Q Cells Solar Panels: An Independent Review by Solar Choice

Note: Solar Choice is not a solar installer and has no financial or other incentives to promote any product brand over another.

Overview of Hanwha Q Cells – Company History

Q-CELLS was founded in Germany in 1999 and has been producing solar silicon cells since 2001 and eventually manufacturing solar panels in 2010. The company was originally listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in 2005. In 2011, after several acquisitions and joint ventures, Q-CELLs posted significant losses and ultimately filed for insolvency in 2012. Hanwha Group acquired the assets from the insolvent Q-CELLS and launched the brand Hanwha Q Cells late in 2012. Hanwha Group merged Hanwha Q Cells with another subsidiary,  Hanwha SolarOne, in 2014 and the merged company was listed on the NASDAQ between 2014 and 2019 and is now a private subsidiary of the Hanwha Group.

Hanwha Q Cells only uses solar cells in its production to control the quality and meet its high standards, which is different from other manufacturers. Although panels were originally produced in Germany, manufacturing facilities have shifted to Malaysia, China, and South Korea. In 2021, Q Cells shipped 12.4 GW of the total volume of production.

Q Cells has served the Australian market since 2009 with its head office based in North Sydney and warehouses around the country, providing products and warranty support. In 2022, Q Cells modules reached about 10.3% market share in the residential and commercial rooftop segment of Australia.

2024 Update: Q Cells have now exited the Australian Market

Key Indicators

What is a Bloomberg Tier 1 Solar Panel?

Bloomberg’s infamous tier 1 ranking is NOT a measure of Solar Panel quality in any way. It is simply an indication of the bankability of the manufacturer based on publicly released information on the financial health of the company. This should give you an idea if the company is a large, well-known manufacturer.

Q Cells Solar Panels are in the Bloomberg Tier 1.

See full list of Bloomberg Tier 1 Solar Panels

What is PV Evolution Labs’ Top Performer?

PV Evolution Labs with support from DNV GL independently test solar panel reliability. The tests are voluntary, with solar panel manufacturers paying to participate in the testing. This testing process is internationally renowned and is an accurate reflection of the solar panel’s performance.

Q Cells Solar Panels are currently ranked in the PV Evolution Labs Top Performers across 3 of the 7 annual tests in 2024. (thermal cycling, damp heat and mechanical stress sequence)

See full list of PV Evolution Labs Top Performing Solar Panels

Why is office location in Australia Important?

Most solar panel manufacturers entering the Australian market first set up their distribution channels and worry about customer service later. This has led to many unhappy customers who are left trying to contact Chinese head offices to claim their 10-year product warranty.

Relying on your solar installer is not always an option as since 2011 we’ve seen over 700 residential solar installers (including the large ones) go out of business well within the lifetime of the systems they are installing. 

Q Cells currently has an office located in North Sydney, NSW.

How Much Do Q Cells Solar Panels Cost?

Based on Solar Choice’s database we have provided the below-average costs as an indicative guide. These prices include:

• Full turnkey Solar System with Q Cells Solar Panels
• Installation from a pre-vetted reputable installer from Solar Choice’s network
• The STC rebate and GST

 Important Note: Prices will vary depending on location, inverter brand and which installer is used

Q Cells Solar Panels – Points of Difference

There are many solar panels out there, what makes Q Cells solar panels stand out?

Multiple Manufacturing Sites

Q Cells owns four manufacturing sites globally making their solar panels and batteries (South Korea, China, United States and Malaysia). As a result, there is less risk of country-specific market dynamics affecting their prices – as was observed in 2021 with the Chinese Energy Crisis affecting 90% of the solar panel market. Partly due to this diversification away from Chinese manufacturing, Q Cells solar panels have a high market share in the US (estimated at 24.1% in 2022).

Long history company and trusted products

Q Cells was founded in 1999 in Germany and has steadily grown its presence in the market over the last 20 years. Having been awarded certifications through most independent testing authorities including PV Evolution Labs and Bloomberg Tier 1, their panels have been trusted by large investment firms on many large-scale solar farm projects.

Independent Testing of Q Cells Solar Panels by PV Labs Australia

The ACT Government paid PV Labs Australia in 2023 to complete some independent testing of solar panels. They sampled 121 solar panels from 14 manufacturers by borrowing them from suppliers in the market.

The solar panels were tested via a visual inspection, STC power, electroluminescence, wet leakage and potential induced degradation. 

Q Cells’s solar panels did not perform well in this testing. Across the 2 rounds of tests the Q Cells panels consistently were the worst performing of the 14 brands. 

See the full report here.

Q Cells’s Warranty for Australian Customers

Q Cells was provided with an industry-standard 12-year product warranty and a 25-year performance warranty. But on the new series G9+ and G10+ panels, the product warranty has been upgraded to 25 years, which equals the industry leaders in the market.

