Solar panel technologies in 2026
| Type | What it is | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| N-type TOPCon | The mainstream technology, efficient at a good price | Jinko Tiger Neo, Canadian Solar TOPHiKu6 |
| Back contact | Contacts on the back of the cell; higher efficiency, all-black look | LONGi Hi-MO, Maxeon |
| Heterojunction | Layered cells that handle heat well and age slowly | REC Alpha Pure-RX |
| Mono PERC (P-type) | The previous mainstream type, now being phased out | Older and budget models |
Solar panel brands compared
| Brand | Main home range | Product warranty | Performance warranty | Price position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jinko | Tiger Neo | Up to 25 years | 30 years, 87.4% | Value |
| Canadian Solar | TOPHiKu6 | 25 years (residential) | 30 years, 87.4% | Value to mid |
| LONGi | Hi-MO 6, Hi-MO X6 | 15 to 25 years | 25 to 30 years | Mid |
| REC | Alpha Pure-RX | Up to 25 years | 25 years, 92% | Premium |
| Maxeon (SunPower) | Maxeon 6 and 7 | 40 years | 40 years, 88.3% | Premium |
Solar Choice's retail price list for October 2026 puts 440 to 475 W Jinko panels at about $95 to $130 each, SunPower Performance panels at about $190 to $220, and REC among the dearest at about $0.63 to $0.70 a watt. Panel hardware is only part of an installed price; see solar system costs.
How to choose solar panels
- Approved list. Check the exact model is on the Clean Energy Council approved products list.
- Warranty and who stands behind it. A long warranty is only useful if the company has an Australian presence to claim against.
- Efficiency for your roof. High-efficiency panels matter on small roofs. On big roofs, cheaper panels are fine.
- Heat performance. Look at the temperature coefficient: the smaller the number, the less output drops on hot days.
- The installer. Good panels badly installed fail early. See choosing an installer.
What does tier 1 mean?
Tier 1 is a BloombergNEF list of manufacturers that banks consider bankable for large projects. It says nothing about the quality of a particular panel, so do not rely on it alone.
Common questions
It depends on your roof and budget. Premium brands such as REC and Maxeon offer high efficiency and long warranties at a high price. Value brands such as Jinko and Canadian Solar offer long performance warranties at much lower cost.
Most home panels are now around 430 to 480 W, using N-type cells. Each takes up about 2 square metres.
Yes. For the system to earn STCs, the panels must be on the Clean Energy Council approved products list and installed by an accredited installer.
Sources
Warranty terms come from manufacturer documents for Australia. Panel prices are from Solar Choice, an industry source. Last checked October 2026. Prices include GST unless we say otherwise.