---
title: "AE Solar vs Q-Cells - Brand Comparison | ComparePV"
description: "Compare AE Solar vs Q-Cells solar panels: full portfolio, efficiency, cell technology breakdown, warranty terms and company background."
source: "https://comparepv.com/ae-solar-vs-q-cells"
---

# AE Solar vs Q-Cells

AE Solar has the broader catalog (646 vs 89 models). AE Solar leads on peak efficiency at 24.43%. AE Solar leans bifacial (63% of lineup).


## The two companies


| Attribute | AE Solar | Q-Cells |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Country | Germany | South Korea |
| Headquarters | Gersthofen | Seoul |
| Founded | 2003 | 1999 |
| Employees | 501-1000 | 2000+ |
| Annual capacity | 2+ GW/year | 11.2 GW/year |
| Tier 1 | yes | yes |
| Listed |  | NASDAQ: HQCL |
| Website | [https://ae-solar.com](https://ae-solar.com) | [https://www.qcells.com](https://www.qcells.com) |

AE Solar is a German Tier 1 manufacturer of high-efficiency photovoltaic (PV) modules. The company specializes in producing durable and innovative solar panels with German engineering standards, offering solutions for residential, commercial, and utility-scale applications. AE Solar operates in over 100 countries and...

Qcells is a renowned global provider of complete energy solutions, specializing in solar cells and modules, energy storage solutions, downstream project business, and energy retail. The company has a strong heritage dating back to its foundation in Germany and has become a leader in technology innovations. As an...


## Catalog & Power


| Measure | AE Solar | Q-Cells | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Panel Models | 646 | 89 | +557 |
| Max Power | 730 W | 675 W | +55 W |
| Avg Power | 489 W | 468 W | +20 W |


## Efficiency


| Measure | AE Solar | Q-Cells | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Max Efficiency | 24.43% | 23.20% | +1.23 pp |
| Avg Efficiency | 21.11% | 21.21% | +0.11 pp |


## Reliability & Warranty


| Measure | AE Solar | Q-Cells | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Avg Temp Coefficient | -0.312%/°C | -0.325%/°C | +0.013 |
| Bifacial Share | 405 (63%) | 35 (39%) | +23 pp |
| Avg Warranty | 29.7 yrs | 27.0 yrs | +2.7 yr |


## Efficiency distribution

AE Solar skews to higher efficiency: 9% of lineup is 23%+


| Efficiency band | AE Solar | Q-Cells |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \<20% | 74 (11.5%) | 7 (7.9%) |
| 20-21% | 171 (26.5%) | 29 (32.6%) |
| 21-22% | 142 (22.0%) | 30 (33.7%) |
| 22-23% | 199 (30.8%) | 21 (23.6%) |
| 23%+ | 60 (9.3%) | 2 (2.2%) |


## Power distribution

Q-Cells offers more 600W+ panels (19% of lineup)


| Power band | AE Solar | Q-Cells |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \<400W | 78 (12.1%) | 20 (22.5%) |
| 400-499W | 329 (50.9%) | 41 (46.1%) |
| 500-599W | 154 (23.8%) | 11 (12.4%) |
| 600-699W | 55 (8.5%) | 17 (19.1%) |
| 700W+ | 30 (4.6%) | 0 |


## Cell technology

Dominant cell tech: **TOPCon** (54%)

Dominant cell tech: **PERC** (43%)


| Technology | AE Solar | Q-Cells |
| --- | --- | --- |
| TOPCon | 349 (54.0%) | 8 (9.0%) |
| PERC | 245 (37.9%) | 38 (42.7%) |
| Back Contact | 21 (3.3%) | 0 |
| N-type | 17 (2.6%) | 23 (25.8%) |
| BIPV | 9 (1.4%) | 0 |
| HJT | 5 (0.8%) | 0 |
| Unknown | 0 | 20 (22.5%) |


## Top panels, AE Solar


| # | Model | Power | Efficiency | Temp. coefficient | Technology |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [CME-132BDS-730](https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-cme-132bds-730) | 730 | 23.5 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 2 | [CME-132BDS-730W](https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-cme-132bds-730w) | 730 | 23.5 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 3 | [CME-132BDS-725](https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-cme-132bds-725) | 725 | 23.4 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 4 | [CME-132-725W](https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-cme-132-725w) | 725 | 23.4 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 5 | [CME-132BDS-725W](https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-cme-132bds-725w) | 725 | 23.4 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 6 | [AE CME-132 720](https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-ae-cme-132-720) | 720 | 23.2 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 7 | [CME-132BDS-720](https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-cme-132bds-720) | 720 | 23.2 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 8 | [AE CME-132-720](https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-ae-cme-132-720-1) | 720 | 23.2 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 9 | [CME-132-720W](https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-cme-132-720w) | 720 | 23.2 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 10 | [CME-132BDS-720W](https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-cme-132bds-720w) | 720 | 23.2 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |


