GCL vs Hyundai - solar panel manufacturer comparison
GCL has the broader catalog (232 vs 65 models). GCL leads on peak efficiency at 24.50%.
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.
The two companies
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
HD Hyundai Energy Solutions is a global provider of solar cells and modules, offering solutions for residential, commercial, and utility-scale projects. They provide monofacial, bifacial, and shingled PV modules, along with inverters and various PV solutions. The company is committed to developing next-generation...
- Founded
- 2004
- Headquarters
- Seongnam-si, South Korea
- Annual capacity
- 1.35 GW/year
- Employees
- 206
- Tier 1 bankable
- Yes
Catalogue against catalogue
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.
What each of them builds
GCL skews to higher efficiency: 28% of lineup is 23%+
GCL offers more 600W+ panels (44% of lineup)
Dominant cell tech: <strong>TOPCon</strong> (47%)
Dominant cell tech: <strong>HJT</strong> (38%)
The flagships
Written summary
GCL - formally GCL System Integration Technology (GCL-SI), a subsidiary of China's GCL Group - is one of the world's largest solar manufacturers by volume, headquartered in China with roots tracing to the 1990s. GCL-SI has been confirmed as a BloombergNEF Tier 1 bankable manufacturer and carries reported annual module production capacity of around 30 GW, underpinning an enormous supply-chain footprint. Hyundai Energy Solutions, the solar division of South Korea's HD Hyundai, also holds BloombergNEF Tier 1 bankability status and is broadly distributed across North American and European markets. Between the two, GCL commands the stronger institutional manufacturing presence by a considerable margin.
GCL's catalog spans a wide power range - from standard residential modules to high-wattage panels suited to utility-scale ground mounts - and the company has shifted a significant share of its manufacturing capacity toward N-type TOPCon cells while still carrying PERC and older polycrystalline lines. That breadth makes GCL a recurring choice for developers seeking high volumes at competitive prices. Hyundai Energy Solutions has built its current lineup more deliberately around N-type TOPCon technology, offering all-black residential panels in the NF(BK) series alongside large bifacial commercial modules such as the 640 W HiN-T640NJ, which earned PVEL PQP Top Performer recognition in 2025. The brand backs its panels with a 30-year performance warranty, reinforcing its appeal to quality-focused installers serving both homeowners and commercial clients.
For a typical 2025 buyer, the right choice depends on scale and priorities. GCL suits high-volume utility or large commercial projects where price competitiveness and supply security are paramount. Hyundai Energy Solutions fits premium residential rooftops and mid-size commercial installations where warranty depth, independently tested reliability, and end-customer brand recognition carry more weight. The two brands occupy meaningfully different market positions and are not readily interchangeable.
Generated by Claude Sonnet · 2026-05-25
Other brand comparisons
Shop prices: See 6 GCL offers · See 42 Hyundai 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.