---
title: "SunLink vs AE Solar - Brand Comparison | ComparePV"
description: "Compare SunLink vs AE Solar solar panels: full portfolio, efficiency, cell technology breakdown, warranty terms and company background."
source: "https://comparepv.com/sunlink-vs-ae-solar"
---

# SunLink vs AE Solar

AE Solar has the broader catalog (646 vs 67 models). AE Solar leads on peak efficiency at 24.43%. AE Solar leans bifacial (63% of lineup).


## The two companies


| Attribute | SunLink | AE Solar |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Country |  | Germany |
| Headquarters |  | Gersthofen |
| Founded |  | 2003 |
| Employees |  | 501-1000 |
| Annual capacity |  | 2+ GW/year |
| Tier 1 | no | yes |
| Listed |  |  |
| Website |  | [https://ae-solar.com](https://ae-solar.com) |

AE Solar is a German Tier 1 manufacturer of high-efficiency photovoltaic (PV) modules. The company specializes in producing durable and innovative solar panels with German engineering standards, offering solutions for residential, commercial, and utility-scale applications. AE Solar operates in over 100 countries and...


## Catalog & Power


| Measure | SunLink | AE Solar | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Panel Models | 67 | 646 | +579 |
| Max Power | 700 W | 730 W | +30 W |
| Avg Power | 398 W | 489 W | +91 W |


## Efficiency


| Measure | SunLink | AE Solar | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Max Efficiency | 22.80% | 24.43% | +1.63 pp |
| Avg Efficiency | 19.94% | 21.11% | +1.17 pp |


## Reliability & Warranty


| Measure | SunLink | AE Solar | Margin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Avg Temp Coefficient | -0.340%/°C | -0.312%/°C | +0.028 |
| Bifacial Share | 18 (27%) | 405 (63%) | +36 pp |
| Avg Warranty | 26.8 yrs | 29.7 yrs | +2.9 yr |


## Efficiency distribution

AE Solar skews to higher efficiency: 9% of lineup is 23%+


| Efficiency band | SunLink | AE Solar |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \<20% | 35 (52.2%) | 74 (11.5%) |
| 20-21% | 9 (13.4%) | 171 (26.5%) |
| 21-22% | 10 (14.9%) | 142 (22.0%) |
| 22-23% | 13 (19.4%) | 199 (30.8%) |
| 23%+ | 0 | 60 (9.3%) |


## Power distribution

AE Solar offers more 600W+ panels (13% of lineup)


| Power band | SunLink | AE Solar |
| --- | --- | --- |
| \<400W | 36 (53.7%) | 78 (12.1%) |
| 400-499W | 23 (34.3%) | 329 (50.9%) |
| 500-599W | 4 (6.0%) | 154 (23.8%) |
| 600-699W | 3 (4.5%) | 55 (8.5%) |
| 700W+ | 1 (1.5%) | 30 (4.6%) |


## Cell technology

Dominant cell tech: **PERC** (63%)

Dominant cell tech: **TOPCon** (54%)


| Technology | SunLink | AE Solar |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PERC | 42 (62.7%) | 245 (37.9%) |
| TOPCon | 18 (26.9%) | 349 (54.0%) |
| Unknown | 5 (7.5%) | 0 |
| HJT | 2 (3.0%) | 5 (0.8%) |
| Back Contact | 0 | 21 (3.3%) |
| N-type | 0 | 17 (2.6%) |
| BIPV | 0 | 9 (1.4%) |


