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

# Phono Solar vs Q-Cells

Phono Solar has the broader catalog (174 vs 89 models). Phono Solar leads on peak efficiency at 23.50%.


## The two companies


| Attribute | Phono Solar | Q-Cells |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Country | China | South Korea |
| Headquarters | Nanjing | Seoul |
| Founded | 2004 | 1999 |
| Employees | 13000+ | 2000+ |
| Annual capacity | 3-4 GW/year | 11.2 GW/year |
| Tier 1 | yes | yes |
| Listed |  | NASDAQ: HQCL |
| Website | [https://www.phonosolar.com](https://www.phonosolar.com) | [https://www.qcells.com](https://www.qcells.com) |

Phono Solar Technology Co., Ltd. specializes in the research, development, and manufacture of photovoltaic solar panels and is a global provider of solar products and services. The company is affiliated with SUMEC Group, a subsidiary of China National Machinery Industry Corporation (SINOMACH). Phono Solar has been...

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 | Phono Solar | Q-Cells | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Panel Models | 174 | 89 | +85 |
| Max Power | 730 W | 675 W | +55 W |
| Avg Power | 515 W | 468 W | +47 W |


## Efficiency


| Measure | Phono Solar | Q-Cells | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Max Efficiency | 23.50% | 23.20% | +0.30 pp |
| Avg Efficiency | 21.77% | 21.21% | +0.56 pp |


## Reliability & Warranty


| Measure | Phono Solar | Q-Cells | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Avg Temp Coefficient | -0.306%/°C | -0.325%/°C | +0.019 |
| Bifacial Share | 74 (43%) | 35 (39%) | +3 pp |
| Avg Warranty | 27.1 yrs | 27.0 yrs | +0.2 yr |


## Efficiency distribution

Phono Solar skews to higher efficiency: 11% of lineup is 23%+


| Efficiency band | Phono Solar | Q-Cells |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \<20% | 3 (1.7%) | 7 (7.9%) |
| 20-21% | 37 (21.3%) | 29 (32.6%) |
| 21-22% | 53 (30.5%) | 30 (33.7%) |
| 22-23% | 62 (35.6%) | 21 (23.6%) |
| 23%+ | 19 (10.9%) | 2 (2.2%) |


## Power distribution

Phono Solar offers more 600W+ panels (20% of lineup)


| Power band | Phono Solar | Q-Cells |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \<400W | 10 (5.7%) | 20 (22.5%) |
| 400-499W | 78 (44.8%) | 41 (46.1%) |
| 500-599W | 51 (29.3%) | 11 (12.4%) |
| 600-699W | 23 (13.2%) | 17 (19.1%) |
| 700W+ | 12 (6.9%) | 0 |


## Cell technology

Dominant cell tech: **PERC** (37%)

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


| Technology | Phono Solar | Q-Cells |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PERC | 65 (37.4%) | 38 (42.7%) |
| TOPCon | 53 (30.5%) | 8 (9.0%) |
| N-type | 50 (28.7%) | 23 (25.8%) |
| HJT | 5 (2.9%) | 0 |
| Back Contact | 1 (0.6%) | 0 |
| Unknown | 0 | 20 (22.5%) |


## Top panels, Phono Solar


| # | Model | Power | Efficiency | Temp. coefficient | Technology |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [PS730M13GFH-22/WSHW](https://comparepv.com/panel/phono-solar-co-ltd-phono-solar-technology-co-ltd-ps730m13gfh-22-wshw) | 730 | 23.5 | -0.240 | Monocrystalline |
| 2 | [NS-730MH-132](https://comparepv.com/panel/phono-solar-ns-730mh-132) | 730 | 23.5 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 3 | [PS725M13GFH-22/WSHW](https://comparepv.com/panel/phono-solar-co-ltd-phono-solar-technology-co-ltd-ps725m13gfh-22-wshw) | 725 | 23.3 | -0.240 | Monocrystalline |
| 4 | [PS720M13GFH-22/WSHW](https://comparepv.com/panel/phono-solar-co-ltd-phono-solar-technology-co-ltd-ps720m13gfh-22-wshw) | 720 | 23.2 | -0.240 | Monocrystalline |
| 5 | [NS-720MH-132](https://comparepv.com/panel/phono-solar-ns-720mh-132) | 720 | 23.2 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 6 | [PS715M13GFH-22/WSHW](https://comparepv.com/panel/phono-solar-co-ltd-phono-solar-technology-co-ltd-ps715m13gfh-22-wshw) | 715 | 23.0 | -0.240 | Monocrystalline |
| 7 | [PS710M13GFH-22/WNH](https://comparepv.com/panel/phono-solar-technology-co-ltd-ps710m13gfh-22-wnh) | 710 | 22.9 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 8 | [PS710M13GFH-22/WSHW](https://comparepv.com/panel/phono-solar-co-ltd-phono-solar-technology-co-ltd-ps710m13gfh-22-wshw) | 710 | 22.9 | -0.240 | Monocrystalline |
| 9 | [NS-710MH-132](https://comparepv.com/panel/phono-solar-ns-710mh-132) | 710 | 22.9 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 10 | [PS705M13GFH-22/WNH](https://comparepv.com/panel/phono-solar-technology-co-ltd-ps705m13gfh-22-wnh) | 705 | 22.7 | -0.290 | 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

