Qcells’ main home panel in 2026, the Q.TRON BLK M-G2+, is rated about 425–440 W with roughly 22% efficiency, a 25-year product warranty, and a guarantee of at least 90.58% of rated output after 25 years. Most Qcells panels sold in the US are assembled in Georgia, and the company started making its own solar cells there in mid-2026. This review is based on published datasheets, warranty terms and industry reporting. We did not test panels hands-on.
Quick answer
- Best home model: Q.TRON BLK M-G2+ (n-type TOPCon cells, all-black, about 425–440 W).
- Efficiency: about 22.0% (430 W model), up to roughly 22.5% for top bins.
- Warranty: 25 years product; 98.5% output in year 1, then no more than 0.33% loss per year, 90.58% at year 25.
- Made in USA: panels assembled in Dalton and Cartersville, Georgia; cell production started in Cartersville in June 2026.
- Price: about $0.32–$0.40 per watt at distributor pallet pricing (mid-2026); installed systems average about $2.60/W.
Are Qcells solar panels good?
Yes, for most homeowners they are a solid, mainstream choice. Qcells is owned by South Korea’s Hanwha Group. It is one of the largest panel suppliers to US homes, and installers use it widely. That matters, because a common brand is easier to service and replace.
Qcells is not the most efficient brand on the market, and it is not the cheapest. Its strengths are a strong 25-year warranty, wide installer support, and the deepest US factory footprint of any silicon panel maker.
What Qcells solar panel models are sold for homes in 2026?
Qcells’ residential lineup has moved from older PERC cells (Q.PEAK DUO) to newer n-type TOPCon cells (Q.TRON). Model names change often, so always check the exact datasheet your installer quotes.
| Model | Cell type | Power | Efficiency | Output at year 25 | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q.TRON BLK M-G2+ | n-type TOPCon (Q.ANTUM NEO) | About 425–440 W | About 22.0%–22.5% | 90.58% | Main home model |
| Q.TRON BLK M-G2.C+ | n-type TOPCon | About 430 W | About 22% | Check datasheet | Sold as a “domestic content” version |
| Q.TRON G3 | n-type TOPCon | About 440–455 W | Up to about 22.5% | Check datasheet | Newer; listed by some retailers |
| Q.PEAK DUO BLK ML-G10+ | PERC | About 385–410 W | About 19.6%–20.9% | 86% | Older generation, being phased out |
What are the Q.TRON BLK M-G2+ specs?
Here are the published specs for the 430 W version, a common size on home quotes:
- Power: 430 W (STC), with a 0/+5 W tolerance. That means it should never test below its label.
- Efficiency: at least 22.0%.
- Size: 67.8 in × 44.6 in × 1.18 in. Area: 67.8 × 44.6 ÷ 144 ≈ 21.0 sq ft.
- Weight: 46.7 lb.
- Look: all-black frame and backsheet.
How many Qcells panels do you need?
Here is a worked example for a 7 kW system using 430 W panels:
- Panels: 7,000 W ÷ 430 W = 16.3, so round up to 17 panels.
- Actual size: 17 × 430 W = 7,310 W, or 7.31 kW.
- Roof space: 17 × 21 sq ft = 357 sq ft of panel area, plus room for setbacks.
- Yearly output: 7.31 kW × 1,350 kWh = 9,869 kWh a year at the US average. Expect about 1,100 kWh per kW in the Northeast and up to 1,700 in the Southwest.
- Value: 9,869 kWh × $0.182 ≈ $1,796 of electricity a year at the 2026 US average rate.
To size your own system, try our solar power calculator or see how many solar panels a 1,500 sq ft house needs.
What is the Qcells warranty?
Q.TRON panels carry a 25-year product warranty and a 25-year performance warranty. The performance terms on the Q.TRON BLK M-G2+ datasheet are:
- At least 98.5% of rated power in year 1.
- No more than 0.33% loss per year after that.
- At least 95.53% at year 10 and 90.58% at year 25.
Using the example above: 9,869 kWh × 0.9058 ≈ 8,939 kWh a year is the minimum the warranty supports at year 25. The older Q.PEAK DUO line guarantees 86%, so the newer panels hold up better on paper.
