Why are Fusion 2 panels so highly rated? What makes them better than the mass produced garbage you've already been quoted for?
Launched in 2010, Renewable Engineering Australia (REA) are an Australian company specialising in the design and production of domestic solar panels.
At present, their newly launched Fusion 2 panels are the only panels that they offer to the UK market and are available exclusively via Heatable Solar.
But how do they compare to other available solar panels? And why are they such a smart choice for the UK homes?
Let's find out...
PS We offer MCS-certified solar panel installation nationwide. Simply answer these questions, get your fixed price and arrange your free design.
How do we review solar panels?
We analyse solar panels based on their most important metrics, including:
Overall likely performance of the panels in the UK.
Whether the warranty is insurance-backed vs. a standard manufacturer warranty.
Price of the solar panels.
The reputation & reviews of the solar panel brands.
The warranty period offered with the solar panels.
The performance warranty e.g. will remain 85% efficient for 25 years or your money back.
The efficiency of the solar panels.
Ease of installation.
Aftercare and customer support.
Power output.
Heat resistance.
Eco-friendliness.
Weight of the solar panels.
Other key features - bifacial design, double glazed etc.
REA Solar Panels Review
Main features of the REA Fusion 2 Solar Panels:
Power output: 400-480 watts
Efficiency: 22-24%
Warranty period: 25 years
Performance warranty: 85% after 25 years
Heat resistance: 0.27% per ° C
Cost per panel: £400 to £420
Weight: 22.8kg
REA Fusion 2 Energy Solar Panels Review
If you are looking for solar panels optimised for a place like the UK, look no further.
Aesthetic Black Design
The REA Fusion Solar Panels are made from high-efficiency N-type M10 Topcon solar cells and offer a seamless, sleek design that is available in two popular colours - black or silver.
Bi-Facial (Double-Sided Design)
Each panel is bifacial (double-sided) providing even more power than single-sided panels, which are double-glazed for maximum longevity. They are also micro-inverter-optimised to work together with micro-inverters from Enphase.
This unique combination of innovative solar technology enables the panels to generate electricity, even in low light conditions, which is ideal for a country like the UK - where cloudy days are common throughout the year.
Superior Microinverter Optimised Design
As mentioned, each panel works together with its own Enphase microinverter that locally converts the DC power generated by the panel into AC power that can be used in your home immediately - AC is what household appliances and circuits use and it is also much safer than a DC current.
Prefer video? Check out our review of the REA Fusion 2 solar panels in the video below:
Generate Power Even in Low Light
It also means the panels will start generating electricity in low light (requiring just 22 volts) – compare this to typical panels that utilise a string inverter that requires at least 200 volts to even begin energy generation - again, this makes them perfect for a cloudy place like the UK.
The microinverter design also means that each panel is able to work at its full capacity and maximise the performance of each solar panel independently.
Contrast this to a solar panel system that uses a traditional string inverter - if one panel's performance is impacted by shade or dirt, multiple other panels' performance will also drop, which is a significant disadvantage.
Still, learning about solar? Check out our guides on how many solar panels you need and how solar car charging works.
A Safer Solar Panel System
As mentioned, the micro-inverter (AC)-optimised design makes this solar system safer too - each panel is earthed and can be protected by an RCD board (fuse box), so is much safer than traditional DC systems.
Its AC-optimised design also means it will continue to work in the event of a power cut. This is not the case with DC systems - their inverters and batteries require grid power to operate.
The high-efficiency crystalline double-sided design gives these panels a much larger solar surface area and so unlike many leading competitors that only have a single side, these panels can generate electricity on both sides - increasing their max power output by 10%.
The double-glazed design means they are not susceptible to delamination, which is a common issue in inferior panels that over time causes the solar panel components to start detaching from each other.
Each panel’s performance can also be monitored via a user-friendly application, allowing you to see how the weather is impacting performance or detect whether something may be wrong with one of the panels quickly and conveniently.
