Jinko Solar review

Jinko Solar - Solar Panel Reviews

4.9

Based on 348 ratings

Finn's Jinko Solar Panels Review & Verdict

Finn Peacock has been a Chartered Electrical Engineer since 1998, and is ex-CSIRO

Jinko Solar panels are good quality, well-priced panels from one of the largest manufacturers on the planet. Importantly for Australians, Jinko have a strong Australian presence with a well-staffed local office and good Australian support.

Jinko is a big company with solid R&D (research & development) resources. Their latest "Tiger" panels are some of the most efficient available with efficiencies up to 22.53% - anything over 21% is a world class.

When I surveyed Australian installers in 2021, 2022 and 2023, they rated Jinko as the second best budget panels on the market.

But be careful: because Jinko panels are relatively low cost, they can sometimes be offered by retailers who are operating towards the bottom of the market. A good solar power system needs a lot more than a good brand of solar panels. A high quality installation is crucial.

Jinko solar panels, well installed, should offer decades of cheap energy. Jinko panels, badly installed, will not.

Jinko Solar Panels: Pros & Cons

  • Good quality control - Jinko own the entire production process from making the silicon ingots right through to assembling the panels.
  • High efficiency - Jinko technology offers some of the highest efficiencies of any manufacturer, with some models over 22% efficient.
  • Billion dollar company
  • Strong Australian presence
  • Strong brand that the company will want to protect
  • Well-priced
  • Sometimes used by shonky solar retailers
  • Jinko's financial stabillity has been rated as "at-risk" by SinoVoltaics

About Jinko Solar

Jinko Solar is a Chinese company producing "tier 1" panels. The company has a physical Australian office in Sydney, offering local support if you have a problem - and that's a very good thing. But you shouldn't need to use it as generally speaking Jinko solar panels have proven to be a cost effective combination of reliability and price. The company also has dedicated warehouse facilities in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

Company History In Brief

Jinko was founded as a company in 2006. I don't think they actually made anything that year, but I have to presume they were thinking really hard about making stuff. Other highlights from the company's early days were the production of ingots (big solid lumps of silicon) in 2007, slicing ingots into wafers in 2008, using those wafers to make cells and solar panels in 2009, then a stock market listing in 2010.

Since that time, the company has grown at a ferocious rate.

But a black mark in the company's history occurred in 2011, when hundreds of people protesting fish killed by a chemical spill in a nearby river stormed the Jinko factory in Haining City. Company cars were overturned, offices were trashed, and riot police were called in to stop the toxic avengers.

On a related note, an organisation called the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, or SVTC, used to produce an annual report ranking solar panel manufacturers on environmental and social responsibility.

In 2014 Jinko was given a score of 7 out of 100. Then in 2015, the company came 14th out of 40 companies surveyed, with a score of 53 out of 100. This was not a great result, but it was a huge improvement. But in 2018-19, the company was ranked no.1 by SVTC, with a perfect score of 100. SVTC doesn't appear to have published scorecards since that year.

So, Jinko Solar came a long way in a short time - and if they have a factory in your town I am sure they are far less likely to kill all the fish in the local river than they used to. Walking the solar talk, JinkoSolar has also pledged to power its own operations with 100% renewable electricity by 2025.

Manufacturing Locations And Capacity

As at mid-2023, Jinko had a total of 14 production bases in China, the United States, Malaysia and Vietnam..

By Q4, 2022, the company's production capacity of monocrystalline silicon wafers, cells and modules reached 65GW, 55GW and 70GW respectively. The company is shooting for annual production capacity for mono wafer, solar cells and solar modules to hit 75 GW, 75 GW and 90 GW, respectively, by the end of 2023.

By the end of Q1,2023, cumulative shipments of Jinko Solar modules had exceeded 150GW. 

While a few years back (2019) JinkoSolar was ranked the number one manufacturer in terms of panel shipment volume, in 2021 it was at number 4 according to solar PV market intelligence and research firm PV InfoLink, after achieving number 2 in 2020. However, in the first half of 2022, Jinko had climbed back to the top.

Jinko's workforce had remained fairly constant at around 15,000 for several years while its production capacity had doubled. That's the way things go these days thanks to automation and robotics. But it appears to have added a bunch more staff in recent years, with a couple of estimates putting the number of employees at more than 24,000, and one at more than 31,000.

General JinkoSolar Panel Info

Among the Jinko solar panels currently sold in Australia are the Tiger (Neo and Pro) product lines available in various wattages up to 480W and efficiencies ranging up to 22.53%.

The higher the panel efficiency, the less roof space a system will take up. For most installations this is not a problem, but some people have a limited amount of room to install solar panels. Unlike some other manufacturers, the efficiencies Jinko gives for their panels are accurate and they don't cheat by not including the panel's frame in the efficiency calculation. That is appreciated.

Like many manufacturers these days, Jinko is focusing on producing panels with "half-cut cells"; which offer benefits including better partial shade tolerance.

