---
title: "G-STAR vs Q-Cells - Brand Comparison | ComparePV"
description: "Compare G-STAR vs Q-Cells solar panels: full portfolio, efficiency, cell technology breakdown, warranty terms and company background."
source: "https://comparepv.com/g-star-vs-q-cells"
---

# G-STAR vs Q-Cells

Q-Cells has the broader catalog (89 vs 36 models). G-STAR leads on peak efficiency at 23.51%. G-STAR leans bifacial (86% of lineup).


## The two companies


| Attribute | G-STAR | Q-Cells |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Country |  | South Korea |
| Headquarters |  | Seoul |
| Founded |  | 1999 |
| Employees |  | 2000+ |
| Annual capacity |  | 11.2 GW/year |
| Tier 1 | no | yes |
| Listed |  | NASDAQ: HQCL |
| Website |  | [https://www.qcells.com](https://www.qcells.com) |

Qcells is a renowned global provider of complete energy solutions, specializing in solar cells and modules, energy storage solutions, downstream project business, and energy retail. The company has a strong heritage dating back to its foundation in Germany and has become a leader in technology innovations. As an...


## Catalog & Power


| Measure | G-STAR | Q-Cells | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Panel Models | 36 | 89 | +53 |
| Max Power | 725 W | 675 W | +50 W |
| Avg Power | 562 W | 468 W | +94 W |


## Efficiency


| Measure | G-STAR | Q-Cells | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Max Efficiency | 23.51% | 23.20% | +0.31 pp |
| Avg Efficiency | 22.41% | 21.21% | +1.20 pp |


## Reliability & Warranty


| Measure | G-STAR | Q-Cells | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Avg Temp Coefficient | -0.307%/°C | -0.325%/°C | +0.018 |
| Bifacial Share | 31 (86%) | 35 (39%) | +47 pp |
| Avg Warranty | 30.0 yrs | 27.0 yrs | +3.0 yr |


## Efficiency distribution

G-STAR skews to higher efficiency: 28% of lineup is 23%+


| Efficiency band | G-STAR | Q-Cells |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 20-21% | 3 (8.3%) | 29 (32.6%) |
| 21-22% | 5 (13.9%) | 30 (33.7%) |
| 22-23% | 18 (50.0%) | 21 (23.6%) |
| 23%+ | 10 (27.8%) | 2 (2.2%) |
| \<20% | 0 | 7 (7.9%) |


## Power distribution

G-STAR offers more 600W+ panels (36% of lineup)


| Power band | G-STAR | Q-Cells |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 400-499W | 11 (30.6%) | 41 (46.1%) |
| 500-599W | 12 (33.3%) | 11 (12.4%) |
| 600-699W | 7 (19.4%) | 17 (19.1%) |
| 700W+ | 6 (16.7%) | 0 |
| \<400W | 0 | 20 (22.5%) |


## Cell technology

Dominant cell tech: **TOPCon** (72%)

Dominant cell tech: **PERC** (43%)


| Technology | G-STAR | Q-Cells |
| --- | --- | --- |
| TOPCon | 26 (72.2%) | 8 (9.0%) |
| N-type | 5 (13.9%) | 23 (25.8%) |
| PERC | 5 (13.9%) | 38 (42.7%) |
| Unknown | 0 | 20 (22.5%) |


## Top panels, G-STAR


| # | Model | Power | Efficiency | Temp. coefficient | Technology |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [GSD8K66T-725WT](https://comparepv.com/panel/g-star-gsd8k66t-725wt) | 725 | 23.3 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 2 | [GSD8K66T-720WT](https://comparepv.com/panel/g-star-gsd8k66t-720wt) | 720 | 23.2 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 3 | [GSD8K66T-715WT](https://comparepv.com/panel/g-star-gsd8k66t-715wt) | 715 | 23.0 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 4 | [GSD8K66T-710WT](https://comparepv.com/panel/g-star-gsd8k66t-710wt) | 710 | 22.9 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 5 | [GSD8K66T-705WT](https://comparepv.com/panel/g-star-gsd8k66t-705wt) | 705 | 22.7 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 6 | [GSD8K66T-700WT](https://comparepv.com/panel/g-star-gsd8k66t-700wt) | 700 | 22.5 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 7 | [GSD8R66T-635WT](https://comparepv.com/panel/g-star-gsd8r66t-635wt) | 635 | 23.5 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 8 | [GSD8R66T-630WT](https://comparepv.com/panel/g-star-gsd8r66t-630wt) | 630 | 23.3 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 9 | [GSD8R66T-625WT](https://comparepv.com/panel/g-star-gsd8r66t-625wt) | 625 | 23.1 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 10 | [GSD8R66T-620WT](https://comparepv.com/panel/g-star-gsd8r66t-620wt) | 620 | 22.9 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |


## Top panels, Q-Cells


| # | Model | Power | Efficiency | Temp. coefficient | Technology |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [Q.PEAK DUO ML-G12S.3 / BFG 675](https://comparepv.com/panel/q-cells-q-peak-duo-ml-g12s-3-bfg-675) | 675 | 21.7 | -0.340 | Monocrystalline |
| 2 | [Q.PEAK DUO ML-G12S.3 / BFG 670](https://comparepv.com/panel/q-cells-q-peak-duo-ml-g12s-3-bfg-670) | 670 | 21.6 | -0.340 | Monocrystalline |
| 3 | [Q.PEAK DUO ML-G12S.3 / BFG 665](https://comparepv.com/panel/q-cells-q-peak-duo-ml-g12s-3-bfg-665) | 665 | 21.4 | -0.340 | Monocrystalline |
| 4 | [Q.PEAK DUO ML-G12S.3 / BFG 660](https://comparepv.com/panel/q-cells-q-peak-duo-ml-g12s-3-bfg-660) | 660 | 21.2 | -0.340 | Monocrystalline |
| 5 | [Q.PEAK DUO ML-G12S.3 / BFG 655](https://comparepv.com/panel/q-cells-q-peak-duo-ml-g12s-3-bfg-655) | 655 | 21.1 | -0.340 | Monocrystalline |
| 6 | [Q.PEAK DUO ML-G12S.3 / BFG 650](https://comparepv.com/panel/q-cells-q-peak-duo-ml-g12s-3-bfg-650) | 650 | 20.9 | -0.340 | Monocrystalline |
| 7 | [Q.TRON XL-G2.3 / BFG 645](https://comparepv.com/panel/q-cells-q-tron-xl-g2-3-bfg-645) | 645 | 23.1 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 8 | [Q.TRON XL-G2.3 / BFG 640](https://comparepv.com/panel/q-cells-q-tron-xl-g2-3-bfg-640) | 640 | 22.9 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 9 | [Q.TRON XL-G2.3 / BFG 635](https://comparepv.com/panel/hanwha-q-cells-america-inc-q-tron-xl-g2-3-bfg-635) | 635 | 22.7 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 10 | [Q.TRON XL-G2.3 / BFG 630](https://comparepv.com/panel/hanwha-q-cells-america-inc-q-tron-xl-g2-3-bfg-630) | 630 | 22.6 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |


## Summary

G-STAR is a Singapore-based solar manufacturer founded in 2019, with its primary production in Subic Bay, Philippines, where Phase 1 of its factory delivers 1.5 GW of cell capacity and 1 GW of module capacity, with a second phase planned to bring module output to 2 GW. The company holds third-party certifications from ETL, TUV, and the California CEC, but search results do not confirm a BloombergNEF Tier 1 designation as of mid-2025. Q-Cells traces its origins to Germany in 1999 and was acquired by South Korea's Hanwha Group in 2012; the combined entity has grown into one of the largest solar manufacturers globally, with module shipments anticipated to exceed 9 GW in 2025 and an 8.4 GW module facility in Dalton, Georgia - the largest solar factory in the Western Hemisphere. Q-Cells holds confirmed BloombergNEF Tier 1 status, giving it a considerably stronger institutional and bankability footprint.

G-STAR's catalog spans P-type PERC, N-type, Back Contact, and HJT formats across a wide output range, positioning the brand for residential rooftops, commercial installations, and utility-scale ground mounts. Its newest N-type bifacial module manufactured in the Philippines achieves a peak output of 595 W with conversion efficiency above 23%, according to PV Tech. Q-Cells competes primarily in the premium residential and mid-market commercial segments with its Q.TRON N-type line, which is noted for a low temperature coefficient and annual degradation rates the brand publishes at 0.33% for that series. Q-Cells is also actively developing perovskite-silicon tandem technology, with 28.6% efficiency verified by the Fraunhofer Institute at the cell level in late 2024.

For a typical buyer prioritizing supply-chain transparency, domestic US manufacturing, and long-term project financing in 2025, Q-Cells is the more defensible choice given its Tier 1 standing and proven track record. G-STAR is an emerging option worth monitoring, particularly for buyers who need competitive pricing on N-type product out of Southeast Asia, but its shorter operating history and unconfirmed bankability rating make it a less conventional selection for large financed projects.

\---LINKS---

\- https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/05/14/gstar-launches-solar-cell-module-production-in-the-philippines/ \| Gstar launches solar cell and module production in the Philippines \| article

\- https://www.pv-tech.org/gstar-solar-begins-production-at-1-5-1gw-solar-cell-and-module-plant-in-the-philippines/ \| Gstar Solar begins production at 1.5/1GW plant in the Philippines \| article

\- https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/hanwha-q-cells-solar-panels-complete-review \| Expert review of Q-Cells solar panels - SolarReviews 2025 \| review

\- https://www.ecowatch.com/solar/reviews/qcells-solar-panels \| QCells Solar Panels Review 2025 - EcoWatch \| review

Sources:

\- \[Gstar launches solar cell, module production in the Philippines - pv magazine\](https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/05/14/gstar-launches-solar-cell-module-production-in-the-philippines/)

\- \[Gstar Solar begins production at 1.5/1GW solar cell and module plant in the Philippines - PV Tech\](https://www.pv-tech.org/gstar-solar-begins-production-at-1-5-1gw-solar-cell-and-module-plant-in-the-philippines/)

\- \[Expert Review Of Qcells Solar Panels For 2025 - SolarReviews\](https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/hanwha-q-cells-solar-panels-complete-review)

\- \[QCells Solar Panels Review (2025) - EcoWatch\](https://www.ecowatch.com/solar/reviews/qcells-solar-panels)

\- \[Hanwha Q CELLS Solar Panels Review 2025 - SolarTechOnline\](https://solartechonline.com/blog/hanwha-q-cells-solar-panels-review-2025/)

Written by claude-sonnet from the figures above.


## Other comparisons

- [G-STAR vs A.B. Energy](https://comparepv.com/g-star-vs-a-b-energy)
- [AE Solar vs Q-Cells](https://comparepv.com/ae-solar-vs-q-cells)
- [G-STAR vs AEET](https://comparepv.com/g-star-vs-aeet)
- [AIKO vs Q-Cells](https://comparepv.com/aiko-vs-q-cells)
- [G-STAR vs AKCOME](https://comparepv.com/g-star-vs-akcome)
- [ARTsolar vs Q-Cells](https://comparepv.com/artsolar-vs-q-cells)


---

Source: https://comparepv.com/g-star-vs-q-cells

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