---
title: "GCL vs HT-SAAE - Brand Comparison | ComparePV"
description: "Compare GCL vs HT-SAAE solar panels: full portfolio, efficiency, cell technology breakdown, warranty terms and company background."
source: "https://comparepv.com/gcl-vs-ht-saae"
image: "https://comparepv.com/og/compare/manufacturers/gcl/ht-saae.png"
---

# GCL vs HT-SAAE

GCL has the broader catalog (232 vs 112 models). GCL leads on peak efficiency at 24.50%. GCL leans bifacial (65% of lineup).


## The two companies


| Attribute | GCL | HT-SAAE |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Country | China | China |
| Headquarters | Suzhou/Hong Kong | Shanghai |
| Founded | 1990 | 1998 |
| Employees | 6000+ | 500+ |
| Annual capacity | 30+ GW/year | 2+ GW/year |
| Tier 1 | yes | yes |
| Listed | Hong Kong Stock Exchange/Shenzhen Stock Exchange: 03800.HK/002506.SZ | Shanghai Stock Exchange: 600151:SHH |
| Website | [http://www.gcltech.com/](http://www.gcltech.com/) | [http://www.ht-saae.com](http://www.ht-saae.com) |

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.

HT-SAAE (Shanghai Aerospace Automobile Electromechanical Co., Ltd.) is a state-owned enterprise specializing in photovoltaic products. The company integrates polysilicon, solar cells, battery packs, and photovoltaic + energy storage systems. They develop and manufacture solar panels for residential, commercial, and...


## Catalog & Power


| Measure | GCL | HT-SAAE | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Panel Models | 232 | 112 | +120 |
| Max Power | 740 W | 715 W | +25 W |
| Avg Power | 558 W | 470 W | +89 W |


## Efficiency


| Measure | GCL | HT-SAAE | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Max Efficiency | 24.50% | 23.90% | +0.60 pp |
| Avg Efficiency | 22.03% | 20.47% | +1.56 pp |


## Reliability & Warranty


| Measure | GCL | HT-SAAE | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Avg Temp Coefficient | -0.320%/°C | -0.322%/°C | +0.001 |
| Bifacial Share | 151 (65%) | 53 (47%) | +18 pp |
| Avg Warranty | 28.4 yrs | 29.1 yrs | +0.7 yr |


## Efficiency distribution

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


| Efficiency band | GCL | HT-SAAE |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \<20% | 2 (0.9%) | 30 (26.8%) |
| 20-21% | 43 (18.5%) | 4 (3.6%) |
| 21-22% | 73 (31.5%) | 12 (10.7%) |
| 22-23% | 48 (20.7%) | 39 (34.8%) |
| 23%+ | 66 (28.4%) | 27 (24.1%) |


## Power distribution

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


| Power band | GCL | HT-SAAE |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \<400W | 6 (2.6%) | 30 (26.8%) |
| 400-499W | 60 (25.9%) | 33 (29.5%) |
| 500-599W | 63 (27.2%) | 29 (25.9%) |
| 600-699W | 81 (34.9%) | 16 (14.3%) |
| 700W+ | 22 (9.5%) | 4 (3.6%) |


## Cell technology

Dominant cell tech: TOPCon (47%)

Dominant cell tech: TOPCon (79%)


| Technology | GCL | HT-SAAE |
| --- | --- | --- |
| TOPCon | 108 (46.6%) | 88 (78.6%) |
| PERC | 102 (44.0%) | 19 (17.0%) |
| N-type | 10 (4.3%) | 0 |
| HJT | 7 (3.0%) | 0 |
| BIPV | 5 (2.2%) | 0 |
| Unknown | 0 | 5 (4.5%) |


