Solar panel efficiency refers to how much of the sunlight it receives it can convert into solar power. So, if a solar panel is rated to have 20% efficiency, that means it can convert 20% of the sunlight it receives into solar power.
Needless to say, the higher the efficiency, the better the solar panel is at generating energy. Easy, right?
Given the many (many) choices available to Australians, though, one has to wonder: What are the most efficient solar panels?
Well, that’s what I’m here to answer. Below is a list of 8 of the most efficient solar panels available to Aussies right now. I also cover a few other related topics. Likewise, they’re all listed below. Tap on any of the bullets to skip sections.
- The 8 most efficient solar panels for Aussie homes
- Why solar panel efficiency ratings shouldn’t be your only consideration
- Other things that affect solar panel efficiency
The 8 most efficient solar panels for Australian homes
1. Canadian Solar HiHero (22.8%)
Canadian Solar has many solar panels in its lineup. But, of them all, the HiHero boasts the highest efficiency for residential purposes, topping off at 22.8%.
So, if all you’re after is the highest-efficiency solar panel, this is the way to go.
With that said, it also comes with a 25-year product warranty, as well as an above-standard performance warranty of 30 years. The product warranty, in particular, is a welcome change as Canadian Solar previously only offered it at 12 years.
- Temperature coefficient: -0.26%/℃
- Dimensions: 1134 mm x 1722 mm
- Degradation rate: 0.35%
- Canadian Solar’s website
2. SunPower Maxeon 3 (22.7%)
SunPower is currently our most recommended brand of solar panels for several reasons. For one, they have some of the world’s (not just Australia’s) most efficient solar panels. The Maxeon 3, in particular, has a powerful 22.7% efficiency rating which is very close to Canadian Solar’s 22.8%.
Now, if you’re torn between both of them, I say check the degradation rates. While the Maxeon 3’s efficiency ratings are slightly lower, it also degrades slower. This means that at the end of the Maxeon 3’s life, it will be capable of generating more solar power.
Speaking of life, SunPower has product and performance warranties that last 40 years. That’s by far the best in the industry and the main reason why we recommend them as much as we do.
- Temperature coefficient: -0.27%
- Dimensions: 1046 mm x 1812 mm
- Degradation rate: 0.25%
- SunPower’s website
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3. Longi Hi-Mo 6 Scientist (22.6%)
Longi hasn’t been one of our favorite brands recently because they’ve had issues with the frames of their newer solar panels. Luckily, they’ve addressed those issues and are now back to creating top-tier solar panels for homes in Australia (and back on our good side, too).
With that said, the Hi-Mo 6 Scientist is Longi’s most efficient solar panel for residences. They have other options, such as the Hi-Mo 6 Explorer and Hi-Mo 5, but neither of them has the Scientist’s 22.6% efficiency rating.
They’re an affordable option, too, but at the cost of a shorter product warranty of 15 years. Luckily, their performance warranty still meets the 25-year industry standard.
- Temperature coefficient: -0.29%/°C
- Dimensions: 1134 mm x 1722 mm
- Degradation rate: 0.4%
- Longi’s website
4. REC Alpha Pure-R (22.3%)
REC is a lot like Canadian Solar and SunPower in terms of having efficient solar panels with high power outputs. REC’s numbers, however, are just slightly lower but that also makes it the more affordable option.
That being said, their Alpha Pure-R comes in at 22.3% efficiency. Its warranties for product and performance are also up to standard at 25 years.
What’s impressive to us, though, is that their degradation rate is only at 0.25% which is the same as SunPower’s Maxeon 3.
So, if you’re looking for a highly efficient but affordable solar panel that’s more than capable of maintaining its performance for the years to come, this is going to be your best bet.
- Temperature coefficient: -0.24%/°C
- Dimensions: 1118 mm x 1730 mm
- Degradation rate: 0.25%
- REC’s website
5. Trina Solar Vertex S+ (22.3%)
Trina Solar’s modules have all boasted impressive efficiency ratings but none more than their Vertex S+.
At 22.3%, this matches REC Alpha Pure-R’s efficiency, thus making it one of the most efficient solar panels for homes in Australia. Panel for panel, it even has a maximum power output of 445 W, making it one of the most effective modules on this list.
With that said the reason it fell to #5 despite it rivaling REC’s efficiency and even surpassing its power capacity is that it degrades faster. Nevertheless, its product warranty spans 25 years while its performance warranty lasts even longer at 30, so you’re covered for a long time.
