ASM vs Kyocera - solar panel manufacturer comparison
Kyocera has the broader catalog (8 vs 1 models). Kyocera leads on peak efficiency at 21.00%.
Both catalogues are read from the manufacturers' own datasheets. A brand is not scored against the market here, only against the other brand on this page.
The two companies
Australian Solar Manufacturing (ASM) is a small Australian solar panel assembler that produces crystalline monocrystalline modules domestically using components sourced from Germany, Japan, the USA, and China. The company focuses on providing locally assembled PV modules tailored to Australian conditions, supporting...
- Founded
- 2009
- Headquarters
- Hallam, Victoria, Australia
- Employees
- 1-10
Kyocera Corporation is a Japanese multinational electronics and ceramics manufacturer. Founded in 1959, the company produces a diverse range of products, including industrial ceramics, solar power generating systems, telecommunications equipment, and office document imaging equipment. Kyocera is committed to...
- Founded
- 1959
- Headquarters
- Kyoto, Japan
- Employees
- 77,136
- Listed
- TYO: 6971
Catalogue against catalogue
An average over a catalogue describes the range a manufacturer publishes, not the module you would buy. A brand with two flagship panels and eighty older ones averages worse than one that has retired its back catalogue.
What each of them builds
The flagships
Written summary
ASM, formally Australian Solar Manufacturing Pty Ltd, was established in 2009 and is headquartered in Victoria, Australia. It operates as one of the few domestic solar panel assemblers in the country, building modules from imported components rather than fabricating photovoltaic cells in-house. ASM has not appeared on BloombergNEF's Tier 1 bankability lists, reflecting its modest scale and regional focus. Kyocera, founded in Kyoto, Japan in 1959, was once a globally recognized pioneer in commercial solar, with manufacturing across Japan, North America, and China. The company exited the North American market in 2016, later closed its Tianjin factory, and now operates from a single production facility in Shiga Prefecture. Kyocera also does not appear on current Tier 1 lists, and its global footprint has contracted sharply. Of the two, Kyocera carries greater historical name recognition, though that legacy now reflects a very limited geographic presence.
ASM targets the Australian residential and small commercial market, positioning itself as a locally assembled alternative to imported panels. Because it sources cells and components externally, the dominant cell technology in its modules was not confirmed by independent reviews at the time of writing. Kyocera's current line is narrow and oriented toward Japanese residential rooftops - the company released 410 W modules suited to high-snowfall regions in early 2025. Its panels have historically operated in an efficiency range below today's mainstream offerings, requiring more roof space for equivalent output. One strength Kyocera retains is longevity data: a monitored installation recorded only 17.2% total degradation after more than 36 years of operation, a figure no comparable long-term dataset exists for ASM.
Neither brand is a practical choice for buyers outside their respective home markets. Within Australia, ASM suits buyers who value locally assembled product and supply-chain traceability. Within Japan, Kyocera remains a credible residential option backed by its durability track record, though efficiency and scale lag behind global leaders. Buyers requiring Tier 1 bankability for commercial or utility-scale projects should look elsewhere from both manufacturers.
Generated by Claude Sonnet · 2026-06-21
Other brand comparisons
Comparisons are computed from manufacturer datasheets held in the ComparePV database and may not reflect a brand's complete current lineup. Nothing on this page is paid placement.