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Illustration · 268 cells
Solar panelFirst Solar

First Solar FS-7525A-FT1

268 cells. Power classes 505–550 W in the CEC list.

CEC listed · Jul 22, 2024UL 61730
Power class
  • Power (STC)525 WCEC nameplate
  • Efficiency≈18.8%calculated from area
  • %/°C Pmax−0.295CEC listing test
  • PTC / STC93%PTC 488 W (CEC)

Power classes

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Cali-Graf calculation · 10 models
ModelPmaxVoc, VIsc, AVmp, VImp, AEfficiencyPTCCEC listed
FS-7505A-FT1505 W223.903.01182.502.77≈18.0%469 WJul 22, 2024
FS-7510A-FT1510 W224.503.02183.402.78≈18.2%474 WJul 22, 2024
FS-7515A-FT1515 W225.003.03184.302.80≈18.4%479 WJul 22, 2024
FS-7520A-FT1520 W225.603.04185.202.81≈18.6%484 WJul 22, 2024
FS-7525A-FT1525 W226.103.04186.002.82≈18.8%488 WJul 22, 2024
FS-7530A-FT1530 W226.703.05186.902.84≈18.9%493 WJul 22, 2024
FS-7535A-FT1535 W227.203.06187.802.85≈19.1%498 WJul 22, 2024
FS-7540A-FT1540 W227.703.06188.702.86≈19.3%503 WJul 22, 2024
FS-7545A-FT1545 W228.203.07189.602.88≈19.5%508 WJul 22, 2024
FS-7550A-FT1550 W228.803.08190.402.89≈19.6%512 WJul 22, 2024
≈ efficiency = Pmax ÷ CEC-listed area 2.8 m².

Heat & cold behaviour

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Cali-Graf calculation
CEC listing test
Pmax coefficient γ−0.295 %/°C
Voc coefficient β−0.272 %/°C
Isc coefficient α+0.048 %/°C
Operating cell temperatureNOCT 48.9 °C
Vmp coefficient ≈ γ − α (CEC); used only for the hot-roof voltage estimate.

Away from lab conditions — CEC listing test points

ClassPmax at NOCTVmp × Imp at NOCTPmax at 200 W/m²Low-light efficiency vs STC
505 W381.8 W173.31 V × 2.2 A98.6 W98%
510 W385.1 W174.16 V × 2.21 A99.4 W97%
515 W389.8 W175.02 V × 2.23 A100.6 W98%
520 W393.1 W175.87 V × 2.24 A101.5 W98%
525 W396.2 W176.63 V × 2.24 A102.3 W97%
530 W400.9 W177.48 V × 2.26 A103.5 W98%
535 W404.3 W178.34 V × 2.27 A104.4 W98%
540 W407.6 W179.19 V × 2.27 A105.2 W97%
545 W412.4 W180.05 V × 2.29 A106.5 W98%
550 W415.6 W180.81 V × 2.3 A107.3 W98%
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
5
PVEL Scorecards
First Solar named Top Performer, 2018–2023
This exact series is not listed in published PVEL Top Performer tables. Results below are for the manufacturer.

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)
240.2 V
Voc when cold
per panel
154.8 V
Vmp when hot
per panel
2
Max panels / string
max DC 600 V
1
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

InverterMax DC inputMPPTWindow sourcePanels per string
Tesla 1538000-xx-y600 V60–480 Vdatasheet1–2
Solis (Ginlong) S6-EH1P10K-H-US600 V80–520 Vdatasheet1–2
Solis (Ginlong) Solis-1P7.6K-4G-US600 V100–500 Vdatasheet1–2
Qcells Q.VOLT H7.6SX498 V234–498 VCEC test window2–2

Microinverters (one per panel)

MicroinverterRecommended module powerMax DC inputMPPTVoc cold / Vmp hotCheckDC/AC
Enphase IQ8X-80-M-US320–540 W79.5 V43–60 V240.2 / 154.8 V✗ Not allowed: cold Voc above max input1.38
APsystems (Alt Power System) DS3-L265–570 W60 V28–45 V240.2 / 154.8 V✗ Not allowed: cold Voc above max input0.67
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
CitykWh / kW / yrkWh / panel / yrkWh / system / yrSun, kWh/m²/day
Los Angeles1,67688011,4396.08
Palmdale1,83596312,5246.69
Chula Vista1,69689011,5756.11
Huntington Beach1,64386311,2135.89
Riverside1,69689011,5756.21
Santa Clarita1,72490511,7666.28
747Jan747Feb959Mar1,059Apr1,046May1,112Jun1,171Jul1,185Aug1,036Sep914Oct786Nov680DeckWh per month · Los Angeles
Estimate for comparison, not a quote: shading, roof orientation and local losses change real output. Roof mount, 20° tilt, south, 14% system losses.

About First Solar

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

Other series by SoCal permits

FS-6xxx-P-BFS-6xxx-P-B-2FS-6xxxA-P-BFS-6xxxA-P-B-2FS-7xxxA-TR1FS-6xxxA-P

Questions & answers

How efficient is the First Solar FS-7525A-FT1?

Calculated from the panel area (2.8 m²): about 18.8% for the 525 W class. 525 W over 2.8 m² equals about 188 W per square meter.

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

PVWatts v8 with typical-year weather gives about 880 kWh per year per 525 W panel in Los Angeles and about 963 kWh in Palmdale (20° roof, facing south, 14% system losses).

How much power does it lose on a hot roof?

With γ = −0.295 %/°C, at a 77 °C cell temperature (hottest modeled hour in Palmdale) output is about 15.3% 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 1–2 panels per string (Voc at 2 °C = 240.2 V, Vmp at 74 °C cell = 154.8 V). Final design must follow the inverter manual and NEC 690.7.

Has this panel been reliability-tested?

This exact series is not in published PVEL Top Performer tables; First Solar was named a Top Performer in 5 Scorecards (2018–2023).

Sources

  1. California Energy Commission — Solar Equipment Lists, PV Module List, Inverter List (snapshot Oct 7, 2026).
  2. Kiwa PVEL — PV Module Reliability Scorecard, Top Performer lists 2018–2023.
  3. NLR (formerly NREL) — System Advisor Model CEC inverter library (version 2026.7.3).
  4. NLR (formerly NREL) — PVWatts v8, NSRDB PSM v3 typical-year weather for Los Angeles, Palmdale, Chula Vista, Huntington Beach, Riverside, Santa Clarita.
  5. Inverter datasheets — APsystems (Alt Power System), Enphase, Solis (Ginlong), Tesla (manufacturer documents).
  6. Cali-Graf calculations — formulas and inputs are shown next to each calculated value (efficiency from area, temperature-corrected voltages, string sizing, energy estimates).