The 5 Best Commercial Solar Panels For Businesses In 2022
Recently we’ve had a lot of business owners come to us and ask
“what are the best commercial solar panels” …
Or
“Which solar panels should I install for my business”…
Firstly, I just want to start off by saying that finding the best solar panels for your business shouldn’t be your main priority when looking into buying solar for your business.
At the end of the day, your main priority should be finding the best commercial solar installer. You can have the best solar panels in the world but if they’re installed wrong, they will only last a few years.
However, in saying this it’s always important to find the right commercial solar panels that suit you and your business requirements best. Again, it’s worth taking some time to understand the main reasons why you are installing solar panels for your business. Different solar panels will work better with business owners’ different goals and objectives.
Anyway, let’s jump into finding out the 6 best commercial solar panels that me and my team have found works best for all businesses. We’ve chosen these based on previous experience and some other factors such as price, warranties and performance.
Now, if you are still unsure about commercial solar you can read my guide on the 12 logical reasons why commercial solar will benefit your business.
There may be some of you who are actually ready to start collecting quotes as well, so please feel free to get in touch with me and my team through our commercial solar page (you can see some of our work there as well).
No more chit chat, here’s the 6 best solar panels you can buy for your business!
What I Like About It...
Canadian solar panels have created quite a presence in the commercial solar scene. I would even argue that their commercial solar range is more known, and more popular than their residential range, however this is just coming from my opinion (from what I’ve seen).
As you can see the specs are quite similar to the LG solar panel above. One extra thing to note as well is the cost of Canadian panels. They are more affordable than LG solar panels but do come with a shorter product warranty.
With a lower cost price comes a faster return on investment and bigger business growth. You will certainly see a huge reduction in your operational costs and energy bills with Canadian solar panels, that’s for sure.
The reasons why I am such a big fan of these solar panels is because they are constantly developing. You can see the journey of canadian solar panels and how far they have come (here’s my full review on them). This means budget is being pushed into these panels to ensure they are top of the range.
Last year Canadian solar actually beat the world record for panel conversion efficiency. Through the use of advanced N Type cell technology they were able to get a whopping 23.81% on their solar panels. This shows how far they have come, and why they’re one of the best solar panels you can buy for your business.
Most notably Canadian solar panels were used to create a 100MW farm in Oakley, Queensland. This is impressive, but not quite as impressive as the 333MW solar farm in NSW that they supplied with their commercial modules. They are being trusted with large jobs.
I can highly recommend Canadian as good commercial solar panels for businesses owners.
Specifications:
450w Max Power Output
144/132/120 Dual Cell
Monocrystalline Perc Cells
20.4% Module Efficiency
12 Year Product Warranty
25 Year Performance Warranty
Power Tolerance 0 ~ + 5w
PRO’s
- Affordable commercial solar solution
- Company is developing into an industry leader
- Trusted panels for huge solar farms
CON’s
- Shorter warranty
- Still room for improvement
What I Like About It...
I promise I’m not being bias here 😆 but SunPower have got to be one of my personal favourite solar panels ever. They’re sleek, coming with an industry leading warranty and of course they are known and the most efficient solar panels on the market.
Using advanced technology, SunPower solar panels will look to slash your business costs by a huge amount. Because their solar panels are such high performers, you can expect to see a large deduction in energy costs for your business. Of course, let’s not forget how awesome these panels will look and result in increasing your commercial property value.
What’s really impressive is the design of their solar panels. By using technology like all-black anti reflective glass these panels absorb more energy and reflect less back. It’s actually suggested that the performance panels can generate up to 8% more energy than conventional panels.
Now, I do want to mention that it’s been claimed that SunPower previously had some bankability issues which can create a big worry for consumers regarding warranties and payouts. I’m not sure how true this is, but there is some information and speculation that they were on the border of being broke. However, since then they have split the company in two, SunPower and Maxeon each focusing on different areas of panel manufacturing.
Overall, I would say that choosing SunPower is an excellent choice for your business. I must admit, the panels are expensive however you are paying for what you get. The quality is above most other panels in the industry and by offering a 25 year product warranty it’s setting them apart from the crowd.