Warranty terms can differ by model and date of purchase. Ask your installer for the exact warranty document, and register the panels if Qcells requires it.
Where are Qcells solar panels made?
Qcells has two factory campuses in northwest Georgia:
- Dalton, Georgia: panel assembly, about 5.1 GW per year.
- Cartersville, Georgia: about 3.5 GW of panel assembly plus a 3.5 GW solar cell line. Cell production started in June 2026, with full output expected in the third quarter of 2026. Ingot and wafer lines are being added.
That is about 5.1 + 3.5 = 8.6 GW of US panel capacity. Qcells says Cartersville will make it the only fully integrated US silicon panel maker, from ingot to finished panel. The Cartersville campus is a $2.5 billion investment, and Qcells employs about 3,800 people in Georgia.
Not every Qcells panel is US-made. Qcells also builds panels in Asia. If US manufacturing matters to you, ask for the model’s country of origin in writing. See our full list of solar panel manufacturers in the USA.
How much do Qcells solar panels cost?
Panel-only prices were about $0.32–$0.40 per watt at distributor pallet pricing in mid-2026 (PES Supply, June 2026). For one 430 W panel, that works out to:
- 430 W × $0.32 ≈ $138 at the low end.
- 430 W × $0.40 ≈ $172 at the high end.
Single panels bought at retail usually cost more than pallet prices. Prices change often, so check current quotes.
Panels are only a small part of a home system. The US average installed cost is about $2.60 per watt (EnergySage, June 2026). So a 7.31 kW Qcells system would cost about 7,310 × $2.60 ≈ $19,006 before incentives. See our solar panel cost guide for prices by system size.
Qcells vs other brands: how do they compare?
| Brand and model | Cell type | Efficiency | Product warranty | US factory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qcells Q.TRON BLK M-G2+ | n-type TOPCon | About 22.0%–22.5% | 25 years | Dalton and Cartersville, GA (cells and panels) |
| Canadian Solar TOPHiKu6 | n-type TOPCon | Up to about 22.3%–22.5% | 12–25 years, depends on model | Mesquite, TX (panels); Jeffersonville, IN (cells, ramping) |
| Tesla TSP-415 / TSP-420 | Not published in detail | About 20.5% (reported) | Check Tesla terms | Buffalo, NY (panels) |
The biggest practical difference is often the warranty. Qcells gives 25 years of product coverage on its Q.TRON line, while some rival models offer 12–15 years. Tesla’s panels are newer and mainly sold with Tesla installs. If you were considering Tesla’s roof tiles, read our Tesla Solar Roof review first.
Does buying US-made Qcells panels save you money?
Not directly for homeowners who buy their system. The 30% federal homeowner credit ended for systems placed in service after Dec. 31, 2025. Leases and PPAs are different. The company that owns the system may still claim a business credit for a limited time, and US-made parts can help it qualify for extra credit. Some of those savings may reach you, but they are not guaranteed. Learn more in solar rebates and tax credits in 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is Qcells a Chinese company?
No. Qcells is owned by Hanwha Group of South Korea. Its US panels are made in Georgia.
How long do Qcells panels last?
The warranty covers 25 years, and Q.TRON panels are guaranteed to keep at least 90.58% of rated output at year 25. Panels often keep working well past that.
What is the difference between Q.TRON and Q.PEAK DUO?
Q.TRON uses newer n-type TOPCon cells with higher efficiency (about 22%) and a stronger output warranty. Q.PEAK DUO uses older PERC cells at about 20% efficiency and is being phased out.
Can I buy Qcells panels myself?
Yes, through solar distributors and some online retailers. Grid-tied systems need a permit and should be installed by a licensed electrician to meet the NEC and local code.
Sources
- Solar Power World: Qcells starts production of solar cells in the United States (June 2026)
- Qcells Q.TRON BLK M-G2+ datasheet (PDF)
- PES Supply: Qcells vs Canadian Solar 2026
- EnergySage: Solar panel cost in 2026
Last updated: October 2026. Specs, prices and warranty terms change; check the current datasheet before you buy. This article is for information only and is not financial advice.
















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