Phono Solar, founded in 2004 and headquartered in China, operates with a production capacity of 3 to 4 GW and has held BloombergNEF Tier 1 bankable status continuously since 2014, with the designation reconfirmed as recently as Q2 2025. Q-Cells, originally founded in 1999 and now a division of South Korea's Hanwha Group, operates at a substantially larger scale of 11.2 GW of annual module capacity, including the largest solar manufacturing footprint in the Western Hemisphere at its Georgia, USA facilities. With its parent company listed on NASDAQ and backed by one of South Korea's largest conglomerates, Q-Cells carries a noticeably heavier financial and institutional weight than Phono Solar, though both qualify as bankable Tier 1 suppliers recognized by major project lenders.

The two portfolios share the same dominant cell technology - PERC accounts for roughly 38% of each catalog - and both offer bifacial panels at nearly identical shares of around 42%, with average warranty terms converging at just over 27 years. Where they diverge is on raw output and efficiency. Phono Solar's 173-model lineup averages 515 Wp per panel and peaks at 730 Wp, with a top efficiency of 23.5% and a portfolio average of 21.8%. Its temperature coefficient of -0.306% per degree Celsius is meaningfully better than Q-Cells' -0.323%, a real advantage in hot-climate installations. Q-Cells' 91-model catalog centers on more moderate output, averaging 462 Wp and topping out at 635 Wp, with a peak efficiency of 23.2% and a portfolio average of 21.3%. Phono Solar's higher wattage ceiling and broader product breadth make it a natural fit for utility-scale ground mounts and large commercial projects seeking to minimize panel count, while Q-Cells' range is well suited to residential and mid-scale commercial rooftops where brand recognition and domestic US manufacturing carry weight.

For most buyers in 2025, Q-Cells holds an edge in supply reliability, brand recognition, and relevance to US projects subject to Inflation Reduction Act domestic-content requirements. Phono Solar is a compelling alternative for cost-sensitive utility and commercial buyers who prioritize superior output per panel and a marginally better temperature response. Neither choice is wrong; the decision comes down to scale, geography, and procurement priorities rather than any fundamental quality gap.

\---LINKS---

\- https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/phono-solar-panel-review \| Phono Solar Panel Review: Cost, Products, And Warranties \| review

\- https://scorecard.pvel.com/manufacturer\_name/phono/ \| Phono Solar Top Performer - Kiwa PVEL 2025 PV Module Reliability Scorecard \| review

\- https://www.energysage.com/solar/best-solar-panels-complete-ranking/q-cells-solar-panels-complete-review/ \| Q CELLS Solar Panels: The Complete Review - EnergySage \| review

\- https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/hanwha-q-cells-solar-panels-complete-review \| Expert Review of Qcells Solar Panels for 2025 - SolarReviews \| review

\- https://www.pv-magazine.com/press-releases/oscars-of-solar-industry-upgraded-phono-secures-bnef-tier-1-ranking-again/ \| PHONO Secures BNEF Tier 1 Ranking Again - PV Magazine \| article

Sources:

\- \[PHONO Secures BNEF Tier 1 Ranking Again\](https://www.pv-magazine.com/press-releases/oscars-of-solar-industry-upgraded-phono-secures-bnef-tier-1-ranking-again/)

\- \[Phono Solar Top Performer - Kiwa PVEL 2025 Scorecard\](https://scorecard.pvel.com/manufacturer\_name/phono/)

\- \[Phono Solar Panel Review - SolarReviews\](https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/phono-solar-panel-review)

\- \[Q CELLS Solar Panels: The Complete Review - EnergySage\](https://www.energysage.com/solar/best-solar-panels-complete-ranking/q-cells-solar-panels-complete-review/)

\- \[Expert Review of Qcells Solar Panels for 2025 - SolarReviews\](https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/hanwha-q-cells-solar-panels-complete-review)

\- \[Hanwha Qcells Cartersville Factory - 3.3 GW Capacity\](https://www.hanwha.com/newsroom/news/press-releases/hanwha-qcells-new-cartersville-factory-set-for-33-gw-of-solar-module-production-per-year.do)

Written by claude-sonnet from the figures above.


## Other comparisons

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


---

Source: https://comparepv.com/phono-solar-vs-q-cells

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