---
title: "HT-SAAE vs Leapton - Brand Comparison | ComparePV"
description: "Compare HT-SAAE vs Leapton solar panels: full portfolio, efficiency, cell technology breakdown, warranty terms and company background."
source: "https://comparepv.com/ht-saae-vs-leapton"
---

# HT-SAAE vs Leapton

Leapton has the broader catalog (119 vs 112 models). HT-SAAE leads on peak efficiency at 23.90%.


## The two companies


| Attribute | HT-SAAE | Leapton |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Country | China | Japan |
| Headquarters | Shanghai | Kobe |
| Founded | 1998 | 2012 |
| Employees | 500+ |  |
| Annual capacity | 2+ GW/year | 3+ GW/year |
| Tier 1 | yes | yes |
| Listed | Shanghai Stock Exchange: 600151:SHH |  |
| Website | [http://www.ht-saae.com](http://www.ht-saae.com) | [http://www.leaptonpv.com/](http://www.leaptonpv.com/) |

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...

Leapton Energy, headquartered in Japan, is a global leader in the solar PV industry, specializing in Tier-1 solar modules, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and inverters. With over 10 years of experience, Leapton Energy's products are now available in more than 70 countries worldwide.


## Catalog & Power


| Measure | HT-SAAE | Leapton | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Panel Models | 112 | 119 | +7 |
| Max Power | 715 W | 720 W | +5 W |
| Avg Power | 470 W | 546 W | +77 W |


## Efficiency


| Measure | HT-SAAE | Leapton | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Max Efficiency | 23.90% | 23.32% | +0.58 pp |
| Avg Efficiency | 20.47% | 22.18% | +1.71 pp |


## Reliability & Warranty


| Measure | HT-SAAE | Leapton | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Avg Temp Coefficient | -0.322%/°C | -0.307%/°C | +0.015 |
| Bifacial Share | 53 (47%) | 58 (49%) | +1 pp |
| Avg Warranty | 29.1 yrs | 29.5 yrs | +0.3 yr |


## Efficiency distribution

HT-SAAE skews to higher efficiency: 24% of lineup is 23%+


| Efficiency band | HT-SAAE | Leapton |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \<20% | 30 (26.8%) | 0 |
| 20-21% | 4 (3.6%) | 5 (4.2%) |
| 21-22% | 12 (10.7%) | 32 (26.9%) |
| 22-23% | 39 (34.8%) | 74 (62.2%) |
| 23%+ | 27 (24.1%) | 8 (6.7%) |


## Power distribution

Leapton offers more 600W+ panels (32% of lineup)


| Power band | HT-SAAE | Leapton |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \<400W | 30 (26.8%) | 0 |
| 400-499W | 33 (29.5%) | 48 (40.3%) |
| 500-599W | 29 (25.9%) | 33 (27.7%) |
| 600-699W | 16 (14.3%) | 28 (23.5%) |
| 700W+ | 4 (3.6%) | 10 (8.4%) |


## Cell technology

Dominant cell tech: **TOPCon** (79%)

Dominant cell tech: **TOPCon** (88%)


| Technology | HT-SAAE | Leapton |
| --- | --- | --- |
| TOPCon | 88 (78.6%) | 105 (88.2%) |
| PERC | 19 (17.0%) | 0 |
| Unknown | 5 (4.5%) | 0 |
| N-type | 0 | 14 (11.8%) |


## 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 |


## Top panels, Leapton


| # | Model | Power | Efficiency | Temp. coefficient | Technology |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [LP210\*210-M-66-NH-720W](https://comparepv.com/panel/leapton-lp210-210-m-66-nh-720w) | 720 | 23.2 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 2 | [LP210\*210-M-66-NB-720W](https://comparepv.com/panel/leapton-lp210-210-m-66-nb-720w) | 720 | 23.2 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 3 | [LP210\*210-M-66-NH-715W](https://comparepv.com/panel/leapton-lp210-210-m-66-nh-715w) | 715 | 23.1 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 4 | [LP210\*210-M-66-NB-715W](https://comparepv.com/panel/leapton-lp210-210-m-66-nb-715w) | 715 | 23.1 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 5 | [LP210\*210-M-66-NH-710W](https://comparepv.com/panel/leapton-lp210-210-m-66-nh-710w) | 710 | 22.9 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 6 | [LP210\*210-M-66-NB-710W](https://comparepv.com/panel/leapton-lp210-210-m-66-nb-710w) | 710 | 22.9 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 7 | [LP210\*210-M-66-NH-705W](https://comparepv.com/panel/leapton-lp210-210-m-66-nh-705w) | 705 | 22.7 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 8 | [LP210\*210-M-66-NB-705W](https://comparepv.com/panel/leapton-lp210-210-m-66-nb-705w) | 705 | 22.7 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 9 | [LP210\*210-M-66-NH-700W](https://comparepv.com/panel/leapton-lp210-210-m-66-nh-700w) | 700 | 22.5 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 10 | [LP210\*210-M-66-NB-700W](https://comparepv.com/panel/leapton-lp210-210-m-66-nb-700w) | 700 | 22.5 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |


## Summary

Leapton is a Japanese-founded manufacturer established in Kobe, Japan in 2012, with its module production concentrated in China. As of late 2024, Leapton reported an annual manufacturing capacity of approximately 3 GW and holds a position on Bloomberg New Energy Finance's Tier 1 list, confirming its bankability with lenders. It also earned a Top Performer designation in Kiwa PVEL's 2025 PV Module Reliability Scorecard. HT-SAAE (Shanghai Aerospace Automobile Electromechanical Co., Ltd.) is a Chinese state-owned enterprise with origins dating to 1960, when it developed photovoltaic technology for China's satellite program, before commercializing that expertise around 2000. The company has ranked consistently among the top-10 global PV module suppliers since 2014, maintains long-standing Tier 1 BNEF bankability status, and has reported cumulative global supply of around 10 GW. With state backing, a longer commercial track record, and a multi-continent manufacturing footprint spanning Shanghai, Inner Mongolia, Jiangsu, and a 600 MW plant in Turkey, HT-SAAE carries a heavier institutional presence.

On the product side, Leapton's current lineup centers on N-type TOPCon modules - confirmed by a PV Tech report on its TOPCon launch - with outputs targeting both residential rooftop and commercial ground-mount applications. HT-SAAE offers a broader dual-track portfolio covering both P-type and N-type modules, addressing utility-scale, commercial, and residential segments. HT-SAAE has been recognized as a top performer across all seven Kiwa PVEL reliability test categories in the 2024 scorecard, a meaningful data point for buyers prioritizing long-term energy yield.

For a typical buyer in 2025, HT-SAAE is generally the safer default where institutional bankability and deep reliability data matter most - for instance, in project-financed utility or large commercial installations. Leapton is a credible alternative, particularly in markets where Japanese brand heritage and PVEL performance recognition carry weight. The two brands are closer in quality tier than their name recognition gap suggests, so local pricing, distributor support, and specific module specs should ultimately drive the choice.

\---LINKS---

\- https://www.pv-tech.org/leapton-topcon-module-range-conversion-efficiency-22-95/ \| Leapton launches TOPCon module range with 22.95% peak efficiency \| article

\- https://scorecard.pvel.com/manufacturer\_name/leapton-solar/ \| Leapton Solar - Kiwa PVEL 2025 PV Module Reliability Scorecard \| review

\- https://www.solarquotes.com.au/blog/leapton-solar-panels-review/ \| Leapton Solar Panels Review - Tier 1 Panels Made In China By Japanese Company \| review

\- https://www.pv-tech.org/ht-saae-establishes-600mw-module-production-plant-in-turkey/ \| HT-SAAE establishes 600MW module production plant in Turkey \| article

\- https://www.energysage.com/solar-panels/ht-saae/ \| HT-SAAE Solar Panels - EnergySage \| review

Sources:

\- \[Leapton Solar Named Top Performer in Kiwa PVEL's 2025 PV Module Reliability Scorecard\](https://scorecard.pvel.com/manufacturer\_name/leapton-solar/)

\- \[Leapton Solar Panels Review: Tier 1 Panels Made In China By Japanese Company\](https://www.solarquotes.com.au/blog/leapton-solar-panels-review/)

\- \[Leapton launches TOPCon module range, with maximum conversion efficiency of 22.95%\](https://www.pv-tech.org/leapton-topcon-module-range-conversion-efficiency-22-95/)

\- \[HT-SAAE Solar Panels \| EnergySage\](https://www.energysage.com/solar-panels/ht-saae/)

\- \[HT-SAAE establishes 600MW module production plant in Turkey\](https://www.pv-tech.org/ht-saae-establishes-600mw-module-production-plant-in-turkey/)

Written by claude-sonnet from the figures above.


## Other comparisons

- [HT-SAAE vs A.B. Energy](https://comparepv.com/ht-saae-vs-a-b-energy)
- [AE Solar vs Leapton](https://comparepv.com/ae-solar-vs-leapton)
- [HT-SAAE vs AEET](https://comparepv.com/ht-saae-vs-aeet)
- [AIKO vs Leapton](https://comparepv.com/aiko-vs-leapton)
- [HT-SAAE vs AKCOME](https://comparepv.com/ht-saae-vs-akcome)
- [ARTsolar vs Leapton](https://comparepv.com/artsolar-vs-leapton)


---

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

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