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

# Canadian Solar vs GCL

Canadian Solar has the broader catalog (292 vs 232 models). GCL leads on peak efficiency at 24.50%. GCL leans bifacial (65% of lineup).


## The two companies


| Attribute | Canadian Solar | GCL |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Country | Canada | China |
| Headquarters | Kitchener | Suzhou/Hong Kong |
| Founded | 2001 | 1990 |
| Employees | 17,113 | 6000+ |
| Annual capacity | 51 GW/year | 30+ GW/year |
| Tier 1 | yes | yes |
| Listed | NASDAQ: CSIQ | Hong Kong Stock Exchange/Shenzhen Stock Exchange: 03800.HK/002506.SZ |
| Website | [https://www.canadiansolar.com](https://www.canadiansolar.com) | [http://www.gcltech.com/](http://www.gcltech.com/) |

Canadian Solar Inc. is a global renewable energy company founded in 2001. Headquartered in Kitchener, Ontario, it manufactures solar PV modules and provides battery energy storage solutions. The company also develops utility-scale solar power and battery energy storage projects.

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.


## Catalog & Power


| Measure | Canadian Solar | GCL | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Panel Models | 292 | 232 | +60 |
| Max Power | 730 W | 740 W | +10 W |
| Avg Power | 472 W | 558 W | +86 W |


## Efficiency


| Measure | Canadian Solar | GCL | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Max Efficiency | 24.40% | 24.50% | +0.10 pp |
| Avg Efficiency | 20.66% | 22.03% | +1.37 pp |


## Reliability & Warranty


| Measure | Canadian Solar | GCL | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Avg Temp Coefficient | -0.331%/°C | -0.320%/°C | +0.011 |
| Bifacial Share | 133 (46%) | 151 (65%) | +20 pp |
| Avg Warranty | 28.2 yrs | 28.4 yrs | +0.1 yr |


## Efficiency distribution

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


| Efficiency band | Canadian Solar | GCL |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \<20% | 128 (43.8%) | 2 (0.9%) |
| 20-21% | 36 (12.3%) | 43 (18.5%) |
| 21-22% | 41 (14.0%) | 73 (31.5%) |
| 22-23% | 50 (17.1%) | 48 (20.7%) |
| 23%+ | 37 (12.7%) | 66 (28.4%) |


## Power distribution

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


| Power band | Canadian Solar | GCL |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \<400W | 104 (35.6%) | 6 (2.6%) |
| 400-499W | 72 (24.7%) | 60 (25.9%) |
| 500-599W | 45 (15.4%) | 63 (27.2%) |
| 600-699W | 64 (21.9%) | 81 (34.9%) |
| 700W+ | 7 (2.4%) | 22 (9.5%) |


## Cell technology

Dominant cell tech: **PERC** (67%)

Dominant cell tech: **TOPCon** (47%)


| Technology | Canadian Solar | GCL |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PERC | 195 (66.8%) | 102 (44.0%) |
| TOPCon | 85 (29.1%) | 108 (46.6%) |
| HJT | 12 (4.1%) | 7 (3.0%) |
| N-type | 0 | 10 (4.3%) |
| BIPV | 0 | 5 (2.2%) |


## Top panels, Canadian Solar


| # | Model | Power | Efficiency | Temp. coefficient | Technology |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [CS7N-730TB-AG](https://comparepv.com/panel/csi-solar-co-ltd-canadian-solar-cs7n-730tb-ag) | 730 | 23.5 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 2 | [CS7N-725TB-AG](https://comparepv.com/panel/csi-solar-co-ltd-canadian-solar-cs7n-725tb-ag) | 725 | 23.3 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 3 | [CS7N-720TB-AG](https://comparepv.com/panel/csi-solar-co-ltd-canadian-solar-cs7n-720tb-ag) | 720 | 23.2 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 4 | [CS7N-715TB-AG](https://comparepv.com/panel/csi-solar-co-ltd-canadian-solar-cs7n-715tb-ag) | 715 | 23.0 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 5 | [CS7N-710TB-AG](https://comparepv.com/panel/csi-solar-co-ltd-canadian-solar-cs7n-710tb-ag) | 710 | 22.9 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 6 | [CS7N-705TB-AG](https://comparepv.com/panel/csi-solar-co-ltd-canadian-solar-cs7n-705tb-ag) | 705 | 22.7 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 7 | [CS7N-700TB-AG](https://comparepv.com/panel/csi-solar-co-ltd-canadian-solar-cs7n-700tb-ag) | 700 | 22.5 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 8 | [CS7N-695TB-AG](https://comparepv.com/panel/csi-solar-co-ltd-canadian-solar-cs7n-695tb-ag) | 695 | 22.4 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 9 | [CS7N-690TB-AG](https://comparepv.com/panel/csi-solar-co-ltd-canadian-solar-cs7n-690tb-ag) | 690 | 22.2 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 10 | [CS7N-675MS](https://comparepv.com/panel/csi-solar-co-ltd-canadian-solar-cs7n-675ms) | 675 | 21.7 | -0.340 | Monocrystalline |