- Temperature coefficient: -0.30%/°C
- Dimensions: 1134 mm x 1762 mm
- Degradation rate: 0.4%
- Trina Solar’s website
6. Jinko Tiger Neo N-Type 54HL4R (22%)
Jinko has been one of the more popular solar panel manufacturers in Australia for many years now. That’s thanks largely to their high-efficiency solar panels that come cheaper than most. This is true for their Tiger Neo N-Type 54HL4R modules.
Truth be told, Jinko has other residential solar panels that are slightly more efficient. The reason the Tiger Neo N-Type 54HL4R made our list instead of those is the warranty.
With this, you get the lengthy 25-year product warranty and the even lengthier 30-year performance warranty. Its slightly more efficient counterparts only have 15-year product warranties.
You see, the warranty difference is so significant that we truly don’t think it’s worth the subtle efficiency upgrade.
- Temperature coefficient: -0.29%/°C
- Dimensions: 1134 mm x 1762 mm
- Degradation rate: 0.4%
- Jinko’s website
7. Q Cells Q.Maxx G5+ (21.3%)
Q Cells brags about the Q.Maxx G5+ breaking the “21% efficiency barrier” – and rightfully so! There are dozens of solar panel manufacturers producing hundreds of different modules but only a few cross that mark. So, at 21.3%, the Q.Maxx G5+ is truly one of the most efficient solar panels available to Aussies.
Both product and performance warranties meet the modern standard of 25 years, too.
The downside is that it degrades faster than most of the solar panels on this list. But, at 0.5%, that’s still slower than the average solar panel. It’s also one of the more affordable options in the market, especially given its efficiency and capacity.
- Temperature coefficient: -0.34%/°C
- Dimensions: 1134 mm x 1722 mm
- Degradation rate: 0.5%
- Q Cells website
8. Hyundai HiE-S410VG (20.9%)
Hyundai offers 2 models of solar panels for homes: their SG series and their VG series. The VG is the more efficient of the two, and it’s also what rounds out our list.
That being said, the Hyundai HiE-S410VG has an efficiency of 20.9%. While barely missing the 21% mark, this is already slightly above the average solar panel efficiency.
Product and performance warranties are both at 25 years, too.
A reason why you’d choose this over the other solar panels on this list is that it has the shortest length in terms of physical dimensions. This could work well for you, depending on the available space you have on your roof.
- Temperature coefficient: -0.34%/°C
- Dimensions: 1140 mm x 1719 mm
- Degradation rate: 0.55%
- Hyundai Solar’s website
Efficiency is NOT the only factor when choosing solar panels.
Yup, you read that right.
Don’t get me wrong, though. Efficient solar panels are a huge part of it, but there are many other things you need to take into consideration such as your budget, the capacity of the solar panel, and others.
We have a full guide to help you choose solar panels for your home but allow me to ask you a few questions that use the information you have here.
Get 3 Solar Quotes From Quality Local Installers.
What’s the weather like where you live?
Despite generating electricity from the sun’s energy, solar panels are more efficient when it’s colder. This is where the temperature coefficient comes into play.
Temp. coefficient describes the loss in solar panel efficiency for every 1 °C increase in temperature from 25 °C.
For example, let’s say you and your brother have the same solar system. It’s equally sunny but you live in Perth while your brother lives in Hobart. It’s 30 °C where you live but only 21 °C at your brother’s.
Your solar panels will be functioning at a reduced efficiency because it’s hot where you live while your brother’s will be functioning in full.
All this to say that if your property is in one of the hotter places in Australia, check the temp. coefficient of your target solar panels before you make your decision.
How much roof space do you have?
Solar panels come in different shapes and sizes. And, because of that, less efficient solar panels will sometimes be better choices if you want to maximize your roof space.
For example, the Maxeon 3 has a width of 1046 mm and the HiHero has a width of 1134 mm. While the Maxeon 3 is the slightly less efficient option, its narrower width might allow you to install a few more solar panels on your roof, thus giving you more solar energy overall.
If you don’t know the dimensions of your roof, I recommend speaking with a solar installer to arrange for measurements. It’s for your own safety, of course, but it’s also so they can give you a more accurate quote.
Recommended: How to choose a solar installer
How much money do you want to save after 25 years?
Here’s the thing: All solar panels, regardless of efficiency, will save you money. However, solar panel efficiency also degrades year after year. This means that your solar system will have its highest power output on the first day of installation and will gradually decrease until it reaches the end of its life.
How much it will decrease depends on the degradation rate of the solar panels.
For example, The Maxeon 3 degrades by 0.25% every year whereas the Q.Maxx G5+ degrades by 0.5%. At year 25:
- The Maxeon 3 could potentially be running at 93.75% of its initial efficiency (~21.2% efficiency rating)
- The Q.Maxx G5+ runs at only 87.5% of its initial efficiency (~18.6% efficiency rating)
While perhaps more expensive up front, slower degradation rates also give you more solar energy throughout the lifespan of your solar panels. In turn, this also means you get to keep more of your money.
