---
title: "Solarwatt vs AIKO - Brand Comparison | ComparePV"
description: "Compare Solarwatt vs AIKO solar panels: full portfolio, efficiency, cell technology breakdown, warranty terms and company background."
source: "https://comparepv.com/solarwatt-vs-aiko"
---

# Solarwatt vs AIKO

AIKO has the broader catalog (144 vs 44 models). AIKO leads on peak efficiency at 25.20%. Solarwatt leans bifacial (50% of lineup).


## The two companies


| Attribute | Solarwatt | AIKO |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Country | Germany | China |
| Headquarters | Dresden | Shanghai |
| Founded | 1993 | 2009 |
| Employees |  |  |
| Annual capacity |  |  |
| Tier 1 | no | yes |
| Listed |  | SZSE: 600732 |
| Website | [https://www.solarwatt.com](https://www.solarwatt.com) | [https://www.aikosolar.com](https://www.aikosolar.com) |


## Catalog & Power


| Measure | Solarwatt | AIKO | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Panel Models | 44 | 144 | +100 |
| Max Power | 460 W | 805 W | +345 W |
| Avg Power | 385 W | 581 W | +196 W |


## Efficiency


| Measure | Solarwatt | AIKO | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Max Efficiency | 23.00% | 25.20% | +2.20 pp |
| Avg Efficiency | 20.56% | 23.65% | +3.09 pp |


## Reliability & Warranty


| Measure | Solarwatt | AIKO | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Avg Temp Coefficient | -0.330%/°C | -0.271%/°C | +0.060 |
| Bifacial Share | 22 (50%) | 35 (24%) | +26 pp |
| Avg Warranty | 29.0 yrs | 29.5 yrs | +0.5 yr |


## Efficiency distribution

AIKO skews to higher efficiency: 85% of lineup is 23%+


| Efficiency band | Solarwatt | AIKO |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \<20% | 13 (29.5%) | 3 (2.1%) |
| 20-21% | 19 (43.2%) | 3 (2.1%) |
| 21-22% | 2 (4.5%) | 3 (2.1%) |
| 22-23% | 9 (20.5%) | 12 (8.3%) |
| 23%+ | 1 (2.3%) | 123 (85.4%) |


## Power distribution

AIKO offers more 600W+ panels (60% of lineup)


| Power band | Solarwatt | AIKO |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \<400W | 20 (45.5%) | 2 (1.4%) |
| 400-499W | 24 (54.5%) | 50 (34.7%) |
| 500-599W | 0 | 5 (3.5%) |
| 600-699W | 0 | 78 (54.2%) |
| 700W+ | 0 | 9 (6.2%) |


## Cell technology

Dominant cell tech: **PERC** (77%)

Dominant cell tech: **Back Contact** (83%)


| Technology | Solarwatt | AIKO |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PERC | 34 (77.3%) | 7 (4.9%) |
| TOPCon | 10 (22.7%) | 0 |
| Back Contact | 0 | 119 (82.6%) |
| N-type | 0 | 17 (11.8%) |
| Flexible | 0 | 1 (0.7%) |


## Top panels, Solarwatt


| # | Model | Power | Efficiency | Temp. coefficient | Technology |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [SOLARWATT Panel vision M 5.0 460 Wp](https://comparepv.com/panel/solarwatt-solarwatt-panel-vision-m-5-0-460-wp) | 460 | 23.0 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 2 | [SOLARWATT Panel vision M 5.0 455 Wp](https://comparepv.com/panel/solarwatt-solarwatt-panel-vision-m-5-0-455-wp) | 455 | 22.8 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 3 | [SOLARWATT Panel vision M 5.0 450 Wp](https://comparepv.com/panel/solarwatt-solarwatt-panel-vision-m-5-0-450-wp) | 450 | 22.5 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 4 | [SOLARWATT Panel vision M 5.0 450Wp](https://comparepv.com/panel/solarwatt-solarwatt-panel-vision-m-5-0-450wp) | 450 | 22.5 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 5 | [vision M 5.0 450 Wp](https://comparepv.com/panel/solarwatt-vision-m-5-0-450-wp) | 450 | 22.5 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 6 | [SOLARWATT Panel vision M 5.0 445 Wp](https://comparepv.com/panel/solarwatt-solarwatt-panel-vision-m-5-0-445-wp) | 445 | 22.3 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 7 | [SOLARWATT Panel vision M 5.0 445Wp](https://comparepv.com/panel/solarwatt-solarwatt-panel-vision-m-5-0-445wp) | 445 | 22.3 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 8 | [vision M 5.0 445 Wp](https://comparepv.com/panel/solarwatt-vision-m-5-0-445-wp) | 445 | 22.3 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 9 | [SOLARWATT Panel vision M 5.0 440Wp](https://comparepv.com/panel/solarwatt-solarwatt-panel-vision-m-5-0-440wp) | 440 | 22.0 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 10 | [vision M 5.0 440 Wp](https://comparepv.com/panel/solarwatt-vision-m-5-0-440-wp) | 440 | 22.0 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |


## Top panels, AIKO


| # | Model | Power | Efficiency | Temp. coefficient | Technology |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [AIKO-A805-GRH78Dw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a805-grh78dw) | 805 | 25.1 | -0.260 | Monocrystalline |
| 2 | [AIKO-A800-GRH78Dw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a800-grh78dw) | 800 | 24.9 | -0.260 | Monocrystalline |
| 3 | [AIKO-A795-GRH78Dw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a795-grh78dw) | 795 | 24.8 | -0.260 | Monocrystalline |
| 4 | [AIKO-A790-GRH78Dw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a790-grh78dw) | 790 | 24.6 | -0.260 | Monocrystalline |
| 5 | [AIKO-A785-GRH78Dw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a785-grh78dw) | 785 | 24.4 | -0.260 | Monocrystalline |
| 6 | [AIKO-A780-GRH78Dw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a780-grh78dw) | 780 | 24.3 | -0.260 | Monocrystalline |
| 7 | [AIKO-A775-GRH78Dw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a775-grh78dw) | 775 | 24.1 | -0.260 | Monocrystalline |
| 8 | [AIKO-A770-GRH78Dw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a770-grh78dw) | 770 | 24.0 | -0.260 | Monocrystalline |
| 9 | [AIKO-A700-MAE78Dw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a700-mae78dw) | 700 | 25.0 | -0.260 | Monocrystalline |
| 10 | [AIKO-A695-MAE78Dw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a695-mae78dw) | 695 | 24.9 | -0.260 | Monocrystalline |


## Summary

AIKO is a Chinese manufacturer founded in 2009 and headquartered in Guangzhou, China. The company reached BloombergNEF Tier 1 bankability status in Q3 2024 and has reported a production capacity of roughly 20 GW per year, placing it firmly among the larger-scale Chinese module makers. Solarwatt was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Dresden, Germany, where it built a reputation as a premium European brand. However, in August 2024 Solarwatt closed its 300 MW Dresden manufacturing plant, citing pressure from cheaper Chinese imports, and has since shifted production abroad. Unlike AIKO, Solarwatt does not appear on current BloombergNEF Tier 1 lists, reflecting its far smaller production footprint. On institutional scale and bankability, AIKO carries the stronger standing.

AIKO's catalog is built entirely around its proprietary ABC (All Back Contact) N-type cell technology, which eliminates front-side busbars to maximize light capture and reported module efficiencies above 24%. Its Neostar series targets premium residential rooftops, while the higher-wattage Comet series addresses commercial and industrial rooftop applications. The Infinite bifacial line pushes efficiency further for more demanding installations. Solarwatt by contrast is best known for its glass-glass panel construction - a format it pioneered as far back as 1998 - offering exceptional durability and a 30-year combined product and performance warranty. Its range is focused squarely on premium residential and prosumer buyers who prioritize longevity and German engineering heritage over outright efficiency records.

For a typical buyer in 2025, AIKO is the more straightforward recommendation where maximizing output per square meter and long-term bankability matter, particularly for residential or commercial rooftops with limited space. Solarwatt remains a credible choice for buyers who value robust glass-glass durability and a strong warranty, but the closure of its German factory introduces supply-chain questions that buyers and project financiers should weigh carefully.

\---LINKS---

\- https://www.pv-magazine.com/2024/04/29/solarwatt-to-close-german-solar-module-factory-in-august/ \| Solarwatt to close German solar module factory in August \| article

\- https://www.pv-tech.org/german-module-manufacturer-solarwatt-to-close-300mw-production-plant-in-august/ \| Solarwatt closes 300MW production plant in August \| article

\- https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/02/07/aiko-launches-new-rooftop-solar-panels-with-24-3-efficiency/ \| Aiko launches new rooftop solar panels with 24.3% efficiency \| article

\- https://www.pv-tech.org/aiko-capacity-upgrades-abc-cell-technology/ \| Aiko steps up ABC transition with 11GW capacity upgrade \| article

\- https://www.solarquotes.com.au/panels/aiko-solar-review.html \| Aiko Solar panels review - SolarQuotes \| review

Sources:

\- \[Solarwatt to close German solar module factory in August - pv magazine\](https://www.pv-magazine.com/2024/04/29/solarwatt-to-close-german-solar-module-factory-in-august/)

\- \[Solarwatt closes 300MW production plant - PV Tech\](https://www.pv-tech.org/german-module-manufacturer-solarwatt-to-close-300mw-production-plant-in-august/)

\- \[Aiko launches new rooftop solar panels with 24.3% efficiency - pv magazine\](https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/02/07/aiko-launches-new-rooftop-solar-panels-with-24-3-efficiency/)

\- \[Aiko steps up ABC transition with 11GW capacity upgrade - PV Tech\](https://www.pv-tech.org/aiko-capacity-upgrades-abc-cell-technology/)

\- \[Aiko Solar panels review - SolarQuotes\](https://www.solarquotes.com.au/panels/aiko-solar-review.html)

\- \[AIKO Achieves Tier 1 Status by BloombergNEF\](https://aikosolar.com/en/aiko-achieves-prestigious-tier1-status/)

Written by claude-sonnet from the figures above.


## Other comparisons

- [Solarwatt vs A.B. Energy](https://comparepv.com/solarwatt-vs-a-b-energy)
- [AE Solar vs AIKO](https://comparepv.com/ae-solar-vs-aiko)
- [Solarwatt vs AEET](https://comparepv.com/solarwatt-vs-aeet)
- [AKCOME vs AIKO](https://comparepv.com/akcome-vs-aiko)
- [Solarwatt vs ARTsolar](https://comparepv.com/solarwatt-vs-artsolar)
- [ASM vs AIKO](https://comparepv.com/asm-vs-aiko)


---

Source: https://comparepv.com/solarwatt-vs-aiko

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