## Top panels, GCL


| # | Model | Power | Efficiency | Temp. coefficient | Technology |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [GCL-NT12/66GDF-740](https://comparepv.com/panel/gcl-gcl-nt12-66gdf-740) | 740 | 23.8 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 2 | [GCL-NT12/66GDF-735](https://comparepv.com/panel/gcl-gcl-nt12-66gdf-735) | 735 | 23.7 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 3 | [GCL-NT12/66GDF-730](https://comparepv.com/panel/gcl-gcl-nt12-66gdf-730) | 730 | 23.5 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 4 | [NT12/66GDF-730](https://comparepv.com/panel/gcl-nt12-66gdf-730) | 730 | 23.5 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 5 | [GCL-NT12/66GDF-725](https://comparepv.com/panel/gcl-gcl-nt12-66gdf-725) | 725 | 23.3 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 6 | [NT12/66GDF-725](https://comparepv.com/panel/gcl-nt12-66gdf-725) | 725 | 23.3 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 7 | [GCL-NT12/66GDF 725](https://comparepv.com/panel/gcl-gcl-nt12-66gdf-725-1) | 725 | 23.3 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 8 | [GCL-NH12/66GDF-720](https://comparepv.com/panel/gcl-gcl-nh12-66gdf-720) | 720 | 23.2 | -0.240 | Monocrystalline |
| 9 | [GCL-NT12/66GDF-720](https://comparepv.com/panel/gcl-gcl-nt12-66gdf-720) | 720 | 23.2 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 10 | [NT12/66GDF-720](https://comparepv.com/panel/gcl-nt12-66gdf-720) | 720 | 23.2 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |


## Summary

Canadian Solar was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, with manufacturing operations concentrated primarily in China. The company consistently ranks among the five largest solar module producers in the world and holds confirmed Tier 1 status, appearing on S&P Global Commodity Insights' Premier List of Tier 1 Cleantech Companies in 2025 for both photovoltaic modules and battery energy storage systems. Its annual module production capacity stands at approximately 60 GW. GCL operates through GCL System Integration Technology (GCL-SI), backed by the broader GCL Group - one of the world's largest polysilicon producers - and reports an annual module capacity of around 30 GW, with a large-scale factory expansion reportedly in development. GCL's bankability designation is less clear-cut than Canadian Solar's: some analysts do not place it on formal Bloomberg Tier 1 rankings, though the company is widely regarded as a financially stable, large-volume manufacturer. On institutional footprint and third-party recognition, Canadian Solar carries the stronger profile internationally.

Canadian Solar's product range spans residential rooftops through utility-scale ground-mount. Its HiKu6 series targets residential and light commercial installations, while the TOPBiHiKu lineup - built on N-type TOPCon technology - is designed for C&I and large ground-mount projects, with the latest 660 Wp module delivering up to 24.4% conversion efficiency and up to 90% bifaciality. GCL's catalog covers similar ground: residential panels in the 400-420 W range, mid-size commercial modules around 540-560 W, and utility-format panels up to 680 W. Recent GCL product families also center on N-type TOPCon cells, and bifacial dual-glass variants are available for ground-mount deployment.

For buyers with strict bankability or project-finance requirements - typical in utility-scale and C&I procurement - Canadian Solar is the more straightforward choice given its documented Tier 1 standing, global project track record, and independent quality endorsements. GCL is a credible alternative, potentially at a more competitive price, and suits markets where its supply chain is well established. For residential or smaller commercial buyers without formal bankability constraints, the two brands are broadly interchangeable in technology generation and output range, and the decision will usually come down to price and installer preference.

Written by claude-sonnet from the figures above.


## Other comparisons

- [Canadian Solar vs A.B. Energy](https://comparepv.com/canadian-solar-vs-a-b-energy)
- [AE Solar vs GCL](https://comparepv.com/ae-solar-vs-gcl)
- [Canadian Solar vs AEET](https://comparepv.com/canadian-solar-vs-aeet)
- [AIKO vs GCL](https://comparepv.com/aiko-vs-gcl)
- [Canadian Solar vs AKCOME](https://comparepv.com/canadian-solar-vs-akcome)
- [ARTsolar vs GCL](https://comparepv.com/artsolar-vs-gcl)


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Source: https://comparepv.com/canadian-solar-vs-gcl

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