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We compared 8 solar panels from the top manufacturers. Data sourced directly from manufacturer datasheets โ not installer marketing materials. Sort by efficiency, price per watt, warranty, or cell type.
Highest Efficiency
AIKO Solar
Neostar 2P A460-MAH54Mb
23.6% efficiency ยท Tier 1
Best Warranty
LONGi Solar
Hi-MO 6 Explorer LR5-54HTH 430W
30-year power warranty
| Panel | Cell Type | Tier | Power (W)โ | Efficiencyโ | Price/Wโ | $/yr in stackโ | Product Warrantyโ | Power Warrantyโ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
JA Solar Deep Blue 3.0 JAM72S30-545/MROur pick | mono-PERC | Tier 1 | 545 W | 21.3% | โ | $482 | 12 yrs | 25 yrs |
AIKO Solar Neostar 2P A460-MAH54Mb | monocrystalline | Tier 1 | 460 W | 23.6% | โ | $407 | 15 yrs | 30 yrs |
Trina Solar Vertex S+ TSM-440NEG9R.28 | TOPCon | Tier 1 | 440 W | 22.3% | โ | $389 | 25 yrs | 30 yrs |
LONGi Solar Hi-MO 6 Explorer LR5-54HTH 430W | monocrystalline | Tier 1 | 430 W | 22% | โ | $381 | 25 yrs | 30 yrs |
Qcells Q.PEAK DUO M-G11+ 410W | mono-PERC | Tier 1 | 410 W | 21.4% | โ | $363 | 25 yrs | 25 yrs |
REC Group TwinPeak 5 Black 410W | mono-PERC | Tier 1 | 410 W | 20.8% | โ | $363 | 20 yrs | 25 yrs |
Canadian Solar HiKu6 CS6R-410MS | mono-PERC | Tier 1 | 410 W | 21.5% | โ | $363 | 12 yrs | 25 yrs |
Meyer Burger White 400W | HJT | Tier 1 | 400 W | 21.7% | โ | $354 | 25 yrs | 25 yrs |
Data verified from manufacturer datasheets. Prices are estimates and vary by installer. Last updated: check individual product pages.
All specifications are sourced from current manufacturer datasheets and verified against independent lab test results where available. Prices are indicative market estimates โ actual installed prices vary by location, installer, and system size. Bloomberg NEF tier ratings reflect manufacturer bankability and production scale. See our full review methodology.
Peak sun hours are high across SEA (4.5โ5.5 kWh/mยฒ/day) but so are cell temperatures. A panel with a โ0.35%/ยฐC temperature coefficient loses roughly 11% output at 55ยฐC cell temperature versus STC (25ยฐC). Monocrystalline panels with lower coefficients (โ0.25 to โ0.30%/ยฐC) โ AIKO Solar Neostar 2P A460-MAH54Mb at 23.6% is a good example โ perform noticeably better in humid equatorial conditions. Allow 4โ6% additional soiling losses in high-pollen or coastal areas.
To claim STCs in Australia the panels must appear on the Clean Energy Council (CEC) approved products list and the full array must comply with AS/NZS 5033 (PV array installation) and be commissioned by a CEC-accredited installer. Tier 1 manufacturers such as Jinko, LONGi, Trina, JA Solar, REC, Canadian Solar, and SunPower (Maxeon) maintain active CEC listings. Always verify the specific model number on the CEC portal before purchase.
HDB blocks participate in the government's SolarNova aggregation โ individual flat owners cannot install panels unilaterally. Private landed homes can install freely with an EMA Licensed Electrical Worker and BCA-compliant mounting. Condominium installations require the Management Corporation Strata Title (MCST) committee's approval and may need BCA structural sign-off; most MCSTs approve if the system doesn't obstruct maintenance access.
Yes in several markets. South Australia caps residential export at 5 kW per phase on SAPN/AusNet feeders and can remote-curtail under emergency backstop rules. Queensland Energex/Ergon cap at 5 kW single-phase. Singapore's ECIS has no export cap but requires SP Group metering. Thailand's ERC rooftop programme caps at 10 kWp per residential meter. Indonesia's PLN net metering caps system size at installed household capacity. Plan inverter selection and sizing around these caps, or add a DC-coupled battery to self-consume surplus.
Regions C and D under AS/NZS 1170.2 (Northern Queensland, Northern Territory, tropical WA) require cyclone-rated mounting โ typically heavier rail, closer foot spacing, through-bolt roof attachment (no adhesive-only), and engineering certification per AS/NZS 1170.2 + AS/NZS 5033 Appendix F. Use mounting systems explicitly rated for Region C/D such as Clenergy PV-ezRack SolarRoof CycloneTough, Sunlock, or Schletter ICON Pro. Expect a 15โ30% uplift on mounting cost versus Region A.