Waaree vs Reliance Solar Panels

You've likely come across the names of both of these companies this year if you're shopping for a rooftop or commercial solar installation: Waaree, India's biggest and most established panel manufacturer, and Reliance, the newest and most heavily funded player in solar panel production. Let's take an unbiased comparison of Waaree Solar Panels and Reliance Solar Panels, which include technology, cost, warranty, and performance.

Who Are Waaree and Reliance in the Solar Market?

Since the 2000s, Waaree Energies has been producing solar modules, and is currently the largest module manufacturer in India with an annual capacity of approximately 12 GW in Gujarat and Odisha. It's all about solar, which is reflected in its extensive product offering, its nationwide dealer network and its extended history of operations on residential, commercial and utility projects.

Reliance New Energy Solar is a newer entity of Reliance Industries. It recently installed its first production line at the Jamnagar Green Energy Complex, producing its first batch of BIS-certified heterojunction (HJT) modules. The company is supported by the balance sheet of its parent company, Reliance, and its acquisition of the HJT technology from REC Singapore, and is emerging as a high efficiency, next generation manufacturer. It doesn't yet have years of field performance data or dealer density as Waaree does.

Technology and Efficiency Comparison

The product portfolio includes Mono PERC, N-Type TOPCon and bifacial modules ranging from 100W to 730W for utility scale applications. The average efficiency of its lineup is in the range of 18–22% and the most efficient models are in the low 23% range.

Reliance has opted for more efficient technology, based on HJT (heterojunction) cells, which it claims has better energy yield and degradation rates than traditional Mono PERC panels. It has a residential and commercial friendly Tapi series modules with a rating of 570-625 Wp and efficiency of 22-23.5% and for larger utility format modules it pushes towards 720 Wp for ground mounted application.

In theory, the HJT technology of Reliance is favourable with regard to maximum efficiency and degradation. Waaree's benefit is that its TOPCon and bifacial lines are already tested in the field, on thousands of actual installations, and not in first production runs.

Pricing Comparison

Waaree panels are readily available via installers in India and come in at a price of ₹22-₹32 per watt, with the cheaper panels being mono PERC and the higher the order value, the more expensive variants such as TOPCon or bifacial panels will be.

Reliance panels are new to the retail market, and their pricing is still working out as distribution increases. Initial estimates of entry-level Reliance systems ranged from around ₹17,000 per kW upwards for basic systems, while premium HJT systems for commercial buyers were sold at a higher price, due to the newer technology. Unlike an established brand like Waaree, the quotes for site-specific installations are more important here as the installer network of Reliance is still growing.

Cost & Feature Comparison

Warranty and Long-Term Reliability

Both are ALMM listed, so if you're interested in getting subsidy under schemes such as PM Surya Ghar, then this is important. Performance warranties for Waaree are generally in the 21-25 year range, with a proven track record and claims process.

The warranties of up to 30 years offered by reliability by Reliance on its HJT modules have a solid theoretical basis for slower degradation. However, as the solar side of the business is new to Reliance, there is no long-term data yet to see lab numbers translate into real-world results. Whereas, Waaree's warranty comes with a history that can be checked by the buyer.

Which One Should You Choose? 

For most residential and commercial buyers, Waaree is the safer and more established option where you can easily find a service network across India for warranty claims, and have a wide range of panel options available to choose from.

For larger commercial or industrial projects where efficiency gains become more significant and you are able to deal directly with the manufacturer, if you are interested in the latest HJT technology, then Reliance may be worth considering.

While Waaree is a lower-risk, more supported choice for most homeowners and small business owners, it is not always the best option for them to install rooftop solar this year. If you're a larger buyer who's willing to take a chance on a newer supplier to gain access to a new tech, then you should consider Reliance project by project.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is the technology of Reliance solar panel better than Waaree's?
The advantage of HJT panels is in their theoretical efficiency and degradation, but that of TOPCon and bifacial panels is their proven performance in a much larger and longer running installed base.

Q. Are both the brands eligible for PM Surya Ghar subsidy?
Yes, both Waaree and Reliance panels are ALMM listed which is a criterion for subsidy eligibility under the scheme.

Q. Which brand is more economical?
Waaree's pricing is more open and transparent, and they have a more established dealer network with extensive quotes. Reliance pricing still has some way to go as it expands its retail footprint.

Q. Which brand has a longer warranty?
Reliance offers warranties of 30 years for some of its HJT models, which are longer than Waaree's typical warranty of 21-25 years, but Reliance's warranty is still not as long a history.

Q. Which would be better for residential rooftops?
Yes, for most homeowners, for a variety of reasons, including the availability of the installer, after-sales support that's in place and a track record of performance.

Q. Are there panels available for use in homes or just large projects?
Reliance's Tapi series (570-625 Wp) is designed for rooftop, commercial and larger modules for utility scale and ground mount installations.

Q. Is it possible to use panels from a different brand in the same installation?
This is technically feasible, but not advisable as it could cause performance issues with the system and make it harder to claim warranty.