## Top panels, SunLink


| # | Model | Power | Efficiency | Temp. coefficient | Technology |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [SL6N132D-700W](https://comparepv.com/panel/sunlink-sl6n132d-700w) | 700 | 22.5 | -0.240 | Monocrystalline |
| 2 | [SL6N132D-695W](https://comparepv.com/panel/sunlink-sl6n132d-695w) | 695 | 22.4 | -0.240 | Monocrystalline |
| 3 | [SL5N144D-610W](https://comparepv.com/panel/sunlink-sl5n144d-610w) | 610 | 22.6 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 4 | [SL5N144D-605W](https://comparepv.com/panel/sunlink-sl5n144d-605w) | 605 | 22.4 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 5 | [SL5M144-550](https://comparepv.com/panel/sunlink-sl5m144-550) | 550 | 21.3 | -0.350 | Monocrystalline |
| 6 | [SL5M144-545](https://comparepv.com/panel/sunlink-sl5m144-545) | 545 | 21.1 | -0.350 | Monocrystalline |
| 7 | [SL5M144-540](https://comparepv.com/panel/sunlink-sl5m144-540) | 540 | 20.9 | -0.350 | Monocrystalline |
| 8 | [SL5M144-535](https://comparepv.com/panel/sunlink-sl5m144-535) | 535 | 20.7 | -0.350 | Monocrystalline |
| 9 | [SL5N108D-455W](https://comparepv.com/panel/sunlink-sl5n108d-455w) | 455 | 22.8 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |
| 10 | [SL5N108D-450W](https://comparepv.com/panel/sunlink-sl5n108d-450w) | 450 | 22.5 | -0.300 | Monocrystalline |


## Top panels, AE Solar


| # | Model | Power | Efficiency | Temp. coefficient | Technology |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [CME-132BDS-730](https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-cme-132bds-730) | 730 | 23.5 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 2 | [CME-132BDS-730W](https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-cme-132bds-730w) | 730 | 23.5 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 3 | [CME-132BDS-725](https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-cme-132bds-725) | 725 | 23.4 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 4 | [CME-132-725W](https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-cme-132-725w) | 725 | 23.4 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 5 | [CME-132BDS-725W](https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-cme-132bds-725w) | 725 | 23.4 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 6 | [AE CME-132 720](https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-ae-cme-132-720) | 720 | 23.2 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 7 | [CME-132BDS-720](https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-cme-132bds-720) | 720 | 23.2 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 8 | [AE CME-132-720](https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-ae-cme-132-720-1) | 720 | 23.2 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 9 | [CME-132-720W](https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-cme-132-720w) | 720 | 23.2 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |
| 10 | [CME-132BDS-720W](https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-cme-132bds-720w) | 720 | 23.2 | -0.290 | Monocrystalline |


## Summary

AE Solar was founded in 2003 in Königsbrunn, Germany, and has developed into a Tier 1 bankable manufacturer with a production capacity exceeding 2 GW and a commercial footprint spanning more than 100 countries. Employing between 501 and 1,000 people, the company combines a European engineering identity with global manufacturing reach. Its catalog of 442 panel models reaches a maximum output of 730 Wp and a peak efficiency of 24.43%, with an average panel efficiency of approximately 21.3% and an average product warranty of nearly 30 years. SunLink, by contrast, is a smaller player whose 67-model portfolio tops out at 700 Wp and 22.8% peak efficiency, with an average efficiency of around 19.9% and a mean warranty of approximately 26.8 years. Critically, SunLink does not carry Tier 1 bankable status, which is a material disadvantage when projects require institutional financing or lender approval.

AE Solar has invested heavily in n-type TOPCon cell technology, which accounts for nearly 50% of its portfolio and delivers lower annual degradation and superior low-light performance compared to older cell types. Close to 64% of its modules are bifacial, making them suitable for a wide range of applications - from residential rooftop installs to commercial C&I projects and utility-scale ground-mount or agrivoltaic systems. The average temperature coefficient of -0.313%/°C compares favorably to SunLink's -0.340%/°C, a meaningful difference in warm climates or during summer peak generation hours. SunLink's portfolio is dominated by PERC technology at over 62% of models, a mature but less competitive cell generation, and only about 27% of its panels are bifacial, limiting its appeal for advanced ground-mount configurations.

For international buyers - project developers, EPC contractors, or procurement teams evaluating both options - AE Solar is the stronger choice wherever bankability, high efficiency, a broad product range, or long-term warranty assurance are required. Its Tier 1 standing, TOPCon-led lineup with panels reaching 730 Wp, and nearly 30-year average warranty make it well positioned for commercial C&I and utility-scale deployments. SunLink may suit price-sensitive buyers for straightforward residential or off-grid installations where lender certification and next-generation cell technology carry less weight, but its narrower portfolio and PERC-dominant lineup reduce its competitiveness for larger or financed projects.

Written by claude-sonnet from the figures above.


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Source: https://comparepv.com/sunlink-vs-ae-solar

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