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

# Q-Cells vs TCL Zhonghuan

Q-Cells has the broader catalog (89 vs 66 models). TCL Zhonghuan leads on peak efficiency at 24.60%. TCL Zhonghuan leans bifacial (65% of lineup).


## The two companies


| Attribute | Q-Cells | TCL Zhonghuan |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Country | South Korea | China |
| Headquarters | Seoul | Tianjin |
| Founded | 1999 | 1981 |
| Employees | 2000+ |  |
| Annual capacity | 11.2 GW/year |  |
| Tier 1 | yes | yes |
| Listed | NASDAQ: HQCL | SZSE: 002129 |
| Website | [https://www.qcells.com](https://www.qcells.com) | [https://www.tjsemi.com](https://www.tjsemi.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 | TCL Zhonghuan | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Panel Models | 89 | 66 | +23 |
| Max Power | 675 W | 725 W | +50 W |
| Avg Power | 468 W | 585 W | +116 W |


## Efficiency


| Measure | Q-Cells | TCL Zhonghuan | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Max Efficiency | 23.20% | 24.60% | +1.40 pp |
| Avg Efficiency | 21.21% | 23.13% | +1.92 pp |


## Reliability & Warranty


| Measure | Q-Cells | TCL Zhonghuan | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Avg Temp Coefficient | -0.325%/°C | -0.273%/°C | +0.052 |
| Bifacial Share | 35 (39%) | 43 (65%) | +26 pp |
| Avg Warranty | 27.0 yrs | 30.0 yrs | +3.0 yr |


## Efficiency distribution

TCL Zhonghuan skews to higher efficiency: 58% of lineup is 23%+


| Efficiency band | Q-Cells | TCL Zhonghuan |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \<20% | 7 (7.9%) | 0 |
| 20-21% | 29 (32.6%) | 0 |
| 21-22% | 30 (33.7%) | 1 (1.5%) |
| 22-23% | 21 (23.6%) | 27 (40.9%) |
| 23%+ | 2 (2.2%) | 38 (57.6%) |


## Power distribution

TCL Zhonghuan offers more 600W+ panels (55% of lineup)


| Power band | Q-Cells | TCL Zhonghuan |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \<400W | 20 (22.5%) | 0 |
| 400-499W | 41 (46.1%) | 17 (25.8%) |
| 500-599W | 11 (12.4%) | 13 (19.7%) |
| 600-699W | 17 (19.1%) | 24 (36.4%) |
| 700W+ | 0 | 12 (18.2%) |


## Cell technology

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

Dominant cell tech: **Back Contact** (45%)


| Technology | Q-Cells | TCL Zhonghuan |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PERC | 38 (42.7%) | 0 |
| N-type | 23 (25.8%) | 6 (9.1%) |
| Unknown | 20 (22.5%) | 0 |
| TOPCon | 8 (9.0%) | 30 (45.5%) |
| Back Contact | 0 | 30 (45.5%) |


## 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, TCL Zhonghuan


| # | Model | Power | Efficiency | Temp. coefficient | Technology |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [HSM-ND66-GK725 (IEC1500V)](https://comparepv.com/panel/tcl-zhonghuan-hsm-nd66-gk725-iec1500v) | 725 | 23.3 | -0.280 | Monocrystalline |
| 2 | [HSM-ND66-GK725](https://comparepv.com/panel/tcl-zhonghuan-hsm-nd66-gk725) | 725 | 23.3 | -0.280 | Monocrystalline |
| 3 | [HSM-ND66-GK720 (IEC1500V)](https://comparepv.com/panel/tcl-zhonghuan-hsm-nd66-gk720-iec1500v) | 720 | 23.0 | -0.280 | Monocrystalline |
| 4 | [HSM-ND66-GK720](https://comparepv.com/panel/tcl-zhonghuan-hsm-nd66-gk720) | 720 | 23.2 | -0.280 | Monocrystalline |
| 5 | [HSM-ND66-GK715 (IEC1500V)](https://comparepv.com/panel/tcl-zhonghuan-hsm-nd66-gk715-iec1500v) | 715 | 22.9 | -0.280 | Monocrystalline |
| 6 | [HSM-ND66-GK715](https://comparepv.com/panel/tcl-zhonghuan-hsm-nd66-gk715) | 715 | 23.0 | -0.280 | Monocrystalline |
| 7 | [HSM-ND66-GK710](https://comparepv.com/panel/tcl-zhonghuan-hsm-nd66-gk710) | 710 | 22.9 | -0.280 | Monocrystalline |
| 8 | [HSM-ND66-GK710 (IEC1500V)](https://comparepv.com/panel/tcl-zhonghuan-hsm-nd66-gk710-iec1500v) | 710 | 22.9 | -0.280 | Monocrystalline |
| 9 | [HSM-ND66-GK705](https://comparepv.com/panel/tcl-zhonghuan-hsm-nd66-gk705) | 705 | 22.7 | -0.280 | Monocrystalline |
| 10 | [HSM-ND66-GK705 (IEC1500V)](https://comparepv.com/panel/tcl-zhonghuan-hsm-nd66-gk705-iec1500v) | 705 | 22.7 | -0.280 | Monocrystalline |


