New Zealand has quite high renewable energy penetration. 

A report by the Transpower website shows that the country already uses renewable energy to meet nearly 90% of its electricity demand.

New Zealand has so far installed 85 MW of solar, and nearly half of which has been added during 2017-18 in more densely populated areas, such as Auckland and Canterbury. Currently, 2 kW and 5 kW solar systems are most popular in New Zealand.

The number of installations in NZ will grow over time, as there is a need for new homes in the country, and the efficiency of solar equipment is improving. By 2050, the potential capacity for rooftop PV could be around 27 GW.

In this post, we will talk about the top 10 solar panels for sale in New Zealand, which are available via distributors all over the country, and not necessarily designed and manufactured there.

Canadian Solar, NZ

Website: https://www.canadiansolar.com/en

The first in the list, Canadian Solar was founded in 2001. The solar panels of the company are mainly available in NZ through its authorized distributors. 

Canadian Solar has been a leading global solar energy service provider with business subsidiaries in 19 countries on six continents. 

The company is a major manufacturer of solar PV modules and has produced and delivered more than 36 GW of high-quality solar modules to customers in more than 160 countries in the past two decades. 

The range of solar modules are:

  • All-Black: Aesthetics
  • BiKu: Bifacial
  • BiHiKu: 400 W + Bifacial
  • Dymond: Double-glass
  • HiKu: 400+Watt
  • HiDM: High-density shingle
  • Ku: High efficiency3
  • MaxPower: 72 cells
  • Standard: 60 cells

Canadian Solar has recently started manufacturing its solar panels made with heat-strengthened glass instead of the traditional polymer backsheet. 

The panels are resistant to Potential Induced Degradation (PID) and can withstand high temperatures, high humidity, sandstorms, ultraviolet, and corrosion.

Canadian Solar’s PV panels go through stringent testing and proven under harsh conditions, and come with a 25-year warranty.

Trina Solar, NZ

Website: https://www.trinasolar.com/en-apac/index

Trina Solar was established in 1997, and since then, it has been a major energy solutions provider in the world.

Trina Solar produces smart and efficient photovoltaic (PV) modules for both residential and commercial consumers, along with energy storage systems. 

In 2018, the company delivered more than 40 GW of solar modules all over the world. 

The range of residential, utility-scale and commercial solar panels that Trina Solar produces is below:

  • Honey M – DE06M (II) – Half-cut cells, MBB, 330-340W
  • Honey M – DE06H (II) – Half-cut cells, 5BB, 320-335W
  • Honey – PE06H – Half-cut cells, 5BB, 285-300W
  • HoneyBlack M – DD06M.05 (II) – Half-cut cells, MBB, 320-340W
  • DUOMAX twin – DEG5C.07 (II) – Clear EVA – 60 Cell
  • DUOMAX M-DEG15M.20 (II)
  • DUOMAX M-DEG15H.20 (II)
  • DUOMAX M-PEG15H.20
  • DUOMAX TWIN-DEG15MC.20 (II)
  • DUOMAX TWIN-DEG15HC.20 (II)
  • TALLMAX M-DE15M (II) – Half-cut, MBB, 395-415W
  • TALLMAX M-DE15H (II) – Half-cut, 5BB, 380-400W
  • TALLMAX-PE15H –  Half-cut, 5BB, 340-355W

All the Trina solar panels are tested through a rigorous in-house testing process and have independent, third-party certification.

Also, Trina solar panels come with a 25-year limited manufacturer’s warranty and provide reliable performance.

LG Solar, NZ

Website: https://www.lgenergy.co.nz/

LG Solar™ is a renowned global company, which produces a wide range of high-quality solar panels. 

The solar panels manufactured by the company have one of the highest efficiencies of 21.7% in the world.

LG Solar™ has developed advanced solar panels using the Cello Technology™ and provides a 25-year performance warranty to its products.

The company controls every step of the manufacturing process to ensure top-quality products and performance. 

The most efficient LG solar panel is LG NeON® R, with 90.8% efficiency. Other solar modules are NeON® 2 and NeON® 2 Black. 

NeON® 2 is an 8 kWp system with a 25-year warranty. NeON® 2 Black are high-quality and visually pleasing solar modules with a black frame and an optional black backing that blends with the background to enhance the visual appeal of the roof.

Yingli Solar Panels, NZ

Website: http://www.yinglisolar.com/en/

Yingli Solar is headquartered in China and later expanded its operations all over the world. The company sells its solar panels in New Zealand via distributors.  