All the panels they currently ship to Australia are salt mist corrosion resistant and suitable for installation in any location. Jinko panels available in Australia generally carry a 25 year product warranty these days.

Warranty Procedure For Orphaned Jinko Customers

If you have purchased Jinko panels from a solar installer who has since gone out of business, the responsibility for warranty claims shifts to JinkoSolar. Their customer service line in Australia is 1300 326 182 - affected customers should contact this line for warranty assistance.

Jinko have advised that customers will be asked to send through photos and serial numbers of affected panels to an email address that they will provide, and they will then arrange for the replacement of the panels. If required, Jinko will be able to recommend installers to carry out the work if a customer is unable to organise one themselves. They will also reimburse customers for labour costs involved with replacing the solar panels - $200 for the first panel, and $15 for each additional module.

Jinko Solar Panels Are A Cost Effective Choice

Jinko Solar panels offer a combination of good reliability and competitive pricing that can make them a very cost effective choice for home solar installations in Australia.

Check out the reviews below from Australians who have these modules on their rooftops, and add your own JinkoSolar panels review if you're an owner of any of their PV products.

Reviewers report paying:
$1,700 - $23,000

For a

Jinko Solar System

Depending on hardware choice and installation difficulty

Jinko Solar has 11 solar panels in our database

Filter by:

Type of solar panel 
Wattage 
Panel Efficiency 
Approx. Cost/Watt 
Model number
Series
Wattage
Panel efficiency (%)
Approx Cost per Watt AUD Retail incl GST
Approx cost per panel AUD Retail incl GST
Panel technology
Country of manufacture
JKM410N-54HL4
Tiger Neo (410-430W)
410 W
21.00%
$0.36
$150
Monocrystalline
China
JKM415N-54HL4
Tiger Neo (410-430W)
415 W
21.25%
$0.36
$150
Monocrystalline
China
JKM420N-54HL4
Tiger Neo (410-430W)
420 W
21.51%
$0.36
$150
Monocrystalline
China
JKM425N-54HL4
Tiger Neo (410-430W)
425 W
21.76%
$0.36
$150
Monocrystalline
China
JKM430N-54HL4
Tiger Neo (410-430W)
430 W
22.02%
$0.36
$150
Monocrystalline
China
JKM460N-60HL4
Tiger Neo (460-480W)
460 W
21.32%
$0.40
$190
Monocrystalline
China
JKM465N-60HL4
Tiger Neo (460-480W)
465 W
21.55%
$0.40
$190
Monocrystalline
China
JKM470N-60HL4
Tiger Neo (460-480W)
470 W
21.78%
$0.40
$190
Monocrystalline
China
JKM475N-60HL4
Tiger Neo (460-480W)
475 W
22.01%
$0.40
$190
Monocrystalline
China
JKM480N-60HL4
Tiger Neo (460-480W)
480 W
22.24%
$0.40
$190
Monocrystalline
China
JKM440N-54HL4-V
Tiger Neo (440W)
440 W
22.53%
$0.36
$160
Monocrystalline
China

 

Jinko Solar Reviews (348)

Show Most Relevant reviews from All time

  • 5 star 320
  • 4 star 24
  • 3 star 3
  • 2 star 0
  • 1 star 1

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The 440w Jinko panels are the most sold in the world. I think they have a good reputation

I didn't go for a battery as it would have been an extra cost maybe 11 to 13K

Inverter Brand

Sungrow

System Cost

$2,000 to $4,000

System Size

6kW

Installed By

Jinko Neo N-type 475W
Excellent power generation and look good too :-)

Inverter Brand

Sungrow

System Cost

$6,000 to $8,000

System Size

9kW

Installed By

The Jinko black panels look fantastic and are fiction well

Inverter Brand

Goodwe

System Cost

$8,000 to $10,000

System Size

10kW

Installed By

An incentive was offered by Sungain Solar for this review. Learn more here.

No real comment- they are standard Jinko panels. We were concerned however about Sungain raising potential shading issues *after* installation- surely this should have been considered at the time.

Inverter Brand

Fronius

System Cost

$12,500 to $15,000

System Size

13kW

Installed By

Panels are rated at 10.3KW and they are producing up to 13KW in bright sunlight according to the SUNGOW inverter APP. Of note is the performance on overcast days with 4-6kw still being produced when there is cloud cover. It will be interesting to see how they perform going in to winter when there is less sunlight.

Inverter Brand

Sungrow

System Cost

More than $20,000

System Size

10kW

Installed By

The performance is quite good so far. Even though it is past the equinox, I often have 5+ kw during the day. A typical output (11/04/2024):
31.7 kWh produced, 13.9 kWh consumed.

Inverter Brand

Sungrow

System Cost

$4,000 to $6,000

System Size

6.6kW

Installed By

Well made top tier jinko panels

Inverter Brand

Sungrow

System Cost

$15,000 to $20,000

System Size

6.6kW

Installed By

Again, so far the panels are doing what they should. They look like panels, they behave like panels and they are working with the inverter to convert sun to power. So much to love about this!