However, with this high cost will come a slower return on investment. It’s pretty close though, because you will see a greater return at the end, plus a larger increase in your property value. I’d say that the pro’s and con’s actually balance each other out.
Specifications:
420w Max Power Output
Monocrystalline PERC cells
20.4% Module Efficiency
Lower Temperatures From Unique Bussing
Anti-Reflective Glass
25 Year Product Warranty
25 Year Performance Warranty
Power Tolerance +5/–0%
PRO’s
- Exceptional performance
- Industry leading warranties
- Sleek, aesthetically pleasing design
- Increase your commercial property value
CON’s
- Mid-range solar solution
- Company may have previous debt issues
What I Like About It...
This panel is an absolute beast! Before we go on, I just want to say that the top 3 positions were extremely close. All 3 solar panels are really good for so many different reasons. It was super close to decide so just know that any of these 3 solar panels would make an amazing solar solution for your business.
Anyway, back onto Trina’s incredible commercial solar panel. Honestly, it’s pretty much got everything you want. High efficiency, good warranties and a fantastic performance and technology. Not only this, but Trina are very affordable. Just like Jinko and Longi, you can get a very fast return on investment with Trina panels.
Let’s not forget about the company as well. Trina are actually one of the oldest and longest standing solar manufacturers in the industry. They have been around since 1997, and by still being here in 2021 it shows how great their product and business models are. Unlike SunPower they haven’t split in two and they have a really strong bankability. I can’t see them going anywhere in the future either!
If you look at the solar panel stats, you can see how Trina have created an extremely effective solar panel for business owners. The only area that starts to slip is the warranty. They offer a 12 year product warranty which is fairly short when compared to the rest. Although their performance warranty matches the industry standard, they should try to increase their product warranty, even if it’s just a few years.
Like I said before, this was extremely close between the top 3. You can probably see why now. So, believe me when I say that Trina solar panels will be one of the best solar panels you can choose for your business.
Specifications:
480w Max Power Output
150 Monocrystalline cells
20.1% Module Efficiency
Anti-Reflective, Heat Strengthened Glass
12 Year Product Warranty
25 Year Performance Warranty
Reduced BOS (Balance Of System) Cost
Power Tolerance +5/–0%
PRO’s
- Affordable solar panels
- High efficiency
- High performance
- Long standing company with great bankability
- Fast return on investment
CON’s
- Shorter warranty that others
What I Like About It...
The HiMO4 is one of the most popular commercial solar panels that we sell (at the moment). The return on investment you can get from these panels is amazing, and super fast as well. I would say that is where Longi dominates in the industry. They provide affordable solutions that offer really fast returns.
If you have never heard of Longi, they are a long standing solar manufacturer that only produces monocrystalline (higher quality) solar panels. You can be sure that if you decide to install Longi panels, you will be getting a genuine high quality product. I’ve written a full review about Longi solar panels here.
Honestly, I would go as far as saying Longi panels are one of the best in the industry. They’re quality is next to none. By using advanced technology and sticking to only Mono panels they set themselves apart from others. Their technology has won them several well known awards in the industry proving how effective their work is.
The only area where Longi needs improvement is their warranty. I believe they can offer a 25 year product warranty or even a 15 year instead of a 12. It’s a little disappointing to see because by offering this they could easily become THE best panels in the industry. I know their panels are high quality. In saying this, they have extended their performance warranty to 30 years instead of the industry average 25 years. This goes to show how confident they are in the quality of their solar panels.
But yeah, all in all Longi HiMO4 is one of the best solar panels you can buy for your business. It will provide you with a seriously fast ROI compared to others, and of course the quality will last a lifetime. Choosing Longi to slash your business costs would be a very wise move.
Specifications:
450w Max Power Output
9 Busbar Half-Cut Cells
144 Monocrystalline Cells
20.7% Module Efficiency
M6 Gallium-Doped Wafer
12 Year Product Warranty
30 Year Performance Warranty
Power Tolerance +5/–0%
PRO’s
- Affordable solar panels
- Fast return on investment
- Great quality product
- Longi on manufacturer monocrystalline panels
CON’s
- Shorter warranty than others
What I Like About It...
