Renesola solar panels reviews

Based on 81 ratings Aus Ranking

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About Renesola, Solar Panels

Renesola solar panels review

Renesola is a Chinese producer of tier one solar panels with 10 year product and 25 year performance warranties. Their panels are corrosion resistant which makes them suitable for installation by the sea. Renesola has offices in both Sydney and Melbourne.

In addition to solar panels, Renesola also produces string inverters, microinverters, and LED lighting. They are also heavily involved in the development and construction of solar farms and large scale rooftop solar projects.

Manufacturing Capacity

Renesola is a medium sized producer of solar panels. They had approximately 1.2 gigawatts of solar panel production capacity in 2015 and while it's not on their website, Renesola has informed me by email their production capacity is now 1.5 gigawatts.

In comparison, the world’s largest producer of solar panels in 2016 was Jinko Solar with a production of approximately 6.5 to 6.6 gigawatts of panels.

Renesola claims to have sold 12 gigawatts of “solar products” over the lifetime of their company, but they don’t specify what they count as a solar product.

Company History

Renesola was founded in 2005. The company rapidly expanded and claims that in 2013 and 2014 more Renesola panels were installed in Australia than any other brand. Unfortunately, like many companies that expand rapidly, they ran into severe financial difficulty which has limited their expansion over the past several years.

They currently employ around 5,600 people, mostly in China. I don’t know how many are employed producing solar panels and how many in other parts of the business such as LED light manufacture.

Renesola Panels

Renasola produces a variety of different series of solar panels, including a number of standard sized, 60 cell panels, which are the type most commonly installed on Australian roofs. They range from 250 to 285 watts and have efficiencies from 15.4% to 17.5%.

Renesola’s Double Glass Panel

Renesola produces a standard sized, 60 cell, double glass module with a 10 year product warranty and a 30 year performance warranty. But as it is a 1,500 volt panel it is not suitable for normal household installation and is made for large commercial rooftop solar installations.

Renesola’s Future

In March 2016 Sinovoltaics gave Renesola an Altman Z-score of 0.23.  This is a measure of the financial health of a company and their low score led me to conclude they were in dire financial straits.  Renesolar has confirmed this by pointing me towards this article by Macroaxis which, on the 16th of February 2017, gave Renesola's chance of bankruptcy over the next two financial years as 40%.  But Renesola would like me to point out the analysis gives many other solar manufacturers an even greater chance of bankruptcy. 

On the bright side, Macroaxis defines bankruptcy as:

"Financial Distress as an operational condition where a company is having difficulty to meet its current financial obligations towards its creditors or to deliver on the expectations of its investors."

Which is a situation a company can survive, although it does make me wonder why they just didn't just call it financial distress in the first place. 

My Recommendation

Renesola produces tier one panels and so I would expect them to be reliable and unlikely to fail over the next two to three decades. While it is possible Renesola won't be around in the future to honor their warranties because of its current financial difficulties, because their panels are reliable the chance of a household needing to make a warranty claim in the first place should be small.

Renesola Solar Panel Reviews

Bought From: Arise Solar Show additional information
I have 39 x Renesola JC250M-24/Bb (250W) connected to a Fronius IGP100 V2 inverter.
All 39 of the panels were hit with hail with only 8 panels showing obvious damage.
Bought From: Mark Group Werribee
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Bought From: Sunface Solar Show additional information
PV array installed 2 Dec 2014 with 18 x ReneSola 250W Poly PV Panels with SMA Tripower Inverter. Both strings failed Nov 2019 with snail trails on 50% of panels and Insulation resist error coming up on SMA display and stopped exporting power. Technical data is (Array 1 308V dc, short cct 9.6amp and array 2 260V dc short cct 9.2 amp - 1000 volt Mohm 50 Mohms with both arrays sitting around 6-12 volts to earth). In short, more than 50% of panels are on the way out before 5 years and the European inverters (more sensitive than other inverters I am told) are designed to shut down when there is too much resistance.
Retailer/Agent is out of business - True Value Solar
Tried to contact ReneSola Australia but they are not contactable.
Completed ReneSolar warranty form and sent direct to head office email address, but it bounced back.
Tried to call ReneSolar China and it rang out.
Result is that our solar PV experience is less that satisfactory as a result of choosing ReneSolar panels and we have made a loss.
Advice is to go high spec for everything, as it is cheaper in the long run. We went high spec on the inverter, assuming the technology curve had closed with the maturing of the life-cycle and closing of the technology gap between PV manufacturers, but failed to give adequate consideration to product quality in the decision making process. Also, don't think you can just remove, bypass or replace panels in the future, as this is complicated by matching panel performance qualities, expense of testing, locating and replacing defective panels vs new system which attract STC's.
Not happy - steer clear.
Bought From: True Value Solar
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This is what stated in their warranty card: ten year material warranty and workmanship warranty AND Microcrack-proof packaging patent.

