AIKO vs Solarwatt - solar panel manufacturer comparison
AIKO has the broader catalog (144 vs 44 models). AIKO leads on peak efficiency at 25.20%. Solarwatt leans bifacial (50% 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
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>PERC</strong> (77%)
The flagships
Written summary
AIKO is a Chinese manufacturer founded in 2009 and headquartered in Guangzhou, China. The company reached BloombergNEF Tier 1 bankability status in Q3 2024 and has reported a production capacity of roughly 20 GW per year, placing it firmly among the larger-scale Chinese module makers. Solarwatt was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Dresden, Germany, where it built a reputation as a premium European brand. However, in August 2024 Solarwatt closed its 300 MW Dresden manufacturing plant, citing pressure from cheaper Chinese imports, and has since shifted production abroad. Unlike AIKO, Solarwatt does not appear on current BloombergNEF Tier 1 lists, reflecting its far smaller production footprint. On institutional scale and bankability, AIKO carries the stronger standing.
AIKO's catalog is built entirely around its proprietary ABC (All Back Contact) N-type cell technology, which eliminates front-side busbars to maximize light capture and reported module efficiencies above 24%. Its Neostar series targets premium residential rooftops, while the higher-wattage Comet series addresses commercial and industrial rooftop applications. The Infinite bifacial line pushes efficiency further for more demanding installations. Solarwatt by contrast is best known for its glass-glass panel construction - a format it pioneered as far back as 1998 - offering exceptional durability and a 30-year combined product and performance warranty. Its range is focused squarely on premium residential and prosumer buyers who prioritize longevity and German engineering heritage over outright efficiency records.
For a typical buyer in 2025, AIKO is the more straightforward recommendation where maximizing output per square meter and long-term bankability matter, particularly for residential or commercial rooftops with limited space. Solarwatt remains a credible choice for buyers who value robust glass-glass durability and a strong warranty, but the closure of its German factory introduces supply-chain questions that buyers and project financiers should weigh carefully.
Generated by Claude Sonnet · 2026-05-14
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.