LG Solar Panels Review

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The dedicated crew at LG, an industry giant in electronics for almost three decades, has been reliably delivering superb gadgets for your household and business. Therefore, it’s hardly shocking that their solar panels are leading the pack in the solar power industry.

How much do LG Solar Panels cost?

LG solar panels are a premium product that comes with a premium price tag. Below is the average cost of LG solar panels fully installed. This price varies widely depending on your location, installer, and inverter brand.

System Size(kW)Average cost (fully installed)
6kW$8,185
8kW$9,830
10kW$13,802

How are LG Solar panels better or worse than their competitors

Cost: 7.5

Quality: 10

Warranty: 10

Efficiency: 9.5

Value for money: 8.5

Overall Rating: 9.1/10

LG is one of the most renowned solar panel manufacturers around the globe. The company has won several awards, including:

Moreover, during an independent test by the CSIRO, Choice Magazine ranked LG as having the best solar panels in the Australian market.

LG VS. Jinko Vs. Canadian solar panels

The solar panel you choose depends on your budget and needs. While LG, Jinko, and Canadian solar modules are excellent choices, they have some slight differences that are worth noting.

Product nameLG NeON R seriesJinko Tiger seriesCanadian Hiku Series (mono)
Manufacturer Logo
Product image
Cell Number60 cells156 half-cut cells144/120 dual cells
Cell TypeMonocrystalline/ N-typeMonocrystalline/ N-typeMonocrystalline
Power Output350 - 380W450 - 470W330 – 455W
Panel Efficiency22.0%20.65%20.37%
Company average turnover (USD)$47.91 billion$3.2 billion$2.85 billion
Annual Power Degradation0.3%0.4%0.55%
Number of busbars3099
Approximate cost per watt (AUD retail incl GST)$1.25$0.73$0.53
Approximate cost per module (AUD retail incl GST)$468$258$195
Dimensions1,700mm x 1,016mm x 40 mm2,205mm × 1,032mm × 40mm1,765mm X 1,048mm X 40mm
Weight17.5 kg26.5kg21.1 – 37.5kg
Product Warranty25 years15 years12 years
Performance Warranty25 years30 years25 years
Operational Temperature Range44 ± 3°C45 ± 3°C41 ± 3 °C
Made inSouth KoreaChinaChina, Thailand & Vietnam
Datasheet supplied?YesYesYes

Australian office?

LG Solar has an office in most major cities in the world. In Australia, their main office, which also serves as the key warehouse, is in Eastern Creek, Western Sydney.

They’ve also set up satellite offices in all states, with the exception of Tasmania.

Why an Australian office is important

Having an Australian office helps in improving customer service for LG solar panel homeowners. It makes it easier for customers to contact the company in case of any warranty issues, instead of having to call offices in South Korea for help.

An Australian office also ensures that customers won’t have to rely on their local solar installers, who have proven to be very unreliable.

Are LG solar panels perfect for rooftop solar?

Yes! The high module efficiency of LG panels means that you don’t need many panels on your roof. This makes them the perfect rooftop solar option for homes with small rooftops. The panels are very durable and can withstand heavy snow loads and wind loads of up to 6,000 pascals.

Wind load test results

Range of LG panels reviewed

LG solar panels are approved by CEC (Clean Energy Council) for the home solar rebate program in Australia. The approved models include:

  • LG NeON 2 Black Series
  • LG NeON R Series
  • LG NeON R Prime
  • LG NeON R Ace

LG NeON 2 Black Series

LG NeON 2 Series are award-winning solar panels that outperform the industry’s standards in output, efficiency, and degradation.

jinko panel

Features

  • Monocrystalline/N-type
  • Cello technology
  • 21.4% module efficiency
  • Near zero LID
  • 0.3% annual degradation after the first year
  • 25-year product warranty with a 90.8% power output guarantee
  • 6000 pascals front load and 5400 pascals rear load
LG-NeON2-solar-panel-review

Cell technology

LG NeON 2 solar panels use multi-wire cello technology instead of the conventional 3-busbar model to increase electrical absorption and minimize electrical loss. The panels also use N-type solar cells with almost zero Boron-Oxygen (B-O) pairs to reduce their Light Induced Degradation.

LG-NeON-2-cell-technology

Efficiency

The LG NeON 2 solar panels maintain 95.03% efficiency after 10 years. After 25 years, the panels guarantee a minimum of 90.08% of their initial performance.

