Are Jinko Solar Panels Any Good?

In Summary: Our Jinko Solar Panel Review

Below, we’ve got an in-depth review of Jinko Solar. However, if you’re short on time, simply bookmark this page for later, and read this short summary instead…

Jinko is a quality solar panel brand, founded back in 2006 and is comparable to other leading brands in the space, such as LONGi.

Their best selling range of panels is the Tiger Neo and we’ll focus on that in our review. These come with TOPCon technology for improved efficiency.

On top of this, with the Jinko Tiger Neo range you’ll get a 30-year power warranty. You're covered for a maximum 1% degradation rate in year one, and 0.4% thereafter. 

Expect a basic system (without a storage battery) to cost £6,000 and beyond. And, if you want to add a reasonably sized storage battery, expect costs to spike towards £10,000-£12,000.

Use our tool to spec your system here. That will determine the most suitable solar panel setup for your property and give you fixed prices on-screen.

Review: Jinko Solar Panels 

Jinko Company Overview

JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. is a worldwide market leader when it comes to green energy products. Unlike many startup competitors that have been appearing recently, Jinko has experience on their side, having been founded back in 2006.

Among their best selling products is the Tiger Neo range, which incorporate their N-type TOPCon cells. This range is known for high efficiency and excellent temperature coefficient performance. This is partly thanks to systems utilising their bi-facial panels, offering a higher output system using the same roof space in comparison to conventional panels.

Alongside solar PV modules, they do offer a range of energy storage systems and inverters. 

Jinko is up there with some of the best solar panel brands available in the UK, comparable to the likes of LONGi (review here).

You can get quotes on a solar panel system using high quality brands using our solar panel quotation tool here.

Solar Panel Range & Features

The most popular product in the Jinko Solar panel range is the Tiger Neo, which we’ll review below. You'll be able to get that in outputs anywhere from 445W-650W (per panel). 

This gives a bit of flexibility when building a system; you can maximise roof space and overall system production by utilising panels in a range of different sizes. 

The real question is, what size Jinko solar panels do you need?

Sizing up a solar panel system isn’t simple. To help, we’ve created a solar panel tool here. 

Based on electricity consumption and our free roof scan, our tool can determine how many solar panels you need and the price for your system, with or without a solar storage battery.

TOPCon Technology

TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) is a fairly new technology in the solar panel market. Its focus is on improving efficiency, with some panels efficiency ratings now reaching 26%. Consider the average solar panel is only able to reach an efficiency rating of 20%.

Solar panels using TOPCon have a Tunnel Oxide layer. This is a thin film of insulation set between the silicon and contact material. Combining this with passivated contact, electrons are able to pass through this layer with minimal energy loss. 

The end result is a higher level of electricity produced from solar panels, with the exact same amount of sunlight.

Panel Efficiency

The efficiency of the Tiger Neo solar panels is extremely high. 

An average solar panel brand will produce panels in the 20% efficiency range. However, the Tiger Neo operates at 21.52-24.8% (depending on the exact model you choose).

This is comparable to other leading brands in the space. As a direct comparison, LONGi's Hi Mo 6 operates at 23.2%. You can see our review of the LONGi panels here.

High Temperature Operation

Efficiency figures given by solar manufacturers are based on fixed test conditions. Typically, a solar panel will perform much worse, the higher the temperature is. 

To maximise energy production from your solar panel system, you’ll want panels that have a low temperature coefficient rating. The smaller it is, the less deviation in energy output in comparison to normal operating conditions. 

A typical P-type panel has a temperature coefficient rating of -0.35%/℃. During high temperatures, the Tiger Neo range is likely to generate 2% more electricity than a P-type panel.

Jinko Solar Panel Warranty

Before investing £1000s into a solar panel system, you’ll want to check warranty details. Replacing solar panels is expensive, so you want to be covered for as long as possible. 

But, it’s not just a product warranty that’s important. Leading manufacturers will also provide a performance warranty. This means if their panels drop below the minimum efficiency levels during their warranty, they’ll replace them free of charge. 

Jinko’s warranty is up there with the best in the industry.

For the Tiger Neo range, they offer a 30-year power warranty. Year 1 is covered with a 1% maximum degradation rate. Then, from years 2-30, their maximum degradation rate is 0.4%.

As you can see from 8 Billion Tree’s graphic here, a small difference in degradation rate / power warranty now, makes a huge difference over the course of a solar panel’s power warranty. 

How Long Do Jinko Solar Panels Last?

So, like many of the most efficient solar panel brands listed here, you’d expect these units to last at least 30-years. If they last less than 30-years, either due to complete failure, or a drop below the maximum degradation rate, they’d be replaced free of charge by JinkoSolar.

However, like other leading brands we’ve reviewed, it’s likely you’ll see a lifespan at 30-years plus from Jinko.

The Cost of Installing Jinko Solar Panels

The cost of a solar panel system using Jinko solar panels will depend on: 

• What size and how many panels you use
• The quality and size of the solar storage battery you choose
• Roof access, and overall difficulty of your installation

An average UK property is going to need a 5kW system as a minimum. Comparable brands’ installation costs - such as LONGi - are likely to be in the region of £6,000 without a storage battery.

However, to make the most out of your system, we’d suggest a medium 10kW storage battery. 

By using a 10kW or higher storage battery, you can store excess electricity generated in the day, and use it up at night, rather than paying for energy from the grid.

This battery however, is likely to increase the cost of installation for systems utilising Jinko and LONGi panels to nearly £10,000.

You can read more about solar panel installation here. That guide covers everything from solar panel sizing, to battery storage and of course, how much solar panels cost to install. 

And you can get quotes on the most suitable solar panel system for your property by using our 2-minute clickable tool here. 

Do Jinko Solar Produce Batteries?

Jinko also manufactures high quality battery systems for solar panels. 

Their range of lithium iron phosphate batteries come with a 10-year warranty, which is generally in the region of 6,000 cycles.

Using their solar batteries, you'll be able to switch automatically from the grid to off-grid (using electricity directly from storage), as well as manage / monitor your usage using their app.

For a typical residential solar panel setup, a medium 10kW battery will be the best balance of cost and improved self-sufficiency. Expect a 10kW unit to cost in the region of £4,000 from top solar battery storage brands.

And that’s it for our Jinko solar panel review…

You can get fixed prices on-screen for your solar panel system including a solar battery by using our clickable tool here.