or Seraphim panels. These solar panels perform well, but they may not be as efficient as some other options discussed earlier.
What is the most expensive tier 1 solar panel?
Among the solar panels discussed above, SunPower and Canadian solar panels are the most expensive.
