Q Cells Solar Panels: a complete review
When you decide to go solar, the best solar panel brand selection is one of the most difficult choices you have to make. During the decision-making process, the best way is to investigate all available options to feel confident about your solar investment. Let’s make your selection a little easier for you. If you are looking for a highly recommended PV solar system that offers great value, you should consider Q Cells solar panels.
SolarSME.Inc has conducted a complete review of Q Cells solar panels to make you understand and evaluate the product. This review will help you to compare different brands of solar panels with Q Cell panels and choose the best for your home.
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Important Points To Remember:
- Q Cells is recognized in the solar industry as one of the industry’s pioneers in innovation and superior production technologies.
- Q Cells Solar is the best option for homeowners who seek low-cost & high-efficiency.
- For people who live in low-light settings, the Q.ANTUM provides a good solution for low iridescence.
- A 12-year product guarantee and 25-year performance warranty, along with up to 19.5 percent efficiency, provide a shorter payback period to homeowners.
- Busbar technology and half-cut cell technology are also used in the new range of Q Cells to reduce internal solar power losses and increase output.
What is in This Article:
Q Cells Solar Panels: Company Background
Hanwha Q Cells, also known as QC Cells, is a Tier 1 solar panels company. The company manufactures robust quality and high-performance photovoltaic systems for the residential, commercial, and industrial solar power markets. Its solar panels are among the top of the industry in terms of efficiency, performance, and warranty structure, and they are recommended by installers worldwide.
Q Cells was a German startup in 1999. But in 2012, a large South Korean Chemical company known as Hanwha Group purchased Q Cells. The headquarter of the company is in Seoul, South Korea. However, Q Cell’s primary development and research center are still in Germany. The company has manufacturing operations in Malaysia, China, South Korea, and the US. Q Cells is recognized in the solar industry as one of the industry’s pioneers in innovation and superior production technologies.
So, if you’re thinking about whether Q Cells solar panels are suitable for you, keep reading to find out how the company’s products match up against the competition.
What are the Q Cells Solar Panels Technology?
Q Cells has been a pioneer in solar cell technology since its start in 1999. The company has tested a variety of solar cell technologies, from polycrystalline silicon to CIGS thin-film, but they presently solely focus on one: monocrystalline or Q. ANTUM cell technology. The technology is based on PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell). It is improved by Nano Coating. The coating functions similarly to a standard mirror, reflecting otherwise unused sun rays to the cell and thereby enhancing its solar absorption.
The panel also has laser-fired connectors, which increase the cell’s electrical characteristics and significantly increase its efficiency.
Busbar technology and half-cut cell technology are also used in the new range of Q Cells to reduce internal solar power losses and increase output.
Other technologies in Q Cells panels include Anti-LID (Light-induced deterioration) technology, anti-PID (potential Induced deterioration) technology, Hot Spot Protect, and Tra.QTM technology, which is utilized for panel track.
Q Cells Solar Panels Range Overview
To help you out in comparing different solar panels, we are going to assess the technical specifications of each residential series. This will guide you to compare Q Cells panels to those of other companies on the market.
1 - Q Cells Power Series
The Q. Power is a great choice for homeowners as it is the most cost-effective Q Cell solar panel. The G. Power – G5, which achieved the award for ‘Best Polycrystalline Solar Module’ in 2014, is the most popular panel model in the series.
Cell Technology
The Q. Power series from Q Cell is the best of their polycrystalline solar modules. The panels use emerging polycrystalline technology as well as 6-busbar technology, which boosts power yield greatly.
The cells utilize anti-LID&PID technology to minimize light-induced and potentially induced damage, which may have an impact on the performance of your system.
The combination of these technologies increases the panel’s durability and energy efficiency.
Efficiency
During the first year, the Q. Power series solar panels maintain a nominal power production of 97.0 percent. After ten years, the output efficiency drops to around 91.6 percent, then to at least 83.0 percent of the rated power output by the 25th year.
This series’ degradation efficiency is 0.6 percent per year, which is slow enough to give a better ROI on your investment.
Warranty
Q Cells guarantees the product’s reliability by offering a 12-year warranty – two years longer than the usual 10-year warranties.
There is also a 25-year linear performance warranty, which is becoming the industry standard.
Performance
The maximum output of these Q. Power series panels in optimal conditions is around 280W, with an efficiency of 17.4 percent. The panel’s heat tolerance is (-0.40 percent °C) which is also good. It performs well in adverse weather conditions. The panels can resist snow and wind loads of up to 5400/4000 pascals.
2 - Q Peak Series
Peak Series solar panels are Q Cell’s most flexible and popular solar panels on the market today. The series includes a variety of award-winning solar panels, ranging from the Q. Peak DUO G5+ to the Q Peak G9. This series’ panels are famous for their great module efficiency.
Cell Technology
Q Cell’s Q. Peal series incorporates the company’s cutting-edge Q. ANTUM DUO technology, which is designed to improve solar panel efficiency in small surface areas.
The series combines half-cut cell technology and busbar technology to reduce BOS expenses while significantly improving solar module efficiency in all weather conditions. Q Cells also utilizes anti-LID technology, which can save you up to 20% in power losses due to power-induced degradation. Q. Peak solar panels also include Tra.QTM Technology, which helps in tracking, enables you to acquire all of the information about the panels
Efficiency
Peak solar panels generate at least 98 percent of their rated power output within the first year. By the tenth year, the power production has dropped to approximately 93.1 percent of the nominal power output. With a maximum deterioration rate of 0.54 percent, you can expect to get roughly 85 percent of the rated power output by the 25th year.
