Trina solar panels: The complete review

Trina Solar Energy is one of the largest producers of solar panels in the world and was founded in 1997. Recently, Trina Solar Energy has been in the news for taking the power output of solar panels by first releasing a 500-watt panel in February 2021 before launching a 600-watt (!!!) panel in July 2021. The company manufactures all of its solar products in China and is a popular brand featured in quotes to solar shoppers comparing their options on the EnergySage Marketplace.

Trina Solar Energy offers several different series of solar panels. The most popular on EnergySage is the SPLITMAX and TALLMAX product lines.

EnergySage has reviewed the product specifications of each Trina solar panel series to make your solar research process more accessible. As the leading online marketplace for homeowners considering solar, EnergySage is uniquely positioned to evaluate the technical specifications of Trina 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 Trina Solar reviews for each metric to help make your solar decision easier. We've also created a comparison of Trina Solar solar 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 Trina Solar solar panels will vary depending on the specific model that you choose for your system. Across Trina Solar's solar product line, panels have an efficiency rating of 16.2% to 20.4%.

Performance (Temperature Coefficient)

For this portion of EnergySage's Trina Solar reviews, 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 Trina Solar SPLITMAX TSM-320 panel has a temperature coefficient of -0.37%/°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 0.37%. If its temperature increases to 35° C (95° F), electricity production will reduce by 3.7%.

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. Trina Solar panels have temperature coefficients between -0.41 and -0.36.

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.

Trina Solar offers up to a 25-year warranty against any defects in specific models of their solar panels.

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 Trina Solar 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 Trina Solar systems, we analyzed quotes, including Trina Solar solar panels that homeowners received from installers on the EnergySage Marketplace. Most Trina Solar systems are typically priced between $2.31 and $3.39 per watt, which makes them a good 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 $13,860 to $20,340. 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 Trina Solar would cost anywhere from $9,702 to $14,238. Plenty of state-level solar incentives and rebates can help you reduce upfront costs even further.

While Trina Solar panels don't offer industry-leading efficiency or performance, they are a leading brand in terms of total solar installations across the world. The company is also featured in some of the least expensive solar quotes offered to solar shoppers in the EnergySage Marketplace. It can be a smart choice for homeowners interested in an economical solar panel installation.

The best way to determine whether Trina 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, vetted solar installers offer Trina Solar solar panels in their quotes to EnergySage users. When registering, note in your profile that you're interested in receiving quotes that include Trina Solar for your home.