Media Release
Australian rooftops are about to get more powerful. AIKO has announced the Australian launch of its third-generation ABC 60-cell solar module, bringing one of the world’s highest-efficiency solar panels to local homes and businesses.
The module has received Clean Energy Council approval and will begin arriving in Australia from late April 2026. With power ratings up to 545W and module efficiency exceeding 25%, the new panel is designed to help households and businesses generate more electricity from the same roof space.
From residential rooftops to commercial systems and off-grid installations, AIKO’s latest technology aims to deliver greater output, improved durability, and simpler installation.
A new benchmark for rooftop solar performance
The Gen 3 ABC 60-cell module delivers up to 545W of output within a compact footprint measuring 1954 × 1134 × 30 mm. This allows installers to deliver more power without increasing the physical size of the panel.
Compared with similarly sized TOPCon panels, the module can produce up to 30W more power per panel. Over its lifetime, this translates to roughly 15% higher energy yield per square metre.
This performance advantage comes from AIKO’s patented Infinite ABC technology. The design focuses on maximising the active area of each panel while reducing electrical losses. Several innovations make this possible. The module uses a Zero-Gap cell layout that eliminates wasted space between cells. It also uses Invisi-Ribbon interconnection, along with a grid-free front surface that maximises sunlight capture.
Another key improvement is the use of copper interconnection instead of traditional silver. This increases cell bending strength by around 20%, helping reduce the risk of microcracks that can degrade performance over time.
The module is also designed for Australia’s harsh climate. With a temperature coefficient of −0.26% per degree Celsius, the panel maintains stronger performance during hot weather conditions, which are common across much of the country.
Built for bigger residential solar systems
Australian households are electrifying at a rapid pace. Electric vehicles, heat pump hot water systems, induction cooking, and home batteries are all driving demand for larger solar systems.
However, roof space often limits how much solar can be installed.
The Gen 3 ABC 60-cell panel addresses this challenge by delivering higher power in a compact format. This allows homeowners to install more system capacity on the same roof. For many households, this means faster battery charging and more solar energy available to run an increasingly electrified home.
As feed-in tariffs continue to decline across Australia, maximising self-consumption has become more valuable. Generating more solar energy on-site helps households reduce grid reliance and lower electricity bills.
Higher output panels also reduce the total number of modules required for a system. Fewer panels can mean fewer roof penetrations and more flexibility when designing systems around chimneys, skylights, or shaded areas.
The panel’s all-black design and grid-free surface also deliver a sleek rooftop appearance. This is particularly appealing for homeowners who want solar to blend seamlessly into their home’s design.
Boosting returns on commercial rooftops
Commercial buildings often have a large electricity demand but a limited rooftop area. In these situations, increasing the output of each panel can significantly improve project economics. Higher power panels allow developers to increase system capacity without expanding the installation footprint.
For example, on a typical 660 square metre commercial rooftop using 196 modules, system capacity could increase from around 100 kW using 510W TOPCon panels to approximately 107 kW using 545W Infinite modules.
Over a 30-year project life, this capacity increase can raise the projected electricity value from roughly $360,000 to around $400,000. That represents an uplift of around 11% while system cost per watt remains largely unchanged.
There are also practical installation benefits. Because fewer panels are required to reach target capacity, installers can reduce racking hardware, DC wiring, and installation time. For businesses pursuing decarbonisation goals, higher-efficiency panels provide a straightforward way to maximise renewable generation from existing roof space.
Designed for Australia’s toughest environments
Solar systems in Australia often operate in demanding conditions. From remote off-grid sites to bushfire-prone regions, durability is essential. The Infinite 60-cell mono-glass variant uses 3.2 mm front glass. This is approximately 60% thicker than the front glass used in some dual-glass TOPCon products.
The modules are certified for 35 mm hail impact under international testing standards. Many conventional panels are only certified for 25 mm hail impact.
For sites located in bushfire-prone areas, dual-glass variants carry IEC Fire Class A certification, which is the highest fire safety classification available.
Inside the panel, AIKO replaces conventional silver soldering with proprietary copper electroplated interconnection. This creates stronger joints with tensile strength exceeding 5N.
In impact testing, ABC cells subjected to identical 2 kg mechanical stress experienced only 16% current loss. Comparable TOPCon cells recorded around 45% current loss under the same conditions.
For remote or off-grid systems, where maintenance visits can be expensive, improved durability can help reduce downtime and service costs.
Simpler installations for solar professionals
The Gen 3 ABC 60-cell range is also designed to simplify installation.
Higher output means fewer panels are needed to achieve the same system capacity. This reduces racking, cabling, and labour requirements.
Using one high-performance panel format across residential, commercial, and off-grid applications can also simplify product selection and inventory management for installers.
“Australian installers are under real pressure right now: more competition, tighter margins, and customers who want more from their solar investment,” said Thomas Bywater, Head of Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia at AIKO Energy.
“AIKO’s Gen 3 ABC 60-Cell gives them one solution for every job on the list: homes, C&I, and off-grid. Same format, same install process, same warranty conversation. That simplicity is what lets a good installation business grow into a great one.”
Availability in Australia
Australian installers will not have long to wait.
Initial supply will begin from late April 2026, with 535W and 540W models available for general supply. The 545W variant will be available in limited production quantities. Additional versions are scheduled to arrive later in 2026. These include dual-glass models and full-black options designed for premium residential installations.
As Australia’s energy transition accelerates, higher-efficiency solar panels will play a critical role in helping homes and businesses generate more clean energy from limited rooftop space.
The launch of AIKO’s Gen 3 ABC 60-cell module represents another step forward in that journey.
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