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

# Q-Cells vs REC

Q-Cells has the broader catalog (89 vs 58 models). Q-Cells leads on peak efficiency at 23.20%. REC leans bifacial (59% of lineup).


## The two companies


| Attribute | Q-Cells | REC |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Country | South Korea | Norway |
| Headquarters | Seoul | Sandvika |
| Founded | 1999 | 1996 |
| Employees | 2000+ |  |
| Annual capacity | 11.2 GW/year |  |
| Tier 1 | yes | yes |
| Listed | NASDAQ: HQCL |  |
| Website | [https://www.qcells.com](https://www.qcells.com) | [https://www.recgroup.com](https://www.recgroup.com) |

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 | Q-Cells | REC | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Panel Models | 89 | 58 | +31 |
| Max Power | 675 W | 640 W | +35 W |
| Avg Power | 468 W | 385 W | +83 W |


## Efficiency


| Measure | Q-Cells | REC | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Max Efficiency | 23.20% | 22.80% | +0.40 pp |
| Avg Efficiency | 21.21% | 18.92% | +2.29 pp |


## Reliability & Warranty


| Measure | Q-Cells | REC | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Avg Temp Coefficient | -0.325%/°C | -0.300%/°C | +0.025 |
| Bifacial Share | 35 (39%) | 34 (59%) | +19 pp |
| Avg Warranty | 27.0 yrs | 25.5 yrs | +1.4 yr |


## Efficiency distribution

Q-Cells skews to higher efficiency: 2% of lineup is 23%+


| Efficiency band | Q-Cells | REC |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \<20% | 7 (7.9%) | 20 (34.5%) |
| 20-21% | 29 (32.6%) | 8 (13.8%) |
| 21-22% | 30 (33.7%) | 15 (25.9%) |
| 22-23% | 21 (23.6%) | 15 (25.9%) |
| 23%+ | 2 (2.2%) | 0 |


## Power distribution

Q-Cells offers more 600W+ panels (19% of lineup)


| Power band | Q-Cells | REC |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \<400W | 20 (22.5%) | 21 (36.2%) |
| 400-499W | 41 (46.1%) | 26 (44.8%) |
| 500-599W | 11 (12.4%) | 1 (1.7%) |
| 600-699W | 17 (19.1%) | 10 (17.2%) |


## Cell technology

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

Dominant cell tech: **HJT** (59%)


| Technology | Q-Cells | REC |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PERC | 38 (42.7%) | 0 |
| N-type | 23 (25.8%) | 2 (3.4%) |
| Unknown | 20 (22.5%) | 22 (37.9%) |
| TOPCon | 8 (9.0%) | 0 |
| HJT | 0 | 34 (58.6%) |


## 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 |


## Top panels, REC


| # | Model | Power | Efficiency | Temp. coefficient | Technology |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [REC640AA PRO M](https://comparepv.com/panel/rec-rec640aa-pro-m) | 640 | 22.5 | -0.240 | Monocrystalline |
| 2 | [REC640AA Pro MG](https://comparepv.com/panel/rec-rec640aa-pro-mg) | 640 | 22.5 | -0.240 | Monocrystalline |
| 3 | [REC630AA PRO M](https://comparepv.com/panel/rec-rec630aa-pro-m) | 630 | 22.2 | -0.240 | Monocrystalline |
| 4 | [REC630AA Pro MG](https://comparepv.com/panel/rec-rec630aa-pro-mg) | 630 | 22.2 | -0.240 | Monocrystalline |
| 5 | [REC620AA PRO M](https://comparepv.com/panel/rec-rec620aa-pro-m) | 620 | 21.8 | -0.240 | Monocrystalline |
| 6 | [REC620AA Pro MG](https://comparepv.com/panel/rec-rec620aa-pro-mg) | 620 | 21.8 | -0.240 | Monocrystalline |
| 7 | [REC610AA PRO M](https://comparepv.com/panel/rec-rec610aa-pro-m) | 610 | 21.5 | -0.240 | Monocrystalline |
| 8 | [REC610AA Pro MG](https://comparepv.com/panel/rec-rec610aa-pro-mg) | 610 | 21.5 | -0.240 | Monocrystalline |
| 9 | [REC600AA PRO M](https://comparepv.com/panel/rec-rec600aa-pro-m) | 600 | 21.1 | -0.240 | Monocrystalline |
| 10 | [REC600AA Pro MG](https://comparepv.com/panel/rec-rec600aa-pro-mg) | 600 | 21.1 | -0.240 | Monocrystalline |


## Summary

Q-Cells is the solar brand of South Korea's Hanwha Group, tracing its roots to Q-Cells AG, a German cell pioneer founded in 1999. The brand holds BloombergNEF Tier 1 status and operates what is described as the largest solar manufacturing complex in the Western Hemisphere, a facility in Dalton, Georgia, with confirmed capacity of around 8.4 GW per year. REC Group was founded in Norway in 1996 and maintains its operational headquarters in Singapore, with a strong European heritage and a global distribution network across Asia-Pacific, North America, and Europe. REC also holds BloombergNEF Tier 1 status. In terms of institutional footprint and sheer manufacturing scale, Q-Cells currently holds the larger domestic-manufacturing position, particularly relevant to US buyers under evolving trade policy.

Q-Cells competes across a wide range from budget-conscious residential installs to mid-market commercial rooftops. Its flagship technology is Q.ANTUM NEO, a TOPCon-based cell architecture, with top-line Q.TRON G2 panels reaching efficiencies above 22.5% and temperature coefficients as low as -0.29 per degree Celsius. REC has historically anchored itself in the premium residential segment, and its Alpha series uses heterojunction (HJT) cell technology. The Alpha Pure-RX reaches efficiency of around 22.8% and carries a notably low temperature coefficient of -0.24 per degree Celsius, giving it a measurable edge in sustained hot-climate output. REC's ProTrust warranty program is a differentiator, bundling product, performance, and installer-labor coverage, though it comes at a higher per-watt price than Q-Cells.

For a typical homeowner in 2025, Q-Cells represents the stronger default: competitive efficiency, Tier 1 reliability, US-made supply chain, and lower installed cost. REC is the better choice when peak efficiency and best-in-class heat tolerance justify the premium, particularly on constrained roof areas in warm climates. Neither brand is a poor choice - both are trusted by large installers globally.

\---LINKS---

\- https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/qcells-vs-rec \| Qcells vs REC residential solar panels - side-by-side comparison \| review

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

\- https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/rec-solar-panels-complete-review \| 2025 expert review of REC solar panels \| review

\- https://nrgcleanpower.com/learning-center/qcells-vs-rec-side-by-side-comparison/ \| QCELLS vs REC side-by-side comparison - NRG Clean Power \| article

\- https://about.bnef.com/tier-1-reports/ \| BloombergNEF Tier 1 solar module reports \| article

Sources:

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

\- \[2025 Expert Review Of REC Solar Panels\](https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/rec-solar-panels-complete-review)

\- \[Qcells Vs. REC Residential Solar Panels: A Side-By-Side Comparison\](https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/qcells-vs-rec)

\- \[QCELLS vs REC: Side By Side Comparison - NRG Clean Power\](https://nrgcleanpower.com/learning-center/qcells-vs-rec-side-by-side-comparison/)

\- \[BloombergNEF Tier 1 Reports\](https://about.bnef.com/tier-1-reports/)

Written by claude-sonnet from the figures above.


## Other comparisons

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


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

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