Shanghai Aiko Solar Energy Co., Ltd – or Aiko to its friends – has launched what it claims is the most powerful residential rooftop solar panel currently available in Australia.
The Aiko Neostar 2P 470 watt solar panel was recently released under a slightly different company name – Zhejiang Aiko Solar Technology Co Ltd; – added to the Clean Energy Council approved list1 of solar panels1; and all systems are working.
“AIKO’s newly CEC approved Neostar 470W module offers a powerful and efficient solution for Australian roofs,” the company says. “This panel provides greater energy output in less space and allows more homeowners with limited roof space to switch to solar energy, eliminating previous barriers.”
Technical data of the Aiko Neostar 2P 470W solar module
- Cells: 108 N-type ABC (all back contacts)
- Dimensions: 1757 x 1134 mm
- Panel weight: 21.5kg
- Maximum power: 470 watts
- Positive power tolerance: 0~+3%
- Module efficiency: 23.6%
- Frame: Black anodized aluminum alloy
- Operating temperature: -40℃ – +85℃
- Temperature coefficient Pmax: -0.26%/°C
- Product guarantee: 25 years
- Performance guarantee: 30 years (88.85% in the 30th year)
While not comparing some of these specs directly, let’s compare some of these specs to another new panel we mentioned just a few days ago – the Australian-made Tindo Walara 425W.
Aside from the obvious performance difference2, the Neostar 2P is about the same size (slightly larger), half a kilogram lighter (but the datasheet indicates ±3% of the weight) and has a better temperature coefficient. The performance guarantee for Neostar 2P is five years longer, meaning that the final degradation in the 30th year is less than Tindo in the 25th year. But whether either company will still exist in 25/30 years is unclear.
The price difference between the two is not clear at this time, but Aiko solar panels are generally at the cheaper end of the spectrum of high quality panels and Tindo is at the more expensive end.
One of the features of the Neostar 2P panels is what Aiko calls “Partial Shading Optimization.” According to SQ fact checker Ronald Brakels:
“Most modules have three bypass diodes. Shading one or two solar cells can cause all solar cells in that string to be bypassed. This can reduce the performance of the panel by a third. But Aiko panels can bypass individual shaded cells. It doesn’t work perfectly and some of the energy is lost as heat, but it can reduce losses compared to traditional panels.”
Here is a short video demonstrating the feature. I suggest muting the speakers, but when it comes to music (and pretty much everything else), I’m a cranky old dude:
A complete data sheet for the Aiko Neostar 2P 470W can be found here. You can compare Aiko modules side by side with other brands in the SolarQuotes solar module comparison table (we will be adding the Neostar 2P soon).
Who the hell is Aiko?
Although Aiko has a Japanese name, it is headquartered in China, where all production takes place. The company was founded in 2009 and focuses on the production of solar cells – and to date Aiko has produced more than 130 gigawatts of them. In 2022, the company expanded the production of solar modules.
The brand launched in Australia in March this year and the company has an office in Melbourne.
The company is a brand new addition to the list of SolarQuotes recommended panel brands. Although these panels are a newcomer to the Australian scene and we only have one customer review on the SQ Aiko solar panel review page so far, we have no hesitation in recommending the brand based on feedback on quality and support from installers we trust. It’s worth taking a look at our Aiko reviews page for more information about the brand and its technology.
With that in mind, get some tips on purchasing solar panels for your home.
Footnotes
- A CEC listing is important – without it a panel will not be eligible for the Australian solar rebate and some government incentives, and approval for grid connection is unlikely. ↩
- It looks like there will be a Tindo 470W Walara at some point ↩
Comments are closed.