Seldom does a solar module maker enter the Australian market without resistance. Established industry leaders healthily occupy a limited market share for distribution access, vendor/retailer sentiment and consumer appeal. Therefore, if disruptive traction is to occur, something must stand out within a product to improve value for stakeholders. In 2023, Aiko Solar panels were in the spotlight of many product analysts internationally, who can all agree that an exciting disruption is unfolding in selected key global locations. Fortuitously, Australia is on that list.
Contents
Key points
- Intersolar Award (Europe) & Reddot design award 2023
- Q2, 2024: featuring ABC n-type design, Aiko Neostar to arrive in Australia
- The first module maker to reach 25% module efficiency
- Outstanding affordability
- PSW Energy, Perth Solar Warehouse, to be one of Australia's first Aiko installers
From Q2, 2024, Aiko Solar will make its highly anticipated debut on the Australian solar landscape. Australia is an interesting proposition for module manufacturers, one of the most competitive markets globally, as some of the world’s largest volume manufacturers wrestle for improved market share through fractions of innovative differences. With such a competitive space to enter, Aiko’s proposition to the market needs to be solid, and it is.
If a hotly contested recent Intersolar Award-winning design for innovation and Reddot design award isn’t enough for you to adjust your seating position, learning that Aiko is the current title holder of the most efficient solar module on international rankings most certainly will. Beyond settling for the title by competitive fractions and paced market releases, Aiko has achieved this by a resounding 1% greater than previous leaders.
Which to consider
The ideal Aiko solar panel to come to Australia is the 440W Neostar. 440W is the current ideal multiplier towards STC (subsidy) eligibility for a solar energy system without DC-coupled batteries. If you’re not concerned with maximum solar array size without batteries, the ideal multiplier for a bespoke system is the highest efficiency in a black danel design, the 450W Neostar.
Residential suitability: (order) Most ideal to least.
1. Aiko Neostar (440-450 W): Certain system designs prefer multipliers of 450W. Therefore, the Aiko Neostar 2S 450W module provides a relative solution given the current technology entering the market. However, the likely most popular Aiko solar panel for the Australian market possesses a comparative leading market efficiency, yet where it excels is elite temperature coefficient for the cost -0.26%/°C, That’s peak generation in temperatures above 25°C, a common scenario in Australia.
2. Aiko Comet series: This is the ideal Aiko series for large-scale commercial and industrial scenarios. With increased surface area on solar modules in 2024 comes increased module efficiency by improving a greater controlled-circuitry environment. 23.9% maximum module efficiency is industry-leading, coupled with a -0.26%°C high-yielding performance is assured in Australian conditions.
3. Aiko Stellar series: The Aiko Stella series provides Aiko performance in a utility-scale format. Larger footprint for better LCOE assisting an improved module efficiency up to 24.4% [25.15% announced]. Now boasting up to 25% module efficiency, Aiko is the leader. But it doesn’t end there. The Aiko efficiency roadmap is 40% by 2030. Certain brands shape industries: Intel, Apple, Google, Tesla and now Aiko in advanced silicon photovoltaic module innovation.
Perth’s Aiko Experts and locals you can trust. Google & SolarQuotes 4.9/5
What is the warranty
A comparable warranty in Australia now for ‘n-type’ solar panels, all variants of Aiko solar panels are equipped with a 25 year product warranty and 30 year performance warranty. However, the intrinsic aspects are exceptional beyond the period value compared to the market average. Dropping performance output by no more than 11.2% (no more than 1% year-1, and 0.35% each year after) over a 30 year warranted period—one of the best performance guarantees over 30 years—relativity to 25-year performance guarantees, no more than 90.6% of its nameplate value by year 25. Aiko Solar will provide installer cost support under a warranty claim scenario (costs to be advised).
Perth Solar Warehouse customers need never worry about labour costs in a warranty scenario. If your system fails or underperforms against the warranted outcome, as a warranty agent, it’s our responsibility to support you with a seamless resolution. We’ll always make up for any labour cost shortfall should the support value be inadequate. Because that’s what you would expect.