Lg neon2 eficiency

Warranty/ Guarantee

LG offers a 25-year product and performance warranty which is much better than what most solar panel manufacturers offer.

Peak Performance

The max output for this panel under ideal conditions is 370W, which gives the panel a module efficiency of 21.4%.

Panels needed for 6.6kW solar system

Because of these panels’ high efficiency, you will only need 18 panels for a 6,600W or 6.6kW solar system. This is perfect for homes with limited roof space.

Datasheet: NeON 2 Series

NeON R Series

LG’s Neon R panels are the most powerful and efficient solar panels from the brand. It boasts of superior performance to most panels in the market.

Neon R series

Features

  • Monocrystalline/N-type
  • Back- contact technology
  • 22.0% module efficiency
  • Near zero LID
  • 0.3% annual degradation after the first year
  • 25-year product warranty with 90.8% power output guarantee
  • 5400 pascals front load and 4000 pascals rear load
LG-neon-R-servies-review

Cell technology

The Neon R series uses Back-Contact Technology for its panels. This cell structure eliminates all the electrodes from the front to the rear of the module, resulting in increased power generation and a better temperature coefficient. It also decreases the chances of module shading.

The technology also features separated electrical currents, which reduce the electricity losses, and strategic wire placements on the rear side that minimize performance losses when any physical components erode.

Neon-R-series-cell-technology

Efficiency

The Neon R Series panels come with an initial efficiency of 97% and maintain at 95.03% after the 10th year. After 25 years, LG guarantees a 90.8% efficiency.

Warranty/ Guarantee

LG guarantees you an extended 25-year product and performance warranty, which also covers the labor and parts costs for the same period.

Peak Performance

Under optimal conditions, this panel has a maximum power output of 380W from a 60-cell module with a 22.0% efficiency.

lg-neon-r-graph

Panels needed for 5kW solar PV system

Thanks to the high performance, your 5kW solar system will only require 13 solar panels to meet your daily energy needs. This makes it ideal for smaller roofs and those that experience shading on occasion.

Datasheet: NeON R Series

NeON R Prime

The NeON R Prime Series comes with the beloved all-black look, with a high power output and a relatively high module efficiency. This series was developed for homeowners that weren’t willing to compromise the aesthetics and still prefer the all-black LG solar panel look, but with the same efficiency and performance.

Neon R prime

Features

  • Monocrystalline/N-type
  • Back-contact technology
  • All-black aesthetic roofs
  • 21.4% module efficiency
  • Near zero LID
  • Good temperature coefficient
  • 0.3% annual degradation after the first year
  • 25-year product warranty with a 90.8% power output guarantee after 25 years.
  • 5400 pascals front load and 4000 pascals rear load
LG-neon-r-prime-black-solar-panels-review

Cell technology

LG Neon R Prime still uses Back-Contact Technology like the R series. The absence of busbars on the panel fronts gives the panels a sleek look, increases their light absorption, and improves their reliability.

The N-type cells used also ensure a near-zero Light Induced Degradation.

LG-NeON-r-Prime-Black-cell-tech

Efficiency

The LG NeON R Prime features a 98.0% efficiency during the first year and 95.30% after the 10th year. By the 25th year, the panel guarantees you 90.8% of its initial performance.

Warranty/ Guarantee

LG solar guarantees a 25-year product and performance warranty on the NeON R Prime panels, including up to $450 in labor and parts costs.

Peak Performance

LG’s NeON R Prime can generate up to 370W under the right conditions with a 60-cell module. The newer models have a high efficiency of 21.4%.

Panels needed for 3kW solar PV system

The LG NeON R Prime is space-efficient, making it ideal for smaller roofs. For a 3kW or 3,000 KW solar system, you’ll only need about 8 NeON R Prime solar panels.

Datasheet: NeON R Prime

NeON R ACe

LG’s NeON R ACe is another high-power AC module in the NeON R series, designed to strike a balance between high output, flexibility, aesthetics, and fast installation.

NeON R ACe

Features

  • Monocrystalline/N-type
  • Back Contact technology
  • Integrated microinverters on solar panels
  • Easy remote monitoring system
  • 25-year product warranty with 90.8% power output guarantee
  • High output and better aesthetics on the roof
  • 5400 pascals front load and 4000 pascals rear load
LG-NeOn-R-ACe-solar-penl-review

Cell technology

LG NeON R ACe also uses the Back-Contact Technology that eliminates the front electrodes. This increases the panel’s light absorption and gives it a sleek modern look.

