Exiom vs Q-Cells - solar panel manufacturer comparison

Exiom is a Spanish solar module manufacturer headquartered in Asturias, founded in 2009. The company operates production facilities in China with a reported aggregate capacity of around 2.7 GW, and in 2024 opened Spain's first large-scale photovoltaic module factory in Langreo through a strategic partnership with Iberdrola, adding approximately 500 MW of European-made capacity. Exiom claims Tier 1 bankability status and is notable as one of the very few European-origin brands to appear on mainstream manufacturer bankability lists. Q Cells, by contrast, traces its roots to Thalheim, Germany, where it was founded in 1999 as a crystalline silicon research pioneer, and is now owned by South Korean conglomerate Hanwha Group. Hanwha Q Cells holds a confirmed S&P Global Tier 1 designation for 2025 and long-standing BloombergNEF Tier 1 recognition, with global module production capacity exceeding 11 GW and projected shipments above 9 GW in 2025 alone, including a 3.3 GW facility in Cartersville, Georgia. In terms of institutional scale and financier recognition, Q Cells holds a substantially stronger footprint.

On the product side, Exiom's catalog spans both PERC and TOPCon technologies and includes bifacial modules in higher-wattage configurations - its positioning leans toward B2B commercial and industrial applications, though residential all-black monocrystalline panels are also offered. Q Cells organizes its lineup around two principal families: the Q.PEAK DUO series, built on PERC technology and aimed at cost-sensitive residential and commercial rooftop work, and the Q.TRON series, which deploys the company's proprietary Q.ANTUM NEO TOPCon N-type technology for buyers seeking higher efficiency and lower annual degradation. The Q.TRON range targets premium residential rooftops and mid-scale commercial projects, while larger Q.PEAK DUO configurations suit utility-adjacent commercial work.

For most buyers in 2025, Q Cells is the safer default - its manufacturing presence across the US and Europe, deep installer network, independently verified Tier 1 status, and well-documented 25-year warranty track record reduce procurement and financing risk considerably. Exiom is a credible, genuinely European alternative worth considering for buyers who prioritize supply-chain provenance within Spain or the EU, but its smaller institutional profile means bankability due diligence is more important before committing to a large project.

Generated by Claude Sonnet · 2026-06-15