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AU Optronics vs GCL - solar panel manufacturer comparison

AU Optronics
Taiwan Founded 1996 Tier 1
Read the AU Optronics review
VS
GCL
China Founded 1990 Tier 1
Read the GCL review
At a glance

GCL has the broader catalog (232 vs 1 models). GCL leads on peak efficiency at 24.50%. GCL leans bifacial (65% 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.

Panel models
1 232
Highest power
170 Wp 740 Wp
Best efficiency
16.0% 24.5%
Average efficiency
16.0% 22.0%
Bifacial share
0% 65%
Average warranty
- 28 yrs
01

The two companies

Company facts, not datasheet figures
AU Optronics

AU Optronics (AUO) is a technology-driven company based in Taiwan, specializing in optoelectronics and display solutions. They deliver products and services that advance innovation in areas like display technology, system solutions, industrial intelligence, healthcare, and energy. AUO operates globally across Asia...

Founded
1996
Headquarters
Hsinchu, Taiwan
Employees
41000+
Tier 1 bankable
Yes
GCL

GCL is a global company focusing on green energy and high-efficiency photovoltaic materials. They are known for their innovation in polysilicon and wafer technologies, with a focus on low-carbon solutions. GCL is committed to building a low-carbon PV value chain and advancing global clean energy transformation.

Founded
1990
Headquarters
Suzhou/Hong Kong, China
Annual capacity
30+ GW/year
Employees
6000+
Tier 1 bankable
Yes
02

Catalogue against catalogue

Averages over every model in the database
Metric AU Optronics GCL
Catalog & Power
Panel Models 1 232+231
Max Power 170 W 740 W+570 W
Avg Power 170 W 558 W+388 W
Efficiency
Max Efficiency 16.00% 24.50%+8.50 pp
Avg Efficiency 16.00% 22.03%+6.03 pp
Reliability & Warranty
Avg Temp Coefficient -0.438%/°C -0.320%/°C+0.118
Bifacial Share 0 (0%) 151 (65%)+65 pp
Avg Warranty - 28.4 yrs

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.

03

What each of them builds

Cell technology across the market
Efficiency spread
Share of each catalogue in every efficiency band

GCL skews to higher efficiency: 28% of lineup is 23%+

Power spread
Share of each catalogue in every power band

GCL offers more 600W+ panels (44% of lineup)

AU Optronics cell technology
Share of their models by cell architecture
GCL cell technology
Share of their models by cell architecture

Dominant cell tech: <strong>TOPCon</strong> (47%)

04

The flagships

Highest-power models from each brand
05

Written summary

Checking cache...
06

Other brand comparisons

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Something missing from a catalogue? Both lists are built from the datasheets in the database. If a model is absent, it has not been ingested yet.

Shop prices: See 6 GCL 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.