For the Q.Maxx and Q.Maxx-G2 panels, the summary of warranty terms and conditions:

12 years limited product Warranty: ‘For material defects or processing defects, Hot-Spot Protect and Anti PID Technology.’

25-year limited linear performance warranty: ‘At least 98 % of the nominal power within the first year. Thereafter, the decrease of the power output will not exceed 0.54 % p. a. Minimal nominal rated power after 25 years at least 85 %.’

For the Q.PEAK DUO-G9+ and Q.PEAK DUO-G10+ panels, the summary of warranty terms and conditions:

25 years limited product Warranty: ‘For material defects or processing defects, Hot-Spot Protect and Anti PID Technology.’

25-year limited linear performance warranty: ‘At least 98 % of the nominal power within the first year. Thereafter, the decrease of the power output will not exceed 0.54 % p. a. Minimal nominal rated power after 25 years at least 85 %.’

Q Cells Solar Panel Technologies

All the panels they currently sell in Australia are salt mist corrosion-resistant and suitable for installation in any location.
Currently, Q Cells offers a variety of panels in Australia, the most popular panels are from the premium Q.Peak and Q.Maxx monocrystalline range, which can provide the best efficiency, especially for those homeowners with limited roof space.

Q.MAXX series

The Q.MAXX  is Q Cell’s lower cost option which provides 120 half-cut cell solar panels up to 360W with a 12-year product warranty. This series uses the next-generation Mono PERC half-cut solar cells with 12 busbars per cell, which increases efficiency by up to 20.1%. Additionally, these black panels offer an aesthetically pleasing for homes with visible roof space. The solar panels degrade at 0.54% after the first year which beats most of their peers (normally 0.7%) and it is guaranteed under their 25-year performance warranty.

Q.PEAK series

The latest Q.PEAK DUO is a step up in technical specifications from the Q.MAXX and also offers an industry-leading 25-year performance warranty. They also utilise the Q Cells branded technology, Q.ANTUM DUO, which is aimed at increasing the power output of each cell through in-house developed innovations. Ultimately this technology delivers a high efficiency rating of up to 20.2% and a low degradation rate of 0.54% a year after the first year. For residential use, the panel’s power ranges from 335W to 415W. For commercial use, the power is up to 580W.

Tested in Australian Conditions

Not only does Q Cells carry out rigorous testing in the lab, but also in the field. Q Cells is one of the only manufacturers to perform cyclone testing in Australia. Q Cells modules have been installed at The Desert Knowledge Australia Solar Centre (DKASC) since 2012, a facility for solar modules operating in the arid weather conditions of Alice Springs, and display the performance onto the internet for demonstration.

Q Cells Efficiency

Solar panel efficiency is the ability of cells to convert solar energy into electricity. The higher the panel’s efficiency, the more power output is generated by the solar panel. So a higher panel efficiency will be one of the main features to rate the quality. The efficiency of Q Cells modules will depend on different types for each country. The available product line in Australia has an efficiency vary from  17.1% to 20.1%. Most of the popular panels have an efficiency of around 19% upwards, which reaches to the level of the front line in the industry.

Comparison of Q Cells Solar Panel Specifications (common modules)

Q Cells Solar Panels Pros and Cons

Pros

• Listed as a top-performing solar panel by PV Evolution Labs
• Tier 1 Solar Company by Bloomberg New Energy
• Have an Australian Head-Office in Sydney

Cons

• If you are looking for a more price-competitive solution, Q Cells will not be for you. High on the premium list
• Q Cells went bankrupt in 2012 before being brought out by a large South Korean business conglomerate called The Hanwah Group

So, Should I Buy Q Cells Solar Panels?

The Q.PEAK series offers good value for solar buyers looking for a 25-year product warranty but don’t want to pay the premium for top-of-the-line solutions (like SunPower or LG). In our opinion at Solar Choice, Q Cells offer a good middle range between your standard tier 1 cost-effective brand and the expensive premium options.

Despite a chequered history, the Q Cells brand appears to be in financially stable territory with the backing of Bloomberg’s tier 1 rating, so there’s a good chance that you will be able to receive all the value of the 25-year product warranty, even if your solar installer closes up shop.

Example of a Q Cells Commercial Solar Project – Yalumba Winery, Barossa Valley

In 2016, 1.4 MWp Q Cells modules were installed in the Yalumba Winery project, the largest commercial solar PV system installed at an Australian winery in South Australia, producing around 2000 MWh output annually. It is expected to reduce the energy bill for the wine business by 20% each year.

Read more product reviews from Solar Choice

• About
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Jeff Sykes

CEO at Solar Choice

Jeff has consulted on over 20MW of commercial solar projects, ranging from SMEs to ASX top 100 companies. Jeff has also provided independent advice to 100s of residential solar, battery and EV charging customers across every state in Australia. He holds an MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management and is an expert in business strategy and financial analysis.

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