Explore a Solar Case Study: Check out an insightful Q&A session featured in one of our detailed case studies on domestic solar panels. Hear directly from a Heatable customer in the UK and gain valuable perspectives on their experience here.
The image above shows a 23-panel solar installation, carried out by the MCS-certified solar team at Heatable, featuring the REA Fusion2 solar panels.
REA Solar Panels Warranty Period
The REA panels come with a 25-year warranty, which unlike any other company we are aware of is backed by an insurance company and not the manufacturer themselves.
This can offer peace of mind that you will still be covered, even in the very unlikely event that the manufacturer stops trading.
Pros:
Low-light-optimised solar panels - perfect for the UK
AC optimised for maximum safety
Bi-facial - both sides generate power
25-year insurance company-backed product & performance warranty
24-hour monitoring of each solar panel
Cons:
More costly than other options on the market
We have also reviewed the best solar panels and covered how long solar panels last in the UK.
REA Solar Panels Comparison
How do the REA Fusion 2 solar panels compare to other solar panels out there?
In the table below, you can compare the panels with popular rivals:
Model: | REA Fusion Energy | Sunpower Maxeon 3 | Project Solar Evolution Elite 400 | LG Neon RJinko | Solar Tiger Neo | Project Solar Evolution Ultramax | Panasonic HIT N340W | Q.Peak Duo Sharp | Sunsnap ND-F2Q235 |
Our Rating: | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 | #6 | #7 | #8 | #9 |
Efficiency | 22- 24% | 20.9-22.6% | 22% | 8% to 22.3% | 26% | n/a | Up to 19.4% | 20.6% | 14% |
Power | 400-480 watts | 370-400 watts | 395-415 watts | 350-440 watts | 550-575 watts | 345 watts | 245 watts | 385 watts | 235 watts |
Product Warranty | 25 years | 40 years | Lifetime | 25 years | 12 years | Lifetime | 25 years | 12 years | 25 years |
Insurance Backed Warranty? | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Performance Warranty | 85% after 25 years | 88.2% after 40 years | 85% after 20 years | 80% after 25 years | 87.4% after 30 years | 85% after 25 years | 88.2% after 40 years | 86% after 25 years | 85.2% after 25 years |
Heat Resistance | 0.27% per °C | 0.27% per °C | 0.38% per °C | 0.38% per °C | 0.35% per °C | 0.38% per °C | 0.27% per °C | 0.25% per °C | 0.27% per °C |
Weight | 22.8kg | 21.2kg | 20.8kg | 22kg | 28kg | 20.8kg | 21.2kg | 19.1kg | 21.2kg |
Bifacial? | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Double Glazed? | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Microinverter (AC) Optimised? | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Table data: last updated July 2024.
How much do the REA solar panels cost?
At present REA only offers one solar panel in the UK – its Fusion 2 panel module.
This is an N-type bifacial solar panel i.e. it features a double-sided design and so can generate energy from both faces of the panel.
The N-type feature means that the individual cells are not impacted by light-induced degradation (LID).
The Fusion 2 offers efficiency as high as 23.9%, a power output of 420W and retails for around £500 per panel, making it a premium-priced panel. For comparison, the Panasonic HIT with an efficiency rating of 20% is offered at around £250.
PS Did you know that solar panels can be installed on garage roofs and that smart meters are recommended for use with domestic solar arrays.
Does REA offer solar batteries?
REA does not currently offer a solar battery solution, but the good news is that they currently have one in development and it is expected to be launched later this year.
If you are researching solar panel companies, you may find our resources valuable. Check out our comprehensive comparison of the best solar panel companies in the UK, learn about the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) process, and explore our detailed solar panel guide and solar advice section for expert insights and recommendations.
Next Steps For Your Solar Journey:
When planning to install solar panels for your home, there are several important factors to consider. Make sure to refer to the following guides to help you make informed decisions:
To dive deeper into these topics, head over to our advice section, check out our YouTube channel for informative videos, or read a customer case study to see how others have benefited from their solar installation.
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