Inverter Brand

Sungrow

System Cost

$2,000 to $4,000

System Size

5kW

Installed By

Efficiency estimaste for half North and Half West oriented panels was 80%.
I had sofar a maximum output of 7.8 kW from 9kW panels, which indicates to 86 %.

Inverter Brand

Goodwe

System Cost

$6,000 to $8,000

System Size

9kW

Installed By

it is only a few days since we installed. But until today the aps shows the performance and performing good and partly cloudy days not really having the full yield. I am confident when we get full sun will show the full performance

Inverter Brand

Sungrow

System Cost

$4,000 to $6,000

System Size

10kW

Installed By

We are able to generate an equal amount of energy from both sides of the roof. Most of the providers we had quote for the job stated this would not be possible.

JetSolar were confident about what was possible and proven to be correct.

Inverter Brand

Enphase

System Cost

$12,500 to $15,000

System Size

10kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

Goodwe

System Cost

$10,000 to $12,500

System Size

13kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

Sungrow

System Cost

$6,000 to $8,000

System Size

10kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

Sungrow

System Cost

$10,000 to $12,500

System Size

13kW

Installed By

They are producing more than I expected. And it’s winter with plenty of rain

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$10,000 to $12,500

System Size

10kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$6,000 to $8,000

System Size

5kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

Goodwe

System Cost

$6,000 to $8,000

System Size

10kW

Installed By

Large and efficient

Inverter Brand

S (Other)

System Cost

$12,500 to $15,000

System Size

8kW

Installed By

Very happy so far

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

More than $20,000

System Size

13kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

Sungrow

System Cost

$10,000 to $12,500

System Size

20kW

Installed By

Again very early - but due to the matt black design they look very modern on the roof when seen in person.

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$12,500 to $15,000

System Size

13kW

Installed By

So far ( a few days ) the output has been great

Inverter Brand

Sungrow

System Cost

$15,000 to $20,000

System Size

10kW

Installed By

No issues so far.

Inverter Brand

Goodwe

System Cost

$10,000 to $12,500

System Size

15kW

Installed By

Not installed at best orientation by sunboost, should have been tilted.

Inverter Brand

Redback

System Cost

$10,000 to $12,500

System Size

6.6kW

Installed By

Panels work good haven’t had a problem

Inverter Brand

Goodwe

System Cost

$4,000 to $6,000

System Size

6.6kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$8,000 to $10,000

System Size

13kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

SolarEdge

System Cost

$6,000 to $8,000

System Size

6kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

Solis

System Cost

$15,000 to $20,000

System Size

6.6kW

Installed By

Excellent job with installation, very neat and tidy.

Inverter Brand

Sungrow

System Cost

$8,000 to $10,000

System Size

13kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

Goodwe

System Cost

$2,000 to $4,000

System Size

6.6kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

Fronius

System Cost

More than $20,000

System Size

9kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

Sungrow

System Cost

$8,000 to $10,000

System Size

8kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

Fronius

System Cost

$12,500 to $15,000

System Size

13kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

Goodwe

System Cost

$8,000 to $10,000

System Size

10kW

Installed By

We bought the all black panels and they look great.

Inverter Brand

Sungrow

System Cost

$8,000 to $10,000

System Size

13kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

Sungrow

System Cost

$8,000 to $10,000

System Size

10kW

Installed By

I've been using the same brand before at my old house and I'm very happy.

Inverter Brand

Goodwe

System Cost

$2,000 to $4,000

System Size

6.6kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

Sungrow

System Cost

$4,000 to $6,000

System Size

13kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

Sungrow

System Cost

More than $20,000

System Size

15kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

Sungrow

System Cost

More than $20,000

System Size

13kW

Installed By

They appear to be working well and monitoring the App is addictive!

Inverter Brand

Sungrow

System Cost

$8,000 to $10,000

System Size

10kW

Installed By

They seem to be doing the job well throughout raining and overcast weather.

Inverter Brand

Sungrow

System Cost

$10,000 to $12,500

System Size

10kW

Installed By

An incentive was offered by Sunrun Solar for this review. Learn more here.

excellent panels

Inverter Brand

Goodwe

System Cost

$0 to $2,000

System Size

5kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

Sungrow

System Cost

$8,000 to $10,000

System Size

13kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

Solis

System Cost

$4,000 to $6,000

System Size

10kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

Sungrow

System Cost

More than $20,000

System Size

10kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

Fronius

System Cost

$10,000 to $12,500

System Size

20kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

Sungrow

System Cost

$6,000 to $8,000

System Size

13kW

Installed By

Output great even on cloudy day. Black edges blend in well

Inverter Brand

Sungrow

System Cost

$4,000 to $6,000

System Size

5kW

Installed By

Inverter Brand

Sungrow

System Cost

$15,000 to $20,000

System Size

10kW

Installed By

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