Yingli Solar produces its solar modules implementing advanced solar technology, and the panels have won many awards. 

The company manufactures and supplies the following solar modules:

  • Standard Series Solar Modules: Solar modules in this series are YGE 60 Cell Series 2, YGE 72 Cell Series 2, YLM 60 Cell, and YLM 72 Cell.
  • PANDA Bifacial Series: PANDA Bifacial 60 Cell, PANDA Bifacial 72 Cell, PANDA Bifacial 144HCL, and PANDA Bifacial 144HCF.
  • Smart Series: YGE 60 Cell Series 2 HSF Smart, YGE 72 Cell Series 2 HSF Smart, YLM 60 Cell HSF Smart, and YLM 72 Cell HSF Smart.

Yingli Solar supplies its solar modules to nearly 90 countries all over the world to meet their energy demands. 

Homeowners, businesses, and communities worldwide often face energy and environmental challenges. To resolve such issues, Yingli Solar is committed to providing affordable green energy for all.

REC Group, NZ

Website: www.recgroup.com

Renewable Energy Corporation or REC Group is one of the world’s most trusted brands of solar panels and solutions and has been in this industry for more than 20 years. 

Currently, REC employs over 2,000 employees worldwide and produces 1.4 GW of fully automated solar panels annually. REC solar panels have 21.7% efficiency, one of the highest in the industry.

In 2016, REC Group ranked #1 most popular brand of solar panels in Germany and the state of California, USA.

REC incorporates rigorous product quality testing, third-party certifications, and endorsements. The company also has a low warranty claims rate (<100 returns per 1M modules 2016). 

The company manufactures the following solar panels:

  • REC ALPHA: Heterojunction (HJT), 120 half-cut cells with 360-380 Wp
  • REC N-PEAK: n-type Mono-crystalline, 120 half-cut cells with 310-330 Wp
  • REC TwinPeak 2 Mono: p-type Mono-crystalline, 120 half-cut cells with 300-320 Wp
  • REC TwinPeak 2, Black frame: Multi-crystalline, 120 half-cut cells with 285-300 Wp
  • REC TwinPeak 2S Mono 72: p-type Mono-crystalline, 144 half-cut cells with 360-380 Wp
  • REC TwinPeak 2S 72: Multi-crystalline, 144 half-cut cells with 330-355 Wp

REC solar panels deliver excellent output and the highest mono-crystalline and polycrystalline module efficiency for 60 and 72 cells.

solarZero, SolarCity

Website: https://www.solarcity.co.nz/solarzero/

solarZero solar panels are produced by Solar City, one of the most trusted solar energy brands in New Zealand. Solar City is located in Auckland.

Solar City was founded in 1981, and it has been providing solar systems to the people of New Zealand for the past 38 years. 

SolarCity is one of the top five fastest-growing energy companies in the country that have installed more solar systems in NZ than any other solar provider.

The company makes solarZero panels available for consumers through a simple subscription-based energy plan (approx. $85 per month+GST). Under this plan, consumers need to bear a low monthly fixed fee. Other than that, there are no upfront or maintenance costs. 

The solar output and energy usage can be monitored through a web-based monitoring system for optimum consumption. 

Also, solarZero panels come with solarZero home batteries to store and manage energy.

JinkoSolar 

Website: http://www.jinkosolar.com/

Jinko Solar is considered as one of the leading and most innovative solar module producers in the world. 

The company manufactures and distributes its solar products and services to many international utilities, commercial, and residential customers in New Zealand, China, the United States, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, Chile, India, South Africa and many other countries. 

JinkoSolar has developed a vertically integrated solar product value chain with an annual capacity of 10.5 GW for silicon wafers, 7.4 GW for solar cells, and 12.6 GW for solar modules, as of June 30, 2019.

Some of the high-quality solar modules the company produces are:

  • Eagle Series: Eagle 60 and Eagle 72
  • Eagle PERC: Eagle PERC 60 and Eagle PERC 72
  • Cheetah Mono PERC HC: Cheetah HC 60M and Cheetah HC 72M
  • Cheetah Mono PERC: Cheetah 60M and Cheetah 60M
  • Cheetah Mono PERC Dual: Cheetah Dual 60M and Cheetah Dual 72M
  • Swan Transparent Backsheet HC: Swan Bifacial HC 60M and Swan Bifacial HC 72M
  • Swan Dual Glass HC: Swan Bifacial 60H and Swan Bifacial 72H.

