Last week we had the pleasure and honour of hosting Aiko at Smart Energy Queensland, to launch Aiko’s most powerful residential all-black panel available on the market yet: the 3rd Generation Infinite Panel, The Neostar 3S 475 W. Joining us at the event were Thomas Bywater, and Ross Crawford, from Aiko, who supported our team and Queensland customers. They were joined by our own experts Alder Martz, Stacey Fletcher, and company directors Grant Berhendorff and David Smyth.
AIKO Gen 3 - Infinite Series: Key differences explained by Thomas and Alder
Here's Thomas Bywater and Alder Martz discussing the key differences between Aiko’s Second Generation (2S) and the new Third Generation Neostar panels, also known as Infinite Series. Thomas uses the Comet 650 W panel (a larger-format Gen 2 model) to show how the busbars run through the middle of the panel, compared with the Infinite 3rd Gen 3S Series, which features hidden busbars and a more seamless, uniform appearance.
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What’s new: From AIKO 2nd Gen (2S) to 3rd Gen (3S “Infinite”)
Aiko’s 2nd Generation panels (2S / 2S+) already set a high bar, with N-type ABC cell technology, strong warranties, and efficiency above 23%. But with the 3rd Generation “Infinite” series (3S / 3P), Aiko pushed the limits further. Two new features of the Infinite Series are Aiko’s InvisiRibbon copper interconnection and the ZeroGap design.
The biggest differences come down to power, efficiency, design, and aesthetics.
- Power & Efficiency: Gen 2 tops out around 460–475 W in residential formats. The new Gen 3 Infinite steps that up to 475 W in the 3S and 485 W in the 3P, in the same 108 half-cell (54-cell equivalent) size, with efficiency climbing to 24.3%. That means more watts per square metre and fewer panels for the same output.
- Busbars & Cell Layout: In Gen 2, you can still see faint busbars and cell gaps across the face of the panel. In Gen 3, those are essentially hidden — thanks to overlap soldering and reduced gaps. The result is not only more active area (better performance), but also a uniform black appearance.
- Shading & Real-World Yield: Both generations handle shade well, but the new Gen 3 panels are subdivided more effectively, meaning less energy loss when part of the panel is shaded.
- Looks & Sales Appeal: For homeowners, the “true black” seamless look is a big visual upgrade. This is achieved through AIKO’s InvisiRibbon copper interconnection and ZeroGap design, which remove visible busbars and gaps, delivering a sleek, uniform look. For installers, that means a stronger upselling point when competing against standard panels.
- Warranties: Both generations carry the same 25-year product and 30-year performance warranties for Neostar panels — so Gen 3 improvements come with no trade-offs in long-term reliability. Comparison Aiko warranties table.
Quick Comparison: Gen 2 vs Gen 3 for Installers
| Feature | Gen 2 (2S / 2P) | Gen 3 (Infinite Series: 3S / 3P) |
|---|---|---|
| Output (54-cell) | 440–470 W | From to 475 W - 485 W |
| Efficiency | ~23.1–23.8% | ~23.8–24.3% |
| Busbars / Layout | Visible busbars & cell gaps | Hidden busbars, ZeroGap Cell Layout, InvisiRibbon, larger active area |
| Appearance | All-black, but gridlines visible | True all-black, seamless finish |
| Shade Behaviour | Good (standard bypass layout) | Improved subdivision, less loss under shading |
| Warranty | 25y product / 30y performance | Same strong warranty |
| Sales Edge | High efficiency panel | Market-leading wattage & aesthetics |
Why It Matters
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For Homeowners
- Generate more energy from the same roof space thanks to higher efficiency and 475 W output.
- A premium, seamless all-black finish enhances the look of your home.
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Better shade tolerance means more consistent energy production across the year.
- Long 25-year product and 30-year performance warranties give peace of mind for decades.
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For Installers
- Higher power per panel reduces balance-of-system costs (less racking, cabling, and labour).
- Easier to design systems on small or complex roofs without compromising output.
- Premium aesthetics and top-end performance help you win sales in competitive markets.
- Reliable warranties and durable construction mean fewer service issues down the track.
Pairing the Infinite 3rd Gen Panel with SolarEdge Optimisers and Enphase Microinverters
To get the best performance from the new Aiko 475 W Infinite Panel, it’s important to match it with the right electronics. The panel’s higher power rating means you’ll want optimisers and microinverters that can safely handle its output without unnecessary clipping.
Best match with SolarEdge
For SolarEdge systems, the S500B Power Optimiser is the most balanced choice. It’s designed for high-power residential panels around 500 W, giving enough headroom above the Aiko 475W / 485W rating. If you want even more flexibility with voltage range, the S1000 Optimiser is also suitable, particularly for larger or more varied string designs.
The SolarEdge S440 Optimiser is now compatible with modules up to 490W and under 15A which makes it compatible to be paired with the Infinite Noestar modules 3S and 3P.
Best match with Enphase
For Enphase systems, both the IQ8AC and IQ8HC microinverters pair well with the Aiko 475 W panel:
- IQ8AC: It delivers strong performance for most residential installs and keeps clipping modest.
- IQ8HC: Offers a little more continuous AC output, so it’s a good choice if the installation site has excellent sunlight and you want to minimise clipping further.
Watch the video to see the launch interview of the new IQ8P Microinverter, also on display at Smart Energy QLD.