SolarEdge review

SolarEdge - Solar Panel Reviews

4.9

Based on 279 ratings

Finn's SolarEdge Panels Review & Verdict

Finn Peacock has been a Chartered Electrical Engineer since 1998, and is ex-CSIRO

I haven't been a fan of SolarEdge's corporate vibe given some behaviour in the past, such as the firm threatening to sue a well-respected Australian installer one Christmas Eve a few years back after he criticised them.

However, I think the company's attitude and technical service has been better in the last couple of years, although there is still some room for improvement. But as a long-established brand in Australia offering quality hardware and decent software, I’m therefore happy to recommend SolarEdge Smart solar panels.

SolarEdge Panels: Pros & Cons

  • Well-established company.
  • Integrated SolarEdge optimizer maximises energy harvesting.
  • Good warranty for both panel and optimizer.
  • Redundancy - if one (or multiple) smart panels fail, it doesn't affect the entire string
  • Panel level monitoring
  • Requires SolarEdge inverter.
  • Integrated optimizer a potential point of failure.
  • Added cost.
  • Tech support response times could do with improvement.
  • Additional complexity for repairs and maintenance.

About SolarEdge

Best known for its DC optimised inverter solutions, SolarEdge also offers solar panels with an integrated SolarEdge power optimizer.

SolarEdge Australian Office

Address: Level 13/ 222 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, 3000
Phone:  1800 465 567
Australian website

Company Info

Established in 2006, Israel-headquartered SolarEdge started out manufacturing DC optimised inverter solutions in 2010. 

SolarEdge was the first company to produce optimizers, which are small boxes of electronics installed on the back of a solar panel, or the racking underneath. An optimizer helps to maximise energy harvesting, enhances system safety and design flexibility, and allows for panel level monitoring. However, unlike a microinverter setup, an optimiser- based system also requires a string inverter.

These days, SolarEdge offers an ecosystem of devices - inverters, optimizers, a battery, a home EV charger - and solar panels. This can be a double-edged sword, locking you into the company's products.

SolarEdge Smart Solar Panel 

In 2019, SolarEdge launched its “Smart” solar panel product that has an integrated SolarEdge power optimizer on the back. One of the advantages of having the optimizer integrated is that it results in a significant reduction in system installation time (the company says up to 2 hours).

The SolarEdge Smart Module, based on monocrystalline PERC half-cut cells, has continued to evolve since and at the time of updating this page (October 2024) is available in capacities from 355W to 440W.

Looking at the 415W panel as an example, it has a module conversion efficiency of 21.25%, weighs 21.4kg and measures 1722 x 1134 x 30mm. It has a temperature coefficient of -0.34%, which is around average for decent quality panels available today.

From a safety perspective, SolarEdge Smart Panels offer SafeDC, Automatic Rapid Shutdown, temperature control, and alerts. SafeDC minimizes risk of electrocution from high DC voltage by reducing it to touch-safe levels when the inverter is shut down. 

In terms of managing heat, a rooftop isn't the friendliest place for electronics, but SolarEdge says its panels are designed to withstand temperatures of up to 85?C degrees

Note: In order to use SolarEdge Smart Modules, you also need to have a SolarEdge inverter.

SolarEdge doesn't manufacture its solar panels - that's left to one of its partners. Who that is isn't clear, but the manufacturing location is noted as China.

You can find further information on SolarEdge Smart Modules on SQ's solar panel comparison page.

Warranty Info 

Originally the SolarEdge Smart Module only had a 12-year product warranty in Australia, but these days it's 25 years - that covers the panel and the optimizer. There's also a 25 linear power warranty, with 84.8% power output warranted at year 25.

Conclusion

With SolarEdge no doubt keeping a very close eye on quality and backing the modules with a generous product warranty, their Smart Panels should be a safe bet for Australian rooftops.

If you have these Smart Panels installed at your place, please leave a review.

