Trina solar panels review
Read our review guidelines
The performance, dependability, and value for money offered by Trina solar panels stand out remarkably when compared to rivals like REC and Jinko. Nevertheless, it’s worth mentioning that these panels tend towards the pricier side, prompting us to give them a score of 7.5 out of 10 regarding cost-effectiveness.
The company manufactures quality mono, multi, and bifacial solar panels with up to 600W power output and efficiencies of over 21.0%. This Trina solar panels review will help you find the right solar panel for your needs.
Pros
- Panels use Bifacial and MBB technology
- Reliable warranties
- They offer both monocrystalline and multicrystalline solar panels
- Panels’ dual-glass design reduces degradation, corrosion, and UV aging
Cons
- The panels had quality issues with back sheet degradation, which lowered their efficiency
- Company lacks diversification
How much do Trina Solar Panels cost?
Are you looking for quality solar power with a high power output? Trina Solar provides one of the best solar panels in the Australian market at an affordable price. Here is the average cost of the panels, fully installed. The prices include the following:
- Complete turnkey solar system installation with the Trina solar panels
- Installation by a pre-vetted solar installer from gosolarquotes.com network
- STC solar rebate and GST
Note: The actual prices vary depending on location, the solar installer you choose, and the preferred inverter brand.
Enter your Zip Code to see solar quotes here
How are Trina Solar panels better or worse than their competitors
Cost: 7.5
Quality: 7.5
Warranty: 8
Efficiency: 8
Performance: 7.5
Value for money: 8
Overall Rating: 7.8/10
Trina solar panels are popular in Australia because of their quality, performance, and reliability. The company offers warranties that meet and exceed the industry standard, and their panel’s output and efficiency are much higher than most brands.
The panels, however, have a high degradation rate which may be a turnoff to some customers.
Does Trina Have Any Credits/Awards To Back Them Up?
Trina Solar has several awards and certificates that increase its visibility in the market. These include:
- Environmental Product Declaration Certificate by UL
- Top Performer Award by DNV/GL (4 times)
- Overall High Achievement in Manufacturing Award in RETC PVMI Report 2021
Trina VS. Jinko VS. REC solar panels
| Product name | Trina Vertex Series | REC Alpha Series | Jinko Tiger series |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer Logo |  |  |  |
| Product image |  |  |  |
| Cell Number | 110 - 150 solar cells | 120 half-cut solar cells | 156 half-cut cells |
| Cell Type | Monocrystalline | PERC Heterojunction | Monocrystalline/ N-type |
| Power Output | 480 – 600W | 380W | 450 - 470W |
| Panel Efficiency | 21.2% | 21.7% | 20.65% |
| Company average turnover (USD) | $3.15 billion | $820 million | $3.2 billion |
| Annual Power Degradation | 0.45 – 0.55% | 0.25% | 0.4% |
| Number of busbars | Multi-busbar | 16 | 9 |
| Approximate cost per watt (AUD retail incl GST) | $0.65 | $1.00 | $0.73 |
| Approximate cost per module (AUD retail incl GST) | $200 | $371 | $258 |
| Dimensions | 2,394mm x 1,096mm x 35mm | 1,721mm x 1,016mm x 30mm | 2,205mm × 1,032mm × 40mm |
| Weight | 28.6 – 35.3kg | 19.5kg | 26.5kg |
| Product Warranty | 12 years | 20 years (25 if installed by a REC certified installer) | 15 years |
| Performance Warranty | 25 years | 25 years | 30 years |
| Operational Temperature Range | -40~+85°C | -40°C – 85°C | 45 ± 3°C |
| Made in | China | Norway | China |
| Datasheet supplied? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Does Trina have an Australian office?
Yes. Trina Solar has offices and call centers in more than 21 cities around the world. Its main office in Australia is based in Sidney. The company has also forged partnerships with several universities, which are crucial in its research and development program.
Why an Australian office is important
After purchasing and installing your solar panels, one of the biggest worries for Australian homeowners is whether the company will be in the market long enough to fulfill its warranties.
Having an office in the country makes it easier for the homeowners to contact the support team when they need help and assurance that the company will be in operation for a long time.
Trina Solar Company History
Trina Solar is one of the biggest solar panel manufacturers in the world. Founded in 1997 in Changzhou, China, this company scaled the international markets quickly, and in 2006, it was listed on the New York Stock Exchange. In 2008, it was ISO 14001- certified. In 2020, the company became publicly listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.
As of October 2020, the company had already delivered over 56GW of solar panels globally, making it to the top 5 global solar panel suppliers for the fifth time in a row.
This Chinese company has set 20 world records for its modules’ power output and silicon cell efficiency since 2011. The company also has more than 800 approved patents. This shows Trina is a leading solar energy manufacturer with a good track record.