JinkoSolar has seven production facilities and 15 overseas subsidiaries all over the world.  

Also, Jinko Solar has global sales teams in New Zealand, China, the United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, Spain, South Africa, Bulgaria, Greece, and other countries in nearly all the continents.

Renesola

Website: www.renesola.com

Renesola was established in 2005 and has been a leading international manufacturer of solar mono- and polycrystalline solar panels.

Since its inception, the company has supplied over 14GW of solar products to thousands of clients all over the world. 

The company also has its distributors in many countries, including New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, Canada, Brazil, and India.

Renesola produces the following solar panels:

  • 60-Cell Mono Solar Panel 5 Busbar
  • 72-Cell Mono Solar Panel 5 Busbar
  • 60-Cell Poly Solar Panel 5 Busbar
  • 72-Cell Poly Solar Panel 5 Busbar
  • 60-Cell Double Glass Poly Solar Panel
  • 72-Cell Double Glass Poly Solar Panel
  • 60-Cell (Half-Cut) Poly Solar Panel 5 Busbar
  • 72-Cell (Half-Cut) Poly Solar Panel 5 Busbar
  • 60-Cell (Half-Cut) Mono Solar Panel 5 Busbar
  • 72-Cell (Half-Cut) Mono Solar Panel 5 Busbar.

Besides solar panels, the company also produces solar microinverters, solar cells, energy storage systems, and solar tracking systems. 

The company has its own R&D team, advanced manufacturing equipment, and vast production experience. 

In 2008, Renesola got itself listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

LONGi Solar

Website: https://en.longi-solar.com/

LONGi Solar is a world-leading manufacturer of highly efficient mono-crystalline solar cells and modules. The Company has its sales distributors in New Zealand, China, and branches in Japan, Germany, America, India, Malaysia, and Australia.

The company is wholly owned by the LONGi Group (SH601012), which has been focusing on p-mono for 19 years. Today, it is one of the largest suppliers of mono-crystalline products in the world.

LONGi Group has plans to reach 45 GW monocrystalline wafer production capacity by 2020.

The company produces the following series of solar modules:

Hi-MO4 Series – High power, Mono PERC, Half-cut cell:

  • Hi-MO4m Monofacial modules
  • Hi-MO4 Bifacial modules

Hi-MO3 Series – Mono PERC, Half-cut cell:

  • Hi-MO3m Monofacial modules
  • Hi-MO3 Bifacial modules.

LONGi Solar’s module shipment in 2018 ranked among the top 4 in the world, and mono module shipment has remained No.1 in the world from 2016 to 2018. 

The company has a strong focus on R&D, production, and sales & marketing of mono-crystalline silicon products, and is committed to providing better LCOE solutions and promoting worldwide adoption of mono-crystalline technology.

Hyundai Solar, NZ

Website: https://eng.hhigreen.com/

The final one on the list, Hyundai, is another reputable solar panel brand in the world.

As a globally renowned name, Hyundai solar panels have made a name for themselves for their quality. In New Zealand, Hyundai Solar has numerous distributors to deliver its premium solar modules to customers.

Hyundai Solar has a solar cell/module production capacity of 600 MW per year.

Hyundai Solar set up the Eumseong R&D Center in Korea in 2012, and it has achieved remarkable results by constantly improving the performance of solar modules to meet customers’ expectations.

The company uses PERL technology while producing its solar modules that offer ultra-high efficiency with better performance with low irradiation.

Hyundai Solar manufactures solar modules under three main categories: Residential, Commercial & Utility, and Floating:

  • KI 72 cells
  • RI 72 cells
  • RG (BK) 60 cells
  • RG 60 cells

Hyundai Energy Solutions is one of the few premium panel manufacturers to have increased their previous 12-year Product Warranty on 300W RG Series Solar Panel Modules to 25 years. They did so while maintaining a market-leading Performance Warranty of 30 years!

Related article: Top 10 Solar Energy Markets in the World in 2019

Closing Words

If you are a solar installer in New Zealand, providing the listed brand of solar panels and modules to consumers will improve your business’ credibility. These are some of the top-notch solar energy products companies that produce both residential and utility-grade grid-tied and off-grid solar systems. 

Most of these panels are ready-to-install solar power systems and are distributed in NZ for home or office installations in a reasonable price range. 

Offering these high-quality solar panels is likely to create more business scope for you in the long run. So, you can think about keeping in touch with these manufacturers for good.