AE Solar Panels Review

Meet AE Solar

Founded in 2003 by Alexander Maier alongside his siblings in Königsbrunn, Germany, AE Solar has grown from a family-run business into a globally recognized brand in the solar energy sector. By 2021, the company had established a presence in over 95 countries, demonstrating its commitment to providing renewable energy solutions worldwide. Despite its international reach, AE Solar remains deeply rooted in its origins, with its central headquarters still based in Königsbrunn.

AE Solar’s global infrastructure includes manufacturing facilities in China, Georgia, and Turkey, which together contribute to the company’s impressive annual production capacity of 2.5GW. These facilities are equipped with advanced technology to create high-quality production, enabling AE Solar to meet the growing demand for solar panels in residential and commercial markets. The company’s diverse manufacturing locations also help it maintain resilience in global supply chains and timely product delivery to its customers worldwide.

As a participant in the United Nations Global Compact, AE Solar aligns itself with one of the largest voluntary corporate sustainability initiatives in the world. By adhering to the Compact’s principles on human rights, labor, the environment, and anti-corruption, AE Solar demonstrates its dedication to ethical business practices. The company’s advocacy for sustainable and socially responsible practices reflects its broader mission to drive the global transition to renewable energy while addressing environmental challenges.

AE Solar’s commitment to innovation and sustainability has cemented its reputation as a reliable provider of solar solutions. From promoting clean energy adoption to supporting responsible business practices, AE Solar continues to make a significant impact in advancing the global renewable energy agenda.

Understanding Bloomberg Tier 1 Solar Panels

The Bloomberg Tier 1 ranking is one of the most recognized classifications in the solar industry, often referenced by investors and financial institutions to gauge the bankability of solar manufacturers. It’s important to note that this ranking does not evaluate the quality or performance of solar panels themselves. Instead, the Tier 1 designation focuses on a manufacturer’s financial stability, market presence, and ability to secure financing for large-scale projects.

Bloomberg’s methodology relies on publicly available data, including a company’s financial health, investment track record, and the number of projects backed by bank loans. The ranking primarily reflects a manufacturer’s size, credibility, and reputation in the solar market. Companies with Tier 1 status are considered low-risk by investors, making it easier for them to obtain project financing.

AE Solar has earned its place on the latest Bloomberg Tier 1 list, a testament to the company’s financial stability and strong market presence. This achievement demonstrates AE Solar’s reliability as a partner for large-scale solar projects and reinforces its position as a trusted manufacturer in the global solar market.

Exploring PV Evolution Labs Top Performer

Solar panel performance and reliability are important factors for consumers, project developers, and investors. One of the most trusted measures of solar panel performance comes from PV Evolution Labs (PVEL), an independent testing organization backed by DNV GL, a global leader in quality assurance and risk management.

PVEL conducts rigorous voluntary testing programs to assess the durability and performance of solar panels under various stress conditions. These tests include thermal cycling, damp heat exposure, dynamic mechanical load, and potential-induced degradation (PID). The goal of these evaluations is to simulate years of real-world conditions to ensure panels can withstand extreme temperatures, humidity, and mechanical stress.

Manufacturers participate in these tests by paying a fee, but the results are unbiased and independently verified, making PVEL’s Top Performers List a widely respected benchmark for solar panel quality. Achieving a spot on this list indicates that a solar panel has met or exceeded the industry’s highest standards for reliability and longevity.

AE Solar has been recognized as a 2023 PV Top Performer, particularly excelling in thermal cycling and mechanical stress sequence performance tests. These categories measure a panel’s ability to endure extreme temperature fluctuations and withstand physical stresses such as wind, snow, and other environmental pressures. AE Solar’s performance in these tests demonstrates its commitment to producing high-quality, durable solar panels that can deliver reliable energy generation for years to come.

This dual recognition from Bloomberg and PVEL underscores AE Solar’s reputation as a financially stable company and a provider of top-performing solar panels, making it a preferred choice for investors and consumers seeking reliable, long-term solar solutions.

