---
title: "ASM vs KIOTO Solar - Brand Comparison | ComparePV"
description: "Compare ASM vs KIOTO Solar solar panels: full portfolio, efficiency, cell technology breakdown, warranty terms and company background."
source: "https://comparepv.com/asm-vs-kioto-solar"
---

# ASM vs KIOTO Solar

KIOTO Solar has the broader catalog (7 vs 1 models). KIOTO Solar leads on peak efficiency at 22.83%. KIOTO Solar leans bifacial (57% of lineup).


## The two companies


| Attribute | ASM | KIOTO Solar |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Country | Australia | Austria |
| Headquarters | Hallam, Victoria | St. Veit an der Glan |
| Founded | 2009 | 1991 |
| Employees | 1-10 | 201-500 |
| Annual capacity |  | \<1 GW/year |
| Tier 1 | no | no |
| Listed |  |  |
| Website | [https://www.australiansolarmanufacturing.com.au](https://www.australiansolarmanufacturing.com.au) | [https://www.kiotosolar.com](https://www.kiotosolar.com) |

Australian Solar Manufacturing (ASM) is a small Australian solar panel assembler that produces crystalline monocrystalline modules domestically using components sourced from Germany, Japan, the USA, and China. The company focuses on providing locally assembled PV modules tailored to Australian conditions, supporting...

KIOTO Solar (KIOTO Photovoltaics GmbH) is an Austrian manufacturer of photovoltaic modules, producing panels exclusively at its facility in St. Veit an der Glan, Carinthia. The company traces its roots to 1991 as part of the Sonnenkraft group, with PV module production beginning in 2005. It is the market leader for PV...


## Catalog & Power


| Measure | ASM | KIOTO Solar | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Panel Models | 1 | 7 | +6 |
| Max Power | 170 W | 450 W | +280 W |
| Avg Power | 170 W | 446 W | +276 W |


## Efficiency


| Measure | ASM | KIOTO Solar | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Max Efficiency | 16.00% | 22.83% | +6.83 pp |
| Avg Efficiency | 16.00% | 22.53% | +6.53 pp |


## Reliability & Warranty


| Measure | ASM | KIOTO Solar | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Avg Temp Coefficient | -0.438%/°C | -0.309%/°C | +0.129 |
| Bifacial Share | 0 (0%) | 4 (57%) | +57 pp |
| Avg Warranty | - | 27.1 yrs |  |


## Efficiency distribution


| Efficiency band | ASM | KIOTO Solar |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \<20% | 1 (100.0%) | 0 |
| 22-23% | 0 | 7 (100.0%) |


## Power distribution


| Power band | ASM | KIOTO Solar |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \<400W | 1 (100.0%) | 0 |
| 400-499W | 0 | 7 (100.0%) |


## Cell technology

Dominant cell tech: **TOPCon** (100%)


| Technology | ASM | KIOTO Solar |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unknown | 1 (100.0%) | 0 |
| TOPCon | 0 | 7 (100.0%) |


## Top panels, ASM


| # | Model | Power | Efficiency | Temp. coefficient | Technology |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [ASM170M](https://comparepv.com/panel/australian-solar-manufacturing-asm170m) | 170 | 16.0 | -0.438 | Monocrystalline |


## Top panels, KIOTO Solar


| # | Model | Power | Efficiency | Temp. coefficient | Technology |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [KPV 450 Wp HC NE](https://comparepv.com/panel/kioto-solar-kpv-450-wp-hc-ne) | 450 | 22.5 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 2 | [KPV 450Wp HC](https://comparepv.com/panel/kioto-solar-kpv-450wp-hc) | 450 | 22.5 | -0.320 | Monocrystalline |
| 3 | [KPV 450Wp HC NE (G/G-TC)](https://comparepv.com/panel/kioto-solar-kpv-450wp-hc-ne-g-g-tc) | 450 | 22.5 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 4 | [KPV 445Wp HC](https://comparepv.com/panel/kioto-solar-kpv-445wp-hc) | 445 | 22.8 | -0.320 | Monocrystalline |
| 5 | [KPV 445Wp HC NE (G/G-TC)](https://comparepv.com/panel/kioto-solar-kpv-445wp-hc-ne-g-g-tc) | 445 | 22.8 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 6 | [KPV 440 Wp HCB](https://comparepv.com/panel/kioto-solar-kpv-440-wp-hcb) | 440 | 22.0 | -0.320 | Monocrystalline |
| 7 | [KPV 440Wp HC NE (G/G-TC)](https://comparepv.com/panel/kioto-solar-kpv-440wp-hc-ne-g-g-tc) | 440 | 22.5 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |


## Summary

ASM, formally Australian Solar Manufacturing Pty Ltd, is a small-scale Australian assembler founded in 2009 and based in Victoria. Rather than fabricating photovoltaic cells from scratch, the company imports components sourced from Germany, Japan, the United States, and China and assembles finished modules domestically. Its catalogue covers monocrystalline panels in roughly the 170-200 Wp range - a power class that reflects an earlier stage of module development - and the company positions itself primarily on the "Made in Australia" proposition. ASM does not appear on any published BloombergNEF Tier 1 list, and its manufacturing scale is modest by global standards. KIOTO Solar, operating as KIOTO Photovoltaics GmbH and part of Austria's Sonnenkraft group, has a considerably longer history: it traces its roots to 1991 and began dedicated PV module production in 2005. After KIOTO and Sonnenkraft formally joined forces in 2020, the combined group expanded its Austrian facilities to a reported annual capacity of around 340 MW. KIOTO is the market leader in Austria and distributes across Europe, though it likewise does not feature on mainstream Tier 1 bankability rankings. In terms of institutional footprint, KIOTO is the larger and more established entity.

On the product side, ASM's catalogue is centred on straightforward monocrystalline modules suited to small residential and light commercial rooftop installations in the Australian market. KIOTO's range is broader: the company offers standard mono modules, PERC half-cut variants confirmed at efficiencies reaching around 22%, glass-glass configurations, and building-integrated photovoltaic solutions - covering residential rooftops through to mid-scale commercial projects across Europe. KIOTO has not publicly confirmed a TOPCon product line as of the available information.

For a buyer outside Australia, KIOTO is the natural default in 2025: it offers more modern cell technology, higher wattage options, a wider product range, and a longer track record in a competitive European market. ASM's value proposition is specific - local assembly and Australian content - and is largely irrelevant beyond that market. Within Australia, buyers prioritising domestic origin may find ASM relevant, but should weigh the relatively older module specifications against KIOTO or other internationally bankable alternatives.

\---LINKS---

\- https://www.enfsolar.com/asm \| Australian Solar Manufacturing (ASM) - company profile and panel specs \| review

\- http://australiansolarmanufacturing.com.au/main/page\_about\_us.html \| ASM - About Us page with founding context \| article

\- https://www.enfsolar.com/kioto-solar \| KIOTO Photovoltaics GmbH - company profile and panel database \| review

\- https://www.solarfeeds.com/biz/kioto-solar/ \| KIOTO Solar - company overview and production capacity \| article

\- https://www.vpsolar.com/en/kioto-solar-best-quality-pv-panels-from-austria/ \| KIOTO Solar - quality and product positioning overview \| article

Sources:

\- \[Australian Solar Manufacturing (ASM) - ENF Solar profile\](https://www.enfsolar.com/asm)

\- \[ASM About Us page\](http://australiansolarmanufacturing.com.au/main/page\_about\_us.html)

\- \[KIOTO Photovoltaics GmbH - ENF Solar profile\](https://www.enfsolar.com/kioto-solar)

\- \[KIOTO Solar company overview - SolarFeeds\](https://www.solarfeeds.com/biz/kioto-solar/)

\- \[KIOTO Solar quality and positioning - VP Solar\](https://www.vpsolar.com/en/kioto-solar-best-quality-pv-panels-from-austria/)

Written by claude-sonnet from the figures above.


## Other comparisons

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


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Source: https://comparepv.com/asm-vs-kioto-solar

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

