Welcome to the solar reviews centre

Reading reviews is a very important part of researching a potential solar power or battery storage purchase. If you’re installing a system in Australia, then the experiences of other Australians who have made the switch to solar are particularly relevant.

I’ve collected tens of thousands of reviews of companies and components over more than a decade, creating the largest solar reviews database in Australia. Whether you’re looking for opinions on installers or brands of solar panels, inverters or batteries, you’ll find them on SolarQuotes. Learn more about how the ratings and reviews are collected here.

Learn more about how we calculate the rankings here. NOTE: the ratings calculations below are based on the last 6 months.

Installers

Top 5 Solar Installers

Below you’ll find the top 5 solar installation businesses in Australia participating in the SolarQuotes network, as rated by their customers. We take special care to ensure only genuine customers of installers can leave ratings and reviews.

View All Top-Rated InstallersBrowse Recommended Installers By CitySearch All Installer ReviewsLearn more about our installer reviews

  1. Installer Image

    SAE Group Pty Ltd

    4.7 Based on 104 ratings (last 6 months)

    We dealt with Damian in Sales he was excellent helped us every step of the way. We felt supported and listened too. The install guys were very polite and did a good job. Adam explained how everything worked with the Solar including the app. Emily from the office kept us up to date with appointment times etc. Highly recommend SAE.

    Trace 5.0

  2. Positive Energy Solutions Pty Ltd 4.9 78 ratings (last 6 months)
  3. Go Green Energy 5.0 67 ratings (last 6 months)
  4. PSW Energy Perth Solar Warehouse 4.8 68 ratings (last 6 months)
  5. Koala Solar 5.0 63 ratings (last 6 months)
Panels

Top 5 Solar Panel Brands

With so much choice in panels available, it can be challenging to determine which may be best for you. Below is a list of the brands offering the best solar panels according to Australians who have had the panels installed for at least a year.

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  1. Panel Brand Image

    Jinko Solar

    4.9 Based on 414 ratings (last 6 months)

    About the company

    Jinko Solar is a Chinese company producing "tier 1" panels. The company has a physical Australian office in Sydney, offering local support if you have a problem - and that's a very good thing. But you shouldn't need to use it as generally speaking Jinko solar panels have proven to be a cost effective combination of reliability and price. The company also has dedicated warehouse facilities in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

    Company History In Brief

    Jinko was founded as a company in 2006. I don't think they actually made anything that year, but I have to presume they were thinking really hard about making stuff. Other highlights from the company's early days were the production of ingots (big solid lumps of silicon) in 2007, slicing ingots into wafers in 2008, using those wafers to make cells and solar panels in 2009, then a stock market listing in 2010.

    Since that time, the company has grown at a ferocious rate.

    But a black mark in the company's history occurred in 2011, when hundreds of people protesting fish killed by a chemical spill in a nearby river stormed the Jinko factory in Haining City. Company cars were overturned, offices were trashed, and riot police were called in to stop the toxic avengers.

    On a related note, an organisation called the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, or SVTC, used to produce an annual report ranking solar panel manufacturers on environmental and social responsibility.

    In 2014 Jinko was given a score of 7 out of 100. Then in 2015, the company came 14th out of 40 companies surveyed, with a score of 53 out of 100. This was not a great result, but it was a huge improvement. But in 2018-19, the company was ranked no.1 by SVTC, with a perfect score of 100. SVTC doesn't appear to have published scorecards since that year.

    So, Jinko Solar came a long way in a short time - and if they have a factory in your town I am sure they are far less likely to kill all the fish in the local river than they used to. Walking the solar talk, JinkoSolar has also pledged to power its own operations with 100% renewable electricity by 2025.

    Manufacturing Locations And Capacity

    As at mid-2023, Jinko had a total of 14 production bases in China, the United States, Malaysia and Vietnam..

    By Q4, 2022, the company's production capacity of monocrystalline silicon wafers, cells and modules reached 65GW, 55GW and 70GW respectively. The company is shooting for annual production capacity for mono wafer, solar cells and solar modules to hit 75 GW, 75 GW and 90 GW, respectively, by the end of 2023.

    By the end of Q1,2023, cumulative shipments of Jinko Solar modules had exceeded 150GW. 

