ZNShine Solar
ZNShine Solar manufactures affordable and efficient solar panels. With more than 40 solar panel models, there is one for every home.
Our rating: 3.7
Best for: Panel variety
Warranty: 12 - 25 year product warranty
ZNShine Solar at a glance
ZNShine is an up-and-coming solar panel and battery manufacturer located in China and known for below-average pricing for its products.
Fast facts
- ZNShine was founded in 2006 and started manufacturing solar panels in 2007.
- The company’s panels have above-average efficiency ratings, averaging 21.73%.
- ZNShine has a research and development center working on new solar tech, including the use of graphene coatings to make panels more efficient.
- The solar provider has no reviews or ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
What we like
The above-average max efficiency rating of ZNShine panels is important because higher efficiency leads to more long-term savings. ZNShine panels have an average max efficiency of 21.73% and top out at 22.54%. So, they’ll generate more electricity and higher savings — at least up front — than competing panels, which average around 20.96% max efficiency. Coupled with the low cost of ZNShine products, panel efficiency should translate to significant net savings in the long run, even if the panels degrade more quickly than other brands.
ZNShine was also named a Tier 1 photovoltaic (PV) manufacturer in 2015. This distinction says the company is financially solvent, which means you’re less likely to have your warranty coverage voided because of the manufacturer going under.
What we don’t like
While the average efficiency rating of ZNShine’s products is above average, the degradation rate of its panels is also higher than average. Panels start with a greater ability than most to generate electricity, but they lose that ability more quickly, too. The average degradation rate across the major manufacturers is 0.45% per year after the first year, and the average rate for ZNShine products is 0.47%.
This isn’t a big difference, but when you compare it to industry leaders like Panasonic, whose panels all have a 0.25% degradation rate, ZNShine struggles to keep up in comparison. That means your panels will generate less electricity in the long run, which cuts into your savings. Because of this distinction, we don’t recommend ZNShine panels for homeowners who want to maximize long-term savings, even if that means paying a little more up-front for equipment.
*BBB ratings accurate as of September 2024
ZNShine Solar pros and cons
Like many solar providers, ZNShine doesn’t publish prices for its products. However, third-party sources indicate that the cost per watt for ZNShine products is well below average, which means you’re likely to spend less money up front for your system than with most other brands.
ZNShine also has more than 40 available modules. Compared to companies like QCells and Tesla, which each only have three.
Even with a faster degradation rate, ZNShine panels’ biggest drawback is that they only have a 12-year manufacturer’s warranty, less than the industry average of 19 years. In sum, ZNShine panels likely won’t last as long or save you as much as some of the leading solar panel brands.
Pros
- More affordable than most brands at around $2.75 per watt
- Panels include 25 to 30 years of coverage to guarantee output
- More than 40 available panel models let you customize based on roof size, electricity demands and more
Cons
- Manufacturer’s product warranty is only 12 years
- Degradation rates are above average, which means decreased savings over time
- Wind resistance is below average — 2,400 Pa compared to an industry average of nearly 3,200 Pa
How much does ZNShine Solar cost?
ZNShine doesn’t post prices for its equipment on its website, which is typical of solar manufacturers. The only way to get accurate pricing for ZNShine panels is to find an installer that works with the brand and secure an estimate for an installation.
Third-party sources indicate the average cost per watt for ZNShine panels is around $2.80 which is about average for the industry.
ZNShine Solar solar products and services
ZNShine manufactures more than 40 different modules, two solar battery options, five inverters and three building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) solutions, which make solar adoption easier on new construction projects.
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Offered?
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| Solar panels | Yes |
| Solar shingles | No |
| Microinverter | No |
| String inverter | Yes |
| Solar battery | Yes |
| Power production guarantee | 25 - 30 years |
| Workmanship warranty | 12 years |
| Solar battery warranty | 10 years |
| Micro inverter warranty | N/A |
What types of solar panels does ZNShine Solar have?
ZNShine Solar manufactures monocrystalline solar panels, which means the solar cells each come from a single piece of silicon. Monocrystalline panels are slightly more expensive than polycrystalline panels, but they last longer and generate more power, making them a better option for residential use. Among its monocrystalline panels, ZNShine produces TopCon panels and bifacial panels.
- TopCon panels: TopCon stands for tunnel oxide passivated contact. These include technology that helps absorb more sunlight, which means greater efficiency over standard mono panels. TopCon panels tend to lose efficiency more quickly in higher temperatures, though, so they aren’t superior in all cases.
- PERC panels: PERC stands for passivated emitter rear contact. It’s a solar technology that helps reduce reflected light, leading to greater absorption rates and higher efficiencies than standard monocrystalline panels.
- Bifacial panels: Bifacial panels are dual-sided and can absorb sunlight from the front and rear of the panel. The rear face can capture some light reflecting off your roof, which can help boost efficiency.
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Power output
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| 166 series | 435 - 460 W |
| 182 series | 425 - 630 W |
| 210 series | 635 - 700 W |
| ZNGreen Energy Cloud | 380 - 550 W |
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Efficiency
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| 166 series | 20.01% - 21.16% |
| 182 series | 20.58% - 22.54% |
| 210 series | 20.48% - 22.23% |
| ZNGreen Energy Cloud | 20.45% - 21.46% |
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Temperature coefficient
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| 166 series | -0.36% |
| 182 series | -0.33% - -0.35% |
| 210 series | -0.34% |
| ZNGreen Energy Cloud | N/A |
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Annual degradation rate
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| 166 series | 0.45% - 0.55% |
| 182 series | 0.40% - 0.55% |
| 210 series | 0.40% - 0.55% |
| ZNGreen Energy Cloud | 0.60% |
ZNShine solar batteries
ZNShine manufactures a standard solar battery and partners with GuofuHee Hydrogen to produce a hydrogen fuel cell battery, which is the only one I’ve seen offered from the companies I’ve reviewed.
