Details describe the tested sample, not every module of the series.
RETC PV Module Index — JA Solar
Year
Recognition
2023
Overall Highest Achiever; High Achievement in Performance (Ptc-to-stc ratio, Pan file performance, Module efficiency, LeTID RESISTANCE); High Achievement in Quality (Hail durability test, Thresher test); High Achievement in Reliability (Thermal cycle test, SDML, Pid resistance, Damp heat test)
2024
Overall Highest Achiever
2025
Overall Highest Achiever
2026
Overall Highest Achiever; High achievement in performance; High achievement in reliability; Performance discipline high achiever (Conversion efficiency, Iam, Letid, Lid, PAN file, PTC-to-STC, Temperature coefficient); Quality discipline high achiever (BOM verification); Reliability discipline high achiever (Damp heat, Pid, Sdml, Tc)
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)
52.6 V
Voc when cold
per panel
34.2 V
Vmp when hot
per panel
11
Max panels / string
max DC 600 V
2
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
2–11
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
Enphase IQ8X-80-M-US
320–540 W
79.5 V
43–60 V
52.6 / 34.2 V
✗ Not a match: module voltage below MPPT range
1.42
APsystems (Alt Power System) DS3-L
265–570 W
60 V
28–45 V
52.6 / 34.2 V
✓ Within range
0.69
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
905
11,766
6.08
Palmdale
1,835
991
12,882
6.69
Chula Vista
1,696
916
11,906
6.11
Huntington Beach
1,643
887
11,534
5.89
Riverside
1,696
916
11,906
6.21
Santa Clarita
1,724
931
12,102
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 540 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)
JA Solar JAM72S30-540/MR
540 W
≈21.4%
−0.330
49.6
13.86
product 2023, 2024
—
Canadian Solar CS6W-540MB-AG
540 W
≈21%
−0.324
49.2
13.9
product 2024
1
LONGi LR5-72HBD-540M
540 W
≥21.1%
−0.354
49.5
13.85
product 2026
1
AXITEC AC-540MH/144V
540 W
≥20.9%
−0.366
49.6
13.86
—
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 JA Solar
CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Kiwa PVEL Scorecard · RETC PV Module Index · building permits
ManufacturerJA Solar
Listed in CEC asJA Solar
PVEL Top Performer (manufacturer)11 Scorecards (2014–2026)
Calculated from the panel area (2.52 m²): about 21.4% for the 540 W class. 540 W over 2.52 m² equals about 214 W per square meter.
How much energy does one panel produce in Los Angeles or Palmdale?
PVWatts v8 with typical-year weather gives about 905 kWh per year per 540 W panel in Los Angeles and about 991 kWh in Palmdale (20° roof, facing south, 14% system losses).
How much power does it lose on a hot roof?
With γ = −0.330 %/°C, at a 77 °C cell temperature (hottest modeled hour in Palmdale) output is about 17.1% 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 = 52.6 V, Vmp at 74 °C cell = 34.2 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 52.6 V vs max input 60 V; Vmp when hot 34.2 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?
JAM72S30-xxx/MR was a PVEL Top Performer in 2023, 2024 (LID+LETID).
Sources
California Energy Commission — Solar Equipment Lists, PV Module List, Inverter List (snapshot Oct 7, 2026).
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), 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).
Get your free estimate
Three fields, and Cali Energy calls back within 30 minutes during business hours.
Thanks!
We got your request and will call back within 30 minutes during business hours.