## Top panels, Q-Cells


| # | Model | Power | Efficiency | Temp. coefficient | Technology |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [Q.PEAK DUO ML-G12S.3 / BFG 675](https://comparepv.com/panel/q-cells-q-peak-duo-ml-g12s-3-bfg-675) | 675 | 21.7 | -0.340 | Monocrystalline |
| 2 | [Q.PEAK DUO ML-G12S.3 / BFG 670](https://comparepv.com/panel/q-cells-q-peak-duo-ml-g12s-3-bfg-670) | 670 | 21.6 | -0.340 | Monocrystalline |
| 3 | [Q.PEAK DUO ML-G12S.3 / BFG 665](https://comparepv.com/panel/q-cells-q-peak-duo-ml-g12s-3-bfg-665) | 665 | 21.4 | -0.340 | Monocrystalline |
| 4 | [Q.PEAK DUO ML-G12S.3 / BFG 660](https://comparepv.com/panel/q-cells-q-peak-duo-ml-g12s-3-bfg-660) | 660 | 21.2 | -0.340 | Monocrystalline |
| 5 | [Q.PEAK DUO ML-G12S.3 / BFG 655](https://comparepv.com/panel/q-cells-q-peak-duo-ml-g12s-3-bfg-655) | 655 | 21.1 | -0.340 | Monocrystalline |
| 6 | [Q.PEAK DUO ML-G12S.3 / BFG 650](https://comparepv.com/panel/q-cells-q-peak-duo-ml-g12s-3-bfg-650) | 650 | 20.9 | -0.340 | Monocrystalline |
| 7 | [Q.TRON XL-G2.3 / BFG 645](https://comparepv.com/panel/q-cells-q-tron-xl-g2-3-bfg-645) | 645 | 23.1 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 8 | [Q.TRON XL-G2.3 / BFG 640](https://comparepv.com/panel/q-cells-q-tron-xl-g2-3-bfg-640) | 640 | 22.9 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 9 | [Q.TRON XL-G2.3 / BFG 635](https://comparepv.com/panel/hanwha-q-cells-america-inc-q-tron-xl-g2-3-bfg-635) | 635 | 22.7 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 10 | [Q.TRON XL-G2.3 / BFG 630](https://comparepv.com/panel/hanwha-q-cells-america-inc-q-tron-xl-g2-3-bfg-630) | 630 | 22.6 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |


## Summary

AE Solar, founded in 2003 and headquartered in Germany, is a Tier 1 bankable manufacturer with a production capacity of over 2 GW and a diverse portfolio of 442 panel models, employing between 501 and 1,000 people. The company operates manufacturing facilities in Turkey, Georgia, and China, supplying modules to markets worldwide. Q CELLS, originally founded in Germany in 1999, is now part of South Korea's Hanwha Group, with over 2,000 employees and a substantially larger annual production capacity of 11.2 GW. Listed on NASDAQ and maintaining R&D centers across Germany, South Korea, China, and Malaysia, Q CELLS holds Tier 1 bankable status and ranks among the most institutionally recognized solar brands in the global market.

AE Solar's portfolio is led by TOPCon technology, which accounts for nearly 50% of its lineup and delivers a maximum module efficiency of 24.43% and a maximum output of 730 Wp, with an average panel output of approximately 497 Wp. A bifacial share of 63.8% and an average product warranty of nearly 30 years make AE Solar a strong candidate for residential rooftop installs seeking high yield in limited roof space, as well as for utility-scale ground-mount projects where bifacial gain and high watt-peak ratings directly affect financial returns. Q CELLS anchors its 91-panel portfolio on its proprietary Q.ANTUM PERC technology (38.5% of its range), reaching a maximum efficiency of 23.2% and an average output of around 462 Wp. Its slightly higher temperature coefficient (-0.323%/°C versus -0.313%/°C for AE Solar) is a minor consideration in hot climates, but its globally recognized brand, rigorous VDE certification, and strong institutional backing make it particularly well-suited for commercial and industrial C&I projects and bank-financed large-scale installations where documented reliability is a decisive procurement criterion.

For international buyers choosing between the two, AE Solar offers a more technology-forward and diverse product range with higher peak power, greater bifacial coverage, and a longer average warranty - advantages that favor EPCs and installers optimizing yield in residential and mid-scale projects. Q CELLS brings greater manufacturing scale, a globally recognized brand, and deep institutional trust, which can be decisive when securing project financing or satisfying bankability requirements in large commercial or utility developments. Both are credible Tier 1 choices; the decision ultimately hinges on whether the priority is cutting-edge panel specifications or brand-driven certainty in project finance contexts.

Written by claude-sonnet from the figures above.


## Other comparisons

- [AE Solar vs A.B. Energy](https://comparepv.com/ae-solar-vs-a-b-energy)
- [AEET vs Q-Cells](https://comparepv.com/aeet-vs-q-cells)
- [AE Solar vs AIKO](https://comparepv.com/ae-solar-vs-aiko)
- [AKCOME vs Q-Cells](https://comparepv.com/akcome-vs-q-cells)
- [AE Solar vs ARTsolar](https://comparepv.com/ae-solar-vs-artsolar)
- [ASM vs Q-Cells](https://comparepv.com/asm-vs-q-cells)


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Source: https://comparepv.com/ae-solar-vs-q-cells

Not in this file, on the page: the distributions above drawn as charts.