This is a question that we are frequently asked at LuvSolar. When investing in solar energy, homeowners and business operators need confidence that their solar panels will perform efficiently and reliably for years to come. With a range of solar panel options on the market, it can be challenging to determine which is the best solar company or which panels are most suited to your needs. Despite a panel being labelled as Tier 1, or being manufactured in a specific part of the world, ultimately what matters is cost, performance, and manufacturer reliability.
Solar Panel Costs
The main function of a solar panel is to produce energy. So a key factor in deciding which are the best solar panels is the cost at which they are able to produce that energy.
As some larger or more efficient panels can cost more, its fair to level the playing field and compare the cost of the solar panel against its rated power output. For this reason, solar panel cost is often presented as $/Watt. There may be some situations where you want to maximise power generation with the roof space available, so you might opt for very high efficiency panels at a higher $/Watt cost. But usually the $/Watt cost is a good way to assess the value of a particular solar panel.
While $/Watt is a great way to assess solar panels in an ideal world, in the real world it is definitely not the only factor that should be considered. This is because solar systems, rated in kilowatts (kW) need to output those kilowatts over hours (kWh), each day, every day, for years. They need to do this on your roof, exposed to the elements, with minimal degradation in power output. Its no use choosing the cheapest solar panels if their output degrades materially over the life of the system. So solar panel performance is another key consideration in choosing the best solar panels.
Solar Panel Performance
Solar panels are long-term investments, so reliability is crucial. The best solar panels need to demonstrate consistent performance across their lifetime in a range of harsh environmental conditions. That’s where independent testing comes in. To be eligible for the government’s STC rebate, solar panels need to be certified as having passed 19 separate tests described in the IEC 61215-1 2021 international standard. As well as confirming the key safety and performance specifications of a solar panel, the standard also subjects the panels to extreme environmental conditions to simulate field performance, including;
- Thermal Cycling (TC): This test evaluates how panels handle extreme temperature changes. Solar panels expand and contract due to daily heating and cooling, which can degrade bonds and materials over time. In the TC test, panels undergo 200 cycles of extreme temperature swings, simulating day-to-night temperature fluctuations.
- Humidity Freeze (HF): The Humidity Freeze (HF) test looks at a panels resistance to damage from moisture ingress expanding under freezing conditions. The test combines humidity and heat with freezing cold (85°C at 85% relative humidity and -40°C) for 10 cycles.
- Damp Heat (DH): Damp heat testing subjects panels to high humidity and temperatures for 1,000 hours. This simulates the long-term effects of moisture and heat, and tests the solar panels lamination and encapsulation.
- Static Mechanical Load test (SML): When installed, panels experience loads from snow, wind, and other mechanical forces. The SML test applies a pressure of 2,400 Pa for an hour to the front and back sides of the solar module in an alternate fashion to identify vulnerabilities such as glass or cell cracking.
- Hail Impact Test: Hailstorms can cause significant damage to solar panels. The Hail Impact Test subjects panels to impacts from 23mm ice-balls travelling at over 80km/hr.
These tests provide some comfort that the panels tested will be robust enough to work on your roof. However, as all solar panels need to be certified as having passed these tests to be eligible for government rebates, how can you really determine the most reliable models when trying to determine what are the best solar panels?
This is where independent testing, like the kind done for the Kiwa-PVEL Module Reliability Scorecard, comes in. By going beyond the minimum test requirements above, testing under additional cycles, and stacking tests in different sequences the scorecard helps customers identify the best solar panels for durability and reliability. The module reliability scorecard can pick up common issues in some panels which aren’t picked up in IEC 61215 tests. For example the 2025 scorecard shows some newer modules are more prone to mechanical damage under loading.
Module Reliability Scorecard Explained
The scorecard measures panel performance through a more rigorous testing regime. Extending the number of cycles in many tests, and running different tests in a sequence to look at the combined effects of environmental stresses. Understanding these tests can give consumers more confidence in their solar panel choices.
- Thermal Cycling (TC): In the TC test, solar panels undergo 600 cycles of extreme temperature swings. That is 3 x the number required by IEC 61215-21, simulating years of day-to-night temperature fluctuations. To perform well, panels must maintain minimal degradation. This test provides confidence that solar panels in climates with large temperature differences, such as those in the Hunter Valley or Central Coast will perform for years to come.
- Damp Heat (DH): KIWA-PVEL’s damp heat testing subjects panels to high humidity and temperatures for 2,000 hours, which is double the duration of standard certification tests. This simulates the long-term effects of moisture and heat, particularly relevant for coastal areas like Newcastle and Byron Bay. Top-performing panels show minimal degradation, proving their resistance to these harsh conditions.
