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Solar panelQcells

Qcells Q.PEAK DUO L-G6.3/BFG 420

144 half-cut cells, bifacial. Power classes 400–440 W in the CEC list.

CEC listed · Feb 1, 2021UL 61730BifacialPVEL Top Performer 2022
Power class
  • Power (STC)420 WCEC nameplate
  • Efficiency≈20.2%calculated from area
  • %/°C Pmax−0.334CEC listing test
  • PTC / STC93.4%PTC 392 W (CEC)

Power classes

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Cali-Graf calculation · 9 models
ModelPmaxVoc, VIsc, AVmp, VImp, AEfficiencyPTCCEC listed
Q.PEAK DUO L-G6.3/BFG 400400 W47.8910.6039.6310.09≈19.3%373 WFeb 1, 2021
Q.PEAK DUO L-G6.3/BFG 405405 W48.1410.6539.9510.14≈19.5%378 WFeb 1, 2021
Q.PEAK DUO L-G6.3/BFG 410410 W48.3910.7040.2710.18≈19.7%383 WFeb 1, 2021
Q.PEAK DUO L-G6.3/BFG 415415 W48.6310.7440.5810.23≈20.0%388 WFeb 1, 2021
Q.PEAK DUO L-G6.3/BFG 420420 W48.8810.7940.8910.27≈20.2%392 WFeb 1, 2021
Q.PEAK DUO L-G6.3/BFG 425425 W49.1310.8341.2010.32≈20.5%397 WFeb 1, 2021
Q.PEAK DUO L-G6.3/BFG 430430 W49.3810.8841.5010.36≈20.7%402 WFeb 1, 2021
Q.PEAK DUO L-G6.3/BFG 435435 W49.6310.9241.8110.41≈21.0%407 WFeb 1, 2021
Q.PEAK DUO L-G6.3/BFG 440440 W49.8710.9742.1110.45≈21.2%412 WFeb 1, 2021
≈ efficiency = Pmax ÷ CEC-listed area 2.08 m².
CEC note: Formerly listed under Hanwha Q CELLS

Heat & cold behaviour

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Cali-Graf calculation
CEC listing test
Pmax coefficient γ−0.334 %/°C
Voc coefficient β−0.263 %/°C
Isc coefficient α+0.041 %/°C
Operating cell temperatureNOCT 45.5 °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
400 W297.4 W37 V × 8.04 A76.1 W95%
405 W301.3 W37.3 V × 8.08 A77.1 W95%
410 W304.9 W37.6 V × 8.11 A78 W95%
415 W308.8 W37.88 V × 8.15 A79 W95%
420 W312.4 W38.17 V × 8.18 A79.9 W95%
425 W316.3 W38.46 V × 8.22 A80.9 W95%
430 W319.8 W38.74 V × 8.25 A81.8 W95%
435 W323.8 W39.03 V × 8.29 A82.9 W95%
440 W327.3 W39.31 V × 8.33 A83.8 W95%
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
2022
PVEL Top Performer
this series
3
Tests passed as Top Performer
LID+LETID, PAN, TC
11
PVEL Scorecards
Qcells named Top Performer, 2016–2026
2023, 2026
RETC Overall Highest Achiever
Qcells, manufacturer level

PVEL Top Performer tests

YearProductTests
2022Q.PEAK DUO L-G6.3/BFGLID+LETIDPANTC

Tested bill of materials

Details describe the tested sample, not every module of the series.

RETC PV Module Index — Qcells

YearRecognition
2023Overall Highest Achiever; High Achievement in Performance (Module efficiency, Pan file performance); High Achievement in Reliability (Damp heat test, Pid resistance, Thermal cycle test)
2024High Achievement in Performance
2025Performance High Achiever
2026Overall Highest Achiever; High achievement in performance; High achievement in reliability; Performance discipline high achiever (Conversion efficiency, Iam, Letid, Lid, PTC-to-STC, Temperature coefficient); Quality discipline high achiever (BOM verification); Reliability discipline high achiever (Sdml, Tc, Uvid, Budt, Damp heat, Hdt, 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)
51.8 V
Voc when cold
per panel
33.4 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

InverterMax DC inputMPPTWindow sourcePanels per string
Tesla 1538000-xx-y600 V60–480 Vdatasheet2–11
Solis (Ginlong) S6-EH1P10K-H-US600 V80–520 Vdatasheet3–11
Solis (Ginlong) Solis-1P7.6K-4G-US600 V100–500 Vdatasheet3–11
Qcells Q.VOLT H7.6SX498 V234–498 VCEC test window8–9

Microinverters (one per panel)

MicroinverterRecommended module powerMax DC inputMPPTVoc cold / Vmp hotCheckDC/AC
Enphase IQ8PLUS-72-2-US235–440 W60 V29–45 V51.8 / 33.4 V✓ Within range1.45
Enphase IQ8X-80-M-US320–540 W79.5 V43–60 V51.8 / 33.4 V✗ Not a match: module voltage below MPPT range1.11
APsystems (Alt Power System) DS3-L265–570 W60 V28–45 V51.8 / 33.4 V✓ Within range0.54
Enphase IQ8M-72-2-US260–460 W60 V30–45 V51.8 / 33.4 V✓ Within range1.29
Enphase IQ8A-72-2-US295–500 W60 V32–45 V51.8 / 33.4 V✓ Within range1.2
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 Angeles1,67670411,9676.08
Palmdale1,83577113,1026.69
Chula Vista1,69671212,1096.11
Huntington Beach1,64369011,7315.89
Riverside1,69671212,1096.21
Santa Clarita1,72472412,3096.28
781Jan782Feb1,003Mar1,108Apr1,095May1,163Jun1,225Jul1,240Aug1,084Sep956Oct822Nov711DeckWh 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.

Compare with similar 420 W panels

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Kiwa PVEL Scorecard · datasheets · building permits
PanelPmaxEfficiencyγ Pmax (CEC)Voc, VIsc, APVEL (product / brand)SoCal permits (series)
Qcells Q.PEAK DUO L-G6.3/BFG 420420 W≈20.2%−0.33448.8810.79product 2022—
LONGi LR5-54HABB-415M415 W≈21.8%−0.34237.7713.94brand 9× (2017–2026)64
Canadian Solar CS3N-420MS420 W≥20.7%−0.33245.311.74product 202346
Silfab Solar SIL-420QD420 W≈21.5%−0.29438.8413.49brand 7× (2017–2025)39
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 Qcells

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

Other series by SoCal permits

Q.PEAK DUO BLK ML-G10+ · 221Q.PEAK DUO BLK ML-G10.C+ · 124Q.TRON BLK M-G2+ · 40Q.TRON BLK M-G2.H+ · 33Q.TRON BLK M-G2.C+ · 24Q.TRON M-G2+ · 20

Questions & answers

How efficient is the Qcells Q.PEAK DUO L-G6.3/BFG 420?

Calculated from the panel area (2.08 m²): about 20.2% for the 420 W class. 420 W over 2.08 m² equals about 202 W per square meter.

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

PVWatts v8 with typical-year weather gives about 704 kWh per year per 420 W panel in Los Angeles and about 771 kWh in Palmdale (20° roof, facing south, 14% system losses).

How much power does it lose on a hot roof?

With γ = −0.334 %/°C, at a 77 °C cell temperature (hottest modeled hour in Palmdale) output is about 17.3% 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 2–11 panels per string (Voc at 2 °C = 51.8 V, Vmp at 74 °C cell = 33.4 V). Final design must follow the inverter manual and NEC 690.7.

Does it work with Enphase IQ8PLUS-72-2-US microinverters?

Voltage check against the Enphase datasheet: Voc when cold 51.8 V vs max input 60 V; Vmp when hot 33.4 V vs MPPT low 29 V; recommended module power 235–440 W. Confirm on the microinverter maker’s compatibility list.

Is it bifacial?

Yes. Rear gain depends on mounting height and ground reflectance.

Has this panel been reliability-tested?

Q.PEAK DUO L-G6.3/BFG was a PVEL Top Performer in 2022 (LID+LETID, PAN, TC).

Sources

  1. California Energy Commission — Solar Equipment Lists, PV Module List, Inverter List (snapshot Oct 7, 2026).
  2. Canadian Solar — manufacturer datasheet “HiKu Mono PERC CS3N-400|405|410|415|420|425MS MORE POWER”.
  3. Silfab Solar — datasheet NTC SIL-420 QD CELL TECHNOLOGY.
  4. Kiwa PVEL — PV Module Reliability Scorecard, Top Performer lists 2016–2026.
  5. RETC — PV Module Index reports 2023–2026.
  6. NLR (formerly NREL) — System Advisor Model CEC module and inverter libraries (version 2026.7.3).
  7. NLR (formerly NREL) — PVWatts v8, NSRDB PSM v3 typical-year weather for Los Angeles, Palmdale, Chula Vista, Huntington Beach, Riverside, Santa Clarita.
  8. Inverter datasheets — APsystems (Alt Power System), Enphase, Solis (Ginlong), Tesla (manufacturer documents).
  9. Building permits — Southern California permit portals. Equipment matched from permit descriptions.
  10. Cali-Graf calculations — formulas and inputs are shown next to each calculated value (efficiency from area, temperature-corrected voltages, string sizing, energy estimates).