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

# Leapton vs Q-Cells

Leapton has the broader catalog (119 vs 89 models). Leapton leads on peak efficiency at 23.32%.


## The two companies


| Attribute | Leapton | Q-Cells |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Country | Japan | South Korea |
| Headquarters | Kobe | Seoul |
| Founded | 2012 | 1999 |
| Employees |  | 2000+ |
| Annual capacity | 3+ GW/year | 11.2 GW/year |
| Tier 1 | yes | yes |
| Listed |  | NASDAQ: HQCL |
| Website | [http://www.leaptonpv.com/](http://www.leaptonpv.com/) | [https://www.qcells.com](https://www.qcells.com) |

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.

Qcells is a renowned global provider of complete energy solutions, specializing in solar cells and modules, energy storage solutions, downstream project business, and energy retail. The company has a strong heritage dating back to its foundation in Germany and has become a leader in technology innovations. As an...


## Catalog & Power


| Measure | Leapton | Q-Cells | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Panel Models | 119 | 89 | +30 |
| Max Power | 720 W | 675 W | +45 W |
| Avg Power | 546 W | 468 W | +78 W |


## Efficiency


| Measure | Leapton | Q-Cells | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Max Efficiency | 23.32% | 23.20% | +0.12 pp |
| Avg Efficiency | 22.18% | 21.21% | +0.96 pp |


## Reliability & Warranty


| Measure | Leapton | Q-Cells | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Avg Temp Coefficient | -0.307%/°C | -0.325%/°C | +0.018 |
| Bifacial Share | 58 (49%) | 35 (39%) | +9 pp |
| Avg Warranty | 29.5 yrs | 27.0 yrs | +2.5 yr |


## Efficiency distribution

Leapton skews to higher efficiency: 7% of lineup is 23%+


| Efficiency band | Leapton | Q-Cells |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 20-21% | 5 (4.2%) | 29 (32.6%) |
| 21-22% | 32 (26.9%) | 30 (33.7%) |
| 22-23% | 74 (62.2%) | 21 (23.6%) |
| 23%+ | 8 (6.7%) | 2 (2.2%) |
| \<20% | 0 | 7 (7.9%) |


## Power distribution

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


| Power band | Leapton | Q-Cells |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 400-499W | 48 (40.3%) | 41 (46.1%) |
| 500-599W | 33 (27.7%) | 11 (12.4%) |
| 600-699W | 28 (23.5%) | 17 (19.1%) |
| 700W+ | 10 (8.4%) | 0 |
| \<400W | 0 | 20 (22.5%) |


## Cell technology

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

Dominant cell tech: **PERC** (43%)


| Technology | Leapton | Q-Cells |
| --- | --- | --- |
| TOPCon | 105 (88.2%) | 8 (9.0%) |
| N-type | 14 (11.8%) | 23 (25.8%) |
| PERC | 0 | 38 (42.7%) |
| Unknown | 0 | 20 (22.5%) |


## 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 |


## Top panels, Q-Cells


| # | Model | Power | Efficiency | Temp. coefficient | Technology |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [Q.PEAK DUO ML-G12S.3 / BFG 675](https://comparepv.com/panel/q-cells-q-peak-duo-ml-g12s-3-bfg-675) | 675 | 21.7 | -0.340 | Monocrystalline |
| 2 | [Q.PEAK DUO ML-G12S.3 / BFG 670](https://comparepv.com/panel/q-cells-q-peak-duo-ml-g12s-3-bfg-670) | 670 | 21.6 | -0.340 | Monocrystalline |
| 3 | [Q.PEAK DUO ML-G12S.3 / BFG 665](https://comparepv.com/panel/q-cells-q-peak-duo-ml-g12s-3-bfg-665) | 665 | 21.4 | -0.340 | Monocrystalline |
| 4 | [Q.PEAK DUO ML-G12S.3 / BFG 660](https://comparepv.com/panel/q-cells-q-peak-duo-ml-g12s-3-bfg-660) | 660 | 21.2 | -0.340 | Monocrystalline |
| 5 | [Q.PEAK DUO ML-G12S.3 / BFG 655](https://comparepv.com/panel/q-cells-q-peak-duo-ml-g12s-3-bfg-655) | 655 | 21.1 | -0.340 | Monocrystalline |
| 6 | [Q.PEAK DUO ML-G12S.3 / BFG 650](https://comparepv.com/panel/q-cells-q-peak-duo-ml-g12s-3-bfg-650) | 650 | 20.9 | -0.340 | Monocrystalline |
| 7 | [Q.TRON XL-G2.3 / BFG 645](https://comparepv.com/panel/q-cells-q-tron-xl-g2-3-bfg-645) | 645 | 23.1 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 8 | [Q.TRON XL-G2.3 / BFG 640](https://comparepv.com/panel/q-cells-q-tron-xl-g2-3-bfg-640) | 640 | 22.9 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 9 | [Q.TRON XL-G2.3 / BFG 635](https://comparepv.com/panel/hanwha-q-cells-america-inc-q-tron-xl-g2-3-bfg-635) | 635 | 22.7 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 10 | [Q.TRON XL-G2.3 / BFG 630](https://comparepv.com/panel/hanwha-q-cells-america-inc-q-tron-xl-g2-3-bfg-630) | 630 | 22.6 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |


## Summary

Leapton is a Japanese solar brand - headquartered in Japan with manufacturing operations carried out in China - that has built up an annual production capacity of approximately 3 GW as of late 2024. It holds Bloomberg NEF Tier 1 bankable status and was named a Top Performer in Kiwa PVEL's 2025 PV Module Reliability Scorecard, a meaningful independent quality signal. Q-Cells, originally founded in Germany and now owned by South Korean conglomerate Hanwha Group, operates at a considerably larger scale: Hanwha Qcells' combined US factories in Dalton and Cartersville, Georgia, alone target roughly 8.4 GW of annual module output, and the company's global module capacity stands well above 10 GW. Q-Cells carries Bloomberg NEF Tier 1 status and was named an S&P Global 2025 Tier 1 Cleantech company. On institutional footprint, supply chain depth, and brand recognition - particularly in North America and Europe - Q-Cells holds a clear advantage.

Leapton's current product range centers on N-type TOPCon technology, including both monofacial and bifacial modules in the LP182 and LP182\*210 series, with power outputs broadly spanning the 430 W to over 700 W range and module efficiencies reaching close to 23% on flagship bifacial models. These panels are generally positioned toward residential prosumer installations and mid-scale commercial rooftops where high long-term predictability and low degradation matter. Q-Cells markets a broader portfolio: the established Q.PEAK DUO line is built on PERC-derived Q.ANTUM technology and has long dominated premium residential rooftops, while the newer Q.TRON series moves the brand squarely into N-type TOPCon territory under the Q.ANTUM NEO branding, targeting both residential and commercial segments. Q-Cells also holds the number-one market share position in US residential and commercial solar according to Wood Mackenzie.

For a typical buyer in 2025, Q-Cells is the safer default: deeper installer networks, stronger US domestic manufacturing credentials (relevant for IRA-linked incentives), and broader third-party validation. Leapton is a credible alternative - especially where price competitiveness or PVEL scorecard standing is decisive - but buyers outside markets where Leapton has an established distribution presence may find after-sales support thinner.

\---LINKS---

\- 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://scorecard.pvel.com/manufacturer\_name/leapton-solar/ \| Leapton Solar Named Top Performer in Kiwa PVEL 2025 PV Module Reliability Scorecard \| article

\- https://solartechonline.com/blog/hanwha-q-cells-solar-panels-review-2025/ \| Hanwha Q CELLS Solar Panels Review 2025 - Expert Analysis and Real Performance Data \| review

\- https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2026/03/06/qcells-resumes-solar-panel-production-at-georgia-factories-following-customs-related-furlough/ \| Qcells resumes solar panel production at Georgia factories \| article

\- https://www.hanwha.com/newsroom/news/press-releases/hanwha-qcells-named-an-s-p-global-2025-tier-1-cleantech-company.do \| Hanwha Qcells named 2025 S&P Global Tier 1 Cleantech company \| article

Sources:

\- \[Leapton Solar Panels Review - SolarQuotes\](https://www.solarquotes.com.au/blog/leapton-solar-panels-review/)

\- \[Leapton Solar - Kiwa PVEL 2025 Scorecard\](https://scorecard.pvel.com/manufacturer\_name/leapton-solar/)

\- \[Hanwha Q CELLS Review 2025 - SolarTechOnline\](https://solartechonline.com/blog/hanwha-q-cells-solar-panels-review-2025/)

\- \[Qcells Georgia factory news - PV Magazine USA\](https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2026/03/06/qcells-resumes-solar-panel-production-at-georgia-factories-following-customs-related-furlough/)

\- \[Hanwha Qcells S&P Global Tier 1 press release\](https://www.hanwha.com/newsroom/news/press-releases/hanwha-qcells-named-an-s-p-global-2025-tier-1-cleantech-company.do)

Written by claude-sonnet from the figures above.


## Other comparisons

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


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Source: https://comparepv.com/leapton-vs-q-cells

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