AIKO vs HT-SAAE - solar panel manufacturer comparison
AIKO has the broader catalog (144 vs 112 models). AIKO leads on peak efficiency at 25.20%. HT-SAAE leans bifacial (47% of lineup).
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
- Founded
- 2009
- Headquarters
- Shanghai, China
- Listed
- SZSE: 600732
- Tier 1 bankable
- Yes
HT-SAAE (Shanghai Aerospace Automobile Electromechanical Co., Ltd.) is a state-owned enterprise specializing in photovoltaic products. The company integrates polysilicon, solar cells, battery packs, and photovoltaic + energy storage systems. They develop and manufacture solar panels for residential, commercial, and...
- Founded
- 1998
- Headquarters
- Shanghai, China
- Annual capacity
- 2+ GW/year
- Employees
- 500+
- Tier 1 bankable
- Yes
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
AIKO skews to higher efficiency: 85% of lineup is 23%+
AIKO offers more 600W+ panels (60% of lineup)
Dominant cell tech: <strong>Back Contact</strong> (83%)
Dominant cell tech: <strong>TOPCon</strong> (79%)
The flagships
Written summary
AIKO is a Chinese solar manufacturer that, despite being a relatively young commercial PV entrant, achieved BloombergNEF Tier 1 bankability status in Q3 2024. By early 2025, its reported annual production capacity stood at approximately 20 GW and has continued to expand. HT-SAAE operates from a very different starting point: it is a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), a state-owned Fortune 500 enterprise, with roots in space-grade solar cell development dating to 1960 and a pivot to commercial terrestrial PV applications beginning in 2000. HT-SAAE has maintained consistent BloombergNEF Tier 1 standing for many years and runs multiple manufacturing facilities across China alongside a 2 GW plant in Turkey. On institutional longevity and lender familiarity, HT-SAAE holds the stronger footprint in project-finance circles.
AIKO has staked its identity on its proprietary ABC (All Back Contact) cell architecture, which relocates all metal contacts to the rear of the cell to maximize light-capture area. The company reported a 24.4% module efficiency world record for mass-produced commercially available panels in June 2025, and its products are positioned primarily as a premium choice for space-constrained residential and commercial rooftops where yield per square meter justifies a higher upfront cost. HT-SAAE offers a broader lineup spanning both N-type TOPCon and P-type PERC modules, with documented efficiencies ranging from around 20% to roughly 24% across its product range. Pricing is generally mid-range, making HT-SAAE panels a practical fit across residential, commercial, and utility-scale ground-mount applications. The company also holds a spot on the PVEL PV Top Performers list across multiple test categories.
For a typical buyer in 2025, the choice maps to priorities. AIKO is the more compelling option when rooftop real estate is at a premium and a buyer wants leading-edge ABC efficiency backed by strong installer recognition. HT-SAAE suits cost-sensitive commercial or utility procurement where a long Tier 1 history, diversified product range, and competitive watt-pricing carry more weight than chasing efficiency records. The two brands serve overlapping but distinct segments and are not straightforwardly interchangeable.
Generated by Claude Sonnet · 2026-06-09
Other brand comparisons
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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.