Qcells solar panels review: High efficiency, OK price

Qcells holds its own with the best of the best.

Written by:

Casey McDevitt

Updated Sep 18, 2024

10 min read

If the solar market were a soccer league, Qcells would secure a varsity spot – but likely as a second-string player. Maxeon edges them slightly on efficiency, REC Group boasts a superior temperature coefficient, and Qcells' warranty isn’t particularly outstanding. Nevertheless, Qcells produces some of the best panels available and would be a valued player on your team.

Qcells solar panels are well suited for those prioritizing performance. While a few other brands tend to look better on paper, Qcells often delivers comparable systems at a lower price per watt. Still, this is not a budget option – if minimizing upfront costs is your goal, Qcells panels probably won’t fit the bill.

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In a nutshell

Prices

$2.86 per watt on average, based on real-world quotes on the EnergySage Marketplace in the first half of 2024.
Federal tax credits and state, local, or utility incentives should reduce prices further. The federal solar tax credit alone reduces the cost by 30%.

Pros

Qcells solar panels are efficient: With efficiency ratings over 22%, it’s no surprise that Qcells is one the most popular brands on our Marketplace.
(Some of) its panels are manufactured in the USA: Qcells is based in South Korea but has a U.S.-based manufacturing plant in Georgia.

Cons

There are cheaper options: Qcells solar panels aren’t the most expensive on the market, but you can find a more affordable price per watt elsewhere.
Qcells isn’t our top solar panel brand: Qcells is a premium solar panel brand comparable to the best of the best, but EnergySage ranks REC Group and a few other companies higher.

Key specs and features

Founded in Germany in 1999 by a team of engineers and later acquired by Hanwha Group in 2012, Qcells has grown into one of the world's largest solar panel manufacturers (and one of the most-quoted panels on the EnergySage Marketplace). Headquartered in South Korea, it produces panels in the United States, Malaysia, and China, with its Georgia plant being the largest solar manufacturing facility in the Western Hemisphere.

Qcells currently offers three lines of residential solar panels: Q.TRON BLK M-G2+, Q.PEAK DUO BLK ML-G10+, and Q.PEAK DUO BLK-G10+.

Qcells solar panels

(Click to sort ascending)	Q.TRON BLK M-G2+	Q.PEAK DUO BLK ML-G10+	Q.PEAK DUO BLK-G10+
EnergySage score	77/100	58/100	Unrated
Cell type	Monocrystalline half cut	Monocrystalline half cut	Monocrystalline half cut
Power output	405-440 W	395-415 W	350-370 W
Efficiency	21.3-22.5%	20.1-21.1%	19.5-20.6%
Temperature coefficient	−0.30/ °C	-0.34%/ °C	-0.34%/ °C
Product warranty	25 years	25 years	25 years
Power warranty	25 years	25 years	25 years
Warranted degradation	98.5% of output at year 1, at least 90.58% at year 25 (0.33% degradation rate)	98% of output at year 1, at least 86% at year 25 (0.5 % degradation rate)	98% of output at year 1, at least 86% at year 25 (0.5 % degradation rate)
Weight	46.7 lbs	48.5 lbs	43.8 lbs
Size	67.8 × 44.6 × 1.18 in	74 × 41.1 × 1.26 in	67.6 × 41.1 × 1.26 in

For solar panels, the most important specs to watch are:

Efficiency: How well a solar panel captures sunlight and converts it into electricity for your home, expressed as a percentage (i.e., 22.2%). The higher, the better.
Temperature coefficient: How well your solar panels perform in less-than-ideal conditions, expressed as a percentage per degree (i.e., 0.34% / °C). The lower, the better.
Warranty: Guarantees that the company will replace your panel if it fails due to manufacturing defects or environmental issues. Warranties also guarantee a certain amount of production throughout the 25+ year term.

