JA Solar vs Sun Earth - solar panel manufacturer comparison
JA Solar has the broader catalog (504 vs 60 models). JA Solar leads on peak efficiency at 24.80%. Sun Earth leans bifacial (63% of lineup).
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
JA Solar is a global leader in the manufacturing of high-performance photovoltaic products. Founded in 2005, the company designs, develops, manufactures, and sells solar cells and modules. JA Solar's products are used in ground-mounted power plants, commercial & industrial rooftop PV systems, and residential rooftop...
- Founded
- 2005
- Headquarters
- Beijing, China
- Annual capacity
- 100+ GW/year
- Employees
- 37,289
- Listed
- SZSE: 002459
- 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
Sun Earth skews to higher efficiency: 37% of lineup is 23%+
JA Solar offers more 600W+ panels (14% of lineup)
Dominant cell tech: <strong>PERC</strong> (49%)
Dominant cell tech: <strong>TOPCon</strong> (82%)
The flagships
Written summary
JA Solar, founded in 2005 and headquartered in China, is one of the world's largest solar module manufacturers, with a production capacity exceeding 100 GW and a workforce of over 37,000 employees. Listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange and holding Tier 1 bankable status, the company has established a strong global presence across residential, commercial, and utility-scale markets. Sun Earth is a considerably smaller manufacturer without Tier 1 certification, offering a focused portfolio of 60 panels compared to JA Solar's 524 models. Sun Earth benefits from a long operational history in module production, but it operates at a much more limited scale and lacks the institutional recognition that comes with Tier 1 standing.
JA Solar's portfolio centers on PERC technology, which accounts for 52.1% of its panels, with a growing TOPCon segment. Its average module efficiency stands at 20.9% with a maximum of 24.4%, and the lineup extends to 740 Wp - making it highly versatile for residential rooftop installs, large utility-scale ground-mount projects, and commercial C&I applications where supply reliability and bankability are critical. Sun Earth has taken a more technology-forward approach, with 81.7% of its panels using TOPCon cells. This results in a meaningfully higher average efficiency of 22.4%, a better temperature coefficient of -0.294% per degree Celsius versus JA Solar's -0.323%, and a bifacial panel share of 63.3%. Combined with an average warranty of 31.1 years compared to JA Solar's 27.9 years, Sun Earth is a compelling option for ground-mounted bifacial systems and C&I projects where long-term energy yield and modern cell technology are the primary criteria.
For international buyers choosing between the two, JA Solar is the stronger option for projects requiring project finance, insurance, or high-volume procurement guarantees - its Tier 1 status and manufacturing scale make it the lower-risk default. Sun Earth suits buyers who prioritize higher average efficiency, a predominantly TOPCon portfolio, and extended warranty coverage, and for whom Tier 1 bankability is not a binding project requirement.
Generated by Claude Sonnet · 2026-05-12
Other brand comparisons
Shop prices: See 384 JA Solar offers · See 12 Sun Earth 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.