The Best Solar Panels on Offer in Australia 2024

Solar energy continues to be Australia's favourite source of renewable energy for homes and businesses. With advancements in technology and a large market offering, choosing the right solar panel for your home or business is crucial.

In our expert analysis below, we've explored the top solar panel options available in Australia in 2024, including the Canadian Solar TOPHiKu6 panel range, the Trina Solar Vertex S+ panel range, and the REC Alpha Pure-R panel range.

With 23 years of industry and installation experience, we've got a firm grasp on what makes a high-quality solar panel and how it's distinguished from other options on the market. We are selective in the brands we choose to install on our customers' roofs, and have narrowed down the best solar panels for Aussie homes and businesses.

We’ve named the best solar panel brands below to help you feel empowered and confident in your choice, and to trust that you are investing in solar panels that are backed by leading technology and extensive warranties.

The three best solar panel brands all align with our following criteria for a high-quality solar panel:

Extensive solar panel warranty
Brand longevity in the market
Australian-based service and support

We’ve selected solar panels that offer excellent performance regardless of budget - even our entry-level solar panel is a high-quality component with a good warranty from a company with Australian-based support teams.

Is solar still financially worth it in 2024?

Undoubtedly, investing in a solar panel system is the best way for Australians to grapple with ever-rising electricity costs. The initial outlay, while substantial, is mitigated over time through marked reductions in energy bills.

Solar panels, particularly the advanced models from Canadian Solar, Trina Solar, and REC, are designed for superior efficiency and durability, guaranteeing long-term savings on your bills and minimal maintenance for peace of mind.

The Australian Government’s solar rebate scheme (STCs) also helps make solar energy systems drastically more affordable, making solar panels more accessible for more people. The rebate you receive is dependent upon the size of the system you install on your roof, and the Government decreases the rebate amount every January. As a general rule of thumb, this means the sooner you can install solar panels on your roof, the better, and less upfront investment is required.

Short answer: Yes, solar is still financially worth it in 2024.

What to consider before purchasing solar

Before selecting a solar panel for your system, you need to consider the following:

Your Personal Energy Goals

Ask yourself the following question to help you consider your personal energy goals for either your home or business: How much electricity do you want to generate, and what are your long-term plans for your home or business’s energy consumption? Do you want to eventually install a battery system? Are you interested in creating a smart eco home? These types of questions will help you determine how many panels you need, and what size system will best suit your needs.

Your Energy Consumption

It’s important to take into account your home or business’s energy consumption. How much electricity do you currently use, and what are your peak energy usage times? You can find this information on your electricity bill. This will help you determine the size of the system you need and how much solar energy you need to produce to reduce your draw on the electricity grid.

Location and Shading

The location of your home or business and the amount of shading it receives will impact the efficiency of your solar panels. Some panels perform better than others in shaded conditions, so it’s important to have a professional assess your property to determine not only the best location for your solar panels but also whether you require solar panels with a microinverter or DC power optimiser system.

Warranty Periods

Anyone considering a solar system should have warranty periods at the front of their mind. Installing a solar system is an investment, so it is always recommended to do your research on warranty periods for all the components you are considering. Look for manufacturers that offer a longer warranty period (20+ years) - this will give you peace of mind and ensure that your solar panels will continue to perform efficiently over time.

$2,781 yearly bill reduced to $457 per year...

Read the full case study here.

Cheap solar panels: Avoid, avoid, avoid

It is really important to understand that a solar energy system is connected to your home’s power, conducts electricity, and is exposed to the elements. For these reasons, you should never “cheap out” on solar panels - a cheap, poorly made solar panel can be a catalyst for a multitude of safety hazards, from which you’ve exposed your home to.

The age-old saying, “if it’s too good to be true, then it probably is”, truly applies to solar panels. A solar energy system is an investment, and if you wish to have a system that is low hassle and guaranteed to perform, then it is to be expected that money will have to be spent. That being said, there are some excellent cost-effective solar panels on the market which offer both great performance and value for money. We’ll share these panels with you below.

