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Q-SUN Solar Brand review

QNM182-HS540-72

540 Wp PERC
ComparePV verdict

Strong in heat, short guarantee

Rank 8,915 of 14,005
Compare panels Datasheet PDF
Power (Wp)
540
Typical for its class
Efficiency (%)
20.90
Typical · median 20.90%
Density (Wp/m²)
208.9
Typical · median 209.0
Temp (%/°C)
-0.320
Strong · top 3%
Weight (kg)
28.3
Typical · median 28.4 kg
Warranty (yrs)
25
Weak · bottom 23%

The Q-SUN Solar QNM182-HS-72 (535-555W) solar panel series uses advanced monocrystalline cells based on M10 wafers, which allows for high power density while maintaining optimal dimensions. The use of Half-Cut technology ensures that the modules feature reduced resistive losses and significantly higher resistance to partial shading effects, which is crucial for yield stability in large-scale installations. Thanks to the implementation of the Multi-Busbar (MBB) system, the design effectively prevents micro-cracks and shortens the electron flow path, which directly increases the efficiency of the entire system. Products from this line are primarily dedicated to commercial investments and solar farm construction, where minimizing the LCOE indicator is a priority. High unit power reduces expenses on mounting infrastructure and fastening systems. A key distinguishing feature is high resistance to potential-induced degradation (PID) and a solid construction that withstands significant snow and wind loads. This solution represents a perfect balance between price and performance, eliminating issues related to the low efficiency of older technologies. By choosing the QNM182-HS-72 series, investors receive equipment adapted for intensive operation in diverse climatic conditions, which guarantees a quick return on investment and long-term energy reliability for the system.

Ranking

706 panels in the segment PERC 500-550 W
Metric This panel Median Position in segment Overall rank
Module efficiency 20.90% 20.90% Typical 10,072
Power density 208.9 209.0 Typical 10,202
Temperature coefficient -0.320 -0.350 Strong · top 3% 8,312
Weight per kWp 52.4 53.0 Typical 5,886
Performance warranty 25 yrs 30 yrs Weak · bottom 23% 9,798
Colour key Strong - top 25% Typical - middle 50% Weak - bottom 25%

Signals from the data

6 positive · 4 caution
Best for

Hot roofs and southern climates.

Not ideal for

Owners who want a long output guarantee.

Strengths
-0.320 %/°C temperature coefficient

Top 3% of the PERC 500-550 W segment, against a median of -0.350. Ranked 8,312th in the whole database.

Watch-outs
25 year performance warranty

Bottom 23% of the PERC 500-550 W segment, against a median of 30 yrs.

What owners get
Competitive efficiency up to 21.5%

The top efficiency of 21.5% matches JA Solar DEEP BLUE 3.0 (21.5%) and exceeds ET Solar Elite PLUS (21.4%) and Boviet VEGA (21.3%) at the same 555W max power, confirming the competitiveness of the M10 wafer technology in the QNM182-HS-72 series.

Half-cut and multi-busbar reduce losses

Half-cut cell technology lowers resistive losses and improves partial-shading resistance, while the multi-busbar (MBB) system shortens electron flow paths and prevents microcracks - features standard among top-tier series and here applied by a non-tier-1 manufacturer as well.

High unit power of 535-555W

The power range up to 555W per module reduces the number of panels, mounting structures, DC cabling, and optimizers needed for a given system size, directly lowering CAPEX on commercial and utility-scale solar farm projects.

PID and mechanical load resistance

Stated high resistance to potential-induced degradation (PID) plus durability against snow and wind loads improve yield stability under harsh climate conditions and reduce the risk of premature power loss.

Standard 12/25-year warranty

The 12-year product warranty and 25-year power warranty align with the market standard for the PERC/M10 segment, offering comparable service conditions to peer offerings.

Trade-offs
Manufacturer not on BNEF Tier 1 list

Q-SUN Solar (founded 2014) does not appear on the current BloombergNEF Tier 1 list (Q1-Q3 2026), unlike JA Solar which has been included for years - this may complicate project financing (bankability) for utility-scale installations requiring tier-1 status.

PERC technology lags N-type competitors

The series relies on older PERC technology, while the premium 535-555W segment increasingly adopts N-type cells (TOPCon/HJT) with lower LID degradation and better temperature performance, potentially resulting in lower real-world yield over time versus newer-cell competitors.

No bifacial variant available

The QNM182-HS-72 series is monofacial only, while comparable tier-1 lines often offer bifacial variants that boost yield by 5-15% in ground-mount installations with suitable albedo, limiting flexibility for utility-scale solar farm applications.

Notes from the database
  • Efficiency of 20.9% matches the PERC 500-550W median
  • Power density of 208.9 W/m² matches the PERC 500-550W median
  • Temperature coefficient of -0.32%/°C vs median -0.35%/°C means ~1% less power loss at 65°C
  • #10072 for efficiency, #8312 for temperature performance out of 14005 panels

Specifications

Open datasheet PDF
Nominal power (Pmax) 540 Wp Nameplate at 1000 W/m², 25 °C
Module efficiency 20.90 % Typical Segment median 20.90%
Vmpp · Impp 41.64 V · 12.97 A Operating point at max power
Voc · Isc 49.51 V · 13.63 A Sizes the string length
Max system voltage 1500 V Longer strings than 1000 V modules
Dimensions 2279×1134×35 mm · 2.58 m² of roof
Weight 28.3 kg Typical Typical · median 28.4 kg
Cells 144 · PERC Monocrystalline
Coefficient Pmax -0.320 %/°C Strong top 3% of its segment
Coefficient Voc · Isc -0.260 · 0.052 %/°C
NOCT 45 °C At 800 W/m², 20 °C ambient
Product warranty 12 years Hardware defects only
Performance warranty 25 years Weak bottom 23% · median 30 yrs
End-of-warranty output 84.8 % Equals 443 W guaranteed
Degradation 2.00 → 0.55 % First year, then annual

Simulations

Live - change any input
Lifetime output & value
30 years at 1200 kWh/kWp/year and €0.50 per kWh
Power in year 30
-
Lifetime energy
-
Energy value
-

Degradation from this panel's own datasheet figures. No inverter, soiling or shading losses.

