SolarEdge - Solar Panel Reviews

About SolarEdge

Best known for its DC optimised inverter solutions, SolarEdge also offers solar panels with an integrated SolarEdge power optimizer.

SolarEdge Australian Office

Address: Level 13/ 222 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, 3000
Phone:  1800 465 567
Australian website

Company Info

Established in 2006, Israel-headquartered SolarEdge started out manufacturing DC optimised inverter solutions in 2010. 

SolarEdge was the first company to produce optimizers, which are small boxes of electronics installed on the back of a solar panel, or the racking underneath. An optimizer helps to maximise energy harvesting, enhances system safety and design flexibility, and allows for panel level monitoring. However, unlike a microinverter setup, an optimiser- based system also requires a string inverter.

These days, SolarEdge offers an ecosystem of devices - inverters, optimizers, a battery, a home EV charger - and solar panels. This can be a double-edged sword, locking you into the company's products.

SolarEdge Smart Solar Panel 

In 2019, SolarEdge launched its “Smart” solar panel product that has an integrated SolarEdge power optimizer on the back. One of the advantages of having the optimizer integrated is that it results in a significant reduction in system installation time (the company says up to 2 hours).

The SolarEdge Smart Module, based on monocrystalline PERC half-cut cells, has continued to evolve since and at the time of updating this page (October 2024) is available in capacities from 355W to 440W.

Looking at the 415W panel as an example, it has a module conversion efficiency of 21.25%, weighs 21.4kg and measures 1722 x 1134 x 30mm. It has a temperature coefficient of -0.34%, which is around average for decent quality panels available today.

From a safety perspective, SolarEdge Smart Panels offer SafeDC, Automatic Rapid Shutdown, temperature control, and alerts. SafeDC minimizes risk of electrocution from high DC voltage by reducing it to touch-safe levels when the inverter is shut down. 

In terms of managing heat, a rooftop isn't the friendliest place for electronics, but SolarEdge says its panels are designed to withstand temperatures of up to 85?C degrees

Note: In order to use SolarEdge Smart Modules, you also need to have a SolarEdge inverter.

SolarEdge doesn't manufacture its solar panels - that's left to one of its partners. Who that is isn't clear, but the manufacturing location is noted as China.

You can find further information on SolarEdge Smart Modules on SQ's solar panel comparison page.

Warranty Info 

Originally the SolarEdge Smart Module only had a 12-year product warranty in Australia, but these days it's 25 years - that covers the panel and the optimizer. There's also a 25 linear power warranty, with 84.8% power output warranted at year 25.

Conclusion

With SolarEdge no doubt keeping a very close eye on quality and backing the modules with a generous product warranty, their Smart Panels should be a safe bet for Australian rooftops.

If you have these Smart Panels installed at your place, please leave a review.