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

# AIKO vs Q-Cells

AIKO has the broader catalog (144 vs 89 models). AIKO leads on peak efficiency at 25.20%. Q-Cells leans bifacial (39% of lineup).


## The two companies


| Attribute | AIKO | Q-Cells |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Country | China | South Korea |
| Headquarters | Shanghai | Seoul |
| Founded | 2009 | 1999 |
| Employees |  | 2000+ |
| Annual capacity |  | 11.2 GW/year |
| Tier 1 | yes | yes |
| Listed | SZSE: 600732 | NASDAQ: HQCL |
| Website | [https://www.aikosolar.com](https://www.aikosolar.com) | [https://www.qcells.com](https://www.qcells.com) |

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 | AIKO | Q-Cells | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Panel Models | 144 | 89 | +55 |
| Max Power | 805 W | 675 W | +130 W |
| Avg Power | 581 W | 468 W | +113 W |


## Efficiency


| Measure | AIKO | Q-Cells | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Max Efficiency | 25.20% | 23.20% | +2.00 pp |
| Avg Efficiency | 23.65% | 21.21% | +2.44 pp |


## Reliability & Warranty


| Measure | AIKO | Q-Cells | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Avg Temp Coefficient | -0.271%/°C | -0.325%/°C | +0.054 |
| Bifacial Share | 35 (24%) | 35 (39%) | +15 pp |
| Avg Warranty | 29.5 yrs | 27.0 yrs | +2.5 yr |


## Efficiency distribution

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


| Efficiency band | AIKO | Q-Cells |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \<20% | 3 (2.1%) | 7 (7.9%) |
| 20-21% | 3 (2.1%) | 29 (32.6%) |
| 21-22% | 3 (2.1%) | 30 (33.7%) |
| 22-23% | 12 (8.3%) | 21 (23.6%) |
| 23%+ | 123 (85.4%) | 2 (2.2%) |


## Power distribution

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


| Power band | AIKO | Q-Cells |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \<400W | 2 (1.4%) | 20 (22.5%) |
| 400-499W | 50 (34.7%) | 41 (46.1%) |
| 500-599W | 5 (3.5%) | 11 (12.4%) |
| 600-699W | 78 (54.2%) | 17 (19.1%) |
| 700W+ | 9 (6.2%) | 0 |


## Cell technology

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

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


| Technology | AIKO | Q-Cells |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Back Contact | 119 (82.6%) | 0 |
| N-type | 17 (11.8%) | 23 (25.8%) |
| PERC | 7 (4.9%) | 38 (42.7%) |
| Flexible | 1 (0.7%) | 0 |
| Unknown | 0 | 20 (22.5%) |
| TOPCon | 0 | 8 (9.0%) |


## 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, 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

AIKO Solar is a Chinese manufacturer headquartered in Guangzhou, founded in 2009, that has grown rapidly on the back of its proprietary ABC (All Back Contact) N-type cell technology. The company achieved BloombergNEF Tier 1 bankability status in 2024 and has reported a production capacity of approximately 20 GW for its ABC lines. Q-Cells, operating under South Korean conglomerate Hanwha since 2012, traces its origins to Q-Cells AG, a German firm founded in 1999, and today produces panels across South Korea, Germany, Malaysia, and the United States. Q-Cells holds long-standing BloombergNEF Tier 1 status and runs approximately 8.4 GW of capacity in Dalton, Georgia alone - the largest solar manufacturing plant in the Western Hemisphere. In terms of established institutional footprint, Q-Cells commands the wider global reach and the longer bankability track record.

Q-Cells offers two main technology lines: the Q.PEAK DUO series based on its Q.ANTUM DUO PERC architecture for cost-sensitive residential and commercial rooftops, and the newer Q.TRON line using TOPCon cells for higher-efficiency applications. AIKO's lineup is unified around ABC technology, with Gen 3 modules achieving confirmed module efficiencies above 24%, a notably low temperature coefficient, and strong shade tolerance thanks to rear-contact cell design. Independent installer surveys ranked AIKO first in the 2025 SolarQuotes Installers' Choice Awards, reflecting growing professional confidence in the platform.

For a typical residential buyer in 2025, Q-Cells is the lower-risk default - its multi-decade warranty infrastructure, U.S. domestic manufacturing that qualifies for IRA incentives, and deep installer network are difficult to match. AIKO is the stronger pick where roof space is constrained and peak efficiency is the decisive criterion, though buyers should note that its Tier 1 designation is recent and its global service network is still maturing. The two brands occupy overlapping but distinct niches rather than being straightforwardly interchangeable.

\---LINKS---

\- https://www.solarquotes.com.au/panels/aiko-solar-review.html \| AIKO Solar panel installers review 2025 - SolarQuotes \| review

\- https://www.pv-tech.org/aiko-capacity-upgrades-abc-cell-technology/ \| Aiko steps up ABC transition with capacity upgrades - PV Tech \| article

\- https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/hanwha-q-cells-solar-panels-complete-review \| Expert review of Qcells solar panels 2025 - SolarReviews \| review

\- https://solartechonline.com/blog/hanwha-q-cells-solar-panels-review-2025/ \| Hanwha Q CELLS solar panels expert analysis 2025 - SolarTechOnline \| review

Sources:

\- \[AIKO Solar panel installers review 2025 - SolarQuotes\](https://www.solarquotes.com.au/panels/aiko-solar-review.html)

\- \[Aiko steps up ABC transition with capacity upgrades - PV Tech\](https://www.pv-tech.org/aiko-capacity-upgrades-abc-cell-technology/)

\- \[Expert review of Qcells solar panels 2025 - SolarReviews\](https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/hanwha-q-cells-solar-panels-complete-review)

\- \[Hanwha Q CELLS solar panels expert analysis 2025 - SolarTechOnline\](https://solartechonline.com/blog/hanwha-q-cells-solar-panels-review-2025/)

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 Q-Cells](https://comparepv.com/ae-solar-vs-q-cells)
- [AIKO vs AEET](https://comparepv.com/aiko-vs-aeet)
- [AKCOME vs Q-Cells](https://comparepv.com/akcome-vs-q-cells)
- [AIKO vs ARTsolar](https://comparepv.com/aiko-vs-artsolar)
- [ASM vs Q-Cells](https://comparepv.com/asm-vs-q-cells)


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Source: https://comparepv.com/aiko-vs-q-cells

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