DUN DUN DUUUUUUUN…
Finally we get to #1… What I believe to be THE best commercial solar panels you can buy on the market in Australia in 2021.
Honestly, Jinko’s Tiger solar panel is absolutely incredible. They have really outdone themselves here. I’ve known for a long time that Jinko wanted to be the industry leader. This solar panel is certainly pushing them up there. They’re offering a panel that pretty much no one else can match right now.
The thing is, companies could create a panel like this but they would have to charge double the price. Take a look at SunPower for example, yes they are offering the long warranties, and provide a high efficient solar panel but the price is way more expensive.
Jinko has matched all of this (including a longer product warranty) but for a much, much more affordable price. (Admittedly, SunPower has a higher conversion efficiency but seriously that shouldn’t even matter when buying a solar panel! If you care about those statistics you are doing it wrong, please read my blog on solar panel efficiency to understand why it doesn’t matter).
Like I always say (and I do always say) with a more affordable solar solution comes a faster return on investment.
Isn’t that why most business owners look at getting solar?
To slash their business cost?
Well, Jinko’s Tiger panel will be the best option for fast returns, high quality and a long lasting, reliable warranty. Seriously, Jinko is so affordable. This is why I’ve chosen them as a winner. They provide the same solutions and LG and SunPower, just for a price that everyone can afford. It’s changing the industry.
If you are looking to slash your business costs for an affordable price, and pay off your system within a realistic timeframe then Jinko is the best panel for this. Once you’ve paid off your system you can look to see a huge return from these tiger panels.
And of course, lets not forget about that seriously impressive 30 year product warranty… You can invest in this panel without any risks or stress. If anything happens you are covered, for 30 years! That’s pretty much unheard of in the solar industry. You would have paid off the cost of your system through savings way before the 30 years.
Honestly, what a cracker from Jinko…
Specifications:
475w Max Power Output
156 Monocrystalline cells
P-Type Mono Cells
21.16% Module Efficiency
9 Busbar Lines
30 Year Product Warranty
25 Year Performance Warranty
TR Technology
Power Tolerance 0~+3%
PRO’s
- Longest warranty in the industry
- High performing solar panels
- High efficiency
- Fast return on investment
- Affordable solar panel solution
CON’s
- NONE!
Conclusion:
So there you have it.
The 6 best commercial solar panels that you can buy for your business. To give you an idea of why I decided these I really focused on what matters the most for business owners.
9/10 when we consult a specially designed commercial solar system with business owners the goal is to slash business costs and achieve a realistic payback period. Therefore, we’ve found the best solar panels to do this are the most affordable, with a good warranty and are of high quality.
Therefore in my eyes, Jinko is the clear winner. And shortly behind are Longi and Trina because they can provide a similar, affordable solution. Additionally, the best thing to do is understand your business goals. This will help you decide on which panel is best.
However, I do have to say that all solar panels are going to slash your costs and all will be an effective solution. Any of these solar panels will be a great asset to your business regardless. We’ve chosen our best 6 really, and tried to find an overall winner.
If you have a large budget, then believe me SunPower and LG will be a great option for you. I just feel like business owners are looking for affordable solar solutions that can provide a fast return. This may be slower with SunPower or LG. Don’t get me wrong, they are absolutely fantastic panels, and both industry leaders but they are just much more expensive.
Either way, let me know if you guys agree with me in the comments. Feel free to share any panels you think should have made the top 6 instead. 🙂
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Written By:
Luke Cove
Managing Director
Lightning Solar & Electrical
1 thought on “The 5 Best Commercial Solar Panels”
Nice blog to read. Solar panels are worth it for businesses for the financial savings alone. EnergySage reports that average commercial business owners’ monthly power bills were $1,950 before converting to solar energy. That’s a 75% reduction and a good reason why you should install solar panels at your business.