Other things that affect the power output of your solar panels
All things equal, more efficient solar panels will always outperform their less efficient counterparts. That much is a given.
Although, in the real world, things are rarely ever equal. For one, different parts of Australia have more sunlight than others. And even in the same states and territories, local conditions can be different, too.
These conditions, listed below, can dictate the power output of your solar system.
Quality of the installation
Installing solar panels is tricky, especially for the DIY-er with no experience. It’s so challenging, in fact, that even professionals make mistakes.
Poor installation quality can lead to roof leaks, improper wiring, and even corrosion. All these can shorten the lifespan of your solar panels and reduce their efficiency.
I can’t say this enough but who you choose to install your solar panels is as crucial as the modules themselves.
To help you out, we have a pre-vetted network of solar installers all around Australia. They’re all CEC-approved so hiring them will also grant you access to rebates. More importantly, though, we trust them with our own systems. Consider getting 3 FREE quotes from us.
Shade
As I mentioned, solar panels generate electricity from sunlight. That’s how solar panels work.
Therefore, when a part of your solar array is blocked by shade, it also reduces the efficiency of your entire solar panel system. This is especially true for systems with string inverters – the type of inverter that’s most commonly used in AU.
If you suspect shading issues, consider using micro-inverters or power optimizers instead. These inverters are a bit more pricey but they work so shade on solar panels doesn’t affect the rest of your array.
The orientation of your roof
With this, I mean the angle of your roof and the directions it’s facing. Both of them affect how much sunlight hits your solar panels and, therefore, their power production.
For the most power production, north-facing solar panels will generally be best because we’re in the southern hemisphere. However, depending on when you want peak energy production, east and west are solid options, too.
For the angle of your solar panels, the most optimal tilt is equal to that of your property’s latitude. For example, Queensland has a latitude of 21°. If that’s where you live, the best angle for your solar panels is 21°, too.
Of course, the angle of your roof is almost out of your control. So, if your roof’s pitch isn’t optimal, don’t worry about it. 15-30° will still get you great power production. And even if it’s not within that range, modern solar panels are so efficient now that even flat solar arrays produce a great deal of energy.
Recommended: Are south-facing solar panels worth it?
Dirt, dust, and droppings
Similar to shade, dirt, dust, and bird droppings can cover portions of your array and, ultimately, drop your solar panel efficiency and energy production.
Does this mean you have to clean your solar panels regularly? In most cases, no.
Unless your solar panels were installed flat or you leave near the highway, a construction site, or anywhere where your array is predisposed to dirt, rain is going to do the cleaning for you.
If you had to clean your solar panels, however, you’ll most likely only need a garden hose and water pressure strong enough to reach your modules from the ground.
FAQs:
What are the best solar panels in Australia?
When it comes to solar panel efficiency, the best are Canadian Solar’s HiHero, SunPower’s Maxeon 3, and Longi’s Hi-Mo 6 Scientist. However, the most efficient solar panels aren’t always the best for your home. Consider other factors like physical dimensions, degradation rate, cost, and others.
How energy efficient are solar panels?
The efficiency of a solar panel will depend on many factors but, in large part, it’s their type. Monocrystalline solar panels are about 17-20% efficient, polycrystalline panels are at 15-17%, while thin film solar panels are at 6-15%.
Recommended: The 4 main solar panel types
Why are solar panels not 100% efficient?
Solar panel efficiency won’t ever reach 100% efficiency because the sun’s energy comes in multiple wavelengths of light that modules can’t capture. Moreover, Carnot’s theorem in thermodynamics also forbids 100% efficient solar panels from ever happening.
Conclusion
And, again, here are the most efficient residential solar panels in Australia:
- Canadian Solar HiHero (22.8%)
- SunPower Maxeon 3 (22.7%)
- Longi Hi-Mo 6 Scientist (22.6%)
- REC Alpha Pure-R (22.3%)
- Trina Solar Vertex S+ (22.3%)
- Jinko Tiger Neo N-Type 54HL4R (22%)
- Q Cells Q.Maxx G5+ (21.3%)
- Hyundai HiE-S410VG (20.9%)
That being said, efficiency isn’t everything when it comes to choosing the best solar panel for your home. There are other things you have to consider, too, and I’ve listed some of them above.
Still, I think it’s best to talk things over with a professional that you can trust. The decision-making process goes smoother that way. If you don’t already have one in mind, we have a network of pre-vetted installers that we trust with our own systems. We can get you 3 FREE quotes from them right now.
