Phono solar panels reviews

Sumec Phono Solar is a Chinese company that manufactures tier one solar panels accompanied by a very generous product warranty for modules in this price range. They are certified as corrosion resistant and therefore suitable for installation in coastal locations.

Phono Solar also now have an Australian presence: Level 35, Tower One, 100 Barangaroo Ave, Sydney, Australia. Phone number: (02) 8114 4516.

Company History

Phono Solar was founded by the Sumec/Sinomach conglomerate, apparently in 2004. The huge Sumec/Sinomach conglomeration has so many fingers in so many pies, they have probably had extra hands grafted on to accommodate them all. They are involved in everything from large and small scale generator manufacture, to lawn mowers, to clothing. In 2018, it was noted as Forbes' 5^th fastest growing company in the world. 

Phono Solar first started large scale manufacture of solar panels in 2008 with a 120 megawatt panel production line. They expanded this to 200 megawatts the following year and by 2014 they were considered to be a tier one manufacturer by Bloomberg.

Manufacturing Capacity

Phono Solar have advised their most recent (2020) annual production capabilities are 2.2 gigawatts capacity. 

Manufacturing Location

Phono Solar manufactures their panels in Nanjing, a city that is often known as Nanking to English speakers. It is on the Yangtze River and is only a one and a half hour express train ride from Shanghai.

Phono Solar Very Proud Of DVN GL Testing Performance

DNV GL is among other things an international certification body. They perform independent tests of solar panels. Phono Solar did extremely well in testing, coming second overall in an extensive round of tests completed in 2016, which I wrote about here.

Phono Solar Panels Specifications

Datasheets for Sumec Phono Solar panels can be accessed from their Australian website (https://www.phonosolar.com.au/). You can also find specifications for several Phono models popular in Australia on our solar panel comparison table.

Ultra High Efficiency Panels

Sumec Phono Solar produces a line called Twin Plus, which are up to 20.58% efficient - this is a very high conversion efficiency.

Diamond Dual Glass Panels

Phono Solar are also very proud of their Diamond Dual Glass solar panels, which were released in Australia in September 2021.

Featuring toughened glass on both sides, these panels also offer bifacial technology - meaning they can capture light from the rear of the panel as well as the front. We explain dual glass and bifacial panel technology here.

While bifacial features may not be particularly useful on a residential rooftop, the toughened glass certainly is - especially in relation to hail resistance. Normal hail testing involves 25mm hailstones at a speed of 80km/h. According to Sumec Phono Solar, Diamond Dual Glass panels have been tested for 45mm hailstones at a speed of 110km/h.

Warranties And Corrosion Resistance

All Sumec Phono Solar Panels come with a 15 year product warranty; except for Diamond Dual Glass, which boasts a 20 year product warranty.

For all other residential panels, an optional 5 years warranty coverage is now available to make it a 15+5 year product warranty. As mentioned, all Sumec Phono Solar panels are certified as corrosion resistant; particularly desirable if you live by the sea.

Warranty Procedure

With the establishing of its office in Australia, SUMEC Australia is now responsible for all warranty services. Customers can make warranty claims via www.phonosolar.com.au, or [email protected], [email protected]

My Recommendation

I would have no problem with installing Phono Solar modules on my roof, especially since the did so well in DNV GL testing. They are also very competitively priced. Personally, I’d take them over a considerable number of other tier one panels. 

Check out more Phono Solar reviews and ratings from Australians below - and if you have these panels installed on your rooftop, we'd welcome your own review.