    While a few years back (2019) JinkoSolar was ranked the number one manufacturer in terms of panel shipment volume, in 2021 it was at number 4 according to solar PV market intelligence and research firm PV InfoLink, after achieving number 2 in 2020. However, in the first half of 2022, Jinko had climbed back to the top.

    Jinko's workforce had remained fairly constant at around 15,000 for several years while its production capacity had doubled. That's the way things go these days thanks to automation and robotics. But it appears to have added a bunch more staff in recent years, with a couple of estimates putting the number of employees at more than 24,000, and one at more than 31,000.

    General JinkoSolar Panel Info

    Among the Jinko solar panels currently sold in Australia are the Tiger (Neo and Pro) product lines available in various wattages up to 480W and efficiencies ranging up to 22.53%.

    The higher the panel efficiency, the less roof space a system will take up. For most installations this is not a problem, but some people have a limited amount of room to install solar panels. Unlike some other manufacturers, the efficiencies Jinko gives for their panels are accurate and they don't cheat by not including the panel's frame in the efficiency calculation. That is appreciated.

    Like many manufacturers these days, Jinko is focusing on producing panels with "half-cut cells"; which offer benefits including better partial shade tolerance.

    All the panels they currently ship to Australia are salt mist corrosion resistant and suitable for installation in any location. Jinko panels available in Australia generally carry a 25 year product warranty these days.

    Warranty Procedure For Orphaned Jinko Customers

    If you have purchased Jinko panels from a solar installer who has since gone out of business, the responsibility for warranty claims shifts to JinkoSolar. Their customer service line in Australia is 1300 326 182 - affected customers should contact this line for warranty assistance.

    Jinko have advised that customers will be asked to send through photos and serial numbers of affected panels to an email address that they will provide, and they will then arrange for the replacement of the panels. If required, Jinko will be able to recommend installers to carry out the work if a customer is unable to organise one themselves. They will also reimburse customers for labour costs involved with replacing the solar panels - $200 for the first panel, and $15 for each additional module.

    Jinko Solar Panels Are A Cost Effective Choice

    Jinko Solar panels offer a combination of good reliability and competitive pricing that can make them a very cost effective choice for home solar installations in Australia.

    Check out the reviews below from Australians who have these modules on their rooftops, and add your own JinkoSolar panels review if you're an owner of any of their PV products.

  2. LONGi Solar 5.0 232 ratings (last 6 months)
  3. Trina 4.9 213 ratings (last 6 months)
  4. REC 5.0 104 ratings (last 6 months)
  5. Canadian Solar Inc 4.9 105 ratings (last 6 months)
Inverters

Top 5 Solar Inverter Brands

An inverter is a critical component of a solar power system and the one likely to wear out the fastest, so it’s important to choose a quality, well-backed brand. Below are the top 5 solar inverter brands based on ratings from Australian purchasers.

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  1. Inverter Brand Image

    Fronius

    4.9 Based on 455 ratings (last 6 months)

    About the company

    Fronius Customer Service: 03 8340 2900

    Fronius is a European company that was established by founder Günter Fronius in Austria in 1945. Mr. Fronius kicked off with a repair shop for radios and electrical equipment and soon started making battery chargers, then welding transformers.

    The company grew over time from being a welding and battery charger manufacturer to become one of the most prominent European players in the solar hardware market. Its solar division has been operating since 1992, so they have decades of experience - and this shows in Fronius inverter products.

    In late 2010, Fronius opened its Australian office in Melbourne where it not only provides customer service and technical assistance, but also offers product demonstrations and training courses.

    Fronius make some of the best inverters in the world. They once were playing catchup with SMA in terms of industry reputation and quality, but I would argue they have well and truly done so in more recent years. I would happily have one of these inverters on my house and Fronius is currently a SolarQuotes recommended inverter brand

    In the 2023 SQ Installers' Choice Awards, Fronius achieved the top spot for the third year in a row - and quite convincingly. It was also voted by installers as offering the best after-sales support.

    Fronius inverters are easy to 'export limit'. But you do have to buy the 'Fronius Smart Meter (FSM)' accessory to do this. The hardware costs around $250 for a single phase system and installation can cost up to a couple of hundred bucks..

    The FSM also allows full consumption monitoring (over and above standard solar monitoring); although I am not a fan of the Fronius SolarWeb monitoring software. Personally, I prefer Solar Analytics and always recommend adding Solar Analytics to your Fronius inverter - using that for monitoring instead (or in addition to).

