AIKO vs Runergy New Energy - 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
Runergy is an international PV technology company specializing in the research, development, manufacturing, and distribution of PV solar cells and modules. By the end of 2023, the company had shipped over 65 GW of solar cells. Runergy operates production facilities in China and overseas for polysilicon, wafers, cells...
- Founded
- 2013
- Headquarters
- Yancheng, China
- Annual capacity
- 63+ GW/year
- Employees
- 15,000+
- 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%)
The flagships
Written summary
Runergy New Energy is a Chinese solar manufacturer founded in 2013 and headquartered in Yancheng, Jiangsu Province. The company has held BloombergNEF Tier 1 status for at least six consecutive quarters as of early 2025, and it ranked among the global top three in solar cell shipments for three straight years between 2020 and 2022. Its combined cell production capacity across China and Thailand was reported at approximately 63 GW by end-2024, supported by a 2 GW module plant that opened in Huntsville, Alabama in late 2024. AIKO Solar - formally Shanghai Aiko Solar Energy - traces its roots to 2009 and is headquartered in Shanghai, with major gigafactories in Yiwu, Zhuhai, and Jinan. AIKO attained BNEF Tier 1 status in 2024 and has publicly targeted module shipments exceeding 20 GW in 2025, putting its total manufacturing footprint at roughly 65 GW. Both companies carry credible institutional backing, though AIKO's aggressive shipment ramp and longer operating history give it a marginally stronger commercial footprint at this moment.
On the product side, Runergy's commercial range centers on N-type TOPCon modules - notably the Hyperion bifacial series - which achieved the top ranking for energy yield among bifacial modules in a PV Magazine independent test and earned an "Overall Highest Achiever" designation in the RETC 2023 module index. These modules are well-suited to utility-scale ground mounts and large commercial rooftops. AIKO has staked out a differentiated position with its ABC (All Back Contact) N-type cell technology, which eliminates front-side metal contacts to reduce shading losses. Its Neostar series targets premium residential and commercial rooftops with module efficiencies reported above 24%, while the larger-format Comet series addresses utility and commercial projects in the 605-660 W range. AIKO has topped the Taiyangnews global module efficiency rankings consistently since March 2023 and won the 2025 SolarQuotes Installers' Choice Award.
For buyers who prioritize peak efficiency and are comfortable with a newer cell architecture, AIKO's ABC technology offers a genuine performance edge - particularly on space-constrained rooftops. Runergy is the more conservative choice: proven TOPCon technology, strong independent test results, and a US manufacturing footprint that matters for domestic-content incentives. Neither brand is a generic pick; the right choice depends primarily on whether efficiency premiums or supply-chain proximity carries more weight for the project.
Generated by Claude Sonnet · 2026-05-14
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.