Read The Times Australia

Daily Bulletin

AIKO Reinforces Long-Term Commitment to Australia at SNEC 2026 with Multiple Distribution MOUs, Top Brand PV Award, and New Market Milestones

  • Written by: Daily Bulletin

SHANGHAI, June 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- AIKO Energy has announced a series of developments at SNEC 2026 that strengthen its position in the Australian solar market, including multiple distribution MOUs with local

partners, recognition as Top Brand PV 2026 Australia by EUPD Research, and arrival to Australia of healthy stocks of 500W – the first solar module in under 2m² at 25% efficiency.

Multiple Distribution MOUs Signed at SNEC 2026

At SNEC 2026 in Shanghai, the world's largest photovoltaic trade exhibition, AIKO signed multiple memoranda of understanding with Australian distribution partners for its third and fourth generation Neostar 54 cell module series. The agreements are designed to widen access to high efficiency ABC modules across residential and commercial segments, while supporting availability through major states and territories nationwide.


 

AIKO signs MOUs with major Australian distributors at SNEC 2026
AIKO signs MOUs with major Australian distributors at SNEC 2026

The new generations extend AIKO's proprietary n-type ABC architecture with further advances in copper electroplating metallisation. By eliminating silver dependency, AIKO is addressing one of the industry's most persistent supply and cost pressures, while keeping high performance solar more financially accessible for Australian households and businesses. AIKO is the first manufacturer in the world to achieve this at commercial scale, having shipped silver-free ABC modules in gigawatts globally.

On the same occasion, AIKO received the Top Brand PV 2026 Australia designation from EUPD Research, demonstrating its growing strength and recognition in the Australian solar market.

Two years after entering the Australian market, AIKO has established a presence that many solar brands take far longer to build. The company was voted number one Installer Choice on SolarQuotes in its first year on market and now accounts for close to 20% of active monthly solar proposals nationally*, reflecting strong traction with installers and growing recognition among Australian homeowners.

World's First 500W 25% Efficiency Module Under 2m², Now Available in Australia

First introduced at All Energy Conference last year, the highest power class of AIKO's third generation Infinite series has now officially arrived in Australia. The Neostar 3P54 delivers 500W at positive power tolerance and 25% module efficiency in a compact 1762 x 1134 mm footprint, making it the world's first module to achieve this milestone.

This breakthrough is driven by innovations in cell architecture, including Zero Gap and Invisi-Ribbon technology, which maximise active light absorption and bring 93.5% of the module surface into power generation. The result is a significant leap beyond conventional front contact technologies like PERC and TOPCon, setting a new benchmark for residential solar performance.

The significance goes beyond a specification. As Australia's solar rebate scheme reduces with rising installed capacity, the value of a solar system increasingly comes down to how much energy a fixed roof area can generate over its lifetime. For homeowners, a panel delivering 500W where others deliver 460W to 470W means more usable energy, lower bills, and stronger returns. For installers, it enables higher system capacity per roof, creating a clear point of differentiation in a competitive market and allowing them to win by quality without reducing price.

Triple-Certified for Extreme Australian Conditions

AIKO's 54-cell Neostar series has this month added cyclone approval to its existing hail and coastal salt mist credentials, completing a triple certification across Australia's most demanding climate conditions.

Cyclone testing was conducted by Albright Consulting Engineers in Darwin under Australian static wind load methodology, with both the full black and black frame variants independently assessed and each receiving its own verified result confirming structural integrity across wind regions C and D.

On hail, AIKO holds TÜV Rheinland certification to 40 mm, well above the 25 mm IEC industry standard and among the most stringent hail ratings available for a residential solar module. For coastal installations, the ABC Gen 3 modules carry IEC 61701 Salt Mist certification at Severity Level 6, the highest standard, with selected models also achieving Method 8, the most demanding protocol within that standard.

"We test our products to beyond Australian standards because this market expects more than a generic lab result," said Thomas Bywater, Head of Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia, AIKO Energy. "By testing under Australian conditions and engineering methods, we want to prove that AIKO is ready for the type of roofs, weather conditions, and performance expectations that matter here, and that we are willing to go above and beyond to give installers and homeowners the confidence to choose us."

