Cali-GrafCali-Graf
For pros Sign in
82.6″ · 2,098 mm
44.6″ · 1,133 mm wide · 1.38″ (35 mm) frame · 57.8 lb (26.2 kg)
Solar panelSilfab Solar

Silfab Solar SIL-500HM

132 half-cut cells, PERC. Power classes 480–520 W in the CEC list.

CEC listed · Mar 21, 2023UL 6173025-yr product + 30-yr performance warrantyPERC
Power class
  • Power (STC)500 WCEC nameplate
  • Efficiency≈21.0%calculated from area
  • %/°C Pmax−0.36CEC test: −0.466
  • Output at year 3082.6%performance warranty

Power classes

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Cali-Graf calculation · 8 models
ModelPmaxVoc, VIsc, AVmp, VImp, AEfficiencyPTCCEC listed
SIL-480HM480 W45.3013.3637.6412.76≈20.2%437 WMar 21, 2023
SIL-490HM490 W45.5413.4238.2112.83≈20.6%446 WMar 21, 2023
SIL-495HM495 W45.6613.4538.5012.86≈20.8%451 WMar 21, 2023
SIL-500HM500 W45.7813.4838.8012.89≈21.0%456 WMar 21, 2023
SIL-505HM505 W45.9013.5039.0912.92≈21.2%461 WMar 21, 2023
SIL-510HM510 W46.0213.5339.3912.95≈21.5%466 WMar 21, 2023
SIL-515HM515 W46.1413.5639.6812.98≈21.7%470 WMar 21, 2023
SIL-520HM520 W46.2613.5939.9913.01≈21.9%475 WMar 21, 2023
≈ efficiency = Pmax ÷ panel area 2.377 m² (datasheet size).

Build & dimensions

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

Heat & cold behaviour

Silfab Solar datasheet · CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Cali-Graf calculation
DatasheetCEC listing test
Pmax coefficient γ−0.36 %/°C−0.466 %/°C
Voc coefficient β−0.28 %/°C−0.366 %/°C
Isc coefficient α+0.06 %/°C+0.060 %/°C
Vmp coefficient≈ −0.42 %/°C—
Operating cell temperatureNMOT 45 °CNOCT 45.2 °C
Vmp coefficient ≈ γ − α (datasheet); used only for the hot-roof voltage estimate.

At normal operating conditions (NOCT, 800 W/m²) — datasheet

ClassPmax, WVoc, VIsc, AVmp, VImp, A
500 W369.042.1110.8235.6910.34

Away from lab conditions — CEC listing test points

ClassPmax at NOCTVmp × Imp at NOCTPmax at 200 W/m²Low-light efficiency vs STC
480 W348.1 W34.43 V × 10.11 A91.6 W95%
490 W355.2 W34.96 V × 10.16 A93.5 W95%
495 W358.8 W35.22 V × 10.19 A94.5 W95%
500 W362.4 W35.49 V × 10.21 A95.4 W95%
505 W366 W35.76 V × 10.24 A96.4 W95%
510 W369.7 W36.03 V × 10.26 A97.3 W95%
515 W373.4 W36.3 V × 10.28 A98.3 W95%
520 W377 W36.58 V × 10.31 A99.2 W95%
Pmax = Vmp × Imp from the CEC listing; low-light efficiency = Pmax at 200 W/m² ÷ (20% of STC Pmax).

Electrical & strength ratings

Silfab Solar datasheet
Packaging: 29 per pallet

Certifications

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Silfab Solar datasheet
UL 61730IEC 61701IEC 62716IEC 62790IEC 61215IEC 61730ISO 9001

Warranty & degradation

Silfab Solar datasheet

Independent reliability testing

Kiwa PVEL Scorecard · RETC PV Module Index
7
PVEL Scorecards
Silfab Solar named Top Performer, 2017–2025
4
RETC PV Module Index
Silfab Solar recognized 2023–2026
This exact series is not listed in published PVEL Top Performer tables. Results below are for the manufacturer.

RETC PV Module Index — Silfab Solar

YearRecognition
2023High Achievement in Performance (Ptc-to-stc ratio, LeTID RESISTANCE, Module efficiency)
2024High Achievement in Performance
2025Performance High Achiever
2026Performance discipline high achiever (Lid); Quality discipline high achiever (BOM verification); Reliability discipline high achiever (Pid, Sdml); Test Category High Achiever

Inverter compatibility & string sizing

Silfab Solar datasheet · Cali-Graf calculation · NLR PVWatts v8 · CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · inverter datasheets · NLR SAM inverter library · CEC Grid Support Inverter List (Oct 7, 2026)
48.7 V
Voc when cold
per panel
30.7 V
Vmp when hot
per panel
12
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.

