Details describe the tested sample, not every module of the series.
RETC PV Module Index — Canadian Solar
Year
Recognition
2025
Reliability High Achiever
Inverter compatibility & string sizing
Canadian Solar datasheet · Cali-Graf calculation · NLR PVWatts v8 · CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · inverter datasheets · NLR SAM inverter library · CEC Grid Support Inverter List (Oct 7, 2026)
41.3 V
Voc when cold
per panel
27.7 V
Vmp when hot
per panel
14
Max panels / string
max DC 600 V
3
Min panels / string
MPPT from 60 V
Defaults come from NLR TMY weather (coldest hour, hottest modeled cell). Code calculations (NEC 690.7) use the ASHRAE extreme annual minimum, which is usually colder — enter it above.
String inverters most named in SoCal permits
Inverter
Max DC input
MPPT
Window source
Panels per string
Tesla 1538000-xx-y
600 V
60–480 V
datasheet
3–14
Solis (Ginlong) S6-EH1P10K-H-US
600 V
80–520 V
datasheet
3–14
Solis (Ginlong) Solis-1P7.6K-4G-US
600 V
100–500 V
datasheet
4–14
Qcells Q.VOLT H7.6SX
498 V
234–498 V
CEC test window
9–12
Microinverters (one per panel)
Microinverter
Recommended module power
Max DC input
MPPT
Voc cold / Vmp hot
Check
DC/AC
Enphase IQ8X-80-M-US
320–540 W
79.5 V
43–60 V
41.3 / 27.7 V
✗ Not a match: module voltage below MPPT range
1.2
APsystems (Alt Power System) DS3-L
265–570 W
60 V
28–45 V
41.3 / 27.7 V
⚠ Works; below MPPT at peak heat
0.58
Enphase IQ8M-72-2-US
260–460 W
60 V
30–45 V
41.3 / 27.7 V
⚠ Works; below MPPT at peak heat
1.4
Enphase IQ8A-72-2-US
295–500 W
60 V
32–45 V
41.3 / 27.7 V
⚠ Works; below MPPT at peak heat
1.3
Voltage check against the microinverter datasheets — confirm the pairing on the manufacturer’s module compatibility list. Rows appear only when the panel’s power is inside the microinverter’s recommended module power range.
SolarEdge and other optimizer-based systems size strings by the optimizer rules — use the manufacturer’s designer. Reference inverters: most named in SoCal permits since Oct 2024.
Expected production in Southern California
NLR PVWatts v8 · Cali-Graf calculation
City
kWh / kW / yr
kWh / panel / yr
kWh / system / yr
Sun, kWh/m²/day
Los Angeles
1,676
763
11,439
6.08
Palmdale
1,835
835
12,524
6.69
Chula Vista
1,696
772
11,575
6.11
Huntington Beach
1,643
748
11,213
5.89
Riverside
1,696
772
11,575
6.21
Santa Clarita
1,724
784
11,766
6.28
Estimate for comparison, not a quote: shading, roof orientation and local losses change real output. Roof mount, 20° tilt, south, 14% system losses.
Who installs CS6.1-54TM-xxxH panels in SoCal
building permits · CSLB License Master
9
Permits naming this series
May 2025 – May 2026
2
Licensed installers
CSLB license on the permit
3
Jurisdictions so far
Palmdale (5), LA County (unincorp.) (2), Chula Vista (2)
Only installer and ZIP level is shown — no homeowner names, street addresses or permit numbers. Permits from LA County (unincorp.) come without a contractor license, so they count toward totals but not toward installers. Counts grow as more permit portals are loaded.
Installed together with
building permits
Batteries
Tesla Powerwall 3
7
Number of permits naming both this panel series and the product; 8 of 9 permits list other equipment.
Compare with similar 455 W panels
CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · datasheets · Kiwa PVEL Scorecard · building permits
Panel
Pmax
Efficiency
γ Pmax (CEC)
Voc, V
Isc, A
PVEL (product / brand)
SoCal permits (series)
Canadian Solar CS6.1-54TM-455H
455 W
≥22.3%
−0.308
39.1
14.61
product 2024, 2025
9
Hyundai Energy Solutions HiN-T450NF(BK)
450 W
≈23.2%
−0.298
39.2
14.53
brand 5× (2017–2025)
37
REC Group REC455AA Pure-RX
455 W
≈22.5%
−0.248
65.6
8.84
brand 9× (2016–2025)
33
Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF10-455W
455 W
≈21%
−0.363
41.5
13.93
—
22
Same fields from the same sources for every row; ≈ efficiency is calculated from the listed area. Comparable series: other brands, same product group, power range covering this class.
How efficient is the Canadian Solar CS6.1-54TM-455H?
The Canadian Solar datasheet guarantees at least 22.3% module efficiency for the 455 W class (up to 22.8% for 465 W). 455 W over 2.04 m² equals about 223 W per square meter.
How much energy does one panel produce in Los Angeles or Palmdale?
PVWatts v8 with typical-year weather gives about 763 kWh per year per 455 W panel in Los Angeles and about 835 kWh in Palmdale (20° roof, facing south, 14% system losses).
How much power does it lose on a hot roof?
With γ = −0.29 %/°C, at a 77 °C cell temperature (hottest modeled hour in Palmdale) output is about 15% below the STC rating.
How many panels fit on one string?
With the Tesla 1538000-xx-y (max DC 600 V, MPPT from 60 V, datasheet) in Los Angeles the calculator gives 3–14 panels per string (Voc at 2 °C = 41.3 V, Vmp at 74 °C cell = 27.7 V). Final design must follow the inverter manual and NEC 690.7.
NLR (formerly NREL) — System Advisor Model CEC inverter library (version 2026.7.3).
NLR (formerly NREL) — PVWatts v8, NSRDB PSM v3 typical-year weather for Los Angeles, Palmdale, Chula Vista, Huntington Beach, Riverside, Santa Clarita.
Inverter datasheets — APsystems (Alt Power System), Enphase, Solis (Ginlong), Tesla (manufacturer documents).
Building permits — City of Palmdale (May 2025 – Mar 2026); Los Angeles County Public Works (EPIC-LA, unincorporated areas) (Jun 2025 – Mar 2026); City of Chula Vista (Apr 2026 – May 2026). Equipment matched from permit descriptions by model number.
Contractors State License Board — License Master (contractor names and license status), as of Oct 5, 2026.
Cali-Graf calculations — formulas and inputs are shown next to each calculated value (efficiency from area, temperature-corrected voltages, string sizing, energy estimates).
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