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

# Q-Cells vs S-Energy

S-Energy has the broader catalog (91 vs 89 models). Q-Cells leads on peak efficiency at 23.20%. S-Energy leans bifacial (77% of lineup).


## The two companies


| Attribute | Q-Cells | S-Energy |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Country | South Korea | South Korea |
| Headquarters | Seoul | Seoul |
| Founded | 1999 | 2011 |
| Employees | 2000+ |  |
| Annual capacity | 11.2 GW/year |  |
| Tier 1 | yes | no |
| Listed | NASDAQ: HQCL |  |
| Website | [https://www.qcells.com](https://www.qcells.com) | [https://www.s-energy.com](https://www.s-energy.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 | S-Energy | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Panel Models | 89 | 91 | +2 |
| Max Power | 675 W | 665 W | +10 W |
| Avg Power | 468 W | 512 W | +44 W |


## Efficiency


| Measure | Q-Cells | S-Energy | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Max Efficiency | 23.20% | 22.38% | +0.82 pp |
| Avg Efficiency | 21.21% | 21.00% | +0.22 pp |


## Reliability & Warranty


| Measure | Q-Cells | S-Energy | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Avg Temp Coefficient | -0.325%/°C | -0.339%/°C | +0.015 |
| Bifacial Share | 35 (39%) | 70 (77%) | +38 pp |
| Avg Warranty | 27.0 yrs | 27.7 yrs | +0.8 yr |


## Efficiency distribution

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


| Efficiency band | Q-Cells | S-Energy |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \<20% | 7 (7.9%) | 0 |
| 20-21% | 29 (32.6%) | 50 (54.9%) |
| 21-22% | 30 (33.7%) | 34 (37.4%) |
| 22-23% | 21 (23.6%) | 7 (7.7%) |
| 23%+ | 2 (2.2%) | 0 |


## Power distribution

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


| Power band | Q-Cells | S-Energy |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \<400W | 20 (22.5%) | 4 (4.4%) |
| 400-499W | 41 (46.1%) | 36 (39.6%) |
| 500-599W | 11 (12.4%) | 40 (44.0%) |
| 600-699W | 17 (19.1%) | 11 (12.1%) |


## Cell technology

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

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


| Technology | Q-Cells | S-Energy |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PERC | 38 (42.7%) | 54 (59.3%) |
| N-type | 23 (25.8%) | 0 |
| Unknown | 20 (22.5%) | 12 (13.2%) |
| TOPCon | 8 (9.0%) | 25 (27.5%) |


## 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, S-Energy


| # | Model | Power | Efficiency | Temp. coefficient | Technology |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [SL85-66BDL-665R](https://comparepv.com/panel/s-energy-sl85-66bdl-665r) | 665 | 21.4 | -0.340 | Monocrystalline |
| 2 | [SL85-66BDL-660R](https://comparepv.com/panel/s-energy-sl85-66bdl-660r) | 660 | 21.3 | -0.340 | Monocrystalline |
| 3 | [SL85-66BDL-655R](https://comparepv.com/panel/s-energy-sl85-66bdl-655r) | 655 | 21.1 | -0.340 | Monocrystalline |
| 4 | [SL85-66BDL-650R](https://comparepv.com/panel/s-energy-sl85-66bdl-650r) | 650 | 20.9 | -0.340 | Monocrystalline |
| 5 | [SL85-66BDL-645R](https://comparepv.com/panel/s-energy-sl85-66bdl-645r) | 645 | 20.8 | -0.340 | Monocrystalline |
| 6 | [SL65-78TDP-625R](https://comparepv.com/panel/s-energy-sl65-78tdp-625r) | 625 | 22.4 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 7 | [SL65-78TDP-620R](https://comparepv.com/panel/s-energy-sl65-78tdp-620r) | 620 | 22.2 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 8 | [SL65-78TDP-615R](https://comparepv.com/panel/s-energy-sl65-78tdp-615r) | 615 | 22.0 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 9 | [SL65-78TDP-610R](https://comparepv.com/panel/s-energy-sl65-78tdp-610r) | 610 | 21.8 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 10 | [SL65-78TDP-605R](https://comparepv.com/panel/s-energy-sl65-78tdp-605r) | 605 | 21.7 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |


## Summary

Q-Cells traces its roots to a German startup founded in 1999 and has operated since 2012 as the solar division of South Korean industrial conglomerate Hanwha Solutions. The brand holds confirmed Bloomberg NEF Tier 1 status and operates what is described as the largest solar manufacturing complex in the Western Hemisphere, with facilities in Dalton and Cartersville, Georgia together targeting a combined US module output of up to 8.4 GW annually, while global module production capacity is reported at roughly 11 GW. S-Energy was founded in 2001 as a spin-off of Samsung Electronics and is headquartered in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, with its main production plant in Daejeon rated at around 500 MW per year - a fraction of Q-Cells' scale. S-Energy has also been listed as a BNEF Tier 1 manufacturer, though independent reviewers have flagged that the company has operated at a loss every year since 2017, raising questions about long-term financial viability. In terms of institutional footprint, Q-Cells is substantially larger and more financially stable.

Q-Cells' current flagship product lines center on Q.ANTUM NEO cell technology, which independent sources confirm is a TOPCon architecture reaching efficiency ratings up to 22.5%. The panels target premium residential rooftops and commercial installations, backed by a 25-year product warranty and a warranted annual degradation ceiling of 0.5%, with observed real-world rates reportedly closer to 0.35-0.4%. S-Energy offers modules spanning 360W to 600W with efficiencies in the 20-22.5% range, but carries a product warranty of only 12 years paired with a 25-to-30-year performance guarantee. That shorter product warranty is a notable gap for residential buyers comparing the two brands directly.

For a typical buyer in 2025, Q-Cells is the clearer default. Its combination of confirmed BNEF Tier 1 status, strong domestic US manufacturing, a longer product warranty, and a well-documented technology roadmap provides more confidence than S-Energy can currently offer given its persistent financial losses and relatively limited production scale. S-Energy panels may appeal where upfront cost is the primary driver and the installer has a vetted service track record, but that scenario requires careful due diligence on the manufacturer's continued viability.

\---LINKS---

\- https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/hanwha-q-cells-solar-panels-complete-review \| Hanwha Q CELLS Solar Panels - Complete Expert Review \| review

\- https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/s-energy-solar-panels-review \| S-Energy Solar Panels Review - Are They Worth Buying? \| review

\- https://www.energysage.com/solar-panels/s-energy/ \| S-Energy Solar Panels - EnergySage Overview \| review

\- https://taiyangnews.info/business/hanwha-solutions-planning-8-4-gw-us-production-capacity \| Hanwha Solutions Planning 8.4 GW US Production Capacity \| article

\- https://a1solarstore.com/blog/s-energy-solar-panels-review-samsungs-little-sister.html \| S-Energy Solar Panels Review - A1 SolarStore \| review

Written by claude-sonnet from the figures above.


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- [AIKO vs S-Energy](https://comparepv.com/aiko-vs-s-energy)
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- [ARTsolar vs S-Energy](https://comparepv.com/artsolar-vs-s-energy)


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Source: https://comparepv.com/q-cells-vs-s-energy

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