The company is now part of the Silicon Module super league – a group comprising the six biggest solar panel suppliers in the world PV market.
Besides their Chinese manufacturing capacity, Trina Solar has plants in Vietnam and Thailand.
Are Trina solar panels perfect for rooftop solar?
Yes! Trina solar panels are among the most efficient and cost-effective panels you can have on your roof. The panels are designed to withstand adverse weather conditions, including heavy snow and wind loads, and are resistant to salt erosion.
With some of their latest panel models expected to attain outputs of up to 600W, Trina panels also make it easier for homes with small roofs to enjoy max solar power.
Range of Trina panels reviewed
Trina Solar offers CEC-approved tier 1 solar panels with an impressive efficiency rating. The models we will discuss in this Trina solar panels review include:
- TALLMAX Series
- Trina Honey Series
- DUOMAX Series
- VERTEX Series
TALLMAX Series
Trina’s TALLMAX series solar panels have been long-time market favorites because of their efficiency, reliability, and performance. These solar panels were designed for large utility-scale projects and industries due to their high power density.
Model
- Tallmax 350-385W – TSM-DE14H(II)
- Tallmax 5BB, 385-410W – TSM-DE15H(II)
- Tallmax 9BB, 390-415W – DE15M(II)
Features
- Monocrystalline
- Half-cell/MBB cell technology
- Up to 21% module efficiency
- 0.55% annual degradation rate
- 12-year product warranty
- 25-year power warranty with 80% power output guarantee
- Resistant to ammonia, acid and salt
- Ideal for commercial projects
Cell technology
Trina Solar uses split-cell technology in their production, where they replace all their full cells with half-cut solar cells. The two half-cell pieces are then arranged in a series formation. This helps reduce the power loss due to ribbon resistance to just a ¼ of that in full cells and improves their efficiency by 2%.
This technology also comes with a string cell design that ensures every cell string works independently. The cell design is excellent at reducing the impacts of module shading and overall power loss.
Additionally, the monocrystalline technology used gives your roof a uniform and aesthetically pleasing look.
Efficiency
Trina Solar’s emphasis on cell efficiency ensures that its panels’ output is at least 90% of its initial output after the first 10 years and around 80% after 25 years. After the first year, its degradation rate stands at 0.5% annually.
Warranty/ Guarantee
The solar panels come with an extended 25-year linear power warranty and a 12-year product workmanship warranty.
The TallMax 345-385W – TSM-DE14H(II), however, still has a 10-year product workmanship warranty.
Peak Performance
Depending on the panel you choose, the TallMax 9BB, 390-415W – DE15M(II) solar panel can achieve a 415W output with a 20.4% module efficiency. The TallMax 5BB, 385-410W – TSM-DE15H(II) can achieve up to 410W with a 20.2% efficiency, and the TallMax 345-385W – TSM-DE14H(II) can attain a 385W output with a 19.9% efficiency.
Panels needed for 6.6kW solar system
The high efficiency and power output of Trina Solar panels means that homes don’t need many panels on the roof. For a 6.6kW solar system, you’ll only need between 15-19 solar panels, depending on the model you choose.
Datasheet
Trina Honey Series
The Honey Series is the most popular from Trina Solar, offering a combination of performance, quality, and value for money. The panel is available in both monocrystalline and multi-crystalline cells with 120 half-cut cells, perfect for small rooftops.
The new Honey Black panel has an aesthetically appealing all-black color ideal for visible rooftops, but it comes at an additional cost.
Model
- Homey M
- Honey Black
Features
- Half-cut monocrystalline cells
- MBB/ half-cut PERC cell technology
- Up tp 21% module efficiency
- – 0.34%/℃ temperature coefficient
- 0.55% degradation rate
- 0/+5W positive power tolerance
- – 0.34%/K temperature coefficient of Pmax
Cell technology
The Honey Series uses half-cut cells and MBB (9 busbars) technology to lower internal resistance by shortening the current conduction distance by 50%. The busbars are finer and narrower to reflect more sunlight from the ribbon to the cell, increasing efficiency.
The half-cut cells with a unique circuit design also reduce the cells’ power loss by to ¼. This reduces electrical resistance within the ribbon and improves overall panel efficiency by 0.6%.
Efficiency
The Honey Series guarantees you a 98% initial efficiency and experience a 2% first-year degradation. After 10 years, the efficiency stands at 90% and goes down to 84.8% by the 25th year.
Warranty/ Guarantee
This series comes with a 15-year product workmanship warranty and a 25-year power warranty. This is way better compared to what most solar panel manufacturers offer.
