TCL - Solar Panel Reviews

About TCL

Company Info

TCL is a giant multibillion dollar Chinese company that manufacturers TVs, air conditioners, washing machines, refrigerators, smartphones, and heaps of other stuff. A subsidiary of TCL, TCL Zhonghuan, produces silicon wafers. Most are sold to other solar manufacturers, but a portion are used to make TCL Solar panels through a joint venture with Huansheng Photovoltaic (Jiangsu) Co, Ltd. If you want to find TCL Solar panels on the EC approved list they're under that company's name. (Enter "Huansheng Photovoltaic" or just "Huansheng".)

TCL started in 1981 as TKK, making audio cassettes. In 1985, they changed their name to Telephone Communications Limited. TCL marketing sometimes suggests their name stands for "The Creative Life", but, nah, it's telephones.

TCL fully acquired the US headquartered solar panel manufacturer, SunPower, in April 2025. But these panels don't carry the TCL Solar brand.

Australian Office

TCL Solar has an Australian office. If you have an issue with TCL Solar panels, you should contact your installer. But if they're no longer around, you can contact TCL Solar directly.

Address: Suite 207, 28 Riddell Parade, Elsternwick, VIC 3185
 

Warranties

TCL Solar panels going on Australian home roofs normally have a 25 year product warranty that covers defects. But their commercial solar panels can have a 15 year warranty, so check you are getting 25 years. They also come with a 30 year performance warranty that covers declines in output. 

Unfortunately, the warranty terms are rubbish. This is common, but still isn't a good thing. According to the product warranty, if a panel fails, TCL Solar can decide to only reimburse a portion of the panel's price, based on the market price of an equivalent panel at the time it fails and how many years of warranty remain. The performance warranty says they can compensate for a loss of output by sending you additional panels to make up for it. Because it's not possible to make them hover in the air next to your existing panels, this generally isn't a good solution. 

Fortunately, you are protected by Australian Consumer Guarantees that apply no matter what the warranty says. But it's always better if the warranty isn't rubbish, because that means you probably won't have to fight for your consumer rights.

Reliable Low Cost Panels

TCL Solar panels appear reliable and, as far as I know, there's nothing wrong with them. 

If you have TCL Solar panels, please feel free to leave a review.