Akcome Solar Panels – Westinghouse Solar Panels
Akcome Solar Overview – Company History
Jiangsu Akcome Science and Technology Co., Ltd (Akcome) was created in 2006 in China and now employs over 6,000 individuals in over 30 countries. The company makes polysilicon and mono silicon solar panels, as well as the mounting systems that are used to install panels on roofs. In China, Akcome has two manufacturing facilities.
Since 2010, the company has been listed on the Chinese Stock Exchange (SZ 002610). Akcome announced a total sales of 3 billion Chinese Yen and a net profit of 600 million for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2020, following a loss of nearly 1 billion the previous year (Yahoo Finance).
Comparison
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Akcome Power Pty Ltd is the company’s Australian affiliate, which was founded in Queensland in 2014 and has its headquarters in Upper Mount Gravatt. They first entered the Australian market as an installer, bidding on a variety of local government projects. They are currently attempting to offer solar panel modules to the market.
Important Indicators
Yes, Akcome Solar has a Bloomberg Tier 1 ranking.
PV Evolution Labs is a top performer with no office in Australia.
What is the difference between a Bloomberg Tier 1 Solar Panel and a Bloomberg Tier 2 Solar Panel?
Bloomberg’s infamous tier 1 designation is in no way indicative of the quality of solar panels. It’s just an assessment of the manufacturer’s bankability based on publicly available financial data. If the company is a significant, well-known manufacturer, this should offer you an indication.
On its website, Akcome claims that its solar panels are tier 1, but Solar Choice was unable to verify this information.
The complete list of Bloomberg Tier 1 Solar Panels may be found here.
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Who is the top performer at PV Evolution Labs?
PV Evolution Labs independently tests solar panel dependability with the help of DNV GL. The tests are completely voluntary, with solar panel producers paying to take part. This testing procedure is well-known around the world, and it accurately reflects the solar panel’s performance.
Why is it important to have an office in Australia?
Most solar panel manufacturers who enter the Australian market focus on setting up distribution channels first, then on customer service. As a result, many disgruntled consumers are attempting to contact Chinese headquarters in order to claim their 10-year product warranty.
Relying on your solar installer isn’t always a good idea, as many residential solar installers (including the big ones) have gone out of business before the systems they install have even been installed.
Akcome Solar currently maintains an office in Upper Mount Gravatt, Queensland.
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Solar Panels from Akcome are now available in Australia.
The Clean Energy Council has certified 77 Akcome solar panels for the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme – Australia’s home solar rebate scheme (listed under the name Suzhou Akcome Optronics Science & Technology Co Ltd).
Typical Solar Panels
265 to 275kW Akcome solar panel SK6610P
The Akcome ‘Standard’ series uses older technology in its panels, with the best mono silicon panel in the series achieving maximum efficiency of 17.8%. There are mono silicon and polysilicon versions in the series, as well as 60 cell and 72 cell options that are suited for both residential and commercial applications.
The panels are resistant to salt mist, making them ideal for coastal properties. The panels come with a basic performance guarantee of 25 years and a product warranty of 10 years.
SK6610M 280 to 290W SK6610P 265 to 275W SK6612M 335 to 345W SK6612P 320 to 330W SK6612M 335 to 345W SK6612P 320 to 330W
Solar Panels with High Efficiency
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355 to 365kWS Akcome solar panel SK6612M
The high-efficiency series, like the standing series, is available in polysilicon and mono silicon configurations, as well as 60 and 72 cell configurations. These solar panels have efficiency levels ranging from 16.9% to 18.8%. The term “high-efficiency” refers to their own panels, as many of the more cost-effective manufacturers are currently achieving 19-20% efficiency.
The panels have a performance warranty of 25 years and a product warranty of 10 years, which are quite comparable to the regular series.
SK6610M 295 to 305W SK6610P 275 to 285W SK6612M 355 to 365W SK6612P 335 to 345W SK6612M 355 to 365W SK6612P 335 to 345W
Solar Panels with Double Glass
Double-glazed Akcome solar panels 335 to 345kW SK6612MDG The double glass series from Akcome is a more robust panel with a glass back sheet rather than a thin polymer substance. This improves the solar panel’s durability by making it more resistant to intrusion and corrosion.
The panels still have a relatively low maximum efficiency of 16 percent to 18 percent. Akcome has expanded the performance warranty on these panels to 30 years, with a somewhat slower guaranteed deterioration rate, due to the improved endurance of the product. However, the panel’s product warranty remains at ten years.