What makes this panel stand out is the presence of small integrated microinverters, which now replace the junction box.

Micro-inverter

The main difference with the ACe series is the use of micro-inverters connected to the back of each panel. The micro-inverters convert DC to AC directly below your panels, reducing the number of extra cables and installation parts required. This also eliminates the need for a central inverter.

This panel is perfect for roofs with partial shading issues.

LG-NeON-R-ACe-micro-inverter

Efficiency

The NeON R ACe series guarantees 95.3% of its initial power output after 10 years and 90.8% of the labeled output after the 25th year.

Warranty/ Guarantee

LG provides a 25-year performance and product warranty, inclusive of up to $450 in labor and parts costs in case the panels or inverters need repair or replacement.

Peak Performance

The NeON R ACe comes with an efficiency rating of 21.7% with a 380W 60-module cell. This panel allows individual monitoring of each solar panel through LG’s EnerVU software for optimal power output every day.

The software relies on the microinverter under each panel, allowing you to monitor each panel’s output through your phone or computer, identify potential cell shading, and manage system troubleshooting.

Panels needed for 10kW solar system

For a home running a 10kW solar system, you’ll only need 26 NeON R ACe solar panels. Their high output and efficiency allow you to gain more power using less space than the conventional panels.

Datasheet: NeON R ACe

Latest leap forwards for LG solar panels

LG Solar panels’ efficiency has been improving over the years. Back in 2012, the company’s most efficient panel had a module efficiency of 17.8%. Today, a standard LG panel has a module efficiency of about 18.6%.

In 2013, the company created a new high-performing N-type NeON solar panel that was also cost-efficient and space-efficient. In 2017, LG designed the NeON R panel, the most efficient and powerful of the brand, which boasts a high module efficiency of 22.0%.

LG NeON H is the latest solar panel from LG. This panel has a high power output and features the innovative N-type half-cut solar cells of the company.

Why LG solar panels?

LG solar panels boast one of the best module efficiencies in the solar market at 20.8%, just a little shy of the leading SunPower panels. This means it can generate much more energy per square foot, compared to most brands out there.

Their 25-year warranty is great for consumers, compared to the 10 offered by most Tier 1 solar panel manufacturers. This makes it a popular PV solar choice in the Australian market.

The parent company, LG Corporation, has been in the solar industry for many years. This works as great security, giving you confidence that they’ll be in business long enough to honor their warranty.

Cell technology

LG solar panels use their award-winning Cello Technology (Cell connection with Electrically Low loss, Low stress, and Optical absorption enhancement) to create some of the best solar modules in the market.

The technology features 12 thin circular wires that increase the panel’s light absorption rate and reduce any power-generation losses.

It also embraces the N-type cells instead of the usual Boron-Oxygen pair to eliminate any Light Induced Degradation (LID).

Lastly, the technology has introduced a double-sided cell structure enabling the panels to generate electricity from both the front and back sides.

Why LG solar panels

LG solar panel specification/ datasheet

NeON 2NeON RNeON R2NeON R ACe
Cell Number60 – 72 cells60 cells60 cells60 cells
Cell TypeMonocrystalline/ N-typeMonocrystalline/ N-typeMonocrystalline/ N-typeMonocrystalline/ N-type
Power Output360 - 370W350 - 380W360 - 370W370 - 380W
Panel Efficiency21.4%22.0%21.4%21.7%
Annual Power Degradation0.3%0.3%0.3%0.3%
Dimensions1,700mm x 1,016mm x 40 mm1,700mm x 1,016mm x 40 mm1,700mm x 1,016mm x 40 mm1,700mm x 1,016mm x 40 mm
Weight18.0 kg17.5 kg17.5 kg19.0kg
Product 25 years25 years25 years25 years
Performance Warranty25 year25 year25 year25 year
Operational Temperature Range44 ± 3°C44 ± 3°C44 ± 3°C44 ± 3°C

FAQ's

Yes. LG solar panels are widely regarded as Tier 1 panels, with recent recognition by Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

LG Corporation. LG Solar is a subsidiary of this massive South Korean corporation that has been in business for over a decade and has employed more than 200,000 people.

The LG solar panel manufacturing is in Gumi, South Korea, in the corporation’s modern and automated factory.

25-30 years with proper care and maintenance. Nonetheless, the panel’s efficiency decreases over time.

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