Issue that I have in my panels:
1 x panel (SN: 42154913052801229B) has incurred a short-circuit under the glass and has cracked the pane. This is the most urgent issue.
There are also around 6 other panels that also have a number of snail trails or possible micro-crack on the cells.
Panels were installed professionally and certified by Australian Clean Energy Council. They cost almost $5,000 in 2013

This is what Renesola offered me as translation of the warranty:
For the broken panel we will make compensation, its a 250W panel and had been used 6 years, we need subtract the normal attenuation with 6% according to the warranty, so that we will make compensation with 235W and each watt with currently price 0.3dollar, totally about $70.5, please help offer the invoice with $70.5 including RENESOLA AUSTRALIA PTY LTD and your bank information, thanks.

Poor quality, shonky operation and the warranty is rubbish. I dont know how they were allowed to enter Australian market. My attempt to contribute to green planet will end up increasing land fill. The panels are useless in less than 6 years and they dont worth $5k
Bought From: True Value Solar
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Performance is good but a maintenance inspection in May/June 2019 identified thousands of hairline cracks in the base material on all 21 panels which we were told will eventually lead to earth faults. They were installed in August 2014. They were warranted for 10 years - "You are also entitled to have the goods repaired or replaced if the goods fail to be of an acceptable quality and the failure does not amount to a major failure." We have written to Solargain on 12 June 2019, 2 days after the inspection, seeking rectification but as yet have had no written response.
Bought From: Solargain Brisbane
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we have 10 panels facing mainly north (a very slight east), and 10 facing mainly west (a very slight north)
Bought From: VV Electrical and Solar
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Bought From: Arise Solar Show additional information
Bought From: Green Solar Show additional information
Bought From: Mark Group Australia NSW Show additional information
As mentioned there could be an earth leakage problem.
Bought From: Easy Being Solar
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Bought From: Albany Solar Show additional information
Bought From: Solargain Brisbane Show additional information
Bought From: Specialized Solar Show additional information
We have had no problems with the panels at this stage.
Bought From: Specialized Solar
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Bought From: Solargain ACT Show additional information
Bought From: Westsun Solar Show additional information
The panels are rated at 3.6 kw and deliver at peak about 3.2 kw which is what I expected.
I have no issue with the panels and expect the perfomance to continue.
Bought From: Solargain Brisbane
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Bought From: Mark Group Brisbane Show additional information
Bought From: Solargain Brisbane Show additional information
The panels are installed on a tiled roof and facing due West at 18 degrees pitch.
Bought From: Pure Coastal Solar
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Bought From: Mark Group Hervey Bay Show additional information
We are happy with them. We have a single storey property with all 16 panels facing north with uninterrupted sun access, therefore the perfect aspect.
I have read that Samil is not the best inverter. We paid $4k for our system which is super-cheap and so far had no issues. Our last bill (May '16) was $156 for 123 days, pretty cheap. My husband wants to install batteries (acid not lithium) but I am not convinced we need it, its too early to say if we might never do it.
Bought From: Mark Group Regional VIC
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Bought From: Energy Options Show additional information
face east and west, still pumping out the juice OK, you don't have to have north facing
Bought From: Solar Power Pro
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Bought From: Mark Group Melbourne Show additional information
Bought From: Solargain Southwest Show additional information
Bought From: Solargain Sydney Show additional information
Seem to be doing what they are supposed to do so far
Bought From: Solargain Southwest
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I check the Inverter readout regularly as to how much power is being produced and the amount is often at 2.5Kw plus for a 3Kw system and this seems to be acceptable according to the installer. When the system was brand new , production was often nudging 3Kw and a couple of times actually slightly exceeded it which surprised me. The supplier recommends cleaning the panels once a year, when I asked the installer the best way to do this he said he doubted the effectiveness of doing it and that he doesn't clean his own. I went ahead and did it anyway and will probably keep doing it annually but it has raised a question mark., yes
Bought From: Mark Group Adelaide
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What can I say, it is the joining of the panels and the inverter that make the system. On a good day I produce 19 kWh with a 3 kW inverter.
Bought From: Mark Group Regional NSW
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Bought From: Green Wiring Show additional information
Bought From: Specialized Solar Show additional information
Bought From: Green Wiring Show additional information
Bought From: Green Wiring Show additional information
Bought From: Mark Group Regional VIC Show additional information
Bought From: Living Energy Solutions R Show additional information
Bought From: Solargain Perth Show additional information
Same things with the panels. Havent had any issues with them. 14 x 250w panels = 3.5kw in total.
Bought From: Solar E Pty Ltd
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Bought From: Green Wiring Show additional information
Panels working really well. Due to the location/direction of the panels I am getting a good all year round performance from them. I'm very pleased
Bought From: Solargain Perth
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Bought From: Mark Group Brisbane Show additional information
Very happy with the results and money saved on electricity bills
Bought From: Solargain Melbourne
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Bought From: Mark Group Regional NSW Show additional information
Probably need a clean
Bought From: Mark Group Brisbane
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The only improvement I'd like added would be the ability to collect the star power through the night :-). Other than this unrealistic wish. I'm happy all around.
Bought From: Australian Green Power
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Bought From: Solargain Melbourne Show additional information
They look great when you look at them but are in-obtrusive.
Bought From: Green Wiring
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Bought From: Mark Group Regional NSW Show additional information
Bought From: Solargain Southwest Show additional information