String inverters most named in SoCal permits

InverterMax DC inputMPPTWindow sourcePanels per string
Tesla 1538000-xx-y600 V60–480 Vdatasheet2–12
Solis (Ginlong) S6-EH1P10K-H-US600 V80–520 Vdatasheet3–12
Solis (Ginlong) Solis-1P7.6K-4G-US600 V100–500 Vdatasheet4–12
Qcells Q.VOLT H7.6SX498 V234–498 VCEC test window8–10

Microinverters (one per panel)

MicroinverterRecommended module powerMax DC inputMPPTVoc cold / Vmp hotCheckDC/AC
Enphase IQ8X-80-M-US320–540 W79.5 V43–60 V48.7 / 30.7 V✗ Not a match: module voltage below MPPT range1.32
APsystems (Alt Power System) DS3-L265–570 W60 V28–45 V48.7 / 30.7 V✓ Within range0.64
Enphase IQ8A-72-2-US295–500 W60 V32–45 V48.7 / 30.7 V⚠ Works; below MPPT at peak heat1.43
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 Angeles1,67683811,7326.08
Palmdale1,83591812,8456.69
Chula Vista1,69684811,8726.11
Huntington Beach1,64382211,5015.89
Riverside1,69684811,8726.21
Santa Clarita1,72486212,0686.28
766Jan766Feb984Mar1,086Apr1,073May1,140Jun1,201Jul1,215Aug1,063Sep937Oct806Nov697DeckWh 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 500 W panels

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · datasheets · Kiwa PVEL Scorecard · building permits
PanelPmaxEfficiencyγ Pmax (CEC)Voc, VIsc, ASizeWarrantyPVEL (product / brand)SoCal permits (series)
Silfab Solar SIL-500HM500 W≈21%−0.46645.7813.4882.6 × 44.6 in25 / 30 yrbrand 7×—
SEG Solar SEG-500-BTD-BG500 W≈25.6%−0.29040.115.8867.8 × 44.6 in—product 2023, 2024, 2025, 20268
Qcells Q.PEAK DUO XL-G10.d 500500 W≈21.6%−0.34053.7511.3687.2 × 41.1 in12 / 25 yrproduct 20236
AXITEC AC-530MH/144V530 W≥20.5%−0.36649.313.72—15 / 25 yr—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.

Documents

manufacturer documents

About Silfab Solar

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

Other series by SoCal permits

SIL-xxxQD · 39SIL-xxxHC+ · 28SIL-xxxBK · 10SIL-xxxHC · 9SIL-xxxNX · 6SIL-xxxBG · 5

Questions & answers

How efficient is the Silfab Solar SIL-500HM?

Calculated from the panel area (2.38 m²): about 21% for the 500 W class. 500 W over 2.38 m² equals about 210 W per square meter.

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

PVWatts v8 with typical-year weather gives about 838 kWh per year per 500 W panel in Los Angeles and about 918 kWh in Palmdale (20° roof, facing south, 14% system losses).

How much power does it lose on a hot roof?

With γ = −0.36 %/°C, at a 77 °C cell temperature (hottest modeled hour in Palmdale) output is about 18.6% 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 2–12 panels per string (Voc at 2 °C = 48.7 V, Vmp at 74 °C cell = 30.7 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 48.7 V vs max input 60 V; Vmp when hot 30.7 V vs MPPT low 28 V; recommended module power 265–570 W. Confirm on the microinverter maker’s compatibility list.

What does the warranty cover?

25 years on the product and 30 years on performance: at least 82.6% after 30 years (manufacturer datasheet).

How big and heavy is it?

82.6 × 44.6 × 1.38 in (2,098 × 1,133 × 35 mm), 57.8 lb (26.2 kg).

Has this panel been reliability-tested?

This exact series is not in published PVEL Top Performer tables; Silfab Solar was named a Top Performer in 7 Scorecards (2017–2025).

Sources

  1. California Energy Commission — Solar Equipment Lists, PV Module List, Inverter List (snapshot Oct 7, 2026).
  2. Silfab Solar — datasheet SIL-500 HM ENGINEERED FOR COMMERCIAL & UTILITY PROJECTS.
  3. SEG Solar — manufacturer datasheet “XXXTFHTPMBSDPN YUKON/Series )BMG$FMM/5ZQF501$PO”.
  4. Qcells — manufacturer datasheet “Q.PEAK DUO XL-G10.d ENDURING HIGH PERFORMANCE”.
  5. AXITEC — datasheet AXIworldbipremium bifacial 144 cells asemmbled in US.
  6. Silfab Solar — document library on the manufacturer’s website (links above).
  7. Kiwa PVEL — PV Module Reliability Scorecard, Top Performer lists 2017–2025.
  8. RETC — PV Module Index reports 2023–2026.
  9. NLR (formerly NREL) — System Advisor Model CEC inverter library (version 2026.7.3).
  10. NLR (formerly NREL) — PVWatts v8, NSRDB PSM v3 typical-year weather for Los Angeles, Palmdale, Chula Vista, Huntington Beach, Riverside, Santa Clarita.
  11. Inverter datasheets — APsystems (Alt Power System), Enphase, Solis (Ginlong), Tesla (manufacturer documents).
  12. Building permits — Southern California permit portals. Equipment matched from permit descriptions.
  13. Cali-Graf calculations — formulas and inputs are shown next to each calculated value (efficiency from area, temperature-corrected voltages, string sizing, energy estimates).