- Warranty
Q Cells offers a 12-year product guarantee on all Q. Peak panels. It also provides a 25-year performance warranty, to demonstrate their trust and confidence in its product. Another good thing is that the manufacturer has also increased the product guarantee on the latest versions including the Q. Peak DUO G5+ and Q. Peak DUO G6+, to 25 years. This is one of the best product warranty guarantees provided by any Tier 1 firm.
- Performance
In good conditions, the Q. Peak series solar panels may produce up to 390W while maintaining an efficiency of up to 20.8 percent. The solar panels can withstand up to 5400/4000 watts of wind/snow load and are certified to be ammonia, salt, and mist resistant.
MAXX Series
The Q. MAXX series from Q Cell is quite similar to the Q. Peak G5+ and G6+ series. Their efficiency is nearly the same, and their designs aren’t too different. The solar panels in this series include the Q. MAXX 320 – 325 and the Q. MAXX – G2 354-360.
- Cell Technology
To give the best power production and efficiency, Q. MAXX combines cutting-edge cell separation, Q. ANTUM technology, and novel wiring solutions. The series also includes busbar technology, with the number of busbars increasing to 12.
The Q. ANTUM technology reduces BOS expenses while increasing yield per square meter for each panel. It also enhances the panel’s performance in low-light conditions.
- MAXX solar panels also have anti-PID technology, anti-LID technology, Tra.QTM tracing technology, and hotspot protection.
- Efficiency
Q cells ensure a 98 percent nominal power production in the first year, followed by a 0.54 percent annual decline. The power output of solar panels is 93.1 percent after the first ten years. After 25 years, the power output should be at least 85% of its initial values.
The gradual degradation rate (0.54 percent) of the Q. MAXX solar panels is significantly lower than the conventional solar panels (0.7 percent). This means you can extend the lifespan of the solar panel so far beyond the standard 25-year lifespan.
- Warranty
In contrast to the Q. Peak extended warranty assurance, Q. MAXX still offers a 12-year product warranty and a 25-year performance warranty. This demonstrates that Q Cells stands behind its product.
- Performance
The peak power output of the Q. MAXX series panels is 360W, with an optimal level of 20.1 percent. These panels are also highly adaptable and can withstand adverse weather conditions. This is because of their high-quality metal frames and wind and snow loads of 5400/2400 pascals.
How Much Do QCells Solar Panels Cost?
The pricing of Q Cells modules will vary based on where you live, when you make your purchase, and even the solar installer you choose, just like any other type of solar panel. Because of its highly globalized supply chain, the solar sector is susceptible to changes in supply and demand as well as governmental regulations.
But Q Cells is renowned for offering outstanding value for the money. The high-quality panels will probably cost about average for the industry, if not a little less. Depending on which Qcells product you choose, prices will also change. Higher efficiency solar panels may be more expensive up front, but they will produce more electricity in the long run, shortening your solar payback period.
What are the Pros of QCells Solar Panels for the Homeowners?
As the solar industry is saturated with products that provide different advantages and drawbacks and are all competing for market dominance. In this situation, you can determine which brand is best for your home by weighing the advantages and disadvantages.
- Value for the money
- Among the best in the industry for power rating
- All-black panels are available to completely match your roof.
- Longtime warranty coverage
- Focused on the American value chain
Why Choose Q Cells Solar Panels?
Although, there are no strong rivals of Q Cells when it comes to innovative solar technologies. The company has made significant R&D investments, with around four cutting-edge research and development centers. This enables them to constantly enhance their products, guaranteeing that clients only receive the finest.
Moreover, a 12-year product guarantee and 25-year performance warranty, along with up to 19.5 percent efficiency, provide a shorter payback period.
Q Cells also offers a vast variety of solar panels, enabling homeowners to select the best panel series for their homes.
Find the Best Price Q Cells Solar Panels with Solar SME
The best approach to deciding on Q Cells solar panels for your home is to compare different quotations with various types of equipment. By visiting the EnergySage Solar Marketplace, you can compare all of your possibilities.
SolarSME is a certified installer of Q Cells solar panels. We provide our customers with a diverse selection of Q Cells panels, which includes:
- Q PEAK G4.1 305
- Q Cell G6+ 340 All Black made in Georgia
- Q PEAK DUO G7 325
- Q PEAK DUO BLK G5-320
- Q PEAK DUO BLK G6+ 335
- Q PEAK DUO BLK-G6-340
- Q PEAK DUO LG5.2 390
- Q PEAK DUO L-G8.2-420 72
By evaluating various options, you will be able to select the best mix of price and quality to meet your household energy requirements.
Final Thoughts after Q Cells Solar Panel Review
Q Cells Solar is a great option for homeowners who seek low-cost & high-efficiency. Although the modules surpass some of their competitors in terms of speed, the cost reductions make the efficiency rating variations relatively negligible, especially when panels are examined side by side.
Also, For people who live in low-light settings, the Q.ANTUM provides a good solution for low iridescence. It means you will get more out of your solar energy system in the long run. The product warranty exceeds the industry standard of ten years, giving users greater flexibility in their system.
As a homeowner, you must contact a professional solar installer for the installation of Q Cells panels. Solar SME is here to assist you throughout the Q Cells solar panel installation process. Our energy experts will assist you in determining the most cost-effective way to go solar.
