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Solar panelThornova Solar

Thornova Solar TS-BGT60(485)

120 half-cut cells, bifacial, glass (dual-glass module). Power classes 470–500 W in the CEC list.

CEC listed · Jun 2, 2025UL 61730BifacialPVEL Top Performer 2026
Power class
  • Power (STC)485 WCEC nameplate
  • Efficiency≈22.7%calculated from area
  • %/°C Pmax−0.297CEC listing test
  • PTC / STC95%PTC 461 W (CEC)

Power classes

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Cali-Graf calculation · 7 models
ModelPmaxVoc, VIsc, AVmp, VImp, AEfficiencyPTCCEC listed
TS-BGT60(470)470 W43.1613.6136.1912.99≈22.0%446 WJun 2, 2025
TS-BGT60(475)475 W43.2813.7236.3513.07≈22.2%451 WJun 2, 2025
TS-BGT60(480)480 W43.3513.8436.5113.15≈22.4%456 WJun 2, 2025
TS-BGT60(485)485 W43.4113.9736.6613.23≈22.7%461 WJun 2, 2025
TS-BGT60(490)490 W43.4514.1036.8113.31≈22.9%466 WJun 2, 2025
TS-BGT60(495)495 W43.4914.2336.9613.39≈23.1%471 WJun 2, 2025
TS-BGT60(500)500 W43.5314.3637.1113.48≈23.4%476 WJun 2, 2025
≈ efficiency = Pmax ÷ CEC-listed area 2.14 m².

Build & dimensions

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026)

Heat & cold behaviour

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Cali-Graf calculation
CEC listing test
Pmax coefficient γ−0.297 %/°C
Voc coefficient β−0.226 %/°C
Isc coefficient α+0.047 %/°C
Operating cell temperatureNOCT 43.2 °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
470 W352.5 W34.62 V × 10.18 A89.7 W95%
475 W356.2 W34.78 V × 10.24 A90.7 W95%
480 W360 W34.93 V × 10.31 A91.6 W95%
485 W363.7 W35.07 V × 10.37 A92.6 W95%
490 W367.4 W35.22 V × 10.43 A93.5 W95%
495 W371.1 W35.36 V × 10.49 A94.4 W95%
500 W375.1 W35.5 V × 10.57 A95.5 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
2026
PVEL Top Performer
this series
7
Tests passed as Top Performer
DH, HSS, LID+LETID, MSS, PID, TC, UVID
3
PVEL Scorecards
Thornova Solar named Top Performer, 2024–2026
2026
RETC Overall Highest Achiever
Thornova Solar, manufacturer level

PVEL Top Performer tests

YearProductTests
2026TS-BGT60(xxx)DHHSSLID+LETIDMSSPIDTCUVID

Tested bill of materials

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

RETC PV Module Index — Thornova Solar

YearRecognition
2026Overall 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)
45.7 V
Voc when cold
per panel
30.5 V
Vmp when hot
per panel
13
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 Vdatasheet2–13
Solis (Ginlong) S6-EH1P10K-H-US600 V80–520 Vdatasheet3–13
Solis (Ginlong) Solis-1P7.6K-4G-US600 V100–500 Vdatasheet4–13
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 V45.7 / 30.5 V✗ Not a match: module voltage below MPPT range1.28
APsystems (Alt Power System) DS3-L265–570 W60 V28–45 V45.7 / 30.5 V✓ Within range0.62
Enphase IQ8A-72-2-US295–500 W60 V32–45 V45.7 / 30.5 V⚠ Works; below MPPT at peak heat1.39
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 Angeles1,67681311,3806.08
Palmdale1,83589012,4606.69
Chula Vista1,69682311,5166.11
Huntington Beach1,64379711,1565.89
Riverside1,69682311,5166.21
Santa Clarita1,72483611,7066.28
743Jan744Feb954Mar1,054Apr1,041May1,106Jun1,165Jul1,179Aug1,031Sep909Oct782Nov676DeckWh 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 485 W panels

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · datasheets · Kiwa PVEL Scorecard · building permits
PanelPmaxEfficiencyγ Pmax (CEC)Voc, VIsc, APVEL (product / brand)SoCal permits (series)
Thornova Solar TS-BGT60(485)485 W≈22.7%−0.29743.4113.97product 2026—
SEG Solar SEG-495-BTD-BG495 W≈25.3%−0.29039.915.82product 2023, 2024, 2025, 20268
Qcells Q.PEAK DUO XL-G10.d 485485 W≥20.9%−0.34053.6411.29product 20236
AXITEC AC-450MH/144V450 W≈21.2%−0.3805011.47—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

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-BGT60(485)?

Calculated from the panel area (2.14 m²): about 22.7% for the 485 W class. 485 W over 2.14 m² equals about 227 W per square meter.

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

PVWatts v8 with typical-year weather gives about 813 kWh per year per 485 W panel in Los Angeles and about 890 kWh in Palmdale (20° roof, facing south, 14% system losses).

How much power does it lose on a hot roof?

With γ = −0.297 %/°C, at a 77 °C cell temperature (hottest modeled hour in Palmdale) output is about 15.4% 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 2–13 panels per string (Voc at 2 °C = 45.7 V, Vmp at 74 °C cell = 30.5 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 45.7 V vs max input 60 V; Vmp when hot 30.5 V vs MPPT low 28 V; recommended module power 265–570 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?

TS-BGT60(xxx) was a PVEL Top Performer in 2026 (DH, HSS, LID+LETID, MSS, PID, TC, UVID).

Sources

  1. California Energy Commission — Solar Equipment Lists, PV Module List, Inverter List (snapshot Oct 7, 2026).
  2. SEG Solar — manufacturer datasheet “XXXTFHTPMBSDPN YUKON/Series )BMG$FMM/5ZQF501$PO”.
  3. Qcells — manufacturer datasheet “Q.PEAK DUO XL-G10.d ENDURING HIGH PERFORMANCE”.
  4. AXITEC — datasheet AXIworldbipremium bifacial 144 cells asemmbled in US.
  5. Kiwa PVEL — PV Module Reliability Scorecard, Top Performer lists 2024–2026.
  6. RETC — PV Module Index report.
  7. NLR (formerly NREL) — System Advisor Model CEC module and inverter libraries (version 2026.7.3).
  8. NLR (formerly NREL) — PVWatts v8, NSRDB PSM v3 typical-year weather for Los Angeles, Palmdale, Chula Vista, Huntington Beach, Riverside, Santa Clarita.
  9. Inverter datasheets — APsystems (Alt Power System), Enphase, Solis (Ginlong), Tesla (manufacturer documents).
  10. Building permits — Southern California permit portals. Equipment matched from permit descriptions.
  11. Cali-Graf calculations — formulas and inputs are shown next to each calculated value (efficiency from area, temperature-corrected voltages, string sizing, energy estimates).