Renesola has 77 solar panels in our database

Model Type Size (W) PTC (W) Performance Ratio
JC180S-24/DbMonocrystalline18016491.11
JC185S-24/Db (72 Mono cells)Monocrystalline18516890.81
JC190S-24/Db (72 Mono cells)Monocrystalline19017391.05
JC195S-24/Db (72 Mono cells)Monocrystalline19517690.26
JC200S-24/Db (72 Mono cells)Monocrystalline20018190.50
JC220M-24/BxPolycrystalline22020090.91
JC225M-24/BxPolycrystalline22520490.67
JC225S-24/BbMonocrystalline22519285.33
JC230F-24/Bb (60 mono cells)Monocrystalline23019685.22
JC230M-24/Bb (60 poly cells)Polycrystalline23020990.87
JC230S-24/Bb (60 mono cells)Monocrystalline23019685.22
JC235F-24/Bb (60 mono cells)Monocrystalline23521189.79
JC235M-24/BxPolycrystalline23521491.06
JC235S-24/Bb (60 mono cells)Monocrystalline23521189.79
JC240M-24/BxPolycrystalline24022091.67
JC240S-24/Bb (60 Mono cells)Monocrystalline24021991.25
JC240S-24/Bb-b (60 Mono cells)Monocrystalline24021991.25
JC245M-24/Bbv (60 Quasi cells)Polycrystalline24522089.80
JC245M-24/BxPolycrystalline24522491.43
JC245S-24/Bb (60 Mono cells)Monocrystalline24522491.43
JC245S-24/Bb-b (60 Mono cells)Monocrystalline24522491.43
JC250F-24/Bb (60 Mono cells)Monocrystalline25022891.20
JC250F-24/Bb-b (60 Mono cells)Monocrystalline25022891.20
JC250M-24/Bbv (60 Quasi cells)Polycrystalline25022489.60
JC250M-24/BxPolycrystalline25022991.60
JC250S-24/Bb (60 Mono cells)Monocrystalline25022891.20
JC250S-24/Bb-b (60 Mono cells)Monocrystalline25022891.20
JC255F-24/Bb (60 Mono cells)Monocrystalline25523391.37
JC255F-24/Bb-b (60 Mono cells)Monocrystalline25523391.37
JC255M-24/Bbv (60 Quasi cells)Polycrystalline25522989.80
JC255M-24/BxPolycrystalline25523491.76
JC255S-24/Bb (60 Mono cells)Monocrystalline25523391.37
JC255S-24/Bb-b (60 Mono cells)Monocrystalline25523391.37
JC260F-24/Bb (60 Mono cells)Monocrystalline26023891.54
JC260F-24/Bb-b (60 Mono cells)Monocrystalline26023891.54
JC260M-24/Bbv (60 Quasi cells)Polycrystalline26023490.00
JC260M-24/BxPolycrystalline26023891.54
