39.4″ · 1,000 mm wide

Solar panelQcells

Qcells Q.PLUS BFR-G4.1 280

Name: Qcells Q.PLUS BFR-G4.1 280
Brand: Qcells

60 cells. Power classes 270–295 W in the CEC list.

CEC listed · Aug 21, 2020UL 61730

Power class

Power (STC)280 WCEC nameplate
Efficiency≈16.8%calculated from area
%/°C Pmax−0.400CEC listing test
PTC / STC91.7%PTC 257 W (CEC)

Power classes

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

Model	Pmax	Voc, V	Isc, A	Vmp, V	Imp, A	Efficiency	PTC	CEC listed
Q.PLUS BFR G4.1 270	270 W	38.46	9.29	31.04	8.70	≈16.2%	247 W	—
Q.PLUS BFR G4.1 275	275 W	38.72	9.35	31.36	8.77	≈16.5%	252 W	—
Q.PLUS BFR G4.1 280	280 W	38.97	9.41	31.67	8.84	≈16.8%	257 W	—
Q.PLUS BFR-G4.1 282	282 W	39.10	9.50	31.40	9.00	≈16.9%	259 W	Aug 21, 2020
Q.PLUS BFR-G4.1 285	285 W	39.22	9.46	31.99	8.91	≈17.1%	261 W	Aug 21, 2020
Q.PLUS BFR-G4.1 290	290 W	39.48	9.52	32.29	8.98	≈17.4%	266 W	Aug 21, 2020
Q.PLUS BFR-G4.1 295	295 W	39.73	9.58	32.59	9.05	≈17.7%	271 W	Aug 21, 2020

≈ efficiency = Pmax ÷ CEC-listed area 1.67 m².

CEC note: Formerly listed under Hanwha Q CELLS

Build & dimensions

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

Dimensions65.7 × 39.4 in1,670 × 1,000 mm
Module area1.67 m² (18 ft²)length × width
Cells60 cells
Back coverWhite backsheet
FrameBlack frame

Heat & cold behaviour

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

	CEC listing test
Pmax coefficient γ	−0.400 %/°C
Voc coefficient β	−0.290 %/°C
Isc coefficient α	+0.040 %/°C
Vmp coefficient	−0.390 %/°C
Operating cell temperature	NOCT 45.4 °C

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
270 W	199.3 W	28.61 V × 6.97 A	52.4 W	97%
275 W	203 W	28.9 V × 7.02 A	53.3 W	97%
280 W	206.7 W	29.19 V × 7.08 A	54.3 W	97%
282 W	209 W	29.19 V × 7.16 A	54.9 W	97%
285 W	210.8 W	29.74 V × 7.09 A	55.4 W	97%
290 W	214.4 W	30.02 V × 7.14 A	56.3 W	97%
295 W	218.1 W	30.3 V × 7.2 A	57.3 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 · RETC PV Module Index

PVEL Scorecards

Qcells named Top Performer, 2016–2026

2023, 2026

RETC Overall Highest Achiever

Qcells, manufacturer level

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

RETC PV Module Index — Qcells

Year	Recognition
2023	Overall Highest Achiever; High Achievement in Performance (Module efficiency, Pan file performance); High Achievement in Reliability (Damp heat test, Pid resistance, Thermal cycle test)
2024	High Achievement in Performance
2025	Performance High Achiever
2026	Overall 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) · NLR PVWatts v8 · inverter datasheets · NLR SAM inverter library · CEC Grid Support Inverter List (Oct 7, 2026)

CityColdest air, °CHottest cell, °CString inverter

41.6 V

Voc when cold

per panel

25.6 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	3–14
Solis (Ginlong) S6-EH1P10K-H-US	600 V	80–520 V	datasheet	4–14
Solis (Ginlong) Solis-1P7.6K-4G-US	600 V	100–500 V	datasheet	4–14
Qcells Q.VOLT H7.6SX	498 V	234–498 V	CEC test window	10–11

Microinverters (one per panel)

Microinverter	Recommended module power	Max DC input	MPPT	Voc cold / Vmp hot	Check	DC/AC
Enphase IQ8PLUS-72-2-US	235–440 W	60 V	29–45 V	41.6 / 25.6 V	⚠ Works; below MPPT at peak heat	0.97
APsystems (Alt Power System) DS3-L	265–570 W	60 V	28–45 V	41.6 / 25.6 V	⚠ Works; below MPPT at peak heat	0.36
Enphase IQ8M-72-2-US	260–460 W	60 V	30–45 V	41.6 / 25.6 V	⚠ Works; below MPPT at peak heat	0.86

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	469	11,732	6.08
Palmdale	1,835	514	12,845	6.69
Chula Vista	1,696	475	11,872	6.11
Huntington Beach	1,643	460	11,501	5.89
Riverside	1,696	475	11,872	6.21
Santa Clarita	1,724	483	12,068	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 280 W panels

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

Panel	Pmax	Efficiency	γ Pmax (CEC)	Voc, V	Isc, A	Size	PVEL (product / brand)
Qcells Q.PLUS BFR-G4.1 280	280 W	≈16.8%	−0.400	38.97	9.41	65.7 in	brand 11×
Silfab Solar SIL285NL	285 W	≈16.8%	−0.379	39.1	9.47	66.9 × 39.4 in	brand 7× (2017–2025)
Hyundai Energy Solutions HiS-C280RG(BK)	280 W	≥17.3%	−0.382	38.28	9.25	64.6 × 39.3 in	brand 5× (2017–2025)
ZNShine Solar ZXM6-72-280/M	280 W	≈14.1%	−0.524	45.01	8.52	78.1 × 39.4 in	brand 8× (2016–2026)

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

ManufacturerQcells
Listed in CEC asHanwha Qcells (Qidong) Co. Ltd., Qcells North America
Parent companyHanwha
Websiteq-cells.com
PVEL Top Performer (manufacturer)11 Scorecards (2016–2026)
RETC PV Module Index2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
Current panel series in CEC list81

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.PLUS BFR-G4.1 280?

Calculated from the panel area (1.67 m²): about 16.8% for the 280 W class. 280 W over 1.67 m² equals about 168 W per square meter.

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

PVWatts v8 with typical-year weather gives about 469 kWh per year per 280 W panel in Los Angeles and about 514 kWh in Palmdale (20° roof, facing south, 14% system losses).

How much power does it lose on a hot roof?

With γ = −0.400 %/°C, at a 77 °C cell temperature (hottest modeled hour in Palmdale) output is about 20.7% 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 3–14 panels per string (Voc at 2 °C = 41.6 V, Vmp at 74 °C cell = 25.6 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; Qcells was named a Top Performer in 11 Scorecards (2016–2026). RETC named Qcells Overall Highest Achiever in 2023, 2026.

Sources

California Energy Commission — Solar Equipment Lists, PV Module List, Inverter List (snapshot Oct 7, 2026).
Silfab Solar — datasheet SIL-310 NL BAA JUST ARRA -IN-.
Hyundai Energy Solutions — datasheet [Customized Module] RG(BK) Series (PERC) 265~285W.
ZNShine Solar — manufacturer datasheet “ZXM6-72 Series Znshinesolar 5BB Monocrystalline PV Module”.
Kiwa PVEL — PV Module Reliability Scorecard, Top Performer lists 2016–2026.
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).