---
title: "AIKO vs Leapton - Brand Comparison | ComparePV"
description: "Compare AIKO vs Leapton solar panels: full portfolio, efficiency, cell technology breakdown, warranty terms and company background."
source: "https://comparepv.com/aiko-vs-leapton"
---

# AIKO vs Leapton

AIKO has the broader catalog (144 vs 119 models). AIKO leads on peak efficiency at 25.20%. Leapton leans bifacial (49% of lineup).


## The two companies


| Attribute | AIKO | Leapton |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Country | China | Japan |
| Headquarters | Shanghai | Kobe |
| Founded | 2009 | 2012 |
| Employees |  |  |
| Annual capacity |  | 3+ GW/year |
| Tier 1 | yes | yes |
| Listed | SZSE: 600732 |  |
| Website | [https://www.aikosolar.com](https://www.aikosolar.com) | [http://www.leaptonpv.com/](http://www.leaptonpv.com/) |

Leapton Energy, headquartered in Japan, is a global leader in the solar PV industry, specializing in Tier-1 solar modules, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and inverters. With over 10 years of experience, Leapton Energy's products are now available in more than 70 countries worldwide.


## Catalog & Power


| Measure | AIKO | Leapton | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Panel Models | 144 | 119 | +25 |
| Max Power | 805 W | 720 W | +85 W |
| Avg Power | 581 W | 546 W | +35 W |


## Efficiency


| Measure | AIKO | Leapton | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Max Efficiency | 25.20% | 23.32% | +1.88 pp |
| Avg Efficiency | 23.65% | 22.18% | +1.47 pp |


## Reliability & Warranty


| Measure | AIKO | Leapton | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Avg Temp Coefficient | -0.271%/°C | -0.307%/°C | +0.036 |
| Bifacial Share | 35 (24%) | 58 (49%) | +24 pp |
| Avg Warranty | 29.5 yrs | 29.5 yrs | +0.1 yr |


## Efficiency distribution

AIKO skews to higher efficiency: 85% of lineup is 23%+


| Efficiency band | AIKO | Leapton |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \<20% | 3 (2.1%) | 0 |
| 20-21% | 3 (2.1%) | 5 (4.2%) |
| 21-22% | 3 (2.1%) | 32 (26.9%) |
| 22-23% | 12 (8.3%) | 74 (62.2%) |
| 23%+ | 123 (85.4%) | 8 (6.7%) |


## Power distribution

AIKO offers more 600W+ panels (60% of lineup)


| Power band | AIKO | Leapton |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \<400W | 2 (1.4%) | 0 |
| 400-499W | 50 (34.7%) | 48 (40.3%) |
| 500-599W | 5 (3.5%) | 33 (27.7%) |
| 600-699W | 78 (54.2%) | 28 (23.5%) |
| 700W+ | 9 (6.2%) | 10 (8.4%) |


## Cell technology

Dominant cell tech: **Back Contact** (83%)

Dominant cell tech: **TOPCon** (88%)


| Technology | AIKO | Leapton |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Back Contact | 119 (82.6%) | 0 |
| N-type | 17 (11.8%) | 14 (11.8%) |
| PERC | 7 (4.9%) | 0 |
| Flexible | 1 (0.7%) | 0 |
| TOPCon | 0 | 105 (88.2%) |


## Top panels, AIKO


| # | Model | Power | Efficiency | Temp. coefficient | Technology |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [AIKO-A805-GRH78Dw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a805-grh78dw) | 805 | 25.1 | -0.260 | Monocrystalline |
| 2 | [AIKO-A800-GRH78Dw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a800-grh78dw) | 800 | 24.9 | -0.260 | Monocrystalline |
| 3 | [AIKO-A795-GRH78Dw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a795-grh78dw) | 795 | 24.8 | -0.260 | Monocrystalline |
| 4 | [AIKO-A790-GRH78Dw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a790-grh78dw) | 790 | 24.6 | -0.260 | Monocrystalline |
| 5 | [AIKO-A785-GRH78Dw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a785-grh78dw) | 785 | 24.4 | -0.260 | Monocrystalline |
| 6 | [AIKO-A780-GRH78Dw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a780-grh78dw) | 780 | 24.3 | -0.260 | Monocrystalline |
| 7 | [AIKO-A775-GRH78Dw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a775-grh78dw) | 775 | 24.1 | -0.260 | Monocrystalline |
| 8 | [AIKO-A770-GRH78Dw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a770-grh78dw) | 770 | 24.0 | -0.260 | Monocrystalline |
| 9 | [AIKO-A700-MAE78Dw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a700-mae78dw) | 700 | 25.0 | -0.260 | Monocrystalline |
| 10 | [AIKO-A695-MAE78Dw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a695-mae78dw) | 695 | 24.9 | -0.260 | Monocrystalline |