What is the Wholesale Price of AE Solar Panels?

The following provides an estimation of the wholesale pricing for AE Solar panels. It’s important to note that these prices are exclusively available to distributors or solar installers and are not accessible to the end-consumer.

Solar PanelPrice per Watt
AES-AE415MD-108BD/3034c – 35c

Distinctive Features of AE Solar Panels

Incorporation of Gallium-Doped Silicon Cells

A standout feature of AE Solar is the reduced rate of degradation in their panels. The Aurora series, in particular, utilizes Gallium-doped silicon, known for its extended lifespan and stability when exposed to sunlight. This type of silicon wafer minimizes photon degradation more effectively than the traditional Boron-doped solar cells. Gallium-doped cells exhibit an average efficiency that is 0.09% higher than that of Boron-doped cells. The use of Gallium-doped PV modules ensures prolonged performance and stability, which could enhance the return on investment.

Extended Warranty Terms

AE Solar provides one of the most competitive warranty terms in the industry, offering a 30-year product warranty alongside a 30-year performance warranty. While double-glass panels generally have longer warranty periods due to their smart structure, AE Solar’s warranty policies set a high benchmark in the market for solar panel warranties.

AE Solar provides warranties covering both the product and its performance for solar panels. The product warranty addresses manufacturing defects that could cause damage or failure of the panel. While the industry standard for product warranties is typically around 10 years, AE Solar sets itself apart with a 30-year product warranty, offering superior protection compared to many competitors.

Warranties ensure the panel maintains a certain output level over its lifespan. Standard warranties promise around 80-82% of the original output after 25 years. However, AE Solar’s AES-AE415MD-108BD/30 model surpasses this with a performance warranty of 84.6% output retention after 25 years and 82.2% after 30 years, showcasing its exceptional long-term reliability.

AE Solar Panel Innovations

AE Solar offers a diverse portfolio of solar panel series, including Aurora, Comet, Thunder, Eclipse, among others. In this article, we’ll cover the Aurora series.

Aurora Series – AE MD-180DE Overview

The AE Solar Panel AES-AE415MD-108BD-30, with a power range of 395W to 415W showcases their latest technological advancements. This panel is equipped with 108 Gallium-doped monocrystalline solar cells, measuring 1722×1133×30 mm. True to the Aurora series, both sides of the modules are encased in 1.8 mm thick high-transmission tempered solar glass, making these modules bifacial with a bifaciality rate of 70±5%.

The Aurora model stands out with an efficiency rate of up to 21.27%, surpassing the average for solar panels. And, its performance is distinguished by an exceptional degradation rate, retaining 82.2% of its power after 30 years.

Advantages and Disadvantages of AE Solar Panels

Advantages

  • Exceptional power output
  • Gallium-doped silicon cells for enhanced efficiency
  • Unmatched warranty terms in the industry

Disadvantages

  • Bifacial solar panels might be better for commercial applications rather than residential applications.

Panel Specifications

 415W Bifacial Double-Glass AE MD-108BD Series
Cell Number108  cells
Cell TypeMono
Power Output415Wp
Max Power Voltage32.12V
Panel Efficiency21.27%
Annual Power Degradation   (year 2 to year 30)0.45%
Dimensions1722 x 1133 x 30 mm
Weight23.5 kg
Product Warranty30 Years
Operational Temperature Range-40°C to 85°C (-40°F to 185°F)

AE Solar Farm Project Showcase

Although AE Solar doesn’t have any large commercial US projects listed on their website, their impact can be seen in their 2023 project reference report, with projects being showcased from Europe, Asia, Latin America, and others. 

Go Solar with 8MSolar

If you’re thinking of going solar, consider switching with 8MSolar. We design, maintain, and install solar systems. Where other companies may do one or the other, we do it all! Have a peace of mind knowing that you’re taken care of in all steps of your solar journey. Contact 8MSolar today. Or use our solar calculator to get a quick estimate.

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