Illustration · 120 half-cut cells

Solar panelCanadian Solar

Canadian Solar CS6.1-60TM-490H

Name: Canadian Solar CS6.1-60TM-490H
Brand: Canadian Solar

120 half-cut cells. Power classes 470–515 W in the CEC list.

CEC listed · May 21, 2024UL 61730PVEL Top Performer 2024

Power class

Power (STC)490 WCEC nameplate
Efficiency≈22.4%calculated from area
%/°C Pmax−0.308CEC listing test
PTC / STC94.7%PTC 464 W (CEC)

Power classes

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Cali-Graf calculation · 10 models

Model	Pmax	Voc, V	Isc, A	Vmp, V	Imp, A	Efficiency	PTC	CEC listed
CS6.1-60TM-470H	470 W	42.00	14.09	35.40	13.28	≈21.5%	445 W	May 21, 2024
CS6.1-60TM-475H	475 W	42.20	14.16	35.60	13.35	≈21.7%	450 W	May 21, 2024
CS6.1-60TM-480H	480 W	42.40	14.23	35.80	13.42	≈21.9%	454 W	May 21, 2024
CS6.1-60TM-485H	485 W	42.60	14.30	36.00	13.49	≈22.1%	459 W	May 21, 2024
CS6.1-60TM-490H	490 W	42.80	14.37	36.20	13.55	≈22.4%	464 W	May 21, 2024
CS6.1-60TM-495H	495 W	43.00	14.44	36.40	13.61	≈22.6%	469 W	May 21, 2024
CS6.1-60TM-500H	500 W	43.20	14.51	36.60	13.67	≈22.8%	474 W	May 21, 2024
CS6.1-60TM-505H	505 W	43.40	14.58	36.80	13.73	≈23.1%	479 W	May 21, 2024
CS6.1-60TM-510H	510 W	43.60	14.65	37.00	13.79	≈23.3%	484 W	May 21, 2024
CS6.1-60TM-515H	515 W	43.80	14.72	37.20	13.85	≈23.5%	488 W	May 21, 2024

≈ efficiency = Pmax ÷ CEC-listed area 2.19 m².

Build & dimensions

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026)

Module area2.19 m² (23.6 ft²)CEC-listed area
Cells120 half-cut cells
Back coverWhite backsheet

Heat & cold behaviour

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Cali-Graf calculation

	CEC listing test
Pmax coefficient γ	−0.308 %/°C
Voc coefficient β	−0.247 %/°C
Isc coefficient α	+0.036 %/°C
Operating cell temperature	NOCT 43.6 °C

Vmp coefficient ≈ γ − α (CEC); used only for the hot-roof voltage estimate.

Away from lab conditions — CEC listing test points

Class	Pmax at NOCT	Vmp × Imp at NOCT	Pmax at 200 W/m²	Low-light efficiency vs STC
470 W	344 W	32.7 V × 10.52 A	85.4 W	91%
475 W	347.8 W	32.9 V × 10.57 A	86.5 W	91%
480 W	351.9 W	33.1 V × 10.63 A	87.3 W	91%
485 W	355.6 W	33.3 V × 10.68 A	88.2 W	91%
490 W	359.5 W	33.5 V × 10.73 A	89.3 W	91%
495 W	362.2 W	33.6 V × 10.78 A	90.2 W	91%
500 W	366.1 W	33.8 V × 10.83 A	91 W	91%
505 W	369.6 W	34 V × 10.87 A	91.8 W	91%
510 W	373.5 W	34.2 V × 10.92 A	92.7 W	91%
515 W	377.4 W	34.4 V × 10.97 A	93.5 W	91%

Pmax = Vmp × Imp from the CEC listing; low-light efficiency = Pmax at 200 W/m² ÷ (20% of STC Pmax).

Independent reliability testing

Kiwa PVEL Scorecard · RETC PV Module Index

2024, 2025

PVEL Top Performer

this series

Tests passed as Top Performer

LID+LETID

PVEL Scorecards

Canadian Solar named Top Performer, 2020–2026

RETC PV Module Index

Canadian Solar, 2025

PVEL Top Performer tests

Year	Product	Tests
2024	CS6.1-60TM-xxxH	LID+LETID
2024	CS6.1-60TM-xxx (closely related product name)	LID+LETID
2025	CS6.1-60TM-xxx (closely related product name)	LID+LETID

Tested bill of materials

PVEL-tested factoryChina,Thailand
Cell technology (tested BOM)n-type TOPCon
Module design (tested BOM)monofacial - glass//backsheet
Power class range tested480-525W

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

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Cali-Graf calculation · NLR PVWatts v8 · inverter datasheets · NLR SAM inverter library · CEC Grid Support Inverter List (Oct 7, 2026)

CityColdest air, °CHottest cell, °CString inverter

45.2 V

Voc when cold

per panel

30.1 V

Vmp when hot

per panel

Max panels / string

max DC 600 V

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. β is the CEC-measured coefficient; NEC 690.7 calculations use the datasheet value.