    Fronius solar inverters usually come with 2 solar inputs (or MPPTs). Their MPPT efficiency is legendary. And if you have a symmetrical east/west facing roof, you can often put both the east and the west array into one input - leaving the second inverter input free for a third roof area.

    The only tech-related downside with the Fronius hardware I am aware of is in relation to their inverters being fan cooled. While this improves efficiency and longevity, it can be rather noisy in the older SnapINverter models; particularly on hot days. Keep them away from living areas! The noise isn't such an issue with the GEN24 models. 

    You'll also pay more for a Fronius inverter than many other brands; but that extra cash is money well-spent given the quality and bearing in mind an inverter is the true workhorse of a solar power system. 

    Fronius Solar Inverters Available In Australia

    The product lines available in Australia for some years were the Fronius Primo (single phase) and Symo (three-phase). These have proven their mettle in Australia's often harsh conditions.

    More recent additions are the Primo and Symo Gen 24 Plus. These are hybrid inverters designed for use in conjunction with batteries. However, a really interesting feature is PV Point, which enables backup power without a battery supplied to a dedicated power point installed near the battery or inside the home. Assuming sufficient solar power resources are available, it can provide a maximum 3kW during a blackout situation - but watch out for clouds!

    There's also a non-hybrid Primo Gen 24 available - which doesn't have the PV Point feature. 

    Various specifications and estimated pricing for Fronius gear can be found on our solar inverter and hybrid inverter comparison tables.

    Fronius Solar Inverter Warranty Notes

    All Fronius string inverters are accompanied by 5 years Fronius Warranty Plus. However, by registering at www.solarweb.com, customers can receive an additional 5 years warranty free of charge. But note that while the first 5 years covers parts and warranty, the second only covers parts.

    If you should experience what you believe to be a warranty related issue with your Fronius inverter, you should first contact the original installer of the unit. But if that installer is no longer around, don't panic.

    Fronius advise that in this situation they first require the customer to find an qualified solar installer to verify the issue with the inverter - but this needs to be paid for my the customer. Once the issue has been confirmed, the installer will then contact the company on your behalf. Fronius will then work with the installer to arrange for replacement of the inverter. If a customer needs help in finding an installer, the company is able to make a recommendation.

    Do you own one of these inverters? Share your experiences with other Australians by leaving a Fronius inverter review.

  2. Sungrow 4.8 462 ratings (last 6 months)
  3. Goodwe 4.8 268 ratings (last 6 months)
  4. Solaredge 4.8 178 ratings (last 6 months)
  5. Enphase 4.9 152 ratings (last 6 months)
Batteries

Top 5 Solar Battery Brands

A home battery is a significant investment and new-generation energy storage technology is still rapidly evolving. Below are the best-rated brands of solar batteries, as voted by Australians who have had these batteries installed.

View All Solar Battery Reviews

  1. Inverter Brand Image

    Tesla

    4.9 Based on 165 ratings (last 6 months)

    About the company

    Tesla, Inc. was founded in 2003, originally as Tesla Motors. Tesla is headquartered in Austin, Texas, with office locations around the world (including Australia).

    After cutting its teeth on electric vehicle development, Tesla then expanded into commercial and home battery storage. The company arrived on the home energy storage scene accompanied by great fanfare with the Tesla Powerwall battery back in 2015, which was followed by the Powerwall 2 in 2016.

    Tesla grew into a huge company in terms of market capitalisation - a whopping USD $915.38 *billion* as at September 2022. To given an indication of how much it grew in just a couple of years, market capitalisation was $143.6 billion as at late January 2020. However, the company has taken a bit of a hit in recent times on that front - as at late February 2023, market capitalisation was $629.39 billion, but that had jumped up to $730.69 billion in August 2023.

    Anyway, back to batteries - the following are some basic specifications of the Powerwall 2:

    • Usable Capacity: 13.5 kWh
    • Power: 7kW peak / 5kW continuous
    • Dimensions: 1150 mm L x 753 mm W x 147 mm D
    • Weight: 114 kg
    • Water and dust resistance to IP67
    • Warranty 10 years (see below)

    The Powerwall is produced in the Tesla Gigafactory in Nevada USA, which also manufactures Tesla Model 3 electric motors and the company's commercial/utility storage solution, the Powerpack.

