40.8″ · 1,037 mm wide · 1.38″ (35 mm) frame · 56.9 lb (25.8 kg)

Solar panelSilfab Solar

Silfab Solar SIL-490HN

Name: Silfab Solar SIL-490HN
Brand: Silfab Solar

156 half-cut cells, PERC. Power classes 460–505 W in the CEC list; datasheet covers 490–490 W.

CEC listed · Dec 1, 2021UL 6173025-yr product + 30-yr performance warrantyPVEL Top Performer 2023PERC

Power class

Power (STC)490 WCEC nameplate
Efficiency≥20.9%datasheet minimum
%/°C Pmax−0.36CEC test: −0.378
Output at year 3082.6%performance warranty

Power classes

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Cali-Graf calculation · Silfab Solar datasheet · 10 models

Model	Pmax	Voc, V	Isc, A	Vmp, V	Imp, A	Efficiency	PTC	CEC listed
SIL-460HN	460 W	52.88	11.06	44.39	10.37	≈19.6%	423 W	Dec 1, 2021
SIL-465HN	465 W	53.06	11.11	44.53	10.45	≈19.8%	428 W	Dec 1, 2021
SIL-470HN	470 W	53.24	11.16	44.67	10.52	≈20.0%	432 W	Dec 1, 2021
SIL-475HN	475 W	53.42	11.21	44.81	10.60	≈20.2%	437 W	Dec 1, 2021
SIL-480HN	480 W	53.60	11.26	44.95	10.68	≈20.5%	442 W	Dec 1, 2021
SIL-485HN	485 W	53.78	11.31	45.09	10.76	≈20.7%	447 W	Dec 1, 2021
SIL-490HN	490 W	53.96	11.36	45.23	10.83	≥20.9%	452 W	Dec 1, 2021
SIL-495HN	495 W	54.14	11.41	45.37	10.91	≈21.1%	456 W	Dec 1, 2021
SIL-500HN	500 W	54.33	11.46	45.51	10.99	≈21.3%	461 W	Dec 1, 2021
SIL-505HN	505 W	54.51	11.51	45.65	11.07	≈21.5%	466 W	Dec 1, 2021

≈ efficiency = Pmax ÷ panel area 2.347 m² (datasheet size) for classes outside the datasheet.

Build & dimensions

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

Dimensions89.1 × 40.8 × 1.38 in2,263 × 1,037 × 35 mm
Module area2.35 m² (25.3 ft²)length × width
Weight56.9 lb (25.8 kg)
Cells156 half-cut cellsPERC
Back coverWhite backsheet
FrameAnodized Aluminum (Silver)
Junction boxUL 3730 Certified, IEC 62790 Certified, IP68 rated

Heat & cold behaviour

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

	Datasheet	CEC listing test
Pmax coefficient γ	−0.36 %/°C	−0.378 %/°C
Voc coefficient β	−0.28 %/°C	−0.303 %/°C
Isc coefficient α	+0.06 %/°C	+0.066 %/°C
Vmp coefficient	≈ −0.42 %/°C	—
Operating cell temperature	NMOT 45 °C	NOCT 47.1 °C

Vmp coefficient ≈ γ − α (datasheet); used only for the hot-roof voltage estimate.

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

Class	Pmax, W	Voc, V	Isc, A	Vmp, V	Imp, A
490 W	362.0	49.64	9.12	41.61	8.69

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
460 W	335.7 W	40.22 V × 8.35 A	86 W	93%
465 W	339.3 W	40.34 V × 8.41 A	86.9 W	93%
470 W	342.8 W	40.47 V × 8.47 A	87.8 W	93%
475 W	346.3 W	40.6 V × 8.53 A	88.7 W	93%
480 W	350 W	40.72 V × 8.6 A	89.7 W	93%
485 W	353.8 W	40.85 V × 8.66 A	90.6 W	93%
490 W	357.3 W	40.98 V × 8.72 A	91.5 W	93%
495 W	361 W	41.11 V × 8.78 A	92.5 W	93%
500 W	364.7 W	41.23 V × 8.84 A	93.4 W	93%
505 W	368.4 W	41.36 V × 8.91 A	94.4 W	93%

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

Max system voltage1,500 V
Max series fuse20 A

Packaging: 31 per pallet

Certifications

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Silfab Solar datasheet

UL 61730UL 1703IEC 61215IEC 61701IEC 62716IEC 62790ISO 9001

UL 61730CEC listing
UL 1703datasheet
IEC 61215datasheet
IEC 61701datasheet
IEC 62716datasheet
IEC 62790datasheet
ISO 9001factory, datasheet

