Canadian Solar Panels Review 2024

 

Hey guys, it’s Alan Kemp here again! Today, I’m diving into something we all know pretty well in Australia –  Canadian solar panels. Yep, you’ve probably heard the name tossed around a lot, but let’s see if they’re really all that “Canadian” after all. Spoiler alert: not so much.

Are Canadian Solar Panels Really “Canadian”?

So, here’s the deal. You hear “Canadian Solar” and might think you’re getting a maple syrup-powered piece of tech, but that’s not exactly the case. The brand was actually started by a Chinese guy who spent a short time in Canada back in 2001. While living there, he kicked off the company with ties back to China’s solar manufacturing. Smart guy, right?

But the reality is, these panels are made in China. They’re Tier 1 solar panels like Trina or Jinko. So, how Canadian are Canadian Solar Panels? Well, not really. They’re about as Canadian as a fortune cookie.

Build Quality and Performance

Now, let’s talk build quality. Canadian Solar Panels have been around for a while, so there’s been time to see how they hold up. Are they solid? Sure. Are they perfect? Not always.

We’ve seen a lot of older models showing wear and tear – cells burning out, dodgy soldering, and in some cases, water getting into the panels. That’s when things can get real hairy because once water’s in, the panel stops working, and sometimes it even leads to rooftop fires. Nobody wants that!

Quick Hits on Build Quality:

• Cell Burnout: Especially on older models around the edges.
• Water Ingress: Leads to panel failure and potential fire hazards.
• Durability: Some panels last, but others seem to break down after 8-10 years.

Recent Warranty Concerns

Alright, here’s where things get a bit sticky. Recently, one of the big Brisbane solar retailers got in touch with Canadian Solar about their warranty. What they found was a bit of a shocker. Turns out, the warranty has some sneaky fine print about shading.

The key issue? Shading.

Canadian Solar says that if your panels get shaded for more than 200 daylight hours over their 25-30 year lifespan, your warranty could be voided. That’s pretty nuts if you think about it. A bit of tree shade here, some cloud cover there, and boom – no warranty.

What’s Considered “Shading”?

Here’s what counts as “shading”:

• Permanent Shading: Shading over the same cells for over 200 hours during the panel’s lifespan.
• Partial Shading: Even a bit of cloud cover could potentially void your warranty.
• Tree Growth: If your neighbor’s tree grows taller and throws some shade, you might be out of luck.

Comparing Canadian Solar to Other Brands

Okay, let’s compare Canadian Solar to a couple of their competitors like Trina and Jinko. Honestly, they’re all in the same ballpark. They’re Chinese-made, affordable, and they get the job done. But with these warranty issues cropping up, Canadian Solar might have slipped down a peg or two.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

Brand	Manufacturing	Warranty Concerns	Reputation
Canadian Solar	China	Shading voids warranty	Tier 1, but losing trust
Trina	China	Minor concerns, better rep	Strong Tier 1 choice
Jinko	China	Similar to Trina	Reliable Tier 1

So, should you stick with Canadian Solar, or maybe try something else? Well, that depends on your roof, your shade situation, and whether or not you want to risk it with that sneaky warranty.

Should You Buy Canadian Solar Panels?

Here’s the million-dollar question: should you buy Canadian Solar? Honestly, it’s a bit of a toss-up. If you’re in an area with absolutely zero shading, they might be fine. But if you’ve got even a little bit of shade creeping onto your roof, you could be rolling the dice with that warranty.

Things to Consider Before Buying:

• Do you have shading issues, even during certain times of the year?
• Is your roof fully exposed to the sun most of the day?
• How important is having a rock-solid warranty to you?

At the end of the day, Canadian Solar Panels might seem like a premium option because of the name, but they’re just another solid, affordable Chinese solar panel. With recent concerns around their warranty, particularly with shading, you’ve got to be cautious. If you think your panels could be in the shade for more than a few hours a year, maybe look elsewhere.

Anyway, that’s the lowdown on Canadian Solar. Thanks for hanging out, and stay tuned for more reviews coming your way soon. Cheers!