It’s no secret. As a consumer, when you hear ‘Chinese solar panels’ the natural instinct is to look the other way, run for the hills or all of the above. But..
Is this reaction warranted? Why is this such a common perception? Or is it a common misconception? With such a strong viewpoint surrounding Chinese production and manufacturing of solar panels, we think it’s something that should be discussed a little further. Let’s delve deeper into the world of solar panel manufacturing and Chinese solar panels. Are they worth it?
“Where are your panels from?” “Are your panels from China?”, “do you have European panels?” Here at NGSS, these are some of the most common questions we come across from consumers looking to purchase a solar system.
Before going any further, It’s important to first clear up a few (what I feel are) common misconceptions customers have. Firstly, these days around 70% of all solar panels are produced in China. This means even US, Canadian and European companies are often outsourcing their products from China. Due to the low production costs, it’s hard for companies to pass up the option and for many, it’s a no brainer.
Another fact to be aware of is there are many Chinese based companies that are in the top solar panel lists for 2020. Clean energy reviews have their list here. It includes Longi, Trina, Seraphim, Jinko and more, all of which are reputable Chinese based companies and produce quality solar panels. Some of the biggest solar panel companies in the world are based in the US but source both production and manufacturing from Asia. There are many stigmas surrounding where solar panels are produced but it may come down to what matters the most to you.
Are you deciding what panel you want for your home system? You should ask yourself what is important to you. Where the materials are produced, where the panels are manufactured or where the company is based.
From 2008 to 2013, solar prices world wide dropped by 80%. China’s technological advancements and ability to cut manufacturing costs were the reasons for this. Before that, the US was the leader in the solar industry. Scientific American have a great article on China’s rise to dominance in the solar industry.
Following this, people began to ask the question, “should I purchase Chinese panels? are they of poorer quality?” These questions have continued to be asked and have become a staple in the mind of consumers.
Most commonly people decide on the quality of panel by where the company is based. Bear in mind it is easy for installers to sell you on the fact that their panels are European or US based but many if not most of these companies will be sourcing production, manufacturing or both from China. This however, is not a bad thing but something worth being aware of. China has large, semi automated factories devoted to production and use quality crystalline silicone when making the panels. On top of this some of the most innovative and leading solar technologies are coming out of China.
In short, the answer is yes. Of course, it’s always worth doing your research to find out what panel and system is most suited to your home.
Solar is an ever advancing industry. With the facilities and materials China has access to, there is no doubt they have the capacity to produce high quality panels. Due to the lower production costs they are often more affordable. The stigma surrounding Chinese Solar Panels is outdated. When deciding on panels for your home you may ask yourself, what is important to you? Is it where the materials are produced?, where the panels are manufactured? or where the company headquarters are located?
Alternatively you could use other measures to decide what is right for you.
We believe the best measures, when deciding on what solar panel is right for you, are efficiency, temperature coefficient, warranties and of course, price. These factors determine how well your panels will perform and give you an idea of how long for. Doing your research is important. Knowing the right questions to ask your installer will help you find what panel is the best fit for your circumstances.
If you would like to speak to someone about what solar panel is right for you, click the button below. One of our specialists will get back to you.