JC260S-24/Bb (60 Mono cells)Monocrystalline26023891.54
JC260S-24/Bb-b (60 Mono cells)Monocrystalline26023891.54
JC265M-24/Bbv (60 Quasi cells)Polycrystalline26523889.81
JC265S-24/AbMonocrystalline26523488.30
JC270M-24/AxPolycrystalline27024189.26
JC270S-24/AbMonocrystalline27023988.52
JC275M-24/AxPolycrystalline27524589.09
JC275S-24/AbMonocrystalline27524388.36
JC280F-24/Ab (72 mono cells)Monocrystalline28025290.00
JC280M-24/AxPolycrystalline28025089.29
JC280S-24/Ab (72 mono cells)Monocrystalline28025290.00
JC285F-24/Ab (72 mono cells)Monocrystalline28525790.18
JC285M-24/Abv (72 quasi cells)Polycrystalline28525689.82
JC285M-24/AxPolycrystalline28526191.58
JC285S-24/Ab (72 mono cells)Monocrystalline28525790.18
JC290F-24/Ab (72 mono cells)Monocrystalline29026290.34
JC290F-24/Abh-bMonocrystalline29026691.72
JC290M-24/Abv (72 quasi cells)Polycrystalline29026089.66
JC290M-24/AxPolycrystalline29026591.38
JC290S-24/Ab (72 mono cells)Monocrystalline29026290.34
JC295M-24/AbhPolycrystalline29527091.53
JC295M-24/Abv (72 Quasi cells)Polycrystalline29526589.83
JC295M-24/AxPolycrystalline29526991.19
JC295S-24/Ab (72 Mono cells)Monocrystalline29526690.17
JC300F-24/Ab (72 Mono cells)Monocrystalline30027190.33
JC300M-24/Abv (72 Quasi cells)Polycrystalline30027090.00
JC300M-24/AxPolycrystalline30027591.67
JC300S-24/Ab (72 Mono cells)Monocrystalline30027190.33
JC305F-24/Ab (72 Mono cells)Monocrystalline30527690.49
JC305M-24/Abv (72 Quasi cells)Polycrystalline30527489.84
JC305M-24/AxPolycrystalline30527991.48
JC305S-24/Ab (72 Mono cells)Monocrystalline30527690.49
JC305S-24/AbhMonocrystalline30528091.80
JC310M-24/Abv (72 Quasi cells)Polycrystalline31027990.00
JC310M-24/Ax-bPolycrystalline31028491.61
JC310S-24/AbhMonocrystalline31028491.61
JC315M-24/Abv (72 Quasi cells)Polycrystalline31528490.16
JC315M-24/Ax-bPolycrystalline31528991.75
JC315S-24/AbhMonocrystalline31528991.75
JC320S-24/AbhMonocrystalline32029491.88
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