Opal solar panels review
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Opal Solar panels, produced by China’s leading brand Astronergy, are among the top-tier 1 panels in the industry. Astronergy, with a history that goes back 15 years, is recognized as one of China’s most reliable series of PV products. In collaboration with its parent company, the Chint Group, Astronergy is renowned for creating superior solar modules and complete BOS components, such as inverters, DC protection, and transformers.
Opal solar panels are highly popular in Australia and boast a high energy efficiency of 19.55%. They are premium Tier 1 solar panels and are among the leading modules in the market.
They have a 10-year product warranty and a 25-year performance warranty that ensures you get the most out of the panels. Besides, these panels are supplied by Solar Juice, a leading PV products supplier in Australia. This means that you can get all the help you need without having to call the manufacturers in China.
Opal solar panels are a top-of-the-line brand manufactured by Astronergy. The manufacturing facilities are ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified, which assures you of top-quality panels.
Chint Group, the parent company of Astronergy, has been in the market since 1984 and is a leading global producer of smart energy solutions. This assures you that your investment is safe and that the company will be around to honor its warranty.
In addition, opal solar panels are ideal for rooftop installation as well as ground mounting. Their high module efficiency makes them suitable for all types of roofs, including small ones. More so, the panels are highly durable and can last for 25 to 30 years with proper maintenance.
Cell technology
Opal solar panels utilize inverse opal cell technology that increases their efficiency while reducing solar energy costs. This technology uses 3-D photonic crystals that absorb more light than the traditional thin-film solar cells.
The 3-D crystals have an “inverse opal” structure that uses and enhances gemstone properties to reflect and bend and diffract sunlight.
Typically, sunlight that hits thin-film silicon solar cells bounces back into the atmosphere. This means that much of the sun’s energy is lost instead of being absorbed. With the inverse opal technology, the light that comes in becomes diffracted and propagates within the solar panel film in a parallel path.
This new approach increases the panels’ efficiency, making opal solar panels more efficient than most silicon solar panels.
Range of Opal panels
| Image | Model | Features | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| OSO | monocrystalline perc modules 19.55% module efficiency 12-year product warranty 25-year product warranty designed for IEC DC 1500v applications uses inverse opal cell technology-positive power tolerance(0~+5W) 44 degrees Celsius operating temperature 0.3% annual degradation silver and black anodized Aluminum alloy frame water resistant and dustproof seamless design | ||
| QSA | monocrystalline perc module 18.4 module efficiency Positive power tolerance(0~+5W) designed for IEC DC 1000V applications ideal for rooftop or ground mounting 10 year product warranty aluminium and silver anodized frame 5400pa mechanical loading 0.3% annual degradation 10-year product warranty 25-year manufacturer warranty seamless design water and dust resistant |
OSO Series
The Opal OSO Series is among the top tier 1 solar panels that offer optimal efficiency with a low degradation rate. These panels meet and exceed the industry standards and provide sufficient energy for over two decades.
Size: 1650mm x 992mm x 40/35mm or 1665mm x 1002mm x 40/35mm
Cell type: Monocrystalline
Cell number: 60 cells
Output: 300W – 315W
Weight: 18.5/17.5kg or 20.1/19kg
Cell technology
The OSO Series utilizes inverse opal cell technology that enhances light-trapping capabilities. This increases the efficiency of the panels and brings about a lower solar energy cost. This technology aims at harvesting near-infrared light to increase the output of the panels.
Efficiency
The efficiency of the OSO Series is exceptionally high. These panels maintain an efficiency of about 95% after 10 years and 85% after 20 years. This means the panels will still have an efficiency of over 80% after 25 or 30 years.
Since these solar panels have a low degradation rate of about 0.3%, you can get a good return on investment after 25 years, around the time their performance warranty expires.
With an efficiency of over 80%, the panels can still serve you for a few more years before you replace them. If you properly maintain your panels, they can serve you for three decades or more.
Warranty/ Guarantee
Opal OSO Series solar panels come with a 12-year product warranty and a 25-year performance warranty. A company that provides back-to-back warranties for their products gives you peace of mind and assures you that your investment is safe.
These panels are supplied by Solar Juice, Australia, which makes it easy to follow up on your warranty in case of issues. Also, you can get fast and reliable after-sales services because you will not need to call China offices.
Peak Performance
During the best weather conditions, the OSO Opal Series can have a peak performance of 320W. This gives it a high module efficiency of 19.55%. It is essential to know the best orientation angle of the panels to make sure they get the most sunlight.
In Australia, most homes have a 20 to 30 degrees roof pitch to optimize solar energy generation. Panels installed at an angle of about 10 to 35 degrees also absorb sunlight with undetectable efficiency loss.
Besides the angle, most solar panels in Australia face north to get the best energy output. This is because Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere, which means the sun is usually directed from the North.
Panels needed for 6.6kW solar system
These panels have a high module efficiency, which means 20 panels will be enough for a 6.6kW or 6,600W solar system. If your home has limited roof space, this system will be an ideal pick because the panels are slim and space-efficient. Your installer will measure your roof space and determine whether it is enough to support the system you want.
Datasheet: OSO Series
QSA Series
Opal QSA Series solar panels are another high-quality option for solar energy for Australian homes. The QSA Series is available in QSA-60M monocrystalline perc modules and QSA-60P multi-crystalline silicon modules. Both modules are highly efficient with a positive power tolerance.