SK6610MDG 275 to 285W SK6610PDG 265 to 275W SK6612MDG 335 to 345W SK6612PDG 315 to 325W SK6612MDG 335 to 345W SK6612PDG 315 to 325W
Series of Kookaburras (HC-Chaser)
hc-chaser Akcome solar panel (kookaburra series)
In order to better engage with the Australian market, Akcome has named its new HC-Chaser series after one of the country’s renowned birds.
This series is a major advance over their previous solar panel series, with their 375W solar panel having a maximum efficiency of 20.27 percent. Half-cut mono silicon PERC solar cells are shown in this series, and they represent one of the most advanced methods for enhancing solar panel efficiency.
Solar designers have more flexibility when putting up an array on a roofspace thanks to the inclusion of 9 busbars and a high voltage (1500V) design. This is the only Akcome product line that can compete with the other options on the Australian market.
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355 to 375W SK8610MC
SK8611MC 390 to 410W, SK8612MC 430 to 450W, SK8613MC 390 to 450W
The Warranties Offered by Akcome
A product and performance guarantee is included with solar panels. The product warranty, which is normally 10 years for most solar panel manufacturers, is designed to cover manufacturing flaws in the panel that result in damage or malfunction. The regular product guarantee for Akcome is ten years, as stated on all product datasheets. However, starting on October 1, 2020, 19 of their solar panel alternatives purchased in Australia will be protected by a 15-year product warranty. This helps to make their solar panel offering more competitive.
After 25 years, the performance warranty ensures a set level of output for the life of the panel, usually 80-82 percent of the nameplate output. For all ranges (except double glass), Akcome Solar provides a 25-year performance warranty, with a guaranteed output of 80.7 percent (for polycrystalline modules) and 80.68 percent (for monocrystalline modules) after 25 years, putting them close to the market’s minimal expectation.
We expect Akcome Solar, which has an Australian office, to be one of the simpler forms to claim a warranty, even if your installation is no longer in business. You can reach them through their official website, by phone at 1300 553 188, or by email at info@akcome.com.au. Please click here to learn more about the warranty claim.
Pros and Cons of Akcome Solar Panels
Bloomberg Tier 1 solar panel, according to Bloomberg (Solar Choice not verified).
Have a Brisbane office in Australia.
Since 2010, it has been publicly traded on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.
Cons
- PV Evolution Labs does not list this solar panel as a top performer.
- In 2019, the company lost over 1 billion Chinese Yen in earnings.
- In comparison to the greater Chinese manufactured competition, Australia has a smaller portfolio of completed projects.
- Specifications of Akcome Solar Panels are compared (common modules)
- SK6612M Akcome High-Efficiency 355W
- SK6612M Akcome Mono 5BB 340W
- SK6612MDG Akcome Double Glass 340W
- 72 Cells 72 Cells 72 Cells 72 Cells 72 Cells 72 Cells 72 Cells 72 Cells 72 Cells 72 Cell
Type of Cell
- Monocrystalline
- Max Power Voltage 38.5V 35.12V 38V Power Output 355W 340W 340W
- 18.3 percent panel efficiency
- 17.4 percent 17.5 percent 17.5 percent 17.5 percent 17.5 percent 17.5 percent 1
Dimensions
- 1957*992*45 mm 1957*992*40 mm 1968*992*25 mm 1957*992*40 mm
- 15 years 15 years 15 years 15 years 15 years 15 years 15 years 15 years 15 years 15 years 15 years 15 years 15 years 15 years 15 years 15 years 15 years 15 years 15 years 15 years 15 years 15
- -40°C to +85°C -40°C to +85°C -40°C to +85°C -40°C to +85°C
- China China China Made in China
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Should I invest in Akcome Solar Panels?
Only the Akcome Kookaburra / HC-Chaser series solar panels are competitive with the options available on the Australian market, in our opinion. If you’ve been given a quote for Akcome solar panels, we recommend getting a copy of the product data-sheet and double-checking that it matches one of the module numbers indicated above, or getting in touch with us to double-check.
Despite a huge loss-making year in 2019, the corporation appears to be very steady. The company’s Australian arm is quite tiny, as it is transitioning from being a system installer to a product maker and distributor to other installation businesses. The good news is that they have prior experience in Australia and have set up an office to manage any warranty issues.
As of this writing, none of Solar Choice’s 200+ pre-vetted solar installers are currently offering these panels, so we may see more from Akcome in the future.
Tewantin Noosa RSL, QLD – 130kW – is an example of an Akcome Commercial Solar Project.
In 2016, the Tewantin-Noosa RSL used Akcome solar panels to install a 130kW solar PV system. At the time of installation, the system was intended to pay for itself in five years.
“We are located in the heart of the Noosa Biosphere, so it makes sense for us to be environmentally sustainable,” said club CEO Phil Stephenson.
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