It’s LG’s super-energy-dense N-Type solar module built to maximise power output from any nominated area. Therefore, how does the LG NeON R compare against alternative LG solar modules and is it worth the premium for one of the world’s most highly regarded solar module’s?
Model:
NeON R
Variants:
NeON R (60-cell); 390 / 395 / 400W.
NeON R (66-cell); 430 / 435 / 440W.
NeON R Prime (60-cells); 350 / 355 /360 / 365 / 370W.
TLDR:
When nothing short of Elite module specifications are an essential requirement, the LG NeON R has proven to remain the pinnacle of the LG Solar range since 2017. Premium N-Type cells with no busbar obstruction through integrated back contact design, the LG NeON R is a dependable long-term energy harvesting investment.
The following detailed product analysis for the LG NeON R should be used as a guide only. Individual circumstances and compatibilities must always be taken into account when selecting the ideal solar module. This content comprises the Solar Analytica Assessment Criteria (solar modules) based on available product specifications at compilation (refer to post date).
Video; LG NeON R Solar module preview.
1. Design: 91/100
Sub-Category | Characteristic | Reference | Class. | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cell Type
| N-Type monocrystalline. | LG NeON R data sheet section; General Data, Cell properties (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5)
| 100 |
Cell Configuration | R; 60 or 66 full-cell. R Prime; 60 full-cell. | LG NeON R data sheet section; General Data, Cell Configuration (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Contact | Integrated back contact (IBC). | LG NeON R data sheet (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Enhanced | IBC or rear contact, no busbar obstruction. | LG NeON R data sheet (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Encapsulation | 2.8mm Tempered Glass with AR coating WITH manufacturer specified Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate laminate substrate. | LG NeON R data sheet section; General Data (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat 4) | 80 |
Certifications | VDE. | LG NeON R data sheet section; Warranties, Certifications, and Compliance (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Awards | General Recognition; Leading Solar Brand in Europe 2021. | Press release (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat2) | 60 |
Design Overall | LG NeON R | Above Avg (Cat4) | 91/100 | |
Sub-Category: Product asset which compiles the category. Characteristic: Scoring characteristic/gauge of the Sub-Category. Reference: Reference material from which the sub-category Characteristic has been derived. Class.: Solar Analytica classification of the nominated score range. Rank: Solar Analytica ranking points nominated per solar module property attributing toward an individual sub-category (excluding overall row). Overall (row): combined average of each Sub-Category.
Image; Illustration of the LG NeON R Integrated Back Contact (IBC) solar cell design free from front surface busbar obstruction.
2. DURABILITY: 84/100
Sub-Category | Characteristic | Reference | Class. | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Positive loading | Test load – 5400 Pa, min10% coverage ratio, temp. 25 ±5°C, max humidity 75 %, ±5 % load uniformity, 3 cycles of 1 hr applied load. | IEC 61215-2 MQT16 (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat2) | 70 |
Negative loading | Test load – 4000 Pa, min10% coverage ratio, temp. 25 ±5°C, max humidity 75 %, ±5 % load uniformity, 3 cycles of 1 hr applied load. | IEC 61215-2 MQT16 (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Damp heat test | 4000 Hrs – Test Temp: (85 ± 2)°C, Relative humidity: (85 ± 5)%. | IEC 61215-2 MQT13 (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat4) | 80 |
Thermal cycle test | 800+ (2000+) Cycles – Temp range: (-40 ± 2) to (+85 ± 2) °C. | IEC 61215-2 MQT11 (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Potential induced degredation | Resistant. | (IEC TS 62804) PID determined by MQT 13, MQT 15 & MQT 01 of IEC 61215-2 & Clause 5.5 Voltage stress test (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Salt mist resistance | Severity 6 – CX Offshore, ToW (N/A). | IEC 61701 (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Ammonia resistance | 1 cycle = test section 1 + test section 2 = 24h, Total test duration = 20 cycles (480 h). | IEC 62716 (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Sand and dust resistance | Not specified. | IEC 60068-2-68 (reference documents). | N/A | 10 |
Hail impact resistance | Diameter: 35mm ±5%, Mass: 7.3-grams ±5%, Speed: 23m/sec ±2%,. | Base, IEC 61215-2 & 61646 (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat2) | 70 |
Durability Overall | LG NeON R | Above Avg (Cat3) | 81/100 | |
Sub-Category: Product asset which compiles the category. Characteristic: Scoring characteristic/gauge of the Sub-Category. Reference: Reference material from which the sub-category Characteristic has been derived. Class.: Solar Analytica classification of the nominated score range. Rank: Solar Analytica ranking points nominated per solar module property attributing toward an individual sub-category (excluding overall row). Overall (row): combined average of each Sub-Category.
3. Efficiency: 88/100
Sub-Category | Characteristic | Reference | Class. | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Module efficiency (max) | 22.1% | LG NeON R data sheet section; Electrical Properties (STC*), Module Efficiency (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat4) | 90 |
Temperature coefficient (Pmax) | -0.29%oC | LG NeON R data sheet section; Temperature Characteristics, Pmax. (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat4) | 90 |
Power tolerance (max) | 0~+3% | LG NeON R data sheet section; Electrical Properties (STC*), Power Tolerance (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat3) | 80 |
Power density (max) | 167 W/m2 | Calculated, input source; Performance 3 data sheet Dimensions (LxW)/ Maximum Power (Pmax) (internal post). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 90 |
Efficiency Overall | LG NeON R | Above Avg (Cat4) | 88/100 | |
Sub-Category: Product asset which compiles the category. Characteristic: Scoring characteristic/gauge of the Sub-Category. Reference: Reference material from which the sub-category Characteristic has been derived. Class.: Solar Analytica classification of the nominated score range. Rank: Solar Analytica ranking points nominated per solar module property attributing toward an individual sub-category (excluding overall row). Overall (row): combined average of each Sub-Category.