Model | Product warranty period | Performance warranty period | 1st year degradation 1 | Annual degradation 1,2 | Download | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Neostar | 25 yrs | 30 yrs | 1% | 0.35% | Warranty | |
Comet | 15 yrs | 30 yrs | 1% | 0.35% | Warranty | |
Stellar | 15 yrs | 30 yrs | 1% | 0.35% | Warranty | |
- Warranted maximum power output degradation within a nominated period at Standard Test Conditions.
- Annual warranted maximum power output degradation at Standard Test Conditions, beyond year-1 for the remaining performance warranty period.
This information should be interpreted alongside the full Aiko warranty document.
Where are they made
Equipped with a European Solarlab, Freiberg, and Asian Photovoltaic Centre, Shanghai, for research and development, the production base for Aiko Solar exists in 5 robotic assembly locations:
- Tanjing Base
- Shandong Base
- Yiwu Base
- Foshan Base
- Zhuhai Base
What do they cost
Expect outstanding value for the technology available when combined as part of a system. Solar system prices incorporating Aiko solar panels will vary depending on module model selection, inverter selection, battery selection (if required) and installation specifics. After the current zone 3 STC subsidy (Perth & Bunbury region), the average costs for a solar-only Aiko solar energy system are as follows;
Model | Sample System Size | Average Cost per kW 1 | PSW Price | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Aiko Neostar | 6.6 kW | $907 | Discover | |
1. Average cost per kW installed (after STC value deducted as a point-of-sale discount), considering average inverter cost compatible with the sample system size, and based on values relevant within 30 days of the article post date.
Ensure these Aiko Solar panels and their nominated prices are our best. Get your copy of the latest Perth Solar Warehouse catalogue.
As the most common small-scale system size (residential), a 6.6 kW system is an example. Considering all inverter types, the average cost is divided to provide an Average Cost per kW. The Average Cost per kW can be multiplied by any nominated system size for general system cost guidance. This content is not a substitute for a quoted price.
Quick links: Alternative system size prices 3 kW, 10 kW or 13 kW
Build your ideal Aiko solar panel and inverter combination with online installed prices on PSW Energy: Aiko solar package – variable sizes ›
Hassle-free solar. From a locally based company you can trust. Google & SolarQuotes 4.9/5
Pairing options
It’s one thing to know which Aiko solar panels to consider; this is only half the equation. Some know precisely their inverter or battery preferences. However, for those seeking further inspiration, try these popular product pairings for an assured future-ready energy system.
Standard Inverter: Goodwe DNS-G3 or SDT-G2. It’s hard to ignore Goodwe as an inverter consideration. It may be at the more affordable end of the spectrum, but it just works. Great software, outstanding local support and a solid reputation. Unquestionably, Goodwe builds dependable solar inverters.
Review: How good is a Goodwe for your project
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Hyrbrid Inverter: Sungrow SH-RS & SH-RT. A proven hybrid inverter within Australia with a consistently evolving product suite. If limitations exist, maximise the oversizing capabilities of your preferred Aiko solar panels by adding a cost-effective Sungrow SBR-HV Battery. The Sungrow EV charger will arrive in 2024 for a one-energy ecosystem solution.
Review: Which Sungrow inverter should you consider
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Hybrid inverter: Fronius GEN24. When you occupy 20% of the Australian inverter market share, there’s a reason. Over the last decade, Fronius has earned a reputation for building dependable solar inverters, leading the way in energy ecosystem development with the new release of the Fronius GEN24 range.
Review: Is a Fronius inverter worth the extra expense
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Which is ideal for you
When selecting the ideal solution for your home, with cutting-edge specifications, each Aiko Solar panel will undoubtedly have a best-case scenario. For most Perth Solar Warehouse turnkey energy solutions, the ideal Aiko solar panel will be the Neostar 2S with its ABC n-type solar module technology in a 440W format as the perfect system multiplier. The maximum system generation potential from the available subsidy will prevail as a determining factor for most customers within the Small Technology Certificate bracket.
Seeking a specific Aiko Solar product? As one of Australia’s first official Aiko vendors/installers for end customers (Company acknowledgement), we can facilitate your ideal solution with frontline product knowledge. An Aiko-certified installer based in Perth, Western Australia, Perth Solar Warehouse sales support can assist.