Canadian Solar Review

Solar panels can make or break your solar energy system. Solar panels are installed on rooftops to capture sunlight and generate DC electricity. When selecting a solar panel to install at your property, it is absolutely critical that you research and select a high-quality solar panel that will generate power long-term.

Opting for lower-quality panels can negatively impact both your electricity bills and your return on investment, as subpar panels tend to have reduced power output and shorter lifespans.

Read more: The best solar panels on offer in Australia 2024

Canadian Solar array installed by Springers Solar at Clayfield.

At Springers Solar, we are highly selective in the solar panels we install on our customers' rooftops. With over 22 years of experience and as one of Queensland’s longest-serving installers, we know a good quality solar panel when we see one. 

In this review, we’ll take a look at popular solar manufacturer, Canadian Solar, and see how they compare against our quality solar panel criteria:

• Design and performance
• Solar panel warranty periods
• Longevity in the market
• Ongoing service and support within Australia

Canadian Solar Overview

Canadian Solar isn’t technically 100% Canadian… they were founded in Ontario in 2001 by Dr Shawn Qu (Canadian Academy of Engineering) and since then the company has expanded to global operations and manufacturing. This includes factories based in USA, Canada, Thailand, Vietnam, and China. If you're an Australian with Canadian Solar panels, it is likely your modules were manufactured in China given the price competitiveness of Chinese manufacturing. 

While your Canadian Solar panels may not have come from Canada, this shouldn't deter you. Canadian Solar has a long history in the renewable energy landscape with award-winning modules.

Read more: Best solar inverters on offer in Australia 2024

With a focus on designing PV modules for residential, commercial, and large-scale utility applications, Canadian Solar offers a well-rounded range of solar panels that have been proven to perform. Canadian Solar has also assisted in the delivery of large-scale solar and storage projects with the Recurrent Energy initiative. 

Canadian Solar has a strong commitment to ESG and recently undertook measures to improve their sustainability statement in line with global standards, including SASB, TCFD, and GRI.

Design and Performance

Canadian Solar designs and manufactures PV modules for residential, commercial, and utility-scale projects. The company utilises a variety of solar cell technologies, including bifacial, monofacial, TOPCon, and N-type cells to achieve high performance.

At Springers Solar, we use and recommend the Canadian Solar TOPHiKu6 range of solar modules (pictured above), which is an N-Type TOPCon Monofacial module. We install this on both residential and commercial rooftops as it’s versatile and highly efficient at 23.0%. 

Read more: Pros and cons of solar energy in 2024

N-type cell technology is an excellent choice for Australian homes and businesses as they are tolerant of higher temperatures and have lower degradation rates, meaning you’re getting more bang for your buck year-on-year. 

Watch below: Canadian Solar installation in Cashmere

Canadian Solar has an in-house R&D team who is responsible for testing module performance and degradation rates. Rigorous in-house testing procedures have resulted in Canadian Solar being able to offer an industry-leading 30-year warranty, as they are able to consistently test that their panels exceed the IEC standards for power degradation in test conditions.

Canadian Solar panels are designed for compatibility with existing mainstream optimisers,  inverters and mounting systems, allowing for flexibility and choice so you can customise the entire system to best suit your needs.

Read more: N-type solar panels vs. P-type solar panels

TOPCon N-type modules look modern and have minimal grid division lines to enhance the overall appearance. Simply said, these panels look good on the roof as opposed to being an eye-store. 

Overall, Canadian Solar’s PV modules are known for their high efficiency, low degradation rates, and extensive warranty. We recommend Canadian Solar panels as a reliable and cost-effective choice for residential and commercial applications. 

Watch below: Canadian Solar installation in Clayfield

Canadian Solar Warranty

To protect your investment in solar, we always recommend that you select components with at least a 20-year warranty. This is not only an indicator of the quality of the solar panel but also the quality of support you will receive from the manufacturer if anything were to happen. 

Canadian Solar offers industry-leading warranties thanks to their in-house R&D testing team, who can ensure each panel batch performs as promised. We recommend the TOPHiKu6 Canadian Solar panel range, which offers the below warranty:

Canadian Solar TOPHiKu6

465W Module

• 25-year product warranty and 30-year linear power and performance warranty

This warranty represents an outstanding offer for a solar panel that balances both cost-effectiveness and quality. Given that solar energy is a long-term investment in your property's future savings, it's important to have peace of mind knowing that your components are protected against any unlikely faults, ensuring you can trust in the value of your investment. In our opinion, Canadian Solar achieves this.

Read more: How often should solar panels be serviced?

Longevity in the Market

Canadian Solar was established in 2001 in Ontario and have been manufacturing solar panels globally since then. They are projected to reach 61GW of module capacity by December 2024, have over 26 manufacturing facilities throughout Asia and the Americas, and currently deliver to more than 160 countries worldwide. 

All this being said, Canadian is firmly planted in the solar industry as a reliable and consistent manufacturer of quality solar panels, and we’re confident that by selling Canadian, we’re selling a long-term solution that is backed by years of industry experience and ongoing support. 

Longevity in the market is very important to us as longevity usually equals quality. In the solar industry, components that are unreliable or underperforming lose their share in the market very quickly. Competition drives prices down and quality improves, leaving little room for newcomers or industry veterans who look to cut corners. Canadian Solar has consistently proven itself to deliver durable panels with minimal call backs, making it the ideal choice for our customers looking for value for money. 

Read more: Is it worth putting solar on your investment property?

Ongoing Service and Support in Australia

Canadian Solar provides dedicated support through their Australian-based team, ensuring prompt assistance for solar installers and customers across the country. This local presence significantly enhances the efficiency of warranty and replacement services. With over 60 staff members in Australia, Canadian Solar ensures that logistics and warranty support are easily accessible and handled swiftly.

Hand-in-hand with a good installer who will also service and support your warranty requests, you’re guaranteed to run into as few issues as possible down the line. Springers Solar has been operating for over 22 years and as one of Queensland’s longest-serving solar installers, we have established solid relationships with our suppliers, including Canadian Solar, to ensure that our customers receive the best after-sales support possible. 

Read more: Electricity bill tariffs explained: solar export credits

Springers Solar’s after-sales support team is Brisbane-based. 

The Verdict

For Australian home and business owners looking to Canadian Solar for their solar PV systems, we’d say go for it - Canadian Solar offers a reliable solution that is proven to perform with over 172,000 Aussie properties already powered with Canadian. Canadian Solar panels are an excellent all-rounder for both residential and commercial rooftops, and they perform well in tough Australian conditions. 

Want to have Canadian Solar installed on your roof? Click here to find out which Canadian Solar panels we recommend here. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote from our expert Brisbane team. 

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Springers Solar | Queensland's Most Experienced Solar Installer

Springers Solar provides quality components with proven performance, backed by industry-leading warranties, and dedicated after-sales support. Thousands of satisfied customers over more than 22 years of operation make Springers Solar one of the most established and experienced solar companies in Australia. 

Springers Solar has received multiple awards for design and installation and is a certified/preferred installer for a large range of solar panel, inverter, and solar battery manufacturers, including Tesla, Canadian Soalr, and SolarEdge. 

Our dedicated in-house team of electrical engineers, project managers, solar PV designers, solar installers and electricians work closely with you before, during, and long-after your project is completed. Springer Solar offers an industry-leading 10-year workmanship warranty which is a testament to our qualified staff and offers you outstanding value and peace of mind. 

Visit our About Us page here!