AIKO vs QN-SOLAR - solar panel manufacturer comparison
AIKO has the broader catalog (144 vs 0 models). AIKO leans bifacial (24% 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
QN-SOLAR (Qn-SOLAR PV Limited) is a China-based integrated photovoltaic manufacturer with six production bases across China, specializing in N-TOPCon solar cells and modules. The company officially launched its global business in 2022 and has expanded into upstream and downstream PV production, reaching a combined...
- Founded
- 2014
- Headquarters
- Shanghai, China
- Annual capacity
- 30-40 GW/year
- Employees
- 5000-10000
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%)
The flagships
Written summary
QN-SOLAR is a Chinese manufacturer headquartered in Shanghai, founded in 2021 under the ZhongQing PV name, having initially operated as a project developer and EPC contractor before building out dedicated cell and module production lines. It claims a cell capacity of around 20 GW and module output of approximately 25 GW annually as of 2024, making it a mid-to-large-scale producer by volume. No confirmed BloombergNEF Tier 1 designation for QN-SOLAR has surfaced in available industry sources as of early 2026. AIKO - formally Aiko Solar - is also China-based, headquartered in Zhongshan, Guangdong, and achieved BloombergNEF Tier 1 status in Q3 2024 with a reported production capacity of approximately 20 GW as of Q1 2025. With its Tier 1 recognition and growing presence in institutionally financed projects, AIKO carries the stronger bankability standing of the two.
QN-SOLAR's catalog centers on N-TOPCon modules aimed at commercial and utility-scale buyers seeking a cost-effective next-generation alternative to PERC. The brand is generally positioned as a value-oriented supplier for price-sensitive project developers and EPC contractors. AIKO has distinguished itself through its proprietary ABC (All-Back-Contact) N-type cell technology, which routes all electrical contacts to the rear of the cell to maximize active surface area. Its Neostar series is independently recognized as among the most efficient residential panels commercially available, with top models rated above 24% efficiency and a temperature coefficient of around -0.26%/degC, compared to the industry norm of roughly -0.40%/degC. AIKO targets premium residential rooftops and commercial installations where high energy yield per square meter justifies a higher price point.
For most buyers in 2025-2026, AIKO is the sounder default: its Tier 1 bankability, verified efficiency leadership, and strong installer reception - including a first-place finish in the 2025 SolarQuotes Installers' Choice Awards - reduce project risk meaningfully. QN-SOLAR remains competitive for procurement teams focused on TOPCon module pricing, but its limited institutional track record makes it a harder sell for financed utility-scale deals. Both brands carry the usual caveats of relatively recent entrants in a market dominated by longer-established names.
Generated by Claude Sonnet · 2026-05-16
Other brand comparisons
Shop prices: See 179 AIKO offers
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.