Reviewers report paying:
$8,000 - $10,000

For a

SolarEdge System

Depending on hardware choice and installation difficulty

SolarEdge has 1 solar panel in our database

Filter by:

Type of solar panel 
Wattage 
Panel Efficiency 
Approx. Cost/Watt 
Model number
Series
Wattage
Panel efficiency (%)
Approx Cost per Watt AUD Retail incl GST
Approx cost per panel AUD Retail incl GST
Panel technology
Country of manufacture
SPV415-R54JWML
Smart Panel
415 W
21.25%
$0.70
$290
Monocrystalline
China

 

SolarEdge Reviews (279)

Show Most Relevant reviews from All time

  • 5 star 245
  • 4 star 33
  • 3 star 0
  • 2 star 0
  • 1 star 1

View Timeline

Panels have performed flawlessly; I can see the individual daily output of each panel which is great for a solar nerd such as myself.

They only downside is that you can't use any other brand inverter as their optimisers only talk to the SolarEdge inverter.

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$12,500 to $15,000

System Size

13kW

Installed By

We chose SolarEdge panels, with built-in SolarEdge optimisers, because we had some shade and orientation issues. We're happy with the SolarEdge monitoring system, and we love that we now have the ability to track the performance of each individual panel.

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$6,000 to $8,000

System Size

6.6kW

Installed By

For our first 2 electricity bills (during summer), we received credits. We don’t expect that during winter and the increased rainfall. We have changed our usage patterns to use our own energy during the day.

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$12,500 to $15,000

System Size

10kW

Installed By

We had to replace the roof on our house and the service provided by SPS was above and beyond. They removed the panels the day before the new roof and reinstalled the panels after the roof was replaced. After the reinstallation there was an issue that all of the panels were not operating optimally. Before I was able to contact SPS they arrived at our house to rectify the issue. The service from this company is exceptional and we would highly recommend them for service and knowledge of the systems they install.

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$10,000 to $12,500

System Size

8kW

Installed By

An incentive was offered by Stored Solar for this review. Learn more here.

No problems with the panels. They are very well finished (compared to those of our neighbours) and do exactly what they are supposed to do - generate plenty of electricity. The only downside is trying to keep them clean in a dry and dusty location.

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

More than $20,000

System Size

13kW

Installed By

An incentive was offered by Stored Solar for this review. Learn more here.

In first quarter, we produced more on our upgraded panels than over the whole of the previous year. Blown away by the improvement! If it weren't for an existing feed-in tariff, we would have also upgraded those panels.

We were also very impressed with Solar Edge's panel cleaning - competitively priced (we checked) and provided evidence of their work.

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$12,500 to $15,000

System Size

8kW

Installed By

Have simply trusted what we were told and offered. Now hoping for and expecting things to run smoothly.

It's already on the roof and producing. We were not expecting it until after Christmas. Rang Monday and said all the gear turned up and were to install on the Wednesday. Done.

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$6,000 to $8,000

System Size

6.6kW

Installed By

Solar panels are working at peak efficiency and the app allows you to see the performance and any faults in real time as well as reporting directly back to the manufacturer

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$10,000 to $12,500

System Size

6.6kW

Installed By

I am happy with the black appearance of the panels. I was not going to have them on the north face as it is my street view, however these panels look smart.

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$8,000 to $10,000

System Size

10kW

Installed By

Very pleased with these panels. Its so beneficial that if one panel is shaded that other panels still work. This way we maximise our power generation. We have reduced our power bill considerably with this system.

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$8,000 to $10,000

System Size

7kW

Installed By

I have East West facing panels due to roof shape.With my 5.1 kWh Solar Edge panels the maximum output I get around midday when both side of panels get maximum sunlight I get 3.9 to 4.1 kWh output...which is around 80% performance output n less than promised 90% output in the first few yrs of the panels.
So far no problems as i have received average 20 + kw solar energy during summer months .
Price is getting cheaper so don't hesitate to bargain.

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$4,000 to $6,000

System Size

5kW

Installed By

I chose solaredge as I liked the smart panel option. I can see the output of individual panels which is great.

