---
title: "Q-Cells vs WINAICO - Brand Comparison | ComparePV"
description: "Compare Q-Cells vs WINAICO solar panels: full portfolio, efficiency, cell technology breakdown, warranty terms and company background."
source: "https://comparepv.com/q-cells-vs-winaico"
image: "https://comparepv.com/og/compare/manufacturers/q-cells/winaico.png"
---

# Q-Cells vs WINAICO

Q-Cells has the broader catalog (89 vs 44 models). WINAICO leads on peak efficiency at 25.00%. WINAICO leans bifacial (77% of lineup).


## The two companies


| Attribute | Q-Cells | WINAICO |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Country | South Korea | Taiwan |
| Headquarters | Seoul | Hsinchu |
| Founded | 1999 | 2003 |
| Employees | 2000+ | 100-500 |
| Annual capacity | 11.2 GW/year | 0.1-1 GW/year |
| Tier 1 | yes | yes |
| Listed | NASDAQ: HQCL |  |
| Website | [https://www.qcells.com](https://www.qcells.com) | [https://winaico.com](https://winaico.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...

WINAICO is a Taiwanese manufacturer of high-performance crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules, operating as an independent subsidiary of Win Win Precision Technology. The company focuses on premium-quality solar panels backed by long warranty periods and has built a strong reputation in markets such as Germany...


## Catalog & Power


| Measure | Q-Cells | WINAICO | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Panel Models | 89 | 44 | +45 |
| Max Power | 675 W | 675 W |  |
| Avg Power | 468 W | 491 W | +22 W |


## Efficiency


| Measure | Q-Cells | WINAICO | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Max Efficiency | 23.20% | 25.00% | +1.80 pp |
| Avg Efficiency | 21.21% | 22.99% | +1.77 pp |


## Reliability & Warranty


| Measure | Q-Cells | WINAICO | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Avg Temp Coefficient | -0.325%/°C | -0.284%/°C | +0.041 |
| Bifacial Share | 35 (39%) | 34 (77%) | +38 pp |
| Avg Warranty | 27.0 yrs | 28.9 yrs | +1.9 yr |


## Efficiency distribution

WINAICO skews to higher efficiency: 59% of lineup is 23%+


| Efficiency band | Q-Cells | WINAICO |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \<20% | 7 (7.9%) | 0 |
| 20-21% | 29 (32.6%) | 4 (9.1%) |
| 21-22% | 30 (33.7%) | 7 (15.9%) |
| 22-23% | 21 (23.6%) | 7 (15.9%) |
| 23%+ | 2 (2.2%) | 26 (59.1%) |


## Power distribution

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


| Power band | Q-Cells | WINAICO |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \<400W | 20 (22.5%) | 0 |
| 400-499W | 41 (46.1%) | 27 (61.4%) |
| 500-599W | 11 (12.4%) | 12 (27.3%) |
| 600-699W | 17 (19.1%) | 5 (11.4%) |


## Cell technology

Dominant cell tech: PERC (43%)

Dominant cell tech: Back Contact (41%)


| Technology | Q-Cells | WINAICO |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PERC | 38 (42.7%) | 0 |
| N-type | 23 (25.8%) | 8 (18.2%) |
| Unknown | 20 (22.5%) | 10 (22.7%) |
| TOPCon | 8 (9.0%) | 4 (9.1%) |
| Back Contact | 0 | 18 (40.9%) |
| HJT | 0 | 4 (9.1%) |


## 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, WINAICO


| # | Model | Power | Efficiency | Temp. coefficient | Technology |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [WST-675BKX72-A2](https://comparepv.com/panel/winaico-wst-675bkx72-a2) | 675 | 25.0 | -0.260 | Monocrystalline |
| 2 | [WST-670BKX72-A2](https://comparepv.com/panel/winaico-wst-670bkx72-a2) | 670 | 24.8 | -0.260 | Monocrystalline |
| 3 | [WST-665BKX72-A2](https://comparepv.com/panel/winaico-wst-665bkx72-a2) | 665 | 24.6 | -0.260 | Monocrystalline |
| 4 | [WST-630NHX66-A4](https://comparepv.com/panel/winaico-wst-630nhx66-a4) | 630 | 23.3 | -0.240 | Monocrystalline |
| 5 | [WST-625NHX66-A4](https://comparepv.com/panel/winaico-wst-625nhx66-a4) | 625 | 23.1 | -0.240 | Monocrystalline |
| 6 | [WST-585NGX72-A7](https://comparepv.com/panel/winaico-wst-585ngx72-a7) | 585 | 22.6 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 7 | [WST-540NGX-D3](https://comparepv.com/panel/winaico-wst-540ngx-d3) | 540 | 22.8 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 8 | [WST-530NGX-D3](https://comparepv.com/panel/winaico-wst-530ngx-d3) | 530 | 22.3 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 9 | [WST-525NCX54-AW](https://comparepv.com/panel/winaico-wst-525ncx54-aw) | 525 | 23.6 | -0.280 | Monocrystalline |
| 10 | [WST-520NCX54-AW](https://comparepv.com/panel/winaico-wst-520ncx54-aw) | 520 | 23.4 | -0.280 | Monocrystalline |


