Illustration · 144 half-cut cells

Solar panelThornova Solar

Thornova Solar TS-BB72(540)

Name: Thornova Solar TS-BB72(540)
Brand: Thornova Solar

144 half-cut cells. Power classes 530–555 W in the CEC list.

CEC listed · Jul 3, 2023UL 61730PVEL Top Performer 2024, 2025

Power class

Power (STC)540 WCEC nameplate
Efficiency≈20.9%calculated from area
%/°C Pmax−0.343CEC listing test
PTC / STC93.2%PTC 503 W (CEC)

Power classes

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Cali-Graf calculation · 6 models

Model	Pmax	Voc, V	Isc, A	Vmp, V	Imp, A	Efficiency	PTC	CEC listed
TS-BB72(530)	530 W	49.26	13.71	40.54	13.08	≈20.5%	494 W	Jul 3, 2023
TS-BB72(535)	535 W	49.34	13.79	40.66	13.16	≈20.7%	498 W	Jul 3, 2023
TS-BB72(540)	540 W	49.42	13.85	40.71	13.27	≈20.9%	503 W	Jul 3, 2023
TS-BB72(545)	545 W	49.51	13.94	40.76	13.38	≈21.1%	508 W	Jul 3, 2023
TS-BB72(550)	550 W	49.60	14.04	40.83	13.48	≈21.3%	513 W	Jul 3, 2023
TS-BB72(555)	555 W	49.69	14.13	40.88	13.58	≈21.5%	518 W	Jul 3, 2023

≈ efficiency = Pmax ÷ CEC-listed area 2.58 m².

Build & dimensions

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026)

Module area2.58 m² (27.8 ft²)CEC-listed area
Cells144 half-cut cells
Back coverWhite backsheet

Heat & cold behaviour

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

	CEC listing test
Pmax coefficient γ	−0.343 %/°C
Voc coefficient β	−0.262 %/°C
Isc coefficient α	+0.031 %/°C
Operating cell temperature	NOCT 46 °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
530 W	400.6 W	39.05 V × 10.26 A	103.5 W	98%
535 W	404.3 W	39.16 V × 10.32 A	104.4 W	98%
540 W	408.2 W	39.21 V × 10.41 A	105.4 W	98%
545 W	412 W	39.26 V × 10.49 A	106.4 W	98%
550 W	415.8 W	39.33 V × 10.57 A	107.4 W	98%
555 W	419.4 W	39.38 V × 10.65 A	108.4 W	98%

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

2024, 2025

PVEL Top Performer

this series

Tests passed as Top Performer

LID+LETID

PVEL Scorecards

Thornova Solar named Top Performer, 2024–2026

2026

RETC Overall Highest Achiever

Thornova Solar, manufacturer level

PVEL Top Performer tests

Year	Product	Tests
2024	TS-BB72(xxx)	LID+LETID
2025	TS-BB72(xxx)	LID+LETID

Tested bill of materials

PVEL-tested factoryChina
Cell technology (tested BOM)p-type PERC
Module design (tested BOM)bifacial - glass//backsheet
Power class range tested530-575W

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

RETC PV Module Index — Thornova Solar

Year	Recognition
2026	Overall Highest Achiever; High achievement in performance; High achievement in reliability; Performance discipline high achiever (PAN file, Temperature coefficient, Iam, Letid, Lid); Quality discipline high achiever (BOM verification); Reliability discipline high achiever (Pid, Sdml, Tc, Uvid)

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)

CityColdest air, °CHottest cell, °CString inverter

52.4 V

Voc when cold

per panel

33.2 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	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	4–11
Qcells Q.VOLT H7.6SX	498 V	234–498 V	CEC test window	8–9

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	52.4 / 33.2 V	✗ Not a match: module voltage below MPPT range	1.42
APsystems (Alt Power System) DS3-L	265–570 W	60 V	28–45 V	52.4 / 33.2 V	✓ Within range	0.69

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	905	11,766	6.08
Palmdale	1,835	991	12,882	6.69
Chula Vista	1,696	916	11,906	6.11
Huntington Beach	1,643	887	11,534	5.89
Riverside	1,696	916	11,906	6.21
Santa Clarita	1,724	931	12,102	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 540 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)
Thornova Solar TS-BB72(540)	540 W	≈20.9%	−0.343	49.42	13.85	product 2024, 2025	—
JA Solar JAM72D30-540/MB	540 W	≈21.4%	−0.330	49.6	13.86	product 2023, 2024	3
Canadian Solar CS6W-540MB-AG	540 W	≈21%	−0.324	49.2	13.9	product 2024	1
LONGi LR5-72HBD-540M	540 W	≥21.1%	−0.354	49.5	13.85	product 2026	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 Thornova Solar

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

ManufacturerThornova Solar
Listed in CEC asThornova Solar
PVEL Top Performer (manufacturer)3 Scorecards (2024–2026)
RETC PV Module Index2026
Current panel series in CEC list22

Other series by SoCal permits

TS-BBT54(xxx)-G12RTS-BGT48(xxx)-G12RTS-BGT54(xxx)-G12RTS-BGT66(xxx)-G12RTS-BB54(xxx)TS-BB60(xxx)

Questions & answers

How efficient is the Thornova Solar TS-BB72(540)?

Calculated from the panel area (2.58 m²): about 20.9% for the 540 W class. 540 W over 2.58 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 905 kWh per year per 540 W panel in Los Angeles and about 991 kWh in Palmdale (20° roof, facing south, 14% system losses).

How much power does it lose on a hot roof?

With γ = −0.343 %/°C, at a 77 °C cell temperature (hottest modeled hour in Palmdale) output is about 17.7% 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 2–11 panels per string (Voc at 2 °C = 52.4 V, Vmp at 74 °C cell = 33.2 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 52.4 V vs max input 60 V; Vmp when hot 33.2 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?

TS-BB72(xxx) was a PVEL Top Performer in 2024, 2025 (LID+LETID).

Sources

California Energy Commission — Solar Equipment Lists, PV Module List, Inverter List (snapshot Oct 7, 2026).
Canadian Solar — datasheet BiHiKu6 BIFACIAL MONO PERC CS6W-520|525|530|535|540|545|550MB-AG.
LONGi — manufacturer datasheet “LR5-72HBD Suitable for distributed projects Advanced module technology delivers superior”.
Kiwa PVEL — PV Module Reliability Scorecard, Top Performer lists 2024–2026.
RETC — PV Module Index report.
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).