    Powerwall Pricing And Supply

    Supply of the Powerwall 2 was an issue for quite a while in Australia, and then there was a major price rise in 2018 - followed by a not so major price decrease in 2019; then further pricing volatility.

    In October 2022, Powerwall was the most expensive it has ever been at approximately $16,500 including supporting hardware, but not including installation. For a fully installed Powerwall at that time, Australians could expect to pay $19,000 - $20,000 - and more if additional switchboard work is required.

    But in late February 2023, there was good news - a Powerwall price drop of around $1,600. Then in April more good news - a further reduction of $1,699. But that wasn't the end of the price reductions - Tesla then knocked another $800 off Powerwall and the Gateway hardware.

    But wait, there's more. In August 2023, Tesla announced a $750 rebate for Powerwall installations in Australia for batteries ordered from Tesla Certified Installers, connected and registered between August 11 and 31 December 2023.

    Including the rebate, this means a straightforward Powerwall installation can be expected to cost around the $14,250 mark as at September 2023.

    So, Australians have their ups and downs with Powerwall (more ups in recent times), but its high profile through extensive media attention have seen plenty installed here and interest remains strong.

    As for its popularity in Australia, more than 33,000 had been installed here as at July 2022. Globally, Tesla had installed more than 500,000 Powerwall units as at June 2023.

    The cost of Powerwall 2 per warranted kilowatt hour based on one cycle per day (but see below for notes on warranty) is around 31 cents - not the cheapest, but not the most expensive of the systems we have listed on our battery comparison table.

    Blackout Capabilities

    The Tesla Powerwall 2 is an AC coupled battery that comes with the necessary hardware (Tesla Gateway) to provide blackout protection, backup and off grid functions.

    Powerwall's "Unlimited Cycles" Warranty

    Tesla offers a 10 year "unlimited cycles" warranty , but this only applies to solar self-consumption and backup use. Tesla warrants 70% energy capacity retention at 10 years following initial installation date. This means the Powerwall should be capable of storing a minimum of 9.45kWh at that point.

    Any other application (such as participating in a Virtual Power Plant - VPP) or combination of applications sees the warranty cover drop to around 2,800 cycles (37.8 MWh of aggregate throughput) – about 7.6 years’ worth if cycled once a day.

    However, there is an exception.

    Warranty Boost For Tesla Energy Plan Participants

    For Australians participating in Tesla Energy Plan - the company's VPP - they receive 5-years additional Powerwall warranty with unlimited cycles if they remain connected to the plan. Tesla guarantees 60% energy retention at the end of year 15 in addition to the 10-year manufacturer's warranty and 70% energy retention at the end of year 10.

    Reliability Testing Results

    The Canberra Battery Test Centre put the Powerwall 2 through extensive reliability testing. The first battery either became faulty immediately after installation or arrived that way. Initially repaired, it was later entirely replaced. At the end of testing, the battery's capacity was ~79% after 6.9 years of daily cycling, which suggests ~70% after 10 years.

    Tesla Powerwall 3 Status

    In September 2023, photos of a Powerwall 3 installation started doing the social media rounds, accompanied by much excitement and more than a little inaccurate information. As is often the case with this sort reveal, Tesla didn't have anything to say. SQ's Anthony published a post on Powerwall 3 specifications based on the information he was able to glean at the time (and a few educated guesses thrown in).

    One Of The Better Home Battery Options

    While not perfect (and Tesla hasn't been overly fond of us pointing out issues), as far as home solar battery storage goes at this point in time the Tesla Powerwall 2 is probably one of the better choices among what is available. As such, it is currently listed as an SQ approved home battery brand.

    In the SolarQuotes 2023 Installers' Choice Awards for home batteries, Tesla came out on top in the best overall battery category for the third year in a row. It also achieved 3rd spot in the "best value" (tight budget) category and was voted no.1 by installers for best after sales support.

    But how is the Powerwall viewed by those who have one installed? What about after sales service and support? We're inviting Australian Powerwall owners (whether they have the original or Powerwall 2 model) to leave their rating and review here.

  2. SunGrow 4.9 80 ratings (last 6 months)
  3. BYD 4.9 32 ratings (last 6 months)
  4. SolarEdge 4.9 23 ratings (last 6 months)
  5. Alpha-ESS 4.6 17 ratings (last 6 months)

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