Heat losses
-0.320 %/°C against a segment median of -0.350
-

Alternatives

All Q-SUN Solar panels
Filter these
Size
Panel Power Eff. Temp. Weight Difference
Q-SUN Solar QNM182-HS540-72 540 W 20.90% -0.320 28.3 kg You are here
LR7-54HJD-510M 510 W 25.00% -0.240 23.5 kg Cooler, +4.1 pp, +5 yr warranty
AIKO-A495-MCE54Mw 495 W 24.80% -0.260 21.0 kg Cooler, lighter, +3.9 pp
LR7-60HVH-560M 560 W 24.80% -0.260 25.0 kg Cooler, +3.9 pp, +5 yr warranty
LR7-54HJD-505M 505 W 24.70% -0.240 23.5 kg Cooler, +3.8 pp, +5 yr warranty
LR7-60HVH-555M 555 W 24.60% -0.260 25.0 kg Cooler, +3.7 pp, +5 yr warranty
AIKO-A490-MCE54Mw 490 W 24.50% -0.260 21.0 kg Cooler, lighter, +3.6 pp
LR7-54HJD-500M 500 W 24.50% -0.240 23.5 kg Cooler, +3.6 pp, +5 yr warranty
QNM182-HG530-72 530 W 20.50% -0.310 31.4 kg Heavier, -0.4 pp, +5 yr warranty
QNM182-HS535-72 535 W 20.70% -0.320 28.3 kg Very close match
QN-540HT 540 W 20.80% -0.340 26.0 kg Hotter, lighter
QNM182-HS545-72 545 W 21.10% -0.320 28.3 kg +0.2 pp
QN-545HT 545 W 21.10% -0.340 26.0 kg Hotter, lighter, +0.2 pp
QNM182-HS550-72 550 W 21.30% -0.320 28.3 kg +10 W, +0.4 pp
AIKO-A650-MAE72Mw 650 W 25.20% -0.260 27.0 kg +110 W, cooler, +4.3 pp
AIKO-A645-MAE72Mw 645 W 25.00% -0.260 27.0 kg +105 W, cooler, +4.1 pp
AIKO-A640-MAE72Mw 640 W 24.80% -0.260 27.0 kg +100 W, cooler, +3.9 pp

Found 2326 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±10 mm. See them here Found 2368 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±25 mm. See them here Found 2382 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±50 mm. See them here Found 2542 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±100 mm. See them here

Common questions

6 answered
What warranty does Q-SUN Solar offer on the QNM182-HS-72 series?
The manufacturer provides a 12-year product warranty and a 25-year linear power output warranty. After 25 years, each panel should retain at least 80.7% of its rated power. It is worth noting that Q-SUN Solar is not listed among Tier 1 manufacturers — buyers of larger orders are advised to verify the company's financial stability and warranty fulfillment procedures before committing to a purchase.
How well does the Q-SUN QNM182-HS-72 series handle partial shading?
Very well. The half-cut PERC cell design splits each cell in two, reducing shading-related losses by several percentage points compared to full-size cells. The Multi-Busbar (MBB) layout further shortens the current path and lowers internal resistance. As a result, the array maintains higher energy output even when a portion of the modules is shaded by a building, chimney, or vegetation.
Is the QNM182-HS-72 series suitable for residential rooftop installation?
The QNM182-HS-72 (535–555 W) is engineered for large-scale commercial projects and utility-scale solar farms, not for typical residential rooftops. The large M10-wafer module dimensions and high unit power output make handling and mounting on sloped residential roofs more difficult. For prosumer systems, smaller panels in the 400–430 W range designed for the residential segment are a much better fit.
What is PID resistance and are the QNM182-HS-72 panels susceptible to it?
PID (Potential Induced Degradation) occurs when leakage currents between cells and the module frame cause irreversible performance loss under high system voltages. The QNM182-HS-72 uses PERC cells with optimized encapsulation and anti-reflective coating to deliver high PID resistance. This is especially critical in utility-scale solar farms where DC string voltages can exceed 1000 V, making PID risk considerably higher than in small residential systems.
Is the QNM182-HS-72 a bifacial panel, and does that affect its performance?
No, the QNM182-HS-72 is a monofacial module — it generates electricity only from the front side and does not harvest albedo light reflected from the ground. It should not be confused with bifacial panels. The monofacial design keeps per-module costs lower and simplifies system engineering. If additional bifacial gain is a priority for a specific project (e.g., white gravel or snow surfaces), a different bifacial series should be considered.
How many QNM182-HS-72 (555 W) panels are needed to build a 1 MW solar farm?
At a rated output of 555 W per module, a 1 MW farm requires approximately 1,802 panels (1,000,000 W ÷ 555 W ≈ 1,802 units). In practice, a 3–5% reserve is added to cover system losses and module mismatch, bringing the real count to roughly 1,850–1,890 panels. The high unit power of this series directly reduces expenditure on mounting structures, cabling, and land area per installed megawatt.
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