If you’re ever in doubt, make sure to ask a reputable solar installer with an after-sales service team. Solar installers with a service team are like gold, and they’re always going to select the best available solar panels to not only provide peace of mind for the customer but to also reduce call-backs and ongoing issues.

We’ve been installing solar panels on QLD homes and businesses since 2002, and have a dedicated in-house service and support team to assist our customers with warranty claims, technical issues, or anything else they need.

The Best Solar Panels in Australia 2024

The best three solar panels we recommend in 2024:

Canadian Solar

Despite the name, Canadian Solar panels are not manufactured in Canada. However, these panels offer an excellent price point for their performance value and with a highly regarded global presence, Australian support network, and extensive warranty offering, Canadian Solar is our front contender for the best solar panel.

Canadian Solar TOPHiKu6 Range

We use and recommend the 440W and 465W solar panels from the Canadian Solar TOPHiKu6 range.
Premium panel performance at a competitive price.
N-Type TOPCon technology for increased efficiency, higher sensitivity to light, and a less visible grid division for an improved appearance.
Tried and tested in real-world conditions, and has proved to consistently deliver high energy yields with minimal power degradation.
25-year product warranty and 30-year linear power performance warranty.
Australian-based support, making necessary warranty claims infinitely easier.

Trina Solar

Trina Solar was founded in 1997 and is one of world’s leading manufacturers of high-performance solar panels. They are a great pick for Queensland homes, and have been proven to withstand Australia’s tough weather conditions.

Trina Solar manufactures small-than-typical solar panels that are designed to fit all roof spaces without compromising on power. This is achieved through their high-density cell technology, which eliminates the vertical inter-cell gap. This results in more surface area to produce power.

Trina Solar Vertex S+ Range

Trina Solar offers our value-for-money panel of choice, and we highly recommend the 450W Vertex S+ solar panel.
N-Type cell for superior performance and design. N-Type cell technology offers even more power with lower degradation rates and efficiency loss, meaning you're getting more value for money.
Excellent choice for those who want to generate high energy yields on small roof spaces without compromising on aesthetic quality.
25-year product warranty and 30-year power warranty.
Australian-based support; tick.

REC

REC is a Norwegian solar manufacturer who has been well-regarded in the industry since 1996. With stringent internal testing and an industry-leading low claims rate, REC solar panels offer reliability and guaranteed performance for home and business owners.

REC solar panels are our platinum choice as they blend both high performance with a gapless cell layout for a premium all-black design.

REC Alpha Pure-RX Range

We recommend and use the 460W Alpha Pure-RX solar panel for our customers seeking an ultra-premium solar array.
Bifacial heterojunction cell technology for higher power density and a gapless cell design, ensuring you're getting the power you've paid for.
Achieves high energy yields even in shaded conditions, making this panel an ideal choice for all rooftops, year-round.
20-year product warranty and 25-year power warranty (only with REC Certified Installers - like us!)
Australian-based support is available.

Solar will only save you money and perform as promised when installed by a reputable and long-standing solar installer

It is critical to choose your solar installer carefully if you decide to proceed with solar. Unfortunately, the solar industry is fraught with companies whose aim is to make a quick buck with a cheap installation with cheap components. If you think the price is too good to be true, then it probably is.

Always choose a solar installer that has been trading for at least 15-20 years. A long-standing installer will be able to honour their warranties and service guarantees. A ‘solar orphan’ is someone whose installer has fallen out of business and thus has no points of contact for warranty claims or system support (unfortunately, this happens a lot more than you may think!).

Your solar installer should also complete a site inspection and analysis of your personal energy needs, to design a system that is most suited to your energy goals. On-site inspections are preferable, as this will help to avoid any hidden fees or additional costs that may be incurred come the day of installation (as pricing is always subject to inspection).

In summary, the most important things to look for when selecting an installer are evidence of customer testimonials focused on reliability and honesty, a high standard of workmanship, warranty periods, and quality components.

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