Peak Performance
The maximum power output for the Trina Honey M series is 385W under optimal conditions, with a module efficiency of 21.0%.
Panels needed for 5kW solar system
Due to the panel’s high efficiency, you will need about 12 panels for your 5kW solar system. The solar panel is ultra-thin and lightweight, making it ideal for smaller rooftop systems.
Datasheet
DUOMAX TWIN Series
The DUOMAX Twin Series feature Trina’s Bifacial technology that allows the panels to convert electricity from the light that strikes both sides of the panel modules.
Model
- Bifacial, MBB, 390-410W -DEG15MC.20(ii)
- Bifacial, 380-405W – DEG15HC.20(II)
Features
- Big Cell, 390-415W – DEG15M.20(II)
- Monocrystalline solar cells
- Double-glass/ MBB/ half-cell technologies
- Up to 20.2% module efficiency
- 0.5% annual degradation rate
- 12-year product workmanship warranty
- 30-year power warranty with 83% power output guarantee
Cell technology
This solar panel series combines double glass technology, half-cell technology, Multi busbar technology (MBB), and N-Type Cell technology to produce a more efficient, reliable, and better-performing solar panel.
The dual glass tech increases the electricity generation of the panels by up to 25%, and the MBB technology reduces the conduction distance of the current by nearly 50%. This helps reduce the internal ribbon resistance by almost 15%.
It also increases the energy efficiency of the panels by minimizing microcracks.
Efficiency
After 10 years, you can still expect an output efficiency of 91% or higher, and at least an 83% power output performance of the panels’ initial performance after 30 years.
Warranty/ Guarantee
The DUO MAX Twin series from Trina comes with a very strong 30-year power warranty, besides the 10-year product workmanship warranty. However, the Big Cell, 390-415W – DEG15M.20(II), has an extended 12-year workmanship warranty.
Peak Performance
The Big Cell, 390-415W – DEG15M.20(II), can generate around 415W from a 144-cell module with a 20.2% efficiency.
The Bifacial, MBB, 390-410W -DEG15MC.20(ii) produces about 410W with a 144-cell module and 19.9% efficiency, while the Bifacial, 380-405W – DEG15HC.20(II) generates about 405W with a 72-cell module and a 19.7% module efficiency.
Panels needed for 5kW solar system
Dual MAX solar panels are the ideal panels for structures with limited roof space as they are designed to maximize power output. For a 5kW solar system, you might only need around 12 – 14 of these panels.
Datasheet
VERTEX Prime
Trina’s Vertex solar panels are by far the best in power output, efficiency, and general performance. The series boasts of the 500 – 600 W high-power modules that are projected to be the future for Trina Solar.
Model
- Vertex 550W TSM-DE19 MBB / 535 – 555W
- Vertex 550W TSM-DEG19C.20 MBB / 530 – 550W
- Vertex 600W TSM-DE20 MBB / 585 – 605W
- Vertex 600W TSM-DEG20C.20 MBB / 580 – 600W
- Vertex TSM-DE18M(II) 1/3-cut, MBB, 480-505W
- Vertex TSM-DEG18MC.20(II) Bifacial, 1/3-cut, MBB, 485-505W
Features
- monocrystalline PERC cells
- Up to 21.2% panel efficiency
- Split-cell/MBB/Bifacial/Double-glass technologies
- Compatible with tracking systems and mainstream inverters
- 0.55% annual degradation rate
- 12-year product warranty
- 25-year performance warranty
- Ideal for residential settings
Cell technology
The Vertex Prime solar panels adopt Trina’s game-changing multi-busbar technology alongside the 210mm side wafer, non-destructive cutting, and the high-density interconnected tech to achieve a high 600W output and up to a 21.4% efficiency. This new cell string setup also helps in reducing the BOS (Balance of the system) costs.
The panels also use the double glass ‘bifacial’ technology that maximizes power generation by almost 30%.
The use of 1/3-cut solar cells instead of the half-cut solar has also proven to be critical in reducing power losses and increasing the power generated per watt.
Efficiency
After 10 years, the panels generate around 92% of their initial power output, and after 25 years, the efficiency goes slightly lower to 84 – 85%. The panels have a slow degeneration rate which is great as it ensures your solar panels last longer and pays back faster.
Warranty/ Guarantee
Contrary to Trina’s standard 10-year workmanship warranty, most Vertex solar panels come with a 12-year warranty and 25 – 30 years power warranty.
Peak Performance
The Vertex 550W TSM-DE19 MBB / 535 – 555W has a max output of 555W on a 110-cell module, with a 21.2% module efficiency.
