Q Cells is a solar energy company on the move. In fact, it made our national best solar panels list in the Most Popular category, as this company is growing gaining acclaim for its high-quality solar products.
Although there aren’t as many solar panel options as with other solar installers, the ones Q Cells does offer are rather impressive. Panels have about a 440-watt capacity with an efficiency rating close to 22%. These durable panels come at more budget-friendly prices than others, too. Although Q Cell doesn’t do the installation, you can choose from a network of some of the top companies in the country—Momentum Solar, for one—that will do the work.
Keep reading to learn more about Q Cells and how it ranks against other national solar panel companies in terms of product features, pricing and warranty, customer reviews and more.
Pros
- Excellent efficiency and degradation rates
- Strong performance even in shade or low-light settings
- Good choice for hot climates
Cons
- Fewer models to choose from
- 25-year warranties only offered on some panels
- Customer reviews cite trouble with warranty claims
Table of Contents
- Q Cells Solar Panels at a Glance
- What Can You Expect From Q Cells Solar?
- Q Cells Solar Panel Models
- Q Cells Solar Panel Performance
- Q Cells Solar Panel Warranties
- How Much Do Q Cells Solar Panels Cost?
- Financing Options
- Who Installs Q Cells Solar Panels?
- What We Like About Q Cells Solar Panels
- What We Didn’t Like About Q Cells Solar Panels
- Q Cells Solar Panels Reviews
- How Q Cells Solar Panels Stacks Up
- Are Q Cells Solar Panels Worth It?
- Pick Q Cells Solar Panels if You’d like…
- Methodology: How We Selected Solar Panels
Q Cells Solar Panels at a Glance
Q Cells Solar Panels have been around since the late 1990s, but the brand wasn’t widely known until its 2012 merger with a Korean-based firm. Since that time, Q Cells have been noted as an industry leader, earning spots on best solar panels lists for their efficiency, design and quality control.
Are you looking to switch your home or business to a renewable energy source? Here’s what you need to know about Q Cells solar panels when it comes to cost, installation and performance.
Featured Partners
1
Green Home Systems
BBB Grade
Not accredited
Financing Options
Full purchase and loan
Number of States Covered
21
2
Blue Raven Solar
BBB
A+
Financing Options
$0 upfront for 18 months
Number of States Covered
21
3
Momentum Solar
BBB Grade
A+
Financing Options
Purchase, loan
Number of States Covered
10
What Can You Expect From Q Cells Solar?
Q Cells doesn’t have the variety of choices that other larger solar companies have, but what it offers is impressive in terms of power, efficiency, degradation rate and warranties.
Q Cells Solar Panel Models
Here’s a glance at some of the key data points for three Q Cells Solar Panels models.
| PANEL MODELS | MAX PANEL WATTAGE (W) | MAX EFFICIENCY (%) | TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT PMAX (%/°C) | DEGRADATION RATE (% ANNUALLY) | MAX POSITIVE LOAD (PA) | WARRANTY OF OUTPUT (25 YEARS) | PANEL WARRANTY (YEARS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 430Wp | Up to 22% | -0.30%/K | Max 0.33% | 3,600 Pa/8100 Pa | 90.58% | 25-year linear performance warranty; 30-year warranty available when financed through Enfin | |
| Up to 370Wp | Up to 21.1% | -0.34%/K | Max 0.5% | 4,000 Pa/5,400 Pa | 86% | 25-year linear performance warranty; 30-year warranty available when financed through Enfin | |
| Up to 370Wp | Up to 20.6% | -0.34%/K | Max 0.5% | 4000 Pa /8100 Pa | 86% | 25-year linear performance warranty; 30-year warranty available when financed through Enfin |
Q Cells Solar Panel Performance
Q Cells solar panels offer impressive power capabilities up to 440W per panel. With a maximum efficiency of around 22% and a maximum degradation rate between 0.33% and 0.5%, they pack quite a punch for your household’s energy needs.
Q Cells Solar Panel Warranties
Q Cells Solar Panel warranties range depending on the model. Some are offered with only a 12-year warranty, about half of the industry’s standard. However, homeowners who purchase the Q.TRON BLK M-G2+, Q.PEAK DUO BLK ML-G10+ or the Q.PEAK DUO BLK-G10+ that are highlighted here are granted a 25-year linear performance warranty. This warranty gets upgraded to a 30-year warranty when you finance your purchase through Enfin.
