Illustration · 144 half-cut cells

Solar panelJinkoSolar

JinkoSolar JKM515M-7TL4

Name: JinkoSolar JKM515M-7TL4
Brand: JinkoSolar

144 half-cut cells. Power classes 495–540 W in the CEC list.

CEC listed · Apr 1, 2021UL 61730

Power class

Power (STC)515 WCEC nameplate
Efficiency≈20.9%calculated from area
%/°C Pmax−0.415CEC listing test
PTC / STC91.7%PTC 472 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
JKM495M-7TL4	495 W	48.70	13.22	40.02	12.37	≈20.1%	453 W	Apr 1, 2021
JKM500M-7TL4	500 W	48.78	13.29	40.10	12.47	≈20.3%	458 W	Apr 1, 2021
JKM505M-7TL4	505 W	48.86	13.36	40.18	12.57	≈20.5%	463 W	Apr 1, 2021
JKM510M-7TL4	510 W	48.94	13.43	40.26	12.67	≈20.7%	467 W	Apr 1, 2021
JKM515M-7TL4	515 W	49.02	13.50	40.33	12.77	≈20.9%	472 W	Apr 1, 2021
JKM520M-7TL4	520 W	49.10	13.57	40.41	12.87	≈21.1%	477 W	Apr 1, 2021
JKM525M-7TL4	525 W	49.18	13.64	40.48	12.97	≈21.3%	482 W	Apr 1, 2021
JKM530M-7TL4	530 W	49.26	13.71	40.56	13.07	≈21.5%	486 W	Apr 1, 2021
JKM535M-7TL4	535 W	49.34	13.79	40.63	13.17	≈21.7%	491 W	Apr 1, 2021
JKM540M-7TL4	540 W	49.42	13.85	40.70	13.27	≈22.0%	496 W	Apr 1, 2021

≈ efficiency = Pmax ÷ CEC-listed area 2.46 m².

Heat & cold behaviour

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

	CEC listing test
Pmax coefficient γ	−0.415 %/°C
Voc coefficient β	−0.315 %/°C
Isc coefficient α	+0.047 %/°C
Operating cell temperature	NOCT 46.1 °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
495 W	358.8 W	37.34 V × 9.61 A	95 W	96%
500 W	362.4 W	37.41 V × 9.69 A	95.9 W	96%
505 W	366.1 W	37.49 V × 9.77 A	96.9 W	96%
510 W	369.7 W	37.56 V × 9.84 A	97.9 W	96%
515 W	373.3 W	37.63 V × 9.92 A	98.8 W	96%
520 W	377 W	37.7 V × 10 A	99.8 W	96%
525 W	380.5 W	37.77 V × 10.08 A	100.7 W	96%
530 W	384.2 W	37.84 V × 10.15 A	101.7 W	96%
535 W	387.8 W	37.91 V × 10.23 A	102.7 W	96%
540 W	391.5 W	37.97 V × 10.31 A	103.6 W	96%

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

PVEL Scorecards

JinkoSolar named Top Performer, 2014–2026

2023, 2025, 2026

RETC Overall Highest Achiever

JinkoSolar, manufacturer level

This exact series is not listed in published PVEL Top Performer tables. Results below are for the manufacturer.

RETC PV Module Index — JinkoSolar

Year	Recognition
2023	Overall Highest Achiever; High Achievement in Performance (LeTID RESISTANCE); High Achievement in Quality (Hail durability test); High Achievement in Reliability (Pid resistance, SDML, Thermal cycle test)
2024	High Achievement in Performance
2025	Overall Highest Achiever
2026	Overall Highest Achiever; High achievement in performance; High achievement in reliability; Performance discipline high achiever (Temperature coefficient, PAN file, Iam); Quality discipline high achiever (BOM verification); Reliability discipline high achiever (Damp heat, Tc, Sdml, Pid)

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

52.6 V

Voc when cold

per panel

31.2 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	2–11
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	4–11
Qcells Q.VOLT H7.6SX	498 V	234–498 V	CEC test window	8–9

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 / 31.2 V	✗ Not a match: module voltage below MPPT range	1.36
APsystems (Alt Power System) DS3-L	265–570 W	60 V	28–45 V	52.6 / 31.2 V	✓ Within range	0.66

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	863	12,084	6.08
Palmdale	1,835	945	13,230	6.69
Chula Vista	1,696	873	12,228	6.11
Huntington Beach	1,643	846	11,846	5.89
Riverside	1,696	873	12,228	6.21
Santa Clarita	1,724	888	12,430	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 515 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	Size	PVEL (product / brand)	SoCal permits (series)
JinkoSolar JKM515M-7TL4	515 W	≈20.9%	−0.415	49.02	13.5	—	brand 12×	—
SEG Solar SEG-515-BTD-BG	515 W	≈26.4%	−0.290	40.7	16.07	67.8 × 44.6 in	product 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026	8
Canadian Solar CS6W-520MB-AG	520 W	≈20.2%	−0.324	48.4	13.7	89.2 × 44.6 in	product 2024	1
LONGi LR5-72HBD-520M	520 W	≈20.3%	−0.323	48.9	13.57	88.8 × 44.6 in	product 2026	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 JinkoSolar

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

ManufacturerJinkoSolar
Listed in CEC asJinko Solar Co., Ltd, Jinko Solar Co., Ltd.
Websitejinkosolar.us
PVEL Top Performer (manufacturer)12 Scorecards (2014–2026)
RETC PV Module Index2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
Current panel series in CEC list68

Other series by SoCal permits

JKMxxxM-60HBL · 45JKMxxxN-54HL4-B · 10JKMxxxM-72HL-V · 6JKMxxxM-6RL3-B · 3JKMxxxM-72HL-TV · 3JKMxxxN-54HL4R-B · 1

Questions & answers

How efficient is the JinkoSolar JKM515M-7TL4?

Calculated from the panel area (2.46 m²): about 20.9% for the 515 W class. 515 W over 2.46 m² equals about 209 W per square meter.

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

PVWatts v8 with typical-year weather gives about 863 kWh per year per 515 W panel in Los Angeles and about 945 kWh in Palmdale (20° roof, facing south, 14% system losses).

How much power does it lose on a hot roof?

With γ = −0.415 %/°C, at a 77 °C cell temperature (hottest modeled hour in Palmdale) output is about 21.5% 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 = 31.2 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 31.2 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?

This exact series is not in published PVEL Top Performer tables; JinkoSolar was named a Top Performer in 12 Scorecards (2014–2026). RETC named JinkoSolar Overall Highest Achiever in 2023, 2025, 2026.

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”.
Canadian Solar — datasheet BiHiKu6 BIFACIAL MONO PERC CS6W-520|525|530|535|540|545|550MB-AG.
LONGi — manufacturer datasheet “LR5-72HBD Suitable for distributed projects Advanced module technology delivers superior”.
Kiwa PVEL — PV Module Reliability Scorecard, Top Performer lists 2014–2026.
RETC — PV Module Index reports 2023–2026.
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).