Qcells vs. other popular brands

(Click to sort ascending)	Qcells Q.TRON BLK M-G2+	REC Group Alpha Pure-RX	LA Solar Factory LS	Jinko Solar Tiger Neo	Maxeon 3
EnergySage Score	77/100	90/100	56/100	90/100	95/100
Price per watt*	$2.86	$2.68	$2.64	$2.82	$3.35
Power output	440 W	460 W	450 W	440 W	420 W
Power output per square foot	20.9 W/sq.ft.	20.6 W/sq.ft.	18.9 W/sq.ft.	20.5 W/sq.ft.	20.6 W/sq.ft.
Efficiency	22.5%	22.1%	20.6%	22.02%	22.2%
Temperature coefficient	−0.30/ °C	-0.24/ °C	-0.37/ °C	-0.29/ °C	-0.27/ °C
Power warranty	98.5% of output at year 1, at least 90.58% at year 25 (0.33% degradation rate)	98% of output at year 1, at least 92% at year 25 (0.25% degradation rate)	98% of output at year 1, at least 87% at year 25 (0.475% degradation rate)	99% of output at year 1, at least 89.4% at year 25 (0.4% degradation rate)	98% of output in year 1, at least 92% at year 25 (0.25% annual degradation)
Warranty term	25 years	25 years	30 years	30 years	40 years
Size	67.8 × 44.6 × 1.18 in	68 × 47.4 × 1.2 in	82.99 × 41.26 × 3.26 in	69.4 × 44.6 × 1.18 in	71.3 × 41.2 × 1.6 in

*Prices reflect the average quoted price for each solar panel brand based on EnergySage Marketplace data. Prices may differ for the specific model listed.

Why pick Qcells solar panels?

They’re highly efficient

Besides Maxeon, solar panels don’t get much more efficient than Qcells.

A solar panel’s job is to convert as much sunlight into available power as possible. Qcells panels do that really well. An efficient solar panel system translates into more renewable energy sent to power your home, lower electric bills, reduced reliance on the utility grid and fossil fuels, and a more valuable investment. Although Qcells panels aren’t the cheapest, the panels’ lifetime savings can outweigh the upfront cost.

Qcells manufactures some of its solar panels in the USA

If you want to support American workers, Qcells could be the way to go. Although not all of its panels are made in the USA, its Dalton, Georgia manufacturing plant is the largest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. Purchasing Qcells solar panels supports American-made panels no matter what.

Why pass on Qcells solar panels?

You’re on a budget

Qcells solar panels perform well and will surely pay off over their lifetime. But if keeping upfront costs as low as possible is your priority, go with another brand: Qcells solar panel systems cost about 4% more than the average system in the U.S. We suggest AXITEC and LONGi Solar as good budget options.

Other panels may perform marginally better

Qcells doesn’t produce our top-ranked solar panel. REC Group does. In fact, Maxeon, Jinko Solar, and Panasonic also currently outrank Qcells overall on EnergySage.

But that’s not to say that Qcells solar panels aren’t worth it. While REC Group is slightly better on paper, the advantages aren’t that stark: Based on the table above, the Qcells panel is actually more efficient, while REC Group has them beat on temperature coefficient. Given your unique needs and solar setup, Qcells could very well be your best option. We searched Reddit to better understand what real-life customers think about Qcells vs. REC Group, and the consensus is that you can’t go wrong with either.

Bottom line: Qcells solar panels are a solid option

Qcells is undoubtedly a top solar company, backed by a solid reputation and impressive specifications. While REC Group and Maxeon panels may offer slight advantages in certain aspects, we don’t think you'll be disappointed by the performance of your Qcells solar panels.

However, as always, the best solar setup for your home ultimately depends on your unique needs. By comparing quotes from different installers, you can secure not only the best equipment but also the most favorable deal. EnergySage Marketplace simplifies this process by connecting you with trusted solar companies and our team of unbiased experts. Sign up today (for free) to go solar with confidence.

Find out what solar panels cost in your area in 2024