Their Vertex 550W TSM-DEG19C.20 MBB / 530 – 550W has a max output of 550W on a 110-cell module with a 21.0% efficiency. The Vertex 600W TSM-DEG20C.20 MBB / 580 – 600W generates a max of 600W under optimum conditions, with a 120-cell module and a 21.2% module efficiency.
The Vertex TSM-DE18M(II) 1/3-cut, MBB, 480-505W, has a max output of 505W on a 150-cell solar panel and 21.0% module efficiency.
Panels needed for 10kW solar system
For a 10kW solar system, you’ll only need 16 Vertex solar modules to get the most of your system. But due to the high output of each solar module, these panels are suitable for solar farms and large-land solar installations.
Datasheet
Latest leap forwards for Trina solar panels
Trina Solar has been in the solar industry for over two decades offering solar energy solutions to homeowners, businesses, and industries. The company’s solar panel quality is unmatched as they use multiple technologies (split-cell, MBB, double-glass & bifacial) during their manufacturing process. Most Trina solar panels have module efficiencies ranging from 19% – 21% and impressive power outputs of up to 600W.
In February 2019, Trina Solar established an R&D Center Of New Energy IoT. Later in March 2021, they introduced their new 670W Vertex module that achieves an efficiency of up to 21.6%. This module inherits the 210 key technologies and is the most powerful and efficient Trina solar panel.
Why Trina solar panels?
Trina has invested in innovation and technology geared towards improving their panel’s efficiency and quality. This has enabled them to break the world record on solar module power and efficiency nearly 30 times!
Trina also strives to provide the right balance between modern cell technologies and cost-effectiveness, making their prices much cheaper than other brands out there.
Trina panels are among the most popular Tier 1 panels in the markets, as recognized by the Bloomberg New Energy Finance Corporation.
| TSM-NEG19RC.20 | TSM-NEG21C.20 | |
| Cells Number | 132 cells | 132 cells |
| Cell Type | N-type Monocrystalline | N-type Monocrystalline |
| Power Output | 585-610W | 675-700W |
| Solar Panel Efficiency | 22.60% | 22.50% |
| Annual Power Degradation | 0.40% | 0.40% |
| Dimensions | 2382×1134×30 mm | 2384×1303×33 mm |
| Weight | 33.7kg | 38.3 kg |
| Product Warranty | 12 years | 12 years |
| Performance Warranty | 30 years | 30 years |
| Operational Temperature Range | -40~+85º C | -40~+85º C |
| TSM-NEG9RC.27 | TSM-NEG9R.28 | TSM-NE09RC.05 | |
| Cells Number | 144cells | 144cells | 144cells |
| Cell Type | Monocrystalline | Monocrystalline | Topcon Bifacial |
| Power Output | 415-445W | 425-450W | 410-435W |
| Solar Panel Efficiency | 22.30% | 22.50% | 21.80% |
| Annual Power Degradation | 0.40% | 0.40% | 0.40% |
| Dimensions | 1762×1134×30 mm | 1762×1134×30 mm | 1762×1134×30 mm |
| Weight | 21.0kg | 21.0kg | 21.8kg |
| Product Warranty | 15 years | 15 years | 25 years |
| Performance Warranty | 30 years | 30 years | 25 years |
| Operational Temperature Range | -40~+85º C | -40~+85º C | -40~+85º C |
Trina solar panel specification/ datasheet
| TALLMAX | Honey Series | DUOMAX | VERTEX | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cell Number | 144 | 120 | 72 – 144 | 110 – 150 |
| Cell Type | Monocrystalline | Perc Monocrystalline | Monocrystalline | Monocrystalline |
| Power Output | 350 – 415W | 360 - 385W | 380 – 415W | 480 – 600W |
| Panel Efficiency | 19.9 – 20.4% | 19.6 - 21.0% | 19.7 – 20.2% | 21.2% |
| Annual Power Degradation | 0.5% | 0.55% | 0.5% | 0.45 – 0.55% |
| Dimensions | 2015 x 996 x 35 mm and 2000 x 992 x 40mm | 1763 × 1040 × 35 mm | 2031 x 1011 x 33mm | 2394 x 1096 x 35mm |
| Weight | 22 – 23 kg | 20.0kg | 26.8kg | 28.6 – 35.3kg |
| Product Warranty | 10 years | 15 years | 10 years | 12 years |
| Performance Warranty | 25 years | 25 years | 25 - 30 years | 25 years |
| Operational Temperature Range | -40~+85°C | -40~+85°C | -40~+85°C | -40~+85°C |
| Made in | China | China | China | China |
Conclusion
Trina stands out from the crowd of large Chinese manufacturers and continues to soar higher every year. Their panels offer incredible performance, and their warranties assure you of reliability. If you are looking for additional power generation, Trina panels are an excellent choice.Â
