Illustration · 144 half-cut cells

Solar panelCanadian Solar

Canadian Solar CS6W-545MS

Name: Canadian Solar CS6W-545MS
Brand: Canadian Solar

144 half-cut cells, PERC. Power classes 530–560 W in the CEC list; datasheet covers 530–555 W.

CEC listed · Feb 22, 2021UL 61730PVEL Top Performer 2024PERC

Power class

Power (STC)545 Wtolerance +10 / −0 W
Efficiency≥21.1%datasheet minimum
%/°C Pmax−0.34CEC test: −0.320
Degradation / yr0.55%after year 1 (warranty)

Power classes

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

Model	Pmax	Voc, V	Isc, A	Vmp, V	Imp, A	Efficiency	PTC	CEC listed
CS6W-530MS	530 W	48.80	13.80	40.90	12.96	≥20.5%	497 W	Feb 22, 2021
CS6W-535MS	535 W	49.00	13.85	41.10	13.02	≥20.7%	502 W	Feb 22, 2021
CS6W-540MS	540 W	49.20	13.90	41.30	13.08	≥20.9%	507 W	Feb 22, 2021
CS6W-545MS	545 W	49.40	13.95	41.50	13.14	≥21.1%	512 W	Feb 22, 2021
CS6W-550MS	550 W	49.60	14.00	41.70	13.20	≥21.3%	517 W	Feb 22, 2021
CS6W-555MS	555 W	49.80	14.05	41.90	13.25	≥21.5%	521 W	Feb 22, 2021
CS6W-560MS	560 W	50.00	14.10	42.10	13.31	≈22.5%	526 W	Jul 21, 2023

≈ efficiency = Pmax ÷ CEC-listed area 2.49 m² for classes outside the datasheet.

CEC note: Formerly listed under Canadian Solar Inc.

Build & dimensions

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Canadian Solar datasheet

Module area2.49 m² (26.8 ft²)CEC-listed area
Weight60.8 lb (27.6 kg)
Cells144 half-cut cellsPERC
Front glasslective coating
Back coverWhite backsheet
FrameAnodized aluminium alloy
Junction boxIP68, 3 bypass diodes
Cable / connector4 mm2 (IEC), 12 AWG (UL) · T6 or MC4-EVO2 or MC4-EVO2A

Heat & cold behaviour

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

	Datasheet	CEC listing test
Pmax coefficient γ	−0.34 %/°C	−0.320 %/°C
Voc coefficient β	−0.26 %/°C	−0.257 %/°C
Isc coefficient α	+0.05 %/°C	+0.053 %/°C
Vmp coefficient	≈ −0.39 %/°C	—
Operating cell temperature	NMOT 41 ± 3 °C	NOCT 45.4 °C

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

At normal operating conditions (NMOT, 800 W/m²) — datasheet

Class	Pmax, W	Voc, V	Isc, A	Vmp, V	Imp, A
530 W	397.0	46.10	11.13	38.30	10.38
535 W	401.0	46.30	11.17	38.50	10.42
540 W	405.0	46.50	11.21	38.70	10.47
545 W	409.0	46.70	11.25	38.90	10.52
550 W	412.0	46.90	11.29	39.10	10.55
555 W	416.0	47.10	11.33	39.30	10.59

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
530 W	393.2 W	38.14 V × 10.31 A	101.8 W	96%
535 W	397 W	38.33 V × 10.36 A	102.8 W	96%
540 W	400.8 W	38.52 V × 10.4 A	103.8 W	96%
545 W	404.6 W	38.7 V × 10.45 A	104.8 W	96%
550 W	408.4 W	38.89 V × 10.5 A	105.8 W	96%
555 W	411.9 W	39.08 V × 10.54 A	106.7 W	96%
560 W	415.7 W	39.26 V × 10.59 A	107.7 W	96%

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

Electrical & strength ratings

Max system voltage1,500 V
Max series fuse25 A
Module temperature−40 °F to +185 °F−40 °C to +85 °C
Power tolerance+10 / −0 W

Certifications

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Canadian Solar datasheet · Clean Energy Council (Australia)

