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The short version
If money is no object, SunPower Maxeon 7 is the best panel you can put on an Australian roof. For most households, the REC Alpha Pure-R or LONGi Hi-MO 7 offer a better balance of performance and price. On a tighter budget, Jinko Tiger Neo and Canadian Solar HiKu7 are reliable Tier 1 options that will serve you well for 25 years. The “best” panel is the one that matches your roof, your budget and your goals.
Walk into any solar quote and you'll see a dizzying list of panel brands. Some installers push whatever they've got in the warehouse. Others genuinely recommend the best fit for your situation. The problem is that most homeowners have no way to tell the difference.
We've spent months testing, researching and talking to installers to put together this comparison. Every panel on this list is Bloomberg Tier 1, meaning the manufacturer is financially stable and bankable. We've excluded anything without proper Australian warranty support, because a 25-year warranty is only worth something if the company is still around to honour it. You can also use our interactive panel comparison tool to filter by the specs that matter most to you, or read our detailed brand-by-brand reviews for a deeper look at each manufacturer.
What Makes a Solar Panel “Best” in Australia?
Australia is not Europe. Our climate is harsher, our rooftops run hotter, and our UV exposure is more intense. That means the specs that matter most here are slightly different from what you'll read on international review sites.
Temperature coefficient measures how much a panel's output drops as it heats up. On a 40-degree day in western Sydney, your roof surface can exceed 70 degrees Celsius. A panel with a poor temperature coefficient might lose 15% of its rated output in those conditions, while a premium panel loses only 8-10%. Over a full Australian summer, that adds up.
Degradation rate is the hidden differentiator that most comparison sites overlook. All panels lose a small fraction of their output each year. The difference between 0.25% and 0.55% annual degradation sounds trivial, but over 25 years it means one panel is still producing at 93.75% while the other has dropped to 86.25%. For a 6.6kW system, that gap is worth roughly $2,000-$3,000 in lost generation over the system's life.
Warranty backing is the third factor. A 25-year product warranty from a manufacturer with an Australian office, local stock and a clear claims process is worth far more than a 30-year warranty from a company with no local presence. Our warranty comparison page breaks down the fine print brand by brand.
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Over 3.6 million homes already claiming rebates
2026 Solar Panel Comparison Table
| Panel | Efficiency | Warranty | Degradation | Price/W | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SunPower Maxeon 7 | 24.1% | 40 years | 0.25%/yr | $0.65–0.80/W | check_circleBest overall |
| REC Alpha Pure-R | 22.6% | 25 years | 0.25%/yr | $0.50–0.65/W | Best value premium |
| LONGi Hi-MO 7 | 22.5% | 25 years | 0.40%/yr | $0.35–0.50/W | Strong all-rounder |
| Trina Vertex S+ | 21.8% | 25 years | 0.40%/yr | $0.35–0.50/W | Best budget-premium |
| Jinko Tiger Neo | 21.5% | 25 years | 0.45%/yr | $0.30–0.45/W | Best budget |
| Q CELLS Q.Peak DUO | 21.4% | 25 years | 0.35%/yr | $0.40–0.55/W | Best mid-range |
| Canadian Solar HiKu7 | 21.5% | 25 years | 0.45%/yr | $0.30–0.40/W | Reliable budget |
Prices are per-watt estimates based on typical Australian residential installs (6.6kW systems) in early 2026. Actual pricing varies by installer and location.
Panel-by-Panel Breakdown
SunPower Maxeon 7
SunPower's Maxeon cells are in a class of their own. The interdigitated back contact (IBC) design eliminates front-side busbars entirely, which reduces shading losses and gives these panels the highest residential efficiency rating on the market at 24.1%.
The 40-year warranty is unmatched. SunPower guarantees at least 88.25% output after 40 years, which speaks to the remarkably low 0.25% annual degradation rate. They also have solid Australian support through their local distributor network.
The catch is price. At $0.65-$0.80 per watt, a 6.6kW SunPower system will cost $8,000-$10,000 after rebates, compared to $5,000-$6,500 for a quality mid-range system. That premium makes sense if you have limited roof space or plan to stay in your home for decades.
REC Alpha Pure-R
The REC Alpha Pure-R is the panel we find ourselves recommending most often. At 22.6% efficiency with a 0.25% degradation rate, it delivers near-SunPower performance at a noticeably lower price point. REC is a Norwegian-headquartered company with strong financial backing and a dedicated Australian team.
The 25-year product and performance warranty is comprehensive, and REC's REC ProTrust programme gives extra warranty coverage when installed by a certified installer. If you want premium performance without the SunPower price tag, this is the panel to look at.
