GCL solar panels – ECO-WORTHY
GCL Solar – Company Overview and History
GCL System Integration Technology Co. Ltd (GCL) was established in 2003 and is still a Golden Concord Group affiliate. Electric power, photovoltaics, natural gas, integrated circuit materials, mobile energy, and new electric ecology are the primary businesses of the Golden Concord Group, which is situated in China.
GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Limited, a maker of silicon wafers and ingots – one of the major components of a solar panel – was also founded by the Golden Concord Group. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange listed GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Limited, raising roughly USD$180 million.
Comparison
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ECO-WORTHY
US Product is better for US Consumers
GCL has five solar panel manufacturing plants in China and one in Vietnam, with a total annual production capacity of 12GW. GCL is classified as a medium-sized solar panel manufacturer as a result of this.
Due to the presence of components identified in the testing that were outside the scope of the modules’ certificate, all GCL solar panels were de-listed from the Clean Energy Council’s Approved Product List on December 19, 2018. GCL appears to have swiftly remedied the issue, as they were reinstated on the CEC Approved Products List on January 3, 2019.
While some of GCL’s solar panels have been approved by the Clean Energy Council in Australia, none of the main distributors mention their solar panels as being available. GCL solar panels are not offered as an option among the installation businesses on Solar Choice’s platform as of June 2021. GCL also lacks an Australian office, as well as an Australian version of their website.
Important Indicators
Bloomberg Tier 1 Ranking No. GCL Solar New Energy Co Ltd
Top Performer at PV Evolution Labs
Yes (3 of 6)
No. of offices 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.
Bloomberg Tier 1 does not include GCL Solar panels. The complete list of Bloomberg Tier 1 Solar Panels may be found here.
What 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.
In PV Evolution Labs’ 2021 report, GCL Solar made its first appearance as a high performer. They were one of the few companies to have panels that performed well in three of the six annual tests.
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.
ECO-WORTHY
US Product is better for US Consumers
GCL Solar presently does not have a presence in Australia.
Solar Panels from GCL are now available in Australia.
The Clean Energy Council has authorized 39 GCL solar panels for the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme – Australia’s home solar rebate scheme (listed under the name GCL System Integration Technology Co Ltd).
Solar Panels GCL-Saturn Mono
The GCL-M8/60H is one of GCL’s best-performing solar panels, with 120 half-cut monocrystalline solar cells.
In comparison to polycrystalline solar cells, monocrystalline solar cells have a higher efficiency. When compared to regularly used 158.75mm solar cells, this solar panel uses larger solar cells measuring 166.75mm, which enables for more sunlight to be gathered. This is in line with a tendency among solar panel producers to increase the size of solar cells (and the total dimensions of the solar panel) in order to achieve higher output.
In comparison to what is currently available on the market, the rated module efficiency is 21.1 percent, which we consider to be good. Aside from the huge wafter technology, this module also employs encapsulating materials and technologies that ensure a high PID resistance, resulting in a higher yield over the estimated 25-year lifespan.
- This panel’s wattage ranges from 355W to 390W, depending on the model.
- Polycrystalline Solar Panels from GCL-Jupiter
- The GCL-P6/72H is a polycrystalline solar panel with 72 solar cells.
Although polycrystalline technology is recognized to be cost-effective, it is not as efficient as monocrystalline technology. As a result, the rated module efficiency is 18.6%, which is low in comparison to what is currently available on the market.
This type has a highly transparent self-cleaning glass that increases yield while lowering maintenance costs. Due to its chosen encapsulating materials and methods, this module also has a high PID resistance, ensuring a long-term yield. Both of these characteristics make it an excellent candidate for large-scale ground installation.
- This panel’s wattage ranges from 325W to 360W, depending on the model.
- Solar Panels with Bifacial Dual Glass from GCL-Gemini
- With half-cut solar technology, the GCL-M3/72GD contains 144 half-cut monocrystalline solar cells.
Solar panels with half-cut solar cells are already commonplace in the industry because they boost efficiency while reducing surface area. The rated module efficiency is 20.7 percent, which is comparable to the market average.
ECO-WORTHY
US Product is better for US Consumers
The improved designs of the GCL-Gemini solar panels, which reach a high system voltage of 1500V, mean that more solar panels may be linked in each string, lowering the cost of Balance of System (BOS).
Because it is a bifacial panel that generates power from both sides, it is more suited to a ground-mounted placement where the sun can be reflected to the underside.
This panel’s wattage ranges from 385W to 420W, depending on the model.
GCL’s Warranty Program
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. All GCL Solar panels come with a 10-year standard product guarantee, which is practically the solar panel market’s minimum expectation.
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. GCL provides a 25-year performance warranty with a guaranteed output of 83.1 percent for monofacial modules and 83.0 percent for bifacial modules after 30 years.
While the guarantee’s provisions meet expectations, the procedure of claiming the warranty appears to be a nightmare. Customers must currently notify GCL of the details of their warranty claim via mail or email. Because GCL has no Australian employees, this involves mailing, emailing, or calling their Chinese headquarters in Jiangsu.
The list of modules as well as more information about the warranty can be found here.
Pros and Cons of GCL Solar Panels
Pros
PV Evolution Labs has rated this solar panel as one of the best.
Reasonable quality at a reasonable price
One Stop Warehouse, an Australian PV product wholesaler, has a 51 percent ownership in you.
Cons
There is no office or contact information in Australia.
There is no premium product with a 25-year warranty.
The Bloomberg Tier 1 list does not include you.
ECO-WORTHY
US Product is better for US Consumers
Specifications of GCL Solar Panels Compared (common modules)
- GCL-M8/60H380 GCL-Saturn 380W
- GCL-Jupiter 340W GCL-P6/72H340 GCL-Jupiter 340W GCL-Jupiter 340W GCL-Jupit
- GCL-Gemini 400W GCL-M3/720GD400 GCL-Gemini 400W GCL-Gemini 400W GCL-Gemini 400
- Number of cells 60 cells 72 cells 72 half-cut cells
- Monocrystalline cell type
- Polycrystalline
- Monocrystalline
- 380Wp 340Wp 400Wp Power Output
- 35.42V 38.9V 40.90V Max Power Voltage
- 21.1 percent 18.6 percent 20.7 percent Panel Efficiency
Dimensions
Dimensions: 1766 x 1048 x 35 mm
2030 x 1000 x 6 mm 1956 x 992 x 35 mm
28.2 kg 20.9 kg 21.7 kg 20.9 kg 20.9 kg 20.9 kg 20.9 kg 20.9 kg 20.9 kg 2
ECO-WORTHY
US Product is better for US Consumers
Warranty on the product
ten years ten years ten years ten years ten years ten years
-40°C to +85°C -40°C to +85°C -40°C to +85°C -40°C to +85°C
Made in China
Should I invest in GCL Solar Panels?
GCL solar panels (especially the Saturn and Gemini series) have been rated as a top performer in independent testing by PV Evolution Labs, indicating that they may be of good quality. Unfortunately, their Australian product (if it is now accessible) currently lacks strong customer assistance. They don’t have any Australian employees, an office, or a website, so if something goes wrong, it’ll be a nightmare.
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