Suntech Solar Panels Review (2024)

On this evaluation, we dive into the evolution of Suntech, a former titan within the photo voltaic trade. 

Key Factors

• Suntech, established in 2001 in China, was a dominant participant in the photo voltaic trade by the late 2000s. Regardless of going through monetary challenges and defaulting, the corporation has since regained stability, although it hasn’t reclaimed its prime marketplace.
• The corporation produces a variety of panels, together with each monofacial and bifacial choice, catering to varied functions.
• As of early 2023, Suntech’s panels are competitively priced, starting from $0.7 to $0.9 per watt earlier than set-up prices.
• Effectivity is a robust level for Suntech, with their newest fashions reaching as much as 22.5% effectivity.
• Buyer and worker suggestions about Suntech are basically constructive, regardless of some early challenges within the firm’s historical past.
• Guarantee phrases embody a 12-year product guarantee, with a 25-year efficiency guarantee for monofacial modules and a 30-year assurance for bifacial modules.

Suntech’s Historical past within the Photo voltaic Market

Based in 2001 in Wuxi, China by Dr. Shi Zhengrong, an alumnus of the College of New South Wales College of Photovoltaic and Renewable Vitality Engineering, Suntech quickly ascended to prominence under his management till 2013.

Suntech’s rise was speedy, securing its place as a number one pressure within the photo voltaic sector. Dr. Shi earned acclaim, together with being named a “Hero of the Atmosphere” by Time Journal in 2007 and gaining recognition as the world’s first ‘inexperienced billionaire’. By 2011, the corporation had captured the biggest market share within the photovoltaic (PV) trade.

Nonetheless, the early 2010s proved difficult for PV corporations, with market oversaturation impacting many. Suntech confronted its personal difficulties, closing its Arizona plant in 2013 and grappling with a $541 million debt default, resulting in Dr. Shi’s departure from his chairman function.

But, this was not the tip of Suntech. The corporation continued producing photo voltaic panels and progressively regained stability. Though not at the forefront of the market, Suntech has stabilized and is understood to produce high-quality merchandise. We are going to take a better look at their present choices.

Benefits and Disadvantages of Suntech Photo Voltaic Panels

Benefits of Suntech Panels

• Inexpensive Pricing: Probably the most notable element of Suntech panels is their cost-effectiveness, a standard trait of Chinese language-made PV modules.
• Excessive Effectivity: Suntech panels have an effectivity price exceeding 22.5%, considerably surpassing the market common of 19-20%.
• Optimistic Opinions: Regardless of some early challenges, Suntech has garnered largely favorable opinions from clients. Moreover, worker suggestions in regard to the firm are usually constructive.

Disadvantages of Suntech Panels:

• Availability within the US: Being a Chinese language firm, Suntech panels might generally be laborious to get your arms on within the US market.
• Customary Guarantee Phrases: Suntech presents a normal 12-year product guarantee. Whereas sufficient, this guarantee period is just not notably distinctive in comparison with some rivals.

Suntech Photo Voltaic Panels’ Pricing, Effectivity, and Warranties

Suntech focuses on producing monocrystalline photo voltaic panels appropriate for varied functions. Their vary contains each monofacial and bifacial choice. These panels incorporate trendy applied sciences like half-cut cells, PERCs, and multi-busbar designs. Nonetheless, they have an inclination to lack distinctive options that set them aside.

Priced Competitively at $0.70-$0.90 per Watt

In 2023, Suntech’s photo voltaic panels can be found within the U.S. market at a cheap price of $0.70 to $0.90 per watt, excluding set-up charges. This pricing is notably decreased than that of North American-made panels.

Effectivity Charges Between 19%-22.5%

Suntech panels obtain effectivity ranges of as much as 22.5%, which is considerably above the market common. This excessive effectivity means you’ll want much less area on your photo voltaic system.

Customary 12-Yr Product Guarantee, Prolonged Efficiency Guarantee

Suntech presents a normal 12-year product guarantee, typical for Chinese language producers. The guarantee extends to 25 years for monofacial modules and 30 years for bifacial modules by way of efficiency.

Overview of Suntech’s Residential and Industrial Photo Voltaic Panels

Suntech 380 W Extremely S Mini — Ideally suited for Compact Techniques

The Suntech 380W Extremely S Mini sequence is well-suited for residential photo voltaic techniques. It makes use of half-cut cell expertise with 120 half-cut cells, enhancing each shade’s effectivity and energy output. This mannequin has an effectivity price of 20.8%, which is spectacular for its class. Its design is glossy and trendy, including a slender 1.4″ thickness and an all-black aesthetic for a seamless look. Suntech Energy supplies a 12-year product guarantee and assures that the panel will preserve 84.8% of its unique efficiency even after 25 years of use.

Suntech 555 W Extremely V — Ideally suited for Giant-Scale Techniques

The Suntech 555 W Extremely V is a monofacial panel designed primarily for industrial and industrial setups. This mannequin stands out with its excessive output capability, providing as much as 555 watts and a formidable 21.5% effectivity. It excels in low-light circumstances, sustaining higher manufacturing on overcast days, and options enhanced warmth resistance throughout operation. Even after 25 years, this panel is assured to retain greater than 84.8% of its preliminary energy output. Moreover, Suntech presents a bifacial variant of this mannequin, increasing its software prospects.

Suntech 435 W Extremely V Professional Mini — Ideally suited for Residential Use

The Extremely V Professional Mini is an efficient photo voltaic panel possibility for residence installations. It stands out with its fashionable, all-black design and distinctive effectivity of as much as 22.3%, considerably surpassing the market common. This module is licensed to endure excessive wind circumstances (as much as 3800 Pascal) and heavy snow masses (as much as 6000 Pascal), making certain sturdiness and reliability. Its efficiency in low-light circumstances can also be noted. Suntech backs this panel with a 12-year product guarantee and a 25-year efficiency guarantee, guaranteeing that it’ll preserve 89.4% of its preliminary energy capability even after 25 years.

Suntech 670 W Extremely X Plus — Ideally suited for In-depth Techniques

The Suntech 670 W Extremely X Plus is a bifacial panel, tailored for large-scale initiatives. Its distinctive function is the energetic rear facet, which might increase manufacturing by as much as 25%. This panel is especially environment-friendly in low-light circumstances and is engineered to be carried out reliably in demanding environments, together with deserts, agricultural settings, and coastal areas. The panel has a 12 yr product guarantee and a formidable 30 yr efficiency guarantee. Suntech additionally supplies a monofacial model of this mannequin, catering to a wide range of set-up wants.