Warranty & degradation

Silfab Solar datasheet

Product warranty25 years
Performance warranty30 years
Year 30≥ 82.6%

Independent reliability testing

Kiwa PVEL Scorecard · RETC PV Module Index

2023

PVEL Top Performer

this series

Tests passed as Top Performer

LID+LETID, PID

PVEL Scorecards

Silfab Solar named Top Performer, 2017–2025

RETC PV Module Index

Silfab Solar recognized 2023–2026

PVEL Top Performer tests

Year	Product	Tests
2023	SIL-xxxHN	LID+LETIDPID

Tested bill of materials

PVEL-tested factoryCanada
Cell technology (tested BOM)p-type PERC
Module design (tested BOM)monofacial - glass//backsheet
Power class range tested480-525W

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

RETC PV Module Index — Silfab Solar

Year	Recognition
2023	High Achievement in Performance (Ptc-to-stc ratio, LeTID RESISTANCE, Module efficiency)
2024	High Achievement in Performance
2025	Performance High Achiever
2026	Performance 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)

CityColdest air, °CHottest cell, °CString inverter

57.4 V

Voc when cold

per panel

35.8 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.

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	2–10
Solis (Ginlong) S6-EH1P10K-H-US	600 V	80–520 V	datasheet	3–10
Solis (Ginlong) Solis-1P7.6K-4G-US	600 V	100–500 V	datasheet	3–10
Qcells Q.VOLT H7.6SX	498 V	234–498 V	CEC test window	7–8

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	57.4 / 35.8 V	⚠ Works; below MPPT at peak heat	1.29
APsystems (Alt Power System) DS3-L	265–570 W	60 V	28–45 V	57.4 / 35.8 V	✓ Within range	0.63
Enphase IQ8A-72-2-US	295–500 W	60 V	32–45 V	57.4 / 35.8 V	✓ Within range	1.4

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	821	11,497	6.08
Palmdale	1,835	899	12,588	6.69
Chula Vista	1,696	831	11,635	6.11
Huntington Beach	1,643	805	11,271	5.89
Riverside	1,696	831	11,635	6.21
Santa Clarita	1,724	845	11,827	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 490 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	Warranty	PVEL (product / brand)	SoCal permits (series)
Silfab Solar SIL-490HN	490 W	≥20.9%	−0.378	53.96	11.36	89.1 × 40.8 in	25 / 30 yr	product 2023	—
SEG Solar SEG-495-BTD-BG	495 W	≈25.3%	−0.290	39.9	15.82	67.8 × 44.6 in	—	product 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026	8
Qcells Q.PEAK DUO XL-G10.d 490	490 W	≥21.2%	−0.340	53.68	11.31	87.2 × 41.1 in	12 / 25 yr	product 2023	6
AXITEC AC-450MH/144V	450 W	≈21.2%	−0.380	50	11.47	—	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

PDF
SIL-490 HN ENGINEERED FOR COMMERCIAL & UTILITY PROJECTS
Datasheet · Silfab Solar · Mar 2025
PDF
Warranty – Modules Manufactured 2018 +
Warranty · Silfab Solar · Aug 2025

About Silfab Solar

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

ManufacturerSilfab Solar
Listed in CEC asSilfab Solar Inc.
Websitesilfabsolar.com
PVEL Top Performer (manufacturer)7 Scorecards (2017–2025)
RETC PV Module Index2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
Current panel series in CEC list18

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-490HN?

The Silfab Solar datasheet guarantees at least 20.9% module efficiency for the 490 W class. 490 W over 2.35 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 821 kWh per year per 490 W panel in Los Angeles and about 899 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 2–10 panels per string (Voc at 2 °C = 57.4 V, Vmp at 74 °C cell = 35.8 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 57.4 V vs max input 60 V; Vmp when hot 35.8 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?

89.1 × 40.8 × 1.38 in (2,263 × 1,037 × 35 mm), 56.9 lb (25.8 kg).

Has this panel been reliability-tested?

SIL-xxxHN was a PVEL Top Performer in 2023 (LID+LETID, PID).

Sources

California Energy Commission — Solar Equipment Lists, PV Module List, Inverter List (snapshot Oct 7, 2026).
Silfab Solar — datasheet SIL-490 HN ENGINEERED FOR COMMERCIAL & UTILITY PROJECTS.
SEG Solar — manufacturer datasheet “XXXTFHTPMBSDPN YUKON/Series )BMG$FMM/5ZQF501$PO”.
Qcells — manufacturer datasheet “Q.PEAK DUO XL-G10.d ENDURING HIGH PERFORMANCE”.
AXITEC — datasheet AXIworldbipremium bifacial 144 cells asemmbled in US.
Silfab Solar — document library on the manufacturer’s website (links above).
Kiwa PVEL — PV Module Reliability Scorecard, Top Performer lists 2017–2025.
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).