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$10,000 to $12,500

System Size

10kW

Installed By

So far so good, the panels have performed faultlessly so far, and have surpised me how much power they provide during the non optimum periods of the day. During peak periods they regularly max out at 5KW.

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$4,000 to $6,000

System Size

6.6kW

Installed By

I did have trouble having my system installed at the time they said the date they would do it.
However after a month delay and then trying to substitute the panels for others it was installed as to the contract.
They then gave me discount of $300 for loss of power production and inconvenience. Mind you I did need to argue that out of them.

At the time I thought Regan power were useless now I have changed my mind on that. I would use then again.

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$3,000 to $6,000

System Size

More than 6kW

Installed By

As with the inverter, the panels have only been on the roof for two days so difficult to give a true answer. The panels have built in optimisers which I needed because of the shade problem from trees late in the day. The panels produce 6.2 kW, not 6 kW but your drop down does not have that option.

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$6,000 to $8,000

System Size

6kW

Installed By

We selected these panels as the warranty period was reasonable when calculating the payback period of the system vs panels with double the warranty period. Also, the optimizer is build into the panel saving installation time and the panels have thicker than normal aluminium frames to further stabilize the panel from twisting which might stress the silicon.

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$8,000 to $10,000

System Size

7kW

Installed By

Installer provided weather shield over rooftop DC isolater switch which is a good touch as these are prone to failure due to weather exposure.
I had only 5.1 kw of panels installed due to limitations in suitable roof space due to existing system.

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$4,000 to $6,000

System Size

5kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

More than $20,000

System Size

13kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

More than $20,000

System Size

10kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$15,000 to $20,000

System Size

10kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$8,000 to $10,000

System Size

6.6kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

More than $20,000

System Size

more than 30kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$12,500 to $15,000

System Size

9kW

Installed By

System Cost

$10,000 to $12,500

System Size

10kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

Fronius

System Cost

$15,000 to $20,000

System Size

20kW

Installed By

They appear to be functioning as expected

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

More than $20,000

System Size

7kW

Installed By

Actually these were the QCELLS Peak Duo. Seem good??

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$10,000 to $12,500

System Size

9kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

Sungrow

System Cost

$12,500 to $15,000

System Size

20kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$10,000 to $12,500

System Size

10kW

Installed By

So far they are working as well as we could have wished.

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$8,000 to $10,000

System Size

6kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$6,000 to $8,000

System Size

6kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

Goodwe

System Cost

$8,000 to $10,000

System Size

8kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Size

6kW

Installed By

They are on the roof and doing the job

Inverter Brand

Solis

System Cost

$15,000 to $20,000

System Size

6.6kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

Fronius

System Cost

$8,000 to $10,000

System Size

8kW

Installed By

System Cost

More than $20,000

System Size

10kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$10,000 to $12,500

System Size

8kW

Installed By

An incentive was offered by Stored Solar for this review. Learn more here.

Seems fine

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

More than $20,000

System Size

6.6kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$15,000 to $20,000

System Size

10kW

Installed By

An incentive was offered by Stored Solar for this review. Learn more here.

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$4,000 to $6,000

System Size

7kW

Installed By

still working, no issues

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$10,000 to $12,500

System Size

7kW

Installed By

Price given above was for 10.7kW, 29 panels.

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$15,000 to $20,000

System Size

10kW

Installed By

An incentive was offered by Stored Solar for this review. Learn more here.

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

More than $20,000

System Size

6kW

Installed By

An incentive was offered by Stored Solar for this review. Learn more here.

East and west facing in two groups, best available location for second system, north facing roof occupied by first 3kw SMA system about 10 years old

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$15,000 to $20,000

System Size

8kW

Installed By

Producing as per specification. Impressed with output on cloudy days.

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$15,000 to $20,000

System Size

10kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

Fronius

System Cost

$10,000 to $12,500

System Size

6kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$8,000 to $10,000

System Size

10kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$10,000 to $12,500

System Size

8kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

More than $20,000

System Size

20kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

Enphase

System Cost

$8,000 to $10,000

System Size

6.6kW

Installed By

 To get your quotes, please enter your postcode: