Jinko Solar vs Thornova - solar panel manufacturer comparison
Jinko Solar has the broader catalog (637 vs 0 models). Jinko Solar leans bifacial (36% 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
JinkoSolar is a global leader in the solar industry, manufacturing and distributing solar products and solutions to a diversified international customer base. They have a vertically integrated solar product value chain. The company is committed to providing clean, efficient, and sustainable energy solutions worldwide.
- Founded
- 2006
- Headquarters
- Shanghai, China
- Annual capacity
- 130.0 GW/year
- Employees
- 33,830
- Listed
- NYSE: JKS
- Tier 1 bankable
- Yes
Thornova Solar (formerly Sunova Solar) is a Chinese photovoltaic manufacturer headquartered in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, specializing in high-efficiency TOPCon and PERC bifacial solar modules. The company operates manufacturing facilities in China and Indonesia with a combined module capacity of 6.5 GW and cell capacity...
- Founded
- 2016
- Headquarters
- Wuxi, China
- Annual capacity
- 5-10 GW/year
- 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
Jinko Solar skews to higher efficiency: 29% of lineup is 23%+
Jinko Solar offers more 600W+ panels (26% of lineup)
Dominant cell tech: <strong>TOPCon</strong> (41%)
The flagships
Written summary
Jinko Solar is a Chinese manufacturer headquartered in Shanghai, founded in 2006, and is consistently regarded as one of the largest solar module producers in the world. The company holds BloombergNEF Tier 1 bankable status and, as of 2024, became the only PV module manufacturer to receive a 100% bankability rating from BNEF - a streak maintained for ten consecutive years. Jinko has confirmed plans to reach annual module production capacity of roughly 130 GW by the end of 2025. Thornova Solar operates under the Sunova Solar group, a China-heritage manufacturer that has diversified its footprint by commissioning an Indonesian factory in Q4 2024. Thornova has held BNEF Tier 1 status since Q3 2023 and carries a B-rating in the PV Tech Bankability Report, with analysts noting low cash-flow and debt risk. Wood Mackenzie ranked Thornova 14th among more than 38 manufacturers in its H2 2024 module manufacturing survey, putting its annual capacity at approximately 7.5 GW. On institutional scale and longevity, Jinko holds a considerably stronger footprint.
Jinko's flagship offering is the Tiger Neo line, built on N-type TOPCon cell technology and available in formats that scale from residential rooftops to large utility-scale ground mounts. The Tiger Neo 3.0 reaches up to 670 W and 24.8% efficiency, and cumulative Tiger Neo shipments surpassed 200 GW by mid-2025. Thornova competes in a similar technology tier, offering bifacial TOPCon modules ranging from roughly 400 W to 720 W with efficiencies up to 23.2%. The Tangra M PRO series earned an "Overall Highest Achiever" rating in the RETC PV Module Index report in 2026, and the company received a Kiwa PVEL Top Performer award in 2025. Thornova's Indonesian production base also offers a practical advantage for buyers sensitive to US tariff exposure.
For most buyers in 2025, Jinko Solar is the lower-risk default, given its unmatched bankability record, multi-decade track record, and global service infrastructure. Thornova is a credible alternative for project developers or residential buyers who prioritize supply-chain diversification away from mainland China or who need favourable tariff treatment in the US market - its independent quality certifications suggest it can deliver without meaningful performance trade-offs.
Generated by Claude Sonnet · 2026-06-08
Other brand comparisons
Shop prices: See 155 Jinko Solar 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.