4. PERFORMANCE: 90/100
IMPORTANT: The LG NeON R product guarantee should be interpreted in conjunction with the entire Warranty for LG Solar Module Limited Warranty document (global region-specific) or that of which succeeds it. Listed below are the Solar Analytica data point indicators for ranking analysis only and are not a substitute for interpretation of the performance guarantee.
Sub-Category | Characteristic | Reference | Class. | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1st-year degradation (max) | 1.5% Power Output degradation for the first year. (PV Modules will be at least 98.5% of the Minimum Peak Power rating for the first year). | Warranty for LG NeON R PV Modules (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat4) | 90 |
Annual degradation (max after year-1) | 0.25% p.a (Power Output will decline by no more
than 0.25% per year for the following 24 years after the initial 1st year). | Warranty for LG NeON R PV Modules (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat4) | 90 |
Performance guarantee period | 25-years (Power Output will be at least
92% of the Minimum Peak Power rating on the final year). | Warranty for LG NeON R PV Modules (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat3) | 80 |
Performance guantee assurance | Parts, service and transport | Warranty for LG NeON R PV Modules (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Performance Overall | LG NeON R | Above Avg (Cat4) | 90/100 | |
Sub-Category: Product asset which compiles the category. Characteristic: Scoring characteristic/gauge of the Sub-Category. Reference: Reference material from which the sub-category Characteristic has been derived. Class.: Solar Analytica classification of the nominated score range. Rank: Solar Analytica ranking points nominated per solar module property attributing toward an individual sub-category (excluding overall row). Overall (row): combined average of each Sub-Category.
5. Guarantee: 90/100
IMPORTANT: The LG NeON R product guarantee should be interpreted in conjunction with the entire Warranty for LG Solar Module Limited Warranty document (global region-specific) or that of which succeeds it. Listed below are the Solar Analytica data point indicators for ranking analysis only and are not a substitute for interpretation of the performance guarantee.
Sub-Category | Characteristic | Reference | Class. | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Guarantee period
| 25-years (300-months). | Warranty for LG NeON PV Modules (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat4)
| 90 |
Guarantee assurance | Parts, service and transport. | Warranty for LG NeON PV Modules (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Manufacturer established | 1947 (75-years). | Wikipedia: LG Corporation (external). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Certified installer network | Yes, WITH additional end-user/ installer benefits. | Linked from manufacturers regional websites. | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Manufacturer bankability | BNEF, Q4 2021. | Bloomberg New Energy Finance Module Manufacturer Tiering Report. | Above Avg (Cat1) | 60 |
Guarantee Overall | LG NeON R | Above Avg (Cat4) | 90/100 | |
Sub-Category: Product asset which compiles the category. Characteristic: Scoring characteristic/gauge of the Sub-Category. Reference: Reference material from which the sub-category Characteristic has been derived. Class.: Solar Analytica classification of the nominated score range. Rank: Solar Analytica ranking points nominated per solar module property attributing toward an individual sub-category (excluding overall row). Overall (row): combined average of each Sub-Category.
Overall: 88/100
Category | Classification | Ranking Points | Detail | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Design
| Elite | Above Avg (Cat4) | 91 | Criteria >
|
Durability | Superior | Above Avg (Cat3) | 81 | Criteria > |
Efficiency | Elite | Above Avg (Cat4) | 88 | Criteria > |
Performance | Elite | Above Avg (Cat4) | 90 | Criteria > |
Guarantee | Elite | Above Avg (Cat4) | 90 | Criteria > |
Overall: LG NeON R | Above Avg (Cat4) | 88/100 | ||
Is there a sub-category value that requires an amendment? Submit an amendment request using this Amendment request form.
General product questions should be made using the comments section at the bottom of this post (keep scrolling).
The LG NeON R range of solar modules has been calculated using the Solar Analytica Assessment Criteria (solar modules) 2.1.1 >
- LG NeON R (60-cell) data sheet.
- LG NeON R (66-cell) data sheet.
- LG NeON R Prime (60-cell) data sheet.
- Warranty for LG NeON PV Modules US warranty document.
- Warranty for LG NeON PV Modules AUS warranty document.
- LG Solar Module testing Amonia Resistance IEC 62716 download.
- LG N-Type Solar IEC referenced installation manual.
- LG Solar: A Leading Solar Brand in Europe 5/31/2021 external link.
- IEC 61215-2 External site >
- IEC 61701 External site >
- IEC 62716 External site >
- IEC TS 62804-1-1 External site >
- IEC 60068-2-68 External site >
How does the current range of LG Solar panels compare against each other?
At the time of writing the followingLG solar panels were ranked alongside the LG NeON R in accordance with the SAAC V.2.1.1;
- LG mono X Plus.
- LG NeON H.
