REC solar panels vs Q CELLS

18 Mar 2023
5 min
Beginner

Andrey GorichenskiAuthor

Solar market is wide and there are lots of manufacturers around. Today we’ll compare Norwegian brand REC and Korean solar superstar Hanwha Q CELLS. Whose panels are better? Find out in our REC solar panels vs Q CELLS comparison.

What we know about the REC solar panel brand

REC is a well-known brand of solar panels, with a history that dates back to 1996 in Norway. The company's focus on research and development has allowed it to be at the forefront of the solar industry, leading to the production of some of the most efficient and high-quality solar panels available today.

Over the years, REC has expanded globally, with manufacturing facilities in Singapore and the United States. One of its most notable achievements was the launch of its TwinPeak solar panel series, which boasts increased power output and durability. The brand's commitment to sustainable and ethical manufacturing practices has also earned it several certifications and awards, making it a popular choice for homeowners and businesses alike looking to invest in renewable energy. Overall, REC's continued innovation and commitment to sustainability has solidified its reputation as a leading brand in the solar industry.

What we know about the Q CELLS solar panel brand

Hanwha Q CELLS is a solar panel brand that was formed in 2012 through a merger between South Korean company Hanwha SolarOne and German company Q CELLS. The merger brought together the strengths of both companies, with Hanwha SolarOne's expertise in downstream solar markets and Q CELLS' reputation for producing high-quality solar cells and modules.

Hanwha Q CELLS has manufacturing facilities in South Korea, Malaysia, and China. Hanwha Q CELLS is one of the largest solar panel manufacturers in the world, with a strong presence in the residential, commercial, and utility-scale markets. Its commitment to innovation and sustainability has earned it several awards and accolades, and the brand is widely recognized as a leader in the solar industry.

REC solar panels vs Q CELLS solar panels: Pros and Cons

Here’s a list of pros and cons of panels from these two brands. This will make it easier to compare REC vs Q CELLS solar panels.

REC solar panels	Q CELLS solar panels
Pros: 1. High efficiency. REC panels have an above-average rate of energy conversion. Alpha Solar products have a 21.9% efficiency rate. 2. High quality. The failure rate of REC Panels is 1 in 10,000, they are subjected to independent testing, and they come with robust warranties. 3. Great warranties. Every panel sold by REC comes with a 20-year product warranty, which is already above average. The extraordinary triple 25-year ProTrust guarantee, which covers product, performance, and labor, is available on some models. 4. Low rate of deterioration. Alpha REC panels only lose 0.25% of performance a year, and after 25 years, they still have 92% of their original performance. 5. A wide selection of products. All-black modules, standard design panels, reasonable and pricey models, and panels for all kinds of applications are all available from REC	Pros: 1. Good efficiency. With a conversion rate of 19-21%, Q CELLS is above many other manufacturers. 2. One of the best degradation rates in the industry. Q CELLS panels retain over 85% of their performance after 25 years. 3. Improved shade tolerance, low light and high temperature performance. Q. ANTUM technology improves a panel's temperature performance, making Q CELLS a good choice for cloudy or extremely hot areas.
Cons: 1. Higher Cost: REC solar panels are generally more expensive than other brands on the market, which may make them less accessible to those on a budget. 2. Limited selection when it comes to high-output panels for large installations.	Cons: 1. There aren’t any disadvantages that immediately stand out with Hanwha Q CELLS solar panels.

REC solar panels

Q CELLS solar panels

Pros:
1. High efficiency. REC panels have an above-average rate of energy conversion. Alpha Solar products have a 21.9% efficiency rate.
2. High quality. The failure rate of REC Panels is 1 in 10,000, they are subjected to independent testing, and they come with robust warranties.
3. Great warranties. Every panel sold by REC comes with a 20-year product warranty, which is already above average. The extraordinary triple 25-year ProTrust guarantee, which covers product, performance, and labor, is available on some models.
4. Low rate of deterioration. Alpha REC panels only lose 0.25% of performance a year, and after 25 years, they still have 92% of their original performance.
5. A wide selection of products. All-black modules, standard design panels, reasonable and pricey models, and panels for all kinds of applications are all available from REC

Pros:
1. Good efficiency. With a conversion rate of 19-21%, Q CELLS is above many other manufacturers.
2. One of the best degradation rates in the industry. Q CELLS panels retain over 85% of their performance after 25 years.
3. Improved shade tolerance, low light and high temperature performance. Q. ANTUM technology improves a panel's temperature performance, making Q CELLS a good choice for cloudy or extremely hot areas.

Cons:
1. Higher Cost: REC solar panels are generally more expensive than other brands on the market, which may make them less accessible to those on a budget.
2. Limited selection when it comes to high-output panels for large installations.

Cons:
1. There aren’t any disadvantages that immediately stand out with Hanwha Q CELLS solar panels.

Best solar panel REC vs Best solar panel Q CELLS: By A1SolarStore

Let's compare the panels from REC and Q CELLS side by side! Here are two panels that you can use for your home or your business.

REC TwinPeak 2S

This TwinPeak 2S module is a high-output panel for home and small residential systems. It’s fairly light for a 144-cell panel: only 48.5 lbs or 22 kg. The efficiency reaches up to 20% which allows you to make good use of installation space. Shading tolerance is also improved through half-cut cell design of a panel.

Q.PEAK DUO BLK ML-G9+

This 132-cell solar panel is suitable for both commercial and residential applications. It delivers 370W-395 W of power at 20.8% efficiency. The open circuit voltage (VOC) of this panel reaches 45V. The low-light and high temperature performance is excellent thanks to Q. ANTUM DUO Technology. The panel comes with a 25/2- year product and performance warranty. Note that the design may vary: All-black modules naturally look sharper, but heat up more on hot days.