LONGi Hi-MO 7
LONGi is the world's largest solar panel manufacturer, and the Hi-MO 7 is their flagship residential product. At 22.5% efficiency, it sits just below REC in the specs, but the price is significantly more accessible at $0.35-$0.50 per watt.
LONGi has an Australian office in Sydney and a well-established warranty process. The 0.40% degradation rate is middle-of-the-pack but still very good. This panel is a strong pick for homeowners who want high performance without paying the absolute top-shelf price.
Q CELLS Q.Peak DUO
Q CELLS is a Korean-owned brand (Hanwha group) with a strong reputation in Australia. The Q.Peak DUO has been a popular choice among installers for years, and for good reason. The 0.35% degradation rate is better than most panels in its price bracket.
At 21.4% efficiency, it's not the highest spec on this list, but Q CELLS' Australian support infrastructure is excellent. They have a local office, dedicated warranty team and a solid track record of honouring claims. A reliable mid-range choice.
Trina Vertex S+
Trina has been manufacturing solar panels since 1997, making them one of the most experienced companies in the industry. The Vertex S+ uses n-type TOPCon cells at 21.8% efficiency, which is impressive for the price point.
At $0.35-$0.50 per watt, the Vertex S+ sits in a sweet spot between budget and premium. Trina has a Melbourne office and strong Australian distribution, so warranty support is not a concern. A great option if you want better-than-budget performance without stretching into premium territory.
Jinko Tiger Neo
Jinko is the world's most-shipped panel brand, and the Tiger Neo is their n-type residential offering. At $0.30-$0.45 per watt, it's one of the most affordable Tier 1 panels available, making it the go-to for homeowners who want a reliable system at the lowest possible price.
The 21.5% efficiency and 25-year warranty are solid. The trade-off is a slightly higher degradation rate at 0.45% per year, which means you'll produce a bit less in years 15-25 compared to premium panels. Jinko has Australian offices in Sydney and Melbourne.
Canadian Solar HiKu7
Canadian Solar rounds out our list as another strong budget Tier 1 option. Despite the name, their panels are manufactured in China and Southeast Asia, but the company is publicly listed on NASDAQ and has been in business since 2001. At $0.30-$0.40 per watt, the HiKu7 offers 21.5% efficiency with a 25-year warranty. They have an Australian office in Melbourne. Very similar to Jinko in performance and price, so it often comes down to which brand your installer stocks.
What to Avoid
We deliberately left some brands off this list. Here's what to watch out for when evaluating solar quotes:
- arrow_rightPanels from manufacturers with no Australian office or warranty support. If they leave the market, your warranty is worthless.
- arrow_rightBrands not on the Clean Energy Council approved product list. Without CEC approval, your installer cannot claim STCs (the federal rebate), which typically saves you $1,600-$2,200.
- arrow_rightPanels from non-Tier 1 manufacturers being sold as “just as good” at a steep discount. The savings are rarely worth the risk.
- arrow_rightAny installer who refuses to tell you which brand and model they're installing. Transparency is the bare minimum.
See How Much You'd Save
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Over 3.6 million homes already claiming rebates
Budget vs Premium: What's the Real Difference?
Let's put some real numbers on this. A 6.6kW system with Jinko Tiger Neo panels might cost around $5,500 after rebates. The same system size with SunPower Maxeon 7 panels could run to $9,000 or more. That's a $3,500 gap.
Over 25 years, the SunPower system will produce roughly 7-10% more energy due to higher efficiency and lower degradation. Depending on your electricity rates and usage patterns, that extra generation is worth somewhere between $2,500 and $4,000. So the premium panels roughly pay for themselves over the long haul, but only just.
The honest answer is that both are good choices. If you need the money in your pocket now, the Jinko system will still slash your power bills and pay for itself within 3-5 years. If you have the budget and want maximum lifetime return, premium panels deliver. There's no wrong answer here, only different priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Tier 1 solar panel?
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Are Chinese solar panels any good?
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How much do solar panels degrade over time?
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Does panel efficiency really matter for homes?
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Should I spend more on premium panels or get a bigger system with budget panels?
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What solar panel brands should I avoid in Australia?
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The next step
If you have any questions about the information in this guide, feel free to get in touch:
Email: andy@whysolar.com.au
Tel: +61 455 221 921
If you're considering solar panels or batteries for your home, Andy and the team can help you get quotes from trusted, pre-vetted local installers:
Written by
Andy McMasterSolar Installer Partner Relations
Connects homeowners with trusted, vetted solar installers across Australia. Andy works directly with installation companies to ensure quality standards and helps homeowners navigate the quoting process.
Learn more about Andy McMaster