## Summary

Q-Cells was founded in Germany in 1999 and is now a subsidiary of South Korea's Hanwha Group, which acquired the brand in 2012. Headquartered in Thalheim, Germany, with a significant manufacturing presence in Dalton, Georgia - cited as the largest solar factory in the Western Hemisphere - Q-Cells holds BloombergNEF Tier 1 bankability status and consistently ranks among the most trusted panel suppliers in North America. TCL Zhonghuan is a Chinese manufacturer based in Tianjin, formed as a joint venture between TCL Technology and Zhonghuan Semiconductor. It achieved BloombergNEF Tier 1 status by Q3 2025 and reported module shipments of 15.1 GW in 2025, a year-on-year increase of over 80%, making it one of the fastest-growing producers globally. In terms of sheer production scale and momentum, TCL Zhonghuan has the stronger industrial footprint.

Q-Cells anchors its 2025 lineup on N-type TOPCon cells under the Q.ANTUM NEO platform, targeting premium residential rooftops and mid-size commercial projects where brand recognition, warranty reliability, and supply-chain proximity - especially in the US - carry real value. The company is also investing in perovskite-silicon tandem technology under a program it calls Dream Solar, targeting mass production beyond 2025. TCL Zhonghuan competes squarely in the N-type TOPCon segment with its T5 Pro series, built on the large-format G12/G12R wafer platform and covering utility-scale ground mounts, commercial and industrial rooftops, and residential systems within a single product family.

For a typical residential buyer in North America or Europe, Q-Cells is the more straightforward choice - its Hanwha backing, Western manufacturing, and deep installer network lower procurement and warranty risk. TCL Zhonghuan is the stronger option for utility developers or commercial buyers who can source internationally and prioritize cost-competitiveness at scale. The decision ultimately turns on project size, geography, and supply-chain tolerance rather than any fundamental technology gap between the two.

\---LINKS---

\- https://www.energytrend.com/news/20260325-51139.html \| TCL Zhonghuan 2025 module shipments hit 15.1GW, up over 80% YoY \| article

\- https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/11/18/tcl-zhonghuan-unveils-25-15-efficient-topcon-solar-modules-series-with-multi-slice-design/ \| TCL Zhonghuan unveils 25.17%-efficient TOPCon multi-slice modules \| article

\- https://www.solarbeglobal.com/tier-1-tcl-zhonghuan-ranks-on-bloombergnefs-tier-1-list-of-global-pv-module-manufacturers/ \| TCL Zhonghuan ranks on BloombergNEF Tier 1 list \| article

\- https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/hanwha-q-cells-solar-panels-complete-review \| Hanwha Q CELLS solar panels complete review - SolarReviews \| review

\- https://taiyangnews.info/technology/qcells-to-invest-big-in-tandem-solar \| Q Cells to invest in tandem solar - TaiyangNews \| article

Sources:

\- \[TCL Zhonghuan 2025 Module Shipments Hit 15.1GW\](https://www.energytrend.com/news/20260325-51139.html)

\- \[TCL Zhonghuan 25.17%-efficient TOPCon modules\](https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/11/18/tcl-zhonghuan-unveils-25-15-efficient-topcon-solar-modules-series-with-multi-slice-design/)

\- \[TCL Zhonghuan BloombergNEF Tier 1\](https://www.solarbeglobal.com/tier-1-tcl-zhonghuan-ranks-on-bloombergnefs-tier-1-list-of-global-pv-module-manufacturers/)

\- \[Hanwha Q CELLS Review - SolarReviews\](https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/hanwha-q-cells-solar-panels-complete-review)

\- \[Q Cells Tandem Solar Investment - TaiyangNews\](https://taiyangnews.info/technology/qcells-to-invest-big-in-tandem-solar)

Written by claude-sonnet from the figures above.


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Source: https://comparepv.com/q-cells-vs-tcl-zhonghuan

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