## Summary

Q-Cells is the brand of Hanwha Q Cells, a South Korean-headquartered company (part of the Hanwha Group) with a major manufacturing base in Dalton, Georgia, USA, which is described as the largest solar module factory in the Western Hemisphere; a further integrated Cartersville, Georgia facility was slated for completion around early 2026. Q-Cells has been named by S&P Global as a 2025 Tier 1 Cleantech Company and has previously carried Bloomberg New Energy Finance Tier 1 bankability status, reflecting its scale and financial track record with project lenders. WINAICO, by contrast, is a Taiwanese manufacturer founded in 2008 that has also been recognized by BloombergNEF as a Tier 1 crystalline module maker in past PV Market Outlook reports, though some installer reviews describe it as a small, family-owned company with comparatively limited annual output. Overall, Q-Cells has the stronger institutional footprint, backed by Hanwha's industrial scale, large US manufacturing investment, and broader market recognition, while WINAICO operates as a smaller, specialty player with a narrower but loyal following, particularly in markets like Australia.

Q-Cells' current flagship line, the Q.TRON series built on its Q.ANTUM NEO platform, uses N-type TOPCon cells with efficiencies around 22.5 percent and 25-year product and performance warranties; it is generally positioned as a premium-to-mainstream choice for residential and commercial rooftops, with its US-made panels also appealing to buyers seeking domestic content for incentive purposes. WINAICO's product range has historically centered on mono PERC modules in the 360-410W class with efficiencies in the 19.6 to 20.9 percent range, and the company has also announced a newer heterojunction (HJT) module rated near 23 percent efficiency, suggesting a shift toward higher-efficiency cell technology. WINAICO panels are typically marketed as a quality-focused, non-Chinese alternative for residential rooftops in markets like Australia and Europe, often valued for build quality and warranty service rather than scale or price.

For a typical buyer in 2025, Q-Cells is generally the safer default: it combines confirmed Tier 1 or equivalent bankability recognition, a larger and more diversified manufacturing base, and a current TOPCon product line with strong, independently reviewed performance data from sources like EnergySage and SolarReviews. WINAICO remains a credible, well-regarded option, especially where its specific regional presence and installer relationships are strong, but its smaller scale and less consistently documented independent testing make it a more niche choice. The two brands are not simply interchangeable; the decision should hinge on regional availability, installer support, and whether the buyer prioritizes large-scale industrial backing (Q-Cells) or a boutique, quality-oriented alternative (WINAICO).

\---LINKS---

\- https://pv-tech.org/q-cells-achieves-91-bankability-score-in-latest-bloombergnef-survey \| Q CELLS achieves 91% bankability score in BloombergNEF survey \| article

\- https://www.nacleanenergy.com/solar/qcells-named-an-s-p-global-2025-tier-1-cleantech-company \| Qcells named an S&P Global 2025 Tier 1 Cleantech Company \| article

\- https://www.energysage.com/solar/best-solar-panels-complete-ranking/q-cells-solar-panels-complete-review \| Qcells solar panels review: high efficiency, OK price \| review

\- https://www.pv-magazine.com/press-releases/bloomberg-new-energy-finance-classifies-winaico-as-a-tier-1-module-maker\_100020660/ \| BloombergNEF classifies WINAICO as a Tier 1 module maker \| article

\- https://www.cleanenergyreviews.info/blog/winaico-solar-panel-review \| Winaico solar panel review \| review

Written by claude-sonnet-5 from the figures above.


## Other comparisons

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


---

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

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