## 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 |


## Top panels, HT-SAAE


| # | Model | Power | Efficiency | Temp. coefficient | Technology |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [HT66-210(ND)-F 715W](https://comparepv.com/panel/ht-saae-ht66-210-nd-f-715w) | 715 | 23.0 | -0.310 | Monocrystalline |
| 2 | [HT66-210(ND)-F 710W](https://comparepv.com/panel/ht-saae-ht66-210-nd-f-710w) | 710 | 22.9 | -0.310 | Monocrystalline |
| 3 | [HT66-210(ND)-F 705W](https://comparepv.com/panel/ht-saae-ht66-210-nd-f-705w) | 705 | 22.7 | -0.310 | Monocrystalline |
| 4 | [HT66-210(ND)-F 700W](https://comparepv.com/panel/ht-saae-ht66-210-nd-f-700w) | 700 | 22.5 | -0.310 | Monocrystalline |
| 5 | [HT66-210(ND)-F 695W](https://comparepv.com/panel/ht-saae-ht66-210-nd-f-695w) | 695 | 22.4 | -0.310 | Monocrystalline |
| 6 | [HT66-18X(N)-630W](https://comparepv.com/panel/ht-saae-ht66-18x-n-630w) | 630 | 23.3 | -0.310 | Monocrystalline |
| 7 | [HT66-18X(N)-625W](https://comparepv.com/panel/ht-saae-ht66-18x-n-625w) | 625 | 23.1 | -0.310 | Monocrystalline |
| 8 | [HT66-18X(ND)-F 620W](https://comparepv.com/panel/ht-saae-ht66-18x-nd-f-620w) | 620 | 23.0 | -0.310 | Monocrystalline |
| 9 | [HT66-18X(N)-620W](https://comparepv.com/panel/ht-saae-ht66-18x-n-620w) | 620 | 23.0 | -0.310 | Monocrystalline |
| 10 | [HT66-18X(ND)-F-620](https://comparepv.com/panel/ht-saae-ht66-18x-nd-f-620) | 620 | 23.0 | -0.310 | Monocrystalline |


## Summary

GCL is a Chinese manufacturer headquartered in Jiangsu province, with roots in solar-grade polysilicon and module production spanning more than two decades. The company, formally known as GCL System Integration Technology, holds Tier 1 BloombergNEF bankability status and reported annual module capacity of approximately 30 GW, with actual shipments reaching around 25 GW in 2024 - placing it among the six largest solar panel manufacturers globally. HT-SAAE (Shanghai Aerospace Automobile Electromechanical Co., Ltd.) follows a fundamentally different trajectory: founded in 1960 as part of China's state aerospace program under CASC, it began transferring satellite-grade solar cell technology into commercial markets around 2000 and has consistently maintained Tier 1 BloombergNEF status ever since. Its annual production capacity stands at roughly 2 GW, a fraction of GCL's output, reflecting a more focused and quality-driven manufacturing posture. On the dimension of institutional scale and global supply-chain reach, GCL holds a clear and substantial advantage.

GCL's product portfolio spans the full application spectrum: residential rooftop systems, commercial and industrial (C&I) installations, and large utility-scale ground-mount projects. The company has built its current lineup around n-type TOPCon cells, with the ASTRO N7 module achieving 23.3% efficiency at outputs up to 620 W. In early 2025 GCL also entered the back-contact (BC) segment with a 660 W module, and a separate subsidiary commissioned a 1 GW perovskite module factory, signalling long-term R&D ambitions. HT-SAAE's catalog centers on TOPCon single- and double-glass modules ranging from 330 W to 630 W, with a strong emphasis on durability. PV Evolution Labs ranked HT-SAAE as a top performer across all seven reliability test categories in its 2024 assessment, and the brand has been deployed in high-profile projects including the largest floating solar installation in the Americas.

For most international buyers, GCL is the more immediately practical default when volume availability, competitive pricing, and supply-chain predictability are the deciding factors - particularly for utility-scale or large C&I procurement. HT-SAAE makes a compelling case for buyers who place a premium on independently verified long-term module reliability and the credibility that comes with an aerospace-heritage quality program, especially in residential and mid-sized commercial contexts. At comparable price points and with both brands carrying Tier 1 status, the two are broadly interchangeable for standard rooftop applications, and the decision can reasonably hinge on local distributor support and the specifics of product warranty terms.

Written by claude-sonnet from the figures above.


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- [AIKO vs HT-SAAE](https://comparepv.com/aiko-vs-ht-saae)
- [GCL vs AKCOME](https://comparepv.com/gcl-vs-akcome)
- [ARTsolar vs HT-SAAE](https://comparepv.com/artsolar-vs-ht-saae)


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Source: https://comparepv.com/gcl-vs-ht-saae

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