Thomas Bywater (left) receives EUPD Research’s Top Brand PV 2026 Australia
Thomas Bywater (left) receives EUPD Research’s Top Brand PV 2026 Australia

Gen 3 500W modules are now available in Australia through AIKO authorised distributors. Pricing and additional information are available at https://s.zoom.us/m/bPFbnL5dh

*OpenSolar data 2026

About AIKO Energy

AIKO is a global, BNEF Tier 1 renewable energy leader renowned for its proprietary high-efficiency ABC (All Back Contact) solar products that combine world‑class efficiency, advanced reliability and premium aesthetics. With more than 190 GW of cumulative cell and module shipments, over 10,000 employees, and more than 1,000 patents, AIKO has built a strong global footprint across residential, commercial, and utility scale solar.

In Australia, AIKO was voted Best Solar Panels in the 2025 SolarQuotes Installers' Choice Awards and has held the No. 1 commercial module efficiency ranking on TaiyangNews since March 2023.

Business News

The Business Case for Choosing Australian Fabricators Over Imported Alternatives

For a long time, you might have defaulted to overseas suppliers when sourcing fabricated metal components for a project. The unit price was lower on paper, and the maths seemed straightforward. That...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

Australian organisations are relying on business continuity plans built for a far more predictable world

Tariff escalations, supply chain fragility, geopolitical events, and the ongoing threat of cyber disruption have reshaped the risk environment facing Australian organisations. The problem is that ma...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

How to Rent a Car for Uber in Melbourne: What Every New Driver Needs to Know

Starting out as an Uber driver in Melbourne is not as complicated as it sounds but getting the vehicle right is where most new drivers get stuck. Uber has strict requirements around vehicle age, condi...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

When Should You Speak to a Lawyer About a Legal Issue?

Legal issues can begin with a simple question, then become harder to manage once formal steps are involved. Many people wait until a matter feels urgent before seeking guidance, even though earlier ...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

The strategic rise of Bali as Australia’s next essential healthcare support hub

As Australian healthcare providers grapple with unprecedented operational bottlenecks, a new nearshore model is quietly transforming patient care delivery. Forward-thinking organisations,  including...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

Cost Savings and Benefits of Using Used Pallets in Logistics

In today’s competitive logistics and supply chain industry, businesses are constantly looking for ways to reduce operational costs without compromising efficiency and reliability. One of the most prac...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

How Fulfilment Services in Australia Help Businesses Scale Efficiently

The growth of e-commerce and modern retail has transformed customer expectations. Consumers now expect fast shipping, accurate order processing, and seamless delivery experiences regardless of where...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

Practical Ways Australian Workplaces Can Reduce Operating Costs

Reducing business costs doesn’t always mean cutting staff, shrinking services or making the workplace feel bare-bones. In many cases, the smarter savings are hiding in everyday operations: the light...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

Executive Recruitment Solutions That Help Organisations Secure Exceptional Leaders

Leadership has a direct impact on organisational performance, employee engagement, strategic growth, and long-term success. Businesses operating in increasingly competitive environments require experi...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

The Daily Magazine

What Happens After You Lodge a BYDA Enquiry? The Step Most Excavation Projects Miss

Every excavation project in Australia — from a backyard deck footing to a multi-storey commercial bu...

How to Choose the Right Dentist on the Gold Coast

Finding a dentist you trust is one of those decisions that quietly affects your health for years, ...

The Hidden Engineering Problem Inside Australia's Older Housing Stock

A significant share of Australian homes were built for a way of living that no longer exists. Houses...

DIY Rodent Control Vs Professional Help: When Is It Time To Call The Experts?

Rodents are one of the most frustrating pest problems for Australian property owners. Rats and mic...

Lighting Shop in Perth: How The Right Lighting Can Transform Your Home And Business

The right lighting can completely change the look, feel, and functionality of any space. Whether it ...

Traffic Light System Solutions For Safer And More Efficient Traffic Management

Modern cities and growing communities rely heavily on effective traffic management to ensure safety...

Gold Migration Lawyers in Liquidation: How the Closure Affects Your ART Appeal

If your appeal was with Gold Migration Lawyers, a recent change to how the Tribunal decides cases ...

The pressure cooker: life in urban Australia in 2026

Australian cities have always been demanding. Long commutes, rising housing costs, busy schedules a...

What Actually Makes a Good Criminal Lawyer in Melbourne

Most people only think about this question once. That is usually too late. Most people charged wi...