How Much Do Q Cells Solar Panels Cost?
A Q Cells solar panel system costs between $14,500 and $17,500, although the actual cost of solar panels will depend on the size and energy needs of your home and household.
It can be a sizable investment to install solar panels, so many homeowners are looking to switch to solar before 2032 to make the most of the 30% federal tax credit. With that discount in mind, you can expect to pay between $10,150 and $12,250 for a new Q Cells solar panel installation.
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Financing Options
Q Cells does not offer financing, but customers can finance their panels directly with the installer or a solar financing firm. Financing programs will vary, but customers can expect to find solar loans, PPAs and other options as they would with other solar panel manufacturers.
Who Installs Q Cells Solar Panels?
The firm does not install Q Cells Solar Panels, but rather these are installed by national, regional and local installers. Some of the national installers are companies that made our best solar companies list, including:
These companies have a broad enough reach to include your area, but if not, there may be certified local installers who can do the work.
What We Like About Q Cells Solar Panels
Our research team pays close attention to factors like product quality and durability, especially when it comes to solar panels. Q Cells is a standout in the solar energy field for budget-friendlier panels that have the potential to perform just as well and last just as long as pricier competitors.
What We Didn’t Like About Q Cells Solar Panels
While Q Cells is indeed in the business of constructing high-quality solar energy solutions that are easier on the wallet, there’s simply not enough of them to choose from. We think this company will grow even further in popularity if it expands its offerings to grant homeowners more choices for their alternative energy needs.
Q Cells Solar Panels Reviews
Since other companies install Q Cells solar panels, it’s difficult to find any one large group of customer reviews about the company. There’s nothing on the company’s site itself, and online searches come up with more general company reviews.
We visited Q Cell’s page on the Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) website and were met with a glaring F rating. That’s a red flag, but given there are only four customer reviews on the site—all complaints about warranty claims—we’d be remiss in saying for sure whether that poor BBB rating is a universal sentiment among Q Cells’ nationwide network of customers.
How Q Cells Solar Panels Stacks Up
Q Cells Solar vs. Panasonic Solar
Q Cells has a slight edge over Panasonic in terms of power, with a maximum of 440W for its panels. Whereas Panasonic Solar bests it in terms of output warranty, Q Cells has an impressive 86% to 90.58%.
Q Cells Solar vs. Maxeon
Q Cells also edges out Maxeon in terms of maximum panel wattage, although Maxeon does surpass it by a razor-sharp edge with efficiency. With warranty output, Maxeon has an impressive 92% that surpasses Q Cells’ 90.58%.
Are Q Cells Solar Panels Worth It?
While the ultimate answer to this question depends on your budget, household needs and sustainability goals, we think Q Cells panels are quite impressive and are indeed worth it. With a 440W max power per panel with around 22% efficiency, these panels can make the decision to switch to solar a bit easier.
Still, it’s important to consider a variety of factors when making your decision. Federal and state solar incentives make high upfront costs more palatable, but aside from price, you’ll also want to work with installers you trust. The good news is that Q Cells solar panels are not only installed by some of the top solar installers in the country, but you can also choose from various financing options through the same as well as financing firms like Enfin.
Best Solar Companies By State
Pick Q Cells Solar Panels if You’d like…
- Budget-friendly options: While it’s still a hefty investment, Q Cells panels are better priced than the competitors
- High-performing panels: Q Cells is known for creating panels with excellent efficiency and performance
- Options for installation and finance: Customers who choose Q Cells panels can get them installed and financed through some of the nation’s top solar installation and finance firms
Methodology: How We Selected Solar Panels
To determine the best solar panels ranking, the Forbes Home editorial team analyzed 12 top panels across 94 different attributes broken into the following categories represented in the below pie chart:
You can find out more about how Forbes Home rates solar panels on our detailed methodology page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How efficient are Q Cells solar panels?
Q Cells solar panels have an efficiency range of up to around 22%. It’s a good option for those looking for high-efficiency solar energy solutions at a more affordable price.
How long do Q Cells solar panels last for?
Q Cells solar panels can last for 25 years with proper maintenance. The warranty also lasts as long, so homeowners can feel good about their investment for the long term.
What is Q Cells solar panels degradation rate?
Depending on the panel, Q Cells solar panels degrade at a rate between 0.33% and 0.50%.