- Mechanical Stress Sequence (MSS): The MSS test combines Static Mechanical Load testing with Dynamic Load Testing and then Damp Heat and thermal cycling climate to how panels will stand up to the combined effect of mechanical stress, moisture and temperature fluctuations. While solar panels in Newcastle, Byron Bay and the Central Coast do not have to deal with snow, they will experience strong winds, so need to stand up to these loads.
- Hail Stress Sequence (HSS): Hailstorms can cause significant damage to solar panels, particularly in regions like the Hunter Valley and Byron Bay. The HSS test evaluates how well panels withstand impacts from larger ice balls from 35-55mm . Panels that excel in this test are ideal for homeowners seeking added assurance against hail damage.
- Potential-Induced Degradation (PID): PID testing measures how panels perform under high voltage and humidity, conditions that have been known to cause performance degradation in some solar panels in some system designs. Panels resistant to PID ensure long-term energy output. So confirming PID resistance is an important factor for homeowners in Newcastle Byron Bay and other humid areas.
- Light-Induced and Elevated Temperature-Induced Degradation (LID + LETID): These tests measure the performance decline caused by sunlight exposure and high temperatures. While all solar panels experience some initial degradation, this should not go beyond that warranted by the manufacturer in their performance warranty.
Each year, the module reliability scorecard provides a list of top-performing brands in these tests along with insights into why certain panels excel. When panels from the same manufacturers consistently make the top 10 year after year, it provides confidence that those brands have robust factory quality assurance processes in place. Its often the case that the brands that perform consistently well are not the most expensive on the market (nor are they the cheapest).
By considering the results of independent testing like the Kiwa-PVEL Scorecard, solar panel owners can:
- Make Informed Decisions: Understand which panels are most suitable for their region’s climate and environmental challenges
- Ensure Longevity: Choose panels that will perform reliably for decades, minimizing maintenance and replacement costs.
- Maximize Returns: Select panels with high energy yields for greater savings on energy bills.
Solar Panel Manufacturer History in Australia
In addition to strong performance in independent testing, LuvSolar will also always recommend that solar owners chose a manufacturer with a strong track record in the Australian market.
While solar panel warranties are not something you want to have to rely on, if it does become necessary, you want the piece of mind that the manufacturer will still be around to honour that warranty claim.
The Australian solar market has been going strong for over a decade and there are a number of manufacturers that have had a consistent presence here, providing a point of contact for any after market issues or warranty claims.
Which Solar Panels have the Best Price, Performance and Manufacturer Reliaibility?
Solar panel models are constantly updated, with new models with slightly revised designs being offered on the Australian market every year. Solar panel costs are also highly variable and behave akin to commodity prices with policy decisions and supply chain factors around the world affecting the costs to the consumer. So its really not as straightforward as determining a single best solar panel. Instead we at LuvSolar always recommend to our clients solar panels, that use proven and well established technologies, from the most reliable manufacturers with the best price at the time.
While there are several top performers listed every year, Jinko, JA Solar, and Trina Solar consistently rank among the top performers in the Kiwa-PVEL Module Reliability Scorecard. Additionally, solar panels from all three of these manufacturers have been consistently submitted for independent testing in the scorecard for over a decade. This long history of independent testing and the success of these manufacturers samples across multiple tests also demonstrates their commitment to quality and durability.
These three manufacturers are amongst the top 10 largest in the world. Each have long and well stablished presences in the Australian market and have supplied solar panels to many of the utility scale solar farms throughout Australia. Each year they release new solar panels to the Australian market, and while the exact model released may not have undergone independent testing through KIWA and PVEL these companies have all consistently demonstrated their ability to produce solar panels with a very high level of reliability.
Conclusion
Lor homeowners asking, “What are the best solar panels?” or “Which is the best solar panel manufacturing company?” the answer is not straightforward. There are several manufacturers that providing high quality products to the Australian market. As well as manufacturer history, potential solar owners should consider costs, and data on solar panel performance.
Independent testing, such as the Kiwa-PVEL Module Reliability Scorecard, provides confidence in performance which is data driven.
If you’re searching for solar panels Newcastle, solar panels Hunter Valley, solar panels Central Coast, or solar panels Byron Bay, consider solar panels from Jinko, JA Solar, or Trina Solar. These brands consistently deliver top-tier performance and durability, making them excellent choices for homeowners seeking reliable and efficient solar solutions. Invest in these trusted manufacturers and take a confident step toward a sustainable, energy-efficient future.
