CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Cali-Graf calculation
CEC listing test
Pmax coefficient γ
−0.337 %/°C
Voc coefficient β
−0.286 %/°C
Isc coefficient α
+0.040 %/°C
Operating cell temperature
NOCT 43.1 °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
545 W
417.3 W
39.39 V × 10.59 A
105.9 W
97%
550 W
421.1 W
39.53 V × 10.65 A
106.9 W
97%
555 W
424.7 W
39.67 V × 10.71 A
107.8 W
97%
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
9
PVEL Scorecards
Phono Solar named Top Performer, 2016–2026
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)
53.1 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
APsystems (Alt Power System) DS3-L
265–570 W
60 V
28–45 V
53.1 / 34.2 V
✓ Within range
0.71
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
922
11,983
6.08
Palmdale
1,835
1,009
13,120
6.69
Chula Vista
1,696
933
12,126
6.11
Huntington Beach
1,643
904
11,747
5.89
Riverside
1,696
933
12,126
6.21
Santa Clarita
1,724
948
12,327
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 550 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)
Phono Solar PS550M8H-24/TH
550 W
≈21.3%
−0.337
49.8
13.99
brand 9×
—
JA Solar JAM72D30-550/MB
550 W
≈21.8%
−0.330
49.9
14
product 2023, 2024
3
LONGi LR5-72HBD-550M
550 W
≥21.5%
−0.354
49.8
13.99
product 2026
1
Canadian Solar CS6W-550MB-AG
550 W
≈21.4%
−0.324
49.6
14
product 2024
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 Phono Solar
CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Kiwa PVEL Scorecard · building permits
Calculated from the panel area (2.58 m²): about 21.3% for the 550 W class. 550 W over 2.58 m² equals about 213 W per square meter.
How much energy does one panel produce in Los Angeles or Palmdale?
PVWatts v8 with typical-year weather gives about 922 kWh per year per 550 W panel in Los Angeles and about 1,009 kWh in Palmdale (20° roof, facing south, 14% system losses).
How much power does it lose on a hot roof?
With γ = −0.337 %/°C, at a 77 °C cell temperature (hottest modeled hour in Palmdale) output is about 17.4% 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 = 53.1 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 53.1 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?
This exact series is not in published PVEL Top Performer tables; Phono Solar was named a Top Performer in 9 Scorecards (2016–2026).
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).
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).
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