The following outline is for the QSA-60M Series.
Size: 1648mm x 990mm x35mm
Cell type: Monocrystalline
Cell number: 60 cells
Output: 285W – 300W
Weight: 18.3kg
Cell technology
Just like the OSO Series, Opal QSA Series utilize inverse opal cell technology. This means the panels’ efficiency is increased compared to the conventional solar cells. The inverse opal technology uses synthetic 3-D photonic crystals to improve sunlight absorption.
These crystals have enhanced absorption power that limits energy loss. Thus, light becomes reflected, diffracted, and bent for maximum absorption by the cells, rather than bouncing back to the atmosphere.
Getting high performance at a low cost is the dream of every homeowner and solar energy provider. With the inverse opal technology, the light-trapping capabilities in silicon thin-film cells will be substantially increased.
Efficiency
QSA Series has a low annual degradation rate of 0.3% per annum. During the first years, the panels’ efficiency may show a degradation rate of about 2% to 3%. This rate goes down during subsequent years.
The panel may have an efficiency of about 96% for the first 10 years. By the end of 20 years, the panels will exhibit an efficiency of about 83% to 85%.
This is a good sign because the panels will still be effective even after they reach their lifespan. The system can still have an efficiency of 80% by the time it reaches 25 or 30 years. So, you can use your panels for up to 4 decades, at which time their efficiency will have gone below 80%. At this point, the efficiency of the panels will decrease significantly, so you will be required to replace them.
Warranty/ Guarantee
Opal QSA Series have a product warranty of 10 years and a performance warranty of 25 years. The warranty will cover the cost of the solar parts and labor during the entire period.
Although these panels are manufactured by Astronergy, they are supplied by an Australian company called Solar Juice. This company assumes all warranties, giving consumers an easy time if issues arise.
In case your solar installer goes out of business before the warranty period elapses, the warranty shifts to Solar Juice. Investing in Opal solar panels is, therefore, safe because the manufacturer and supplier stand behind their products.
Peak Performance
These panels have a peak performance of 300W during the best weather conditions. Their 60-cell module has an 18.4% efficiency, which makes the panels highly effective. Solar systems should be installed at the best angle for optimal sunlight absorption.
During the installation, the contractors will examine your roof and determine what angle will provide peak performance. The energy output of the system however depends on its size. For instance, a 10kW system offers a high power output than a 5kW solar system.
Datasheet: QSA Series
Australian office?
Opal Solar’s head office is in Smithfield-Wetherill Park Industrial Estate, Sidney, Australia. This is currently the largest industrial estate in the southern hemisphere. It is also the heart of the manufacturing and distribution of products in Greater Western Sydney.
Why an Australian office is important
Having an Australian office is essential to improve customer service to all Opal solar panel consumers across the country. Customers may face issues with warranties or the efficiency of the panels. Instead of calling China offices for help, customers can contact local offices in Australia for more personalized services.
Besides, customers will no longer have to rely on local installers that tend to be unreliable and unprofessional when issues arise.
Solar Juice, an Australian Company, supplies Opal Solar panels which are manufactured by Astronergy, China. Since Solar Juice is the official importer of the panels, it becomes responsible for the warranties of the panels. This means you can get all the services you want and have your issues sorted right in Australia.
Opal solar panel specification/ datasheet
| OSO | QSA | |
|---|---|---|
| Cell Number | 60 cells(6 x 10) | 60 cells(6 x 10) |
| Cell Type | Monocrystalline perc module | Monocrystalline perc module |
| Power Output | 300W - 315W | 285W – 300W |
| Nominal Power Voltage | 33V | 30V |
| Power Density | 1.5 J/m3 | 1.5 J/m3 |
| Panel Efficiency | 19.55% | 18.40% |
| Annual Power Degradation | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| Dimensions | 1650mm x 992mm x 40/35mm or 1665mm x 1002mm x 40/35mm | 1648mm x 990mm x35mm |
| Weight | 18.5/17.5kg or 20.1/19kg | 18.3kg |
| Product Warranty | 12 year | 10 year |
| Performance Warranty | 25 year | 25 year |
| Operational Temperature Range | 44±2 °C | 46±2 °C |
| Made in | China | China |
FAQs
Are Opal solar panels Tier 1?
Yes, Opal solar panels are premium Tier 1 products because they are manufactured and supplied by big brands with incredible reputations in the industry. Opal solar panels have local support and independent quality control. They also have independent technical support and factory acceptance testing in Australia. These panels are produced by facilities that are ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 certified.
Who makes Opal solar panels?
Opal solar panels are manufactured by Astronergy, a Chinese-owned company, and supplied by an Australian company called Solar Juice. These panels have a 10-year product warranty and a 25-year performance warranty. Solar juice is, however, responsible for the warranty of the panels.
While most solar panels come with a warranty, some companies may go out of business before the end of the warranty period. For this reason, you must gauge the company’s reliability based on how many years it has been in the market.
Where are Opal solar panels manufactured?
Opal solar panels are manufactured in Hangzhou, China, by Astronergy. This company provides top-quality solar modules and complete BOS components in collaboration with the Chint Group, its parent company.
How long do Opal solar panels last?
The life expectancy of Opal solar panels is 25 to 30 years. With proper care and maintenance, the solar system can exceed the industry standards and serve you for a longer time. The efficiency of the panels decreases with time, but they can still produce electricity. However, if the panels’ productivity drops below 60%, you should start considering replacing them.