The standard battery is available in modular sizes ranging from 5.3 kilowatt-hours (kWh) to 21.2 kWh, which provides options for capacity and up-front cost. It also has a 95% conversion efficiency, which is higher than some leading batteries. (For comparison, Tesla’s Powerwall has a 90% round-trip efficiency.)
Higher battery efficiency means less of your generated electricity is lost during the conversion to and from storable power, which should translate to greater energy savings over time and the ability to stay off-grid longer during outages.
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Type of solar battery
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| ZEN Eco | Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) |
| PV+Hydrogen | Hydrogen fuel cell |
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Solar battery size
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| ZEN Eco | 5.3kWh - 21.2 kWh |
| PV+Hydrogen | Contact for more information |
ZNShine Solar inverters and microinverters
ZNShine makes five string inverters to use with its panels and batteries. The single-phase hybrid inverters can handle between 3,000 and 6,000 watts.
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ASW H-S2 Series
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| Type of inverter | String |
| Efficiency | 99.9% |
ZNShine solar panel performance
ZNShine’s solar panels don’t have any stand-out specifications, and they come in around average when it comes to performance.
The top max efficiency among all ZNShine panels is 22.54%, and the average efficiency of all its panels is slightly higher (21.09%) than the industry average (20.96%). Efficiency ratings express how much available sunlight your panels can convert to usable power, and these will do just fine for residential homes.
ZNShine panels fall between 360 and 700 watts of output, so you have many options for solar panel sizing to fit your roof and work around obstructions like chimneys and other roof penetrations.
However, ZNShine panels have degradation rates averaging 0.47% and reaching as high as 0.55%. This is above the industry average of 0.45% and much higher than the leading panels, like some models from Panasonic that degrade at a rate of just 0.25% per year.
Higher degradation rates from companies like ZNShine mean your system will produce less energy in the long run, sometimes even if the starting efficiency is above average. That translates to decreased savings over time.
ZNShine Solar product warranties
ZNShine panels only come with a 12-year manufacturer’s warranty, well below the industry average (around 20 years).
ZNShine also includes a power production warranty of between 25 and 30 years, which aligns with what most panel manufacturers offer. It’s important to look at the degradation rates, though, as these will tell you how much of the starting efficiency your panels will maintain as they age.
ZNShine’s power output warranty guarantees no more than a 2% dip in Year 1, which is around the industry average. The subsequent annual degradation rate for ZNShine products ranges from 0.4% to 0.55%, although its panels degrade faster than those of most competitors.
The performance warranty is slightly worse than average, but the product warranty is about eight years shorter than what you’d get from most other manufacturers.
ZNShine Solar vs. competitors
ZNShine panels are more affordable than most other brands, but for the money, you should expect average performance and below-average warranty coverage, especially for manufacturer defects.
ZNShine panels are a good option for homeowners who want to minimize their upfront installation cost and are less concerned with maximizing their long-term savings or getting industry-leading warranty coverage for peace of mind.
For homeowners who want the most trusted and powerful panels backed by longer warranty coverage, I recommend Panasonic panels, which get top marks in our rankings.
Competitor comparison
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Our score (out of 5 stars)
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| ZNShine Solar | 3.7 |
| Panasonic Solar | 5.0 |
| Jinko Solar | 4.2 |
| Mission Solar | 4.5 |
| Canadian Solar | 3.8 |
| LONGi Solar | 3.6 |
| REC Solar | 3.6 |
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Warranty
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| ZNShine Solar | 30 years power output, 12 years materials/workmanship |
| Panasonic Solar | 25 years power output, materials, workmanship |
| Jinko Solar | 12 - 25 workmanship 25- to 30-year power production |
| Mission Solar | 25-year power production and workmanship |
| Canadian Solar | 30 years power output, 12 years materials/workmanship |
| LONGi Solar | 30 years power output, 12 years materials/workmanship |
| REC Solar | 25 years/25 years materials/workmanship |
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Panel types offered
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| ZNShine Solar | Monocrystalline, polycrystalline |
| Panasonic Solar | Monocrystalline, HJT, PERC, IBC, p-type, n-type |
| Jinko Solar | Monocrystalline, PERC, Bifacial, TopCon |
| Mission Solar | Monocrystalline, PERC |
| Canadian Solar | Monocrystalline, HJT, PERC, n-type, Bifacial |
| LONGi Solar | p-type TOPCON, n-type TOPCON, n-type HJT, p-type HJT |
| REC Solar | Monocrystalline, HJT, n-Type, Bifacial |
Methodology
The CNN Underscored Team reviewed 170 individual solar panel products from 15 manufacturers to help create this ZNShine Solar review. We compared products based on hard data spread across five main grading categories: warranty coverage, panel output, price, efficiency and durability/adaptability. All of our reviews and ratings are unbiased and are never influenced by partnerships or relationships with companies.
The author of this article has been researching and writing about solar technology and clean energy adoption for four years, and he used his knowledge of the industry and what homeowners want and need in their systems to guide the information in this review. He used his own experience with going solar and helping friends and family convert to clean energy to review ZNShine and speak about what sets it apart from the competition.