UL 61730IEC 61215IEC 61730IEC 61701IEC 62716ISO 14001ISO 45001ISO 9001IEC 61215:2021 / IEC 61730:2023

UL 61730CEC listing
IEC 61215datasheet
IEC 61730datasheet
IEC 61701datasheet
IEC 62716datasheet
ISO 14001factory, datasheet
ISO 45001factory, datasheet
ISO 9001factory, datasheet
IEC 61215:2021 / IEC 61730:2023VDE Prüf- und Zertifizierungsinstitut GmbH, valid to Jun 2027

Warranty & degradation

Canadian Solar datasheet

Year 1≥ 98%
Then≤ 0.55% / year

Independent reliability testing

Kiwa PVEL Scorecard · RETC PV Module Index

2024

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	CS6W-xxxMS	LID+LETID

Tested bill of materials

PVEL-tested factoryChina,Thailand
Cell technology (tested BOM)p-type PERC
Module design (tested BOM)monofacial - glass//backsheet
Power class range tested530-575W

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)

CityColdest air, °CHottest cell, °CString inverter

52.4 V

Voc when cold

per panel

33.6 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.

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	2–11
Solis (Ginlong) S6-EH1P10K-H-US	600 V	80–520 V	datasheet	3–11
Solis (Ginlong) Solis-1P7.6K-4G-US	600 V	100–500 V	datasheet	3–11
Qcells Q.VOLT H7.6SX	498 V	234–498 V	CEC test window	7–9

Microinverters (one per panel)

Microinverter	Recommended module power	Max DC input	MPPT	Voc cold / Vmp hot	Check	DC/AC
APsystems (Alt Power System) DS3-L	265–570 W	60 V	28–45 V	52.4 / 33.6 V	✓ Within range	0.7

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	913	11,874	6.08
Palmdale	1,835	1,000	13,001	6.69
Chula Vista	1,696	924	12,016	6.11
Huntington Beach	1,643	895	11,641	5.89
Riverside	1,696	924	12,016	6.21
Santa Clarita	1,724	940	12,215	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 545 W panels

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

Panel	Pmax	Efficiency	γ Pmax (CEC)	Voc, V	Isc, A	PVEL (product / brand)	SoCal permits (series)
Canadian Solar CS6W-545MS	545 W	≥21.1%	−0.320	49.4	13.95	product 2024	—
JA Solar JAM72D30-545/MB	545 W	≈21.6%	−0.330	49.75	13.93	product 2023, 2024	3
LONGi LR5-72HBD-545M	545 W	≥21.3%	−0.354	49.65	13.92	product 2026	1
AXITEC AC-545MH/144V	545 W	≥21.1%	−0.366	49.75	13.93	—	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.

Documents

manufacturer documents

PDF
HiKu6 Mono PERC CS6W-530|535|540|545|550|555MS MORE POWER
Datasheet · Canadian Solar (CSI Solar) · Mar 2023
PDF
Warranty
Warranty · Canadian Solar (CSI Solar) · Apr 2026

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 CS6W-545MS?

The Canadian Solar datasheet guarantees at least 21.1% module efficiency for the 545 W class (up to 21.5% for 555 W). 545 W over 2.49 m² equals about 219 W per square meter.

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

PVWatts v8 with typical-year weather gives about 913 kWh per year per 545 W panel in Los Angeles and about 1,000 kWh in Palmdale (20° roof, facing south, 14% system losses).

How much power does it lose on a hot roof?

With γ = −0.34 %/°C, at a 77 °C cell temperature (hottest modeled hour in Palmdale) output is about 17.6% 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 2–11 panels per string (Voc at 2 °C = 52.4 V, Vmp at 74 °C cell = 33.6 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 52.4 V vs max input 60 V; Vmp when hot 33.6 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?

CS6W-xxxMS 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).
Canadian Solar — datasheet HiKu6 Mono PERC CS6W-530|535|540|545|550|555MS MORE POWER.
LONGi — manufacturer datasheet “LR5-72HBD Suitable for distributed projects Advanced module technology delivers superior”.
AXITEC — datasheet AXIworldbipremium bifacial 144 cells asemmbled in US.
Canadian Solar — document library on the manufacturer’s website (links above).
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).
Clean Energy Council (Australia) — Approved PV modules list (as of Oct 8, 2026).
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), 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).