## Top panels, Leapton


| # | Model | Power | Efficiency | Temp. coefficient | Technology |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [LP210\*210-M-66-NH-720W](https://comparepv.com/panel/leapton-lp210-210-m-66-nh-720w) | 720 | 23.2 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 2 | [LP210\*210-M-66-NB-720W](https://comparepv.com/panel/leapton-lp210-210-m-66-nb-720w) | 720 | 23.2 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 3 | [LP210\*210-M-66-NH-715W](https://comparepv.com/panel/leapton-lp210-210-m-66-nh-715w) | 715 | 23.1 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 4 | [LP210\*210-M-66-NB-715W](https://comparepv.com/panel/leapton-lp210-210-m-66-nb-715w) | 715 | 23.1 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 5 | [LP210\*210-M-66-NH-710W](https://comparepv.com/panel/leapton-lp210-210-m-66-nh-710w) | 710 | 22.9 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 6 | [LP210\*210-M-66-NB-710W](https://comparepv.com/panel/leapton-lp210-210-m-66-nb-710w) | 710 | 22.9 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 7 | [LP210\*210-M-66-NH-705W](https://comparepv.com/panel/leapton-lp210-210-m-66-nh-705w) | 705 | 22.7 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 8 | [LP210\*210-M-66-NB-705W](https://comparepv.com/panel/leapton-lp210-210-m-66-nb-705w) | 705 | 22.7 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 9 | [LP210\*210-M-66-NH-700W](https://comparepv.com/panel/leapton-lp210-210-m-66-nh-700w) | 700 | 22.5 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 10 | [LP210\*210-M-66-NB-700W](https://comparepv.com/panel/leapton-lp210-210-m-66-nb-700w) | 700 | 22.5 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |


## Summary

Leapton Energy is a Tier 1 manufacturer founded in Kobe, Japan in 2012, with all module production carried out at its Changshu, Jiangsu facility established in 2017. The company claimed an annual production capacity of approximately 3 GW as of late 2024, and it holds Bloomberg NEF Tier 1 bankability status. Leapton was also named a Top Performer in Kiwa PVEL's 2025 PV Module Reliability Scorecard across four test categories. AIKO - formally Shanghai Aiko Solar Energy Co., Ltd. - traces its roots to 1996 and is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. It achieved Bloomberg NEF Tier 1 status in 2024 and has been aggressively expanding cell and module capacity, with large-scale N-type ABC production lines coming online in Jinan. In terms of institutional footprint and technology investment, AIKO operates at a markedly larger scale.

Leapton's catalog is built around N-type TOPCon modules aimed at price-sensitive residential and commercial rooftop buyers who still require a bankable, independently tested product. Its value proposition rests on competitive pricing relative to larger Chinese brands while maintaining respectable reliability credentials. AIKO's product range takes a different approach: its flagship Neostar series uses proprietary All-Back-Contact (ABC) cell architecture, which positions all electrical contacts on the rear of the cell to eliminate front-side shading losses. The Neostar line targets premium residential rooftops and mid-scale commercial projects where maximizing output per square meter is a priority, while the higher-wattage Comet series addresses C&I ground-mount and large rooftop applications. AIKO has consistently topped global module efficiency rankings according to Taiyangnews since 2023, and in early 2025 it launched rooftop modules rated at 24.3% efficiency.

For a typical buyer in 2025, the choice largely depends on budget and efficiency goals. Leapton offers a solid, independently validated Tier 1 product at a lower price point, making it suitable where cost per watt matters most. AIKO suits buyers willing to pay a premium for best-in-class efficiency and a stronger long-term performance warranty - its 30-year warranty with a projected 90.6% retention at year 25 is notably more generous than Leapton's equivalent figure. These two brands are not interchangeable: Leapton competes on value, AIKO on peak performance.

\---LINKS---

\- https://www.solarquotes.com.au/blog/leapton-solar-panels-review/ \| Leapton Solar Panels Review - Budget Tier 1 Made In China By Japanese Co \| review

\- https://scorecard.pvel.com/manufacturer\_name/leapton-solar/ \| Leapton Solar Named Top Performer in Kiwa PVEL 2025 Scorecard \| article

\- https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/02/07/aiko-launches-new-rooftop-solar-panels-with-24-3-efficiency/ \| Aiko launches new rooftop solar panels with 24.3% efficiency \| article

\- https://sunsparkenergy.com.au/blog/solar-panels-1/aiko-solar-panels-review-2025-14 \| Aiko Solar Panels Review 2025 \| review

\- https://www.pv-magazine.com/2023/04/25/aiko-solar-expands-solar-cell-module-capacity-by-30-gw/ \| Aiko Solar expands solar cell and module capacity by 30 GW \| article

Sources:

\- \[Leapton Solar Panels Review - SolarQuotes\](https://www.solarquotes.com.au/blog/leapton-solar-panels-review/)

\- \[Leapton PVEL 2025 Scorecard\](https://scorecard.pvel.com/manufacturer\_name/leapton-solar/)

\- \[Aiko 24.3% efficiency rooftop panels - PV Magazine\](https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/02/07/aiko-launches-new-rooftop-solar-panels-with-24-3-efficiency/)

\- \[Aiko Solar Panels Review 2025 - Sun Spark Energy\](https://sunsparkenergy.com.au/blog/solar-panels-1/aiko-solar-panels-review-2025-14)

\- \[Aiko Solar 30 GW capacity expansion - PV Magazine\](https://www.pv-magazine.com/2023/04/25/aiko-solar-expands-solar-cell-module-capacity-by-30-gw/)

Written by claude-sonnet from the figures above.


## Other comparisons

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


---

Source: https://comparepv.com/aiko-vs-leapton

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