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

# GCL vs Trina Solar

Trina Solar has the broader catalog (340 vs 232 models). Trina Solar leads on peak efficiency at 24.80%. GCL leans bifacial (65% of lineup).


## The two companies


| Attribute | GCL | Trina Solar |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Country | China | China |
| Headquarters | Suzhou/Hong Kong | Changzhou |
| Founded | 1990 | 1997 |
| Employees | 6000+ |  |
| Annual capacity | 30+ GW/year |  |
| Tier 1 | yes | yes |
| Listed | Hong Kong Stock Exchange/Shenzhen Stock Exchange: 03800.HK/002506.SZ |  |
| Website | [http://www.gcltech.com/](http://www.gcltech.com/) | [https://www.trinasolar.com](https://www.trinasolar.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.


## Catalog & Power


| Measure | GCL | Trina Solar | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Panel Models | 232 | 340 | +108 |
| Max Power | 740 W | 760 W | +20 W |
| Avg Power | 558 W | 520 W | +38 W |


## Efficiency


| Measure | GCL | Trina Solar | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Max Efficiency | 24.50% | 24.80% | +0.30 pp |
| Avg Efficiency | 22.03% | 21.71% | +0.31 pp |


## Reliability & Warranty


| Measure | GCL | Trina Solar | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Avg Temp Coefficient | -0.320%/°C | -0.302%/°C | +0.018 |
| Bifacial Share | 151 (65%) | 145 (43%) | +22 pp |
| Avg Warranty | 28.4 yrs | 28.2 yrs | +0.2 yr |


## Efficiency distribution

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


| Efficiency band | GCL | Trina Solar |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \<20% | 2 (0.9%) | 22 (6.5%) |
| 20-21% | 43 (18.5%) | 57 (16.8%) |
| 21-22% | 73 (31.5%) | 83 (24.4%) |
| 22-23% | 48 (20.7%) | 102 (30.0%) |
| 23%+ | 66 (28.4%) | 76 (22.4%) |


## Power distribution

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


| Power band | GCL | Trina Solar |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \<400W | 6 (2.6%) | 28 (8.2%) |
| 400-499W | 60 (25.9%) | 142 (41.8%) |
| 500-599W | 63 (27.2%) | 54 (15.9%) |
| 600-699W | 81 (34.9%) | 72 (21.2%) |
| 700W+ | 22 (9.5%) | 44 (12.9%) |


## Cell technology

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

Dominant cell tech: **TOPCon** (73%)


| Technology | GCL | Trina Solar |
| --- | --- | --- |
| TOPCon | 108 (46.6%) | 248 (72.9%) |
| PERC | 102 (44.0%) | 75 (22.1%) |
| N-type | 10 (4.3%) | 6 (1.8%) |
| HJT | 7 (3.0%) | 0 |
| BIPV | 5 (2.2%) | 0 |
| Unknown | 0 | 11 (3.2%) |


## 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, Trina Solar


| # | Model | Power | Efficiency | Temp. coefficient | Technology |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [TSM-NEG21C.20Q-760](https://comparepv.com/panel/trina-solar-tsm-neg21c-20q-760) | 760 | 24.5 | -0.260 | Monocrystalline |
| 2 | [TSM-NEG21C.20Q-755](https://comparepv.com/panel/trina-solar-tsm-neg21c-20q-755) | 755 | 24.3 | -0.260 | Monocrystalline |
| 3 | [TSM-NEG21C.20Q-750](https://comparepv.com/panel/trina-solar-tsm-neg21c-20q-750) | 750 | 24.1 | -0.260 | Monocrystalline |
| 4 | [TSM-NEG21C.20Q-745](https://comparepv.com/panel/trina-solar-tsm-neg21c-20q-745) | 745 | 24.0 | -0.260 | Monocrystalline |
| 5 | [TSM-NEG21C.20-740](https://comparepv.com/panel/trina-solar-co-ltd-tsm-neg21c-20-740) | 740 | 23.8 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 6 | [TSM-NEG21C.20 740](https://comparepv.com/panel/trina-solar-tsm-neg21c-20-740) | 740 | 23.8 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 7 | [TSM-NEG21C.20Q-740](https://comparepv.com/panel/trina-solar-tsm-neg21c-20q-740) | 740 | 23.8 | -0.260 | Monocrystalline |
| 8 | [TSM-NEG21C.20-735](https://comparepv.com/panel/trina-solar-co-ltd-tsm-neg21c-20-735) | 735 | 23.7 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 9 | [TSM-NEG21C.20 735](https://comparepv.com/panel/trina-solar-tsm-neg21c-20-735) | 735 | 23.7 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 10 | [TSM-NEG21C.20Q-735](https://comparepv.com/panel/trina-solar-tsm-neg21c-20q-735) | 735 | 23.7 | -0.260 | Monocrystalline |


## Summary

GCL, founded in 1990, is one of China's oldest solar manufacturers, listed on both the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, with a stated production capacity of over 30 GW and a workforce of more than 6,000 employees. The company holds Tier 1 bankability status and ranked seventh globally in module shipments in 2025, with an estimated annual volume in the 20-30 GW range. Trina Solar, established in 1997, has grown into one of the world's top three module suppliers, with estimated annual shipments in the 60-70 GW range and roughly 11% global market share. Both manufacturers are headquartered in China and carry Tier 1 status, but differ substantially in strategic positioning - GCL focuses on margin and utilization efficiency, while Trina Solar has aggressively expanded its global footprint, particularly in large-format 210 mm modules and the European market.

On the technology front, GCL's portfolio of 205 panel models still leans on PERC cell technology as its largest segment (36.1% of its lineup), while it continues to invest in next-generation research including perovskite-silicon tandem cells. Its standout characteristic is a high bifacial share of 60.5% across its range, combined with an above-average mean panel power of 551.8 Wp - attributes that suit utility-scale ground-mount and large commercial C&I installations where rear-side energy gain is significant. Trina Solar's broader 305-model portfolio is distinctly technology-forward, with TOPCon n-type cells representing 69.8% of its offering under the Vertex N series, pushing maximum output to 740 Wp. A more favorable average temperature coefficient (-0.304%/°C versus -0.324%/°C for GCL) translates to better real-world yield in warm climates. These characteristics make Trina Solar well suited for residential rooftop installs seeking long-term reliability as well as utility-scale and C&I projects that demand proven bankability and low degradation over time.

For international buyers choosing between the two, Trina Solar offers a more technology-forward stack and broader global recognition, making it the lower-risk choice for projects requiring straightforward financing and long-term performance guarantees. GCL is a credible alternative for buyers prioritizing bifacial modules at scale or seeking competitive pricing on higher-wattage units - particularly in utility-scale or large C&I contexts where its strong bifacial portfolio and high average module power can deliver meaningful energy yield advantages at a lower per-watt cost.

Written by claude-sonnet from the figures above.


## Other comparisons

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


---

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

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