Jinko Solar vs Thornova Solar - 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 known as Sunova Solar Technology Co., Ltd., is a Chinese manufacturer of high-efficiency photovoltaic modules and solar cells with production facilities in China and Indonesia. The company specializes in advanced solar panel technology and holds BNEF Tier 1 bankable module manufacturer status...
- Founded
- 2016
- Headquarters
- Wuxi, China
- Annual capacity
- 5-10 GW/year
- Employees
- 500-1000
- 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, founded in 2006 and headquartered in China, is one of the world's largest solar module manufacturers, with a production capacity of 130 GW, a workforce of over 33,800 employees, and a listing on the NYSE. The company has shipped more than 300 GW of modules globally and has held BNEF Tier 1 bankable status consistently. Thornova Solar, founded in 2016 and also based in China, operates at a significantly smaller scale with an estimated production capacity of 5 to 10 GW and a team of 500 to 1,000 employees. Thornova achieved BNEF Tier 1 status in 2023 and ranked 13th out of more than 38 manufacturers in Wood Mackenzie's H1 2024 Solar Module Manufacturing Ranking, confirming its growing credibility among mid-tier global producers.
Jinko Solar's technology leadership is well documented - its TigerNeo TOPCon modules reach up to 735 Wp with panel-level efficiency of 24.8%, supported by a certified world-record TOPCon cell efficiency of 27.79% verified by Germany's ISFH. A portfolio of 545 panel models, an average module efficiency of 22%, an average temperature coefficient of -0.308%/°C, and eleven consecutive PVEL Top Performer recognitions make Jinko a strong fit for residential rooftop installations, utility-scale ground-mount projects, and commercial C&I deployments across diverse climates. Thornova Solar, while offering a smaller catalogue, competes in the same TOPCon segment with modules reaching up to 720 Wp at 23.2% efficiency, and the company earned a Kiwa PVEL 2025 Top Performer award - reinforcing its positioning for residential and light commercial projects where Tier 1 bankability and competitive pricing are the primary decision factors.
For international buyers choosing between the two, Jinko Solar presents the lower-risk procurement option due to its larger production scale, deeper global distribution network, longer operational track record, and broader product range suitable for projects of any size. Thornova Solar is a credible Tier 1 alternative for buyers seeking supplier diversification or more competitive pricing at a smaller volume scale, and it merits consideration particularly for residential installers and smaller commercial integrators looking to expand their panel sourcing beyond the top-five global brands.
Generated by Claude Sonnet · 2026-05-12
Other brand comparisons
Shop prices: See 173 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.