Q CELLS is one of the world’s largest solar panel manufacturers, and is headquartered in Germany. Q CELLS has a number of different product lines in the Q.PEAK DUO series: from the G5 up through the G7, and including a number of sleek, all-black panel options. The combination of aesthetically pleasing and high performing panels at a low cost has made Q CELLS an increasingly popular choice for solar shoppers comparing their options on the EnergySage Solar Marketplace.
The best way to be confident in your solar investment is to thoroughly review the product options available to you. To make your solar research process easier, EnergySage has developed Q CELLS reviews. As the leading online marketplace for homeowners considering solar, EnergySage is uniquely positioned to evaluate the technical specifications of Q CELLS solar panels and help you compare them to other manufacturers on the market.
Key takeaways
- Q CELLS solar panels range in efficiency from 17.4% to 21.4%, and they have a materials warranty lasting for up to 25 years.
- Q CELLS solar panels cost between $2.32 and $3.16/W on the EnergySage Marketplace – that’s $13,920 to $18,960 for a 6 kW system, before the federal solar tax credit.
- Shop for Q CELLS solar panels (and many other brands!) today on the EnergySage Marketplace.
How Q CELLS solar panels compare to other panel manufacturers
NOTE: As of early 2020, Hanwha Q CELLS has rebranded to Q CELLS. We’ve updated this article to reflect their new branding.
There are four key metrics that you should review as you evaluate solar panel quality: efficiency, performance, warranties, and price. EnergySage has developed Q CELLS reviews for each metric to help make your solar decision easier. We’ve also created a comparison of Q CELLS solar panels against other leading panel manufacturers that are frequently featured in offers to homeowners and businesses shopping for solar on the EnergySage Solar Marketplace.
Q CELLS efficiency
The term “solar panel efficiency” refers to how well a solar panel captures sunlight and converts it into useful electricity. In the same conditions, a high-efficiency solar panel will produce more electricity than a lower-efficiency panel of the same size. For this reason, a higher efficiency rating is generally preferable.
The efficiency of your Q CELLS solar panels will vary depending on the specific model that you choose for your system. Across the full Q CELLS product line, you can get solar panels with anywhere from 17.4% to 21.4% efficiency. Overall, most Q CELLS panels fall into the middle-of-the-road efficiency range for solar, but the panels that have 18% efficiency or higher can be considered “high efficiency.”
Q CELLS performance (temperature coefficient)
For this portion of EnergySage’s Q CELLS reviews, we use the temperature coefficient to evaluate solar panel performance. The temperature coefficient is an indicator of how well your solar panel can handle less-than-ideal conditions. Solar panels, like other electronic equipment, perform better when they are kept cool (ideally around 25° C/77° F). The temperature coefficient tells you how much your panel’s performance will change during hot sunny summer days.
For every degree above 25° C (77° F), your solar panel’s electricity production will decrease by its temperature coefficient. For example, the Q CELLS Q.PEAK DUO BLK-G6+ 340 panel has a temperature coefficient of -0.36%/°C. This means that, if the panel’s temperature increases by one degree from 25° C (77° F) to 26° C (79° F), its electricity production will decrease by 0.36%. If its temperature increases all the way to 35° C (95° F), electricity production will reduce by 3.6%.
Your solar panels will likely see more than a few hot and sunny days over the course of each year, so ideally, they will have the lowest temperature coefficient possible. Q CELLS panels offer a temperature coefficient ranging from -0.39 to -0.34.
Warranties
Whether you’re buying a TV, a car, or solar panels, the manufacturer should stand behind their product with a strong warranty. A solar panel’s materials warranty (sometimes referred to as the product or equipment warranty) is a guarantee from the manufacturer that they will replace your panel if it fails as a result of manufacturing defects or environmental issues.
Q CELLS previously offered a 12-year warranty against any defects in their solar panels, but now offer a 25 year-warranty on panels.
Check out our in-depth review of Q CELLS’ warranty.
Q CELLS solar prices: How much do Q CELLS solar panels cost?
For many homeowners, the final decision around the solar equipment you choose rests on cost. The total price you pay for a solar energy system with Q CELLS panels will vary depending on the other equipment (such as inverters and mounts) used in the installation, as well as the characteristics of your roof.
To identify the range of prices for Q CELLS systems, we analyzed quotes including Q CELLS solar panels that homeowners received from installers on the EnergySage Solar Marketplace. Most Q CELLS systems are typically priced between $2.32 and $3.16 per watt, which makes Q CELLS one of the best values on the market for home solar.
This means that, for a 6 kW system, your gross cost (before you subtract any tax credits or other incentives) would be anywhere from $13,920 to $18,960. Additionally, most homeowners end up paying much less than the total gross cost. With the 26 percent federal tax credit for solar, which everyone is eligible for, a 6 kW system with Q CELLS would cost anywhere from $10,301 to $14,030. There are plenty of state-level solar incentives and rebates that can help you reduce upfront costs even further.
Q CELLS solar panels may not offer industry-leading efficiency or performance, but their price to quality ratio makes them a great value for many homeowners who are considering solar. Overall, there are plenty of compelling reasons to consider Q CELLS panels for your home solar installation.
How to find the best price on Q CELLS solar panels
The best way to determine whether Q CELLS solar panels are the best solar panels for your home is to review multiple quotes with different solar equipment options before making a decision. When you compare all of your options on the EnergySage Solar Marketplace, you’ll find the right combination of price and quality that meets your needs. Many of our qualified, pre-vetted solar installers offer solar panels in their quotes to EnergySage users. The more quotes you receive the more options you’ll have: you might have the choice between various series lines like Q Peak, Q Plus, Q Power and Q Prime. When registering, simply note in your profile that you’re interested in receiving quotes that include Q CELLS for your home.