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	2–13
Solis (Ginlong) S6-EH1P10K-H-US	600 V	80–520 V	datasheet	3–13
Solis (Ginlong) Solis-1P7.6K-4G-US	600 V	100–500 V	datasheet	4–13
Qcells Q.VOLT H7.6SX	498 V	234–498 V	CEC test window	8–11

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	45.2 / 30.1 V	✗ Not a match: module voltage below MPPT range	1.29
APsystems (Alt Power System) DS3-L	265–570 W	60 V	28–45 V	45.2 / 30.1 V	✓ Within range	0.63
Enphase IQ8A-72-2-US	295–500 W	60 V	32–45 V	45.2 / 30.1 V	⚠ Works; below MPPT at peak heat	1.4

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

PanelsCity for chartSystem size

City	kWh / kW / yr	kWh / panel / yr	kWh / system / yr	Sun, kWh/m²/day
Los Angeles	1,676	821	11,497	6.08
Palmdale	1,835	899	12,588	6.69
Chula Vista	1,696	831	11,635	6.11
Huntington Beach	1,643	805	11,271	5.89
Riverside	1,696	831	11,635	6.21
Santa Clarita	1,724	845	11,827	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.

Compare with similar 490 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 CS6.1-60TM-490H	490 W	≈22.4%	−0.308	42.8	14.37	product 2024	—
SEG Solar SEG-495-BTD-BG	495 W	≈25.3%	−0.290	39.9	15.82	product 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026	8
Qcells Q.PEAK DUO XL-G10.d 490	490 W	≥21.2%	−0.340	53.68	11.31	product 2023	6
AXITEC AC-450MH/144V	450 W	≈21.2%	−0.380	50	11.47	—	1

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.

About Canadian Solar

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Kiwa PVEL Scorecard · RETC PV Module Index · building permits

ManufacturerCanadian Solar
Listed in CEC asCSI Energy Storage Co., Ltd., CSI Solar Co., Ltd., Canadian Solar
Websitecanadiansolar.com
PVEL Top Performer (manufacturer)5 Scorecards (2020–2026)
RETC PV Module Index2025
Current panel series in CEC list38

Other series by SoCal permits

CS6R-xxxMS-HL · 46CS3N-xxxMS · 46CS6.1-54TM-xxxH · 9CS1Y-xxxMS · 6CS3W-xxxMS · 6CS3W-xxxMB-AG · 5

Questions & answers

How efficient is the Canadian Solar CS6.1-60TM-490H?

Calculated from the panel area (2.19 m²): about 22.4% for the 490 W class. 490 W over 2.19 m² equals about 224 W per square meter.

How much energy does one panel produce in Los Angeles or Palmdale?

PVWatts v8 with typical-year weather gives about 821 kWh per year per 490 W panel in Los Angeles and about 899 kWh in Palmdale (20° roof, facing south, 14% system losses).

How much power does it lose on a hot roof?

With γ = −0.308 %/°C, at a 77 °C cell temperature (hottest modeled hour in Palmdale) output is about 16% 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 2–13 panels per string (Voc at 2 °C = 45.2 V, Vmp at 74 °C cell = 30.1 V). Final design must follow the inverter manual and NEC 690.7.

Does it work with APsystems (Alt Power System) DS3-L microinverters?

Voltage check against the APsystems (Alt Power System) datasheet: Voc when cold 45.2 V vs max input 60 V; Vmp when hot 30.1 V vs MPPT low 28 V; recommended module power 265–570 W. Confirm on the microinverter maker’s compatibility list.

Has this panel been reliability-tested?

CS6.1-60TM-xxxH was a PVEL Top Performer in 2024 (LID+LETID).

Sources

California Energy Commission — Solar Equipment Lists, PV Module List, Inverter List (snapshot Oct 7, 2026).
SEG Solar — manufacturer datasheet “XXXTFHTPMBSDPN YUKON/Series )BMG$FMM/5ZQF501$PO”.
Qcells — manufacturer datasheet “Q.PEAK DUO XL-G10.d ENDURING HIGH PERFORMANCE”.
AXITEC — datasheet AXIworldbipremium bifacial 144 cells asemmbled in US.
Kiwa PVEL — PV Module Reliability Scorecard, Top Performer lists 2020–2026.
RETC — PV Module Index report.
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 — Southern California permit portals. Equipment matched from permit descriptions.
Cali-Graf calculations — formulas and inputs are shown next to each calculated value (efficiency from area, temperature-corrected voltages, string sizing, energy estimates).