JinkoSolar panels: The complete review

JinkoSolar is one of the world's largest manufacturers of solar panels and develops solar projects across the globe. The company was founded in 2006 and primarily manufactures its solar panels in China and Malaysia. However, JinkoSolar recently opened a solar panel manufacturing facility in Jacksonville, Florida, where they manufacture the aptly named "Eagle" series of American-made solar panels.

JinkoSolar panels–and the Eagle series in particular–are increasingly popular in quotes to solar shoppers comparing their options on the EnergySage Marketplace.

Internationally, JinkoSolar Energy offers several different animal-named series of solar panels: the Swan Bifacial panels, Tiger high-powered panels, and their workhorse Cheetah panel. In the US, JinkoSolar Energy's product line is dominated by the Eagle series of modules:

• Eagle G2

• Eagle G3

• Eagle G4

EnergySage has reviewed the product specifications of each JinkoSolar Energy panel series to make your solar research process easier. As the leading online marketplace for homeowners considering solar, EnergySage is uniquely positioned to evaluate the technical specifications of JinkoSolar solar panels and help you compare them to other manufacturers on the market.

There are four key metrics that you should review as you evaluate solar panel quality: efficiency, performance, warranties, and price. EnergySage has developed JinkoSolar solar panel reviews for each metric to help make your solar decision easier. We've also created a comparison of JinkoSolar panels against other leading panel manufacturers frequently featured in offers to homeowners and businesses shopping for solar on the EnergySage Marketplace.

Efficiency

"Solar panel efficiency" refers to how well a solar panel captures sunlight and converts it into useful electricity. In the same conditions, a high-efficiency solar panel will produce more electricity than a lower-efficiency panel of the same size. For this reason, a higher efficiency rating is generally preferable.

The efficiency of your JinkoSolar panels will vary depending on the specific model you choose for your system. JinkoSolar's panels have efficiency ratings of 18.67% to 21.33%.

Performance (Temperature Coefficient)

We use the temperature coefficient to evaluate solar panel performance. The temperature coefficient indicates how well your solar panel can handle less-than-ideal conditions. Solar panels, like other electronic equipment, perform better when kept cool (ideally around 25° C/77° F). The temperature coefficient tells you how much your panel's performance will change during hot sunny summer days.

For every degree above 25° C (77° F), your solar panel's electricity production will decrease by its temperature coefficient. For example, the half-cut JinkoSolar JKM320M-60HBL panel from the Eagle G2 series has a temperature coefficient of -0.36%/°C. This means that if the panel's temperature increases by one degree from 25° C (77° F) to 26° C (79° F), its electricity production will decrease by 0.36%. If its temperature increases to 35° C (95° F), electricity production will reduce by 3.6%.

Your solar panels will likely see more than a few hot and sunny days each year, so ideally, they will have the lowest temperature coefficient possible. JinkoSolar panels have temperature coefficients ranging from -0.39 to -0.35.

Warranties

Whether you're buying a TV, a car, or solar panels, the manufacturer should stand behind their product with a strong warranty. A solar panel's materials warranty (sometimes referred to as the product or equipment warranty) is a guarantee from the manufacturer that they will replace your panel if it fails due to manufacturing defects or environmental issues.

JinkoSolar offers a maximum of a 25-year warranty against any defects in their solar panels, depending on the product.

For many homeowners, the final decision around the solar equipment they choose rests on cost. The total price you pay for a solar energy system with JinkoSolar panels will vary depending on the other equipment (such as inverters and mounts) used in the installation and the characteristics of your roof.

To identify the range of prices for JinkoSolar PV systems, we analyzed quotes, including JinkoSolar solar panels that homeowners received from installers on the EnergySage Marketplace. Most JinkoSolar PV systems are typically priced between $2.25 and $2.97 per watt, which makes them a solid value in the market for home solar.

This means that, for a 6 kW system, your gross cost (before you subtract any tax credits or other incentives) would be anywhere from $13,500 to $17,820. Additionally, most homeowners end up paying much less than the total gross cost; with the 30% federal tax credit for solar, which everyone is eligible for, a 6 kW system with JinkoSolar would cost anywhere from $9,450 to $12,474. Plenty of state-level solar incentives and rebates can help you reduce upfront costs even further.

JinkoSolar panels may not offer the absolute best efficiency or performance in the solar industry. However, thanks to their low price, they're still an appealing choice for shoppers comparing solar quotes on the EnergySage Marketplace. Solar PV systems with JinkoSolar panels fall on the lower end of prices quoted to users on the EnergySage Solar Marketplace.

The best way to determine whether JinkoSolar solar panels are the best for your home is to review multiple quotes with different solar equipment options before deciding. When you compare your options on the EnergySage Marketplace, you'll find the right combination of price and quality that meets your needs.

Many of our qualified, pre-vetted solar installers offer JinkoSolar solar panels in their quotes to EnergySage users. When registering, note in your profile that you're interested in receiving quotes that include JinkoSolar panels for your home.