Is a Solar Panel a Solar Panel?

Does the type of panel matter?

From Canstarblue.com.au:
”Anyone in the market for solar panels has probably seen a reference to solar panel ‘tiers’, with tier 1 representing the best panels and tier 3 being an inferior product.

Tiers are often used to spruik the sale of certain panels, but there are some important things to note. Firstly, there’s no single universal ranking system. Several organisations, usually banking and financial analysis firms, rank solar panel brands individually. While these organisations generally share a similar assessment, when someone tries to sell you a ‘tier 1’ panel, it’s worth asking ‘who says?’

Secondly, the tier system usually refers to the investment potential of a brand of solar panel and not the actual quality of its solar panels.  The tier rankings often take account for large scale projects that the company has supplied panels for, the manufacturing capacity of the company and its level of R&D. To even be considered as a tier 1 brand, it must also be vertically integrated (produce panels from start to finish) and have been operating at least 5 years.

Some of the brands you will most commonly see appear in tier 1 solar panel lists include:

• LG Solar

• REC

• Canadian Solar

• Phono Solar

• JA Solar

• First Solar

• Suntech

• Sunpower

Tier 1 brands are usually a safe bet for quality solar panels, but you should have a healthy scepticism when someone tries to sell you panels on that fact alone. To ensure you’re making a good purchase, be sure to ask questions about the panels’ life cycle, efficiency and warranty.”