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Solar panelThornova Solar

Thornova Solar TS-SBT60(495)

120 half-cut cells. Power classes 480–510 W in the CEC list.

CEC listed · Sep 11, 2025UL 61730
Power class
  • Power (STC)495 WCEC nameplate
  • Efficiency≈23.1%calculated from area
  • %/°C Pmax−0.293CEC listing test
  • PTC / STC95.2%PTC 471 W (CEC)

Power classes

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Cali-Graf calculation · 7 models
ModelPmaxVoc, VIsc, AVmp, VImp, AEfficiencyPTCCEC listed
TS-SBT60(480)480 W43.1413.5836.9712.98≈22.4%456 WSep 11, 2025
TS-SBT60(485)485 W43.2713.6537.0913.08≈22.7%461 WSep 11, 2025
TS-SBT60(490)490 W43.4213.7437.2013.18≈22.9%466 WSep 11, 2025
TS-SBT60(495)495 W43.5713.8337.3113.28≈23.1%471 WSep 11, 2025
TS-SBT60(500)500 W43.7213.9237.4213.37≈23.4%476 WSep 11, 2025
TS-SBT60(505)505 W43.8714.0137.5213.47≈23.6%481 WSep 11, 2025
TS-SBT60(510)510 W44.0214.0937.6113.57≈23.8%486 WSep 11, 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−0.293 %/°C
Voc coefficient β−0.231 %/°C
Isc coefficient α+0.045 %/°C
Operating cell temperatureNOCT 43.1 °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
480 W361.8 W35.6 V × 10.16 A92.7 W97%
485 W365.8 W35.72 V × 10.24 A93.7 W97%
490 W369.7 W35.83 V × 10.32 A94.7 W97%
495 W373.6 W35.93 V × 10.4 A95.7 W97%
500 W377.2 W36.04 V × 10.47 A96.6 W97%
505 W381 W36.13 V × 10.55 A97.6 W97%
510 W384.8 W36.22 V × 10.62 A98.6 W97%
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
3
PVEL Scorecards
Thornova Solar named Top Performer, 2024–2026
2026
RETC Overall Highest Achiever
Thornova Solar, manufacturer level
This exact series is not listed in published PVEL Top Performer tables. Results below are for the manufacturer.

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)
45.9 V
Voc when cold
per panel
31.1 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 V45.9 / 31.1 V✗ Not a match: module voltage below MPPT range1.3
APsystems (Alt Power System) DS3-L265–570 W60 V28–45 V45.9 / 31.1 V✓ Within range0.63
Enphase IQ8A-72-2-US295–500 W60 V32–45 V45.9 / 31.1 V⚠ Works; below MPPT at peak heat1.42
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 Angeles1,67683011,6156.08
Palmdale1,83590812,7176.69
Chula Vista1,69684011,7536.11
Huntington Beach1,64381311,3865.89
Riverside1,69684011,7536.21
Santa Clarita1,72485311,9476.28
758Jan759Feb974Mar1,076Apr1,062May1,129Jun1,189Jul1,203Aug1,052Sep928Oct798Nov690DeckWh 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 495 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-SBT60(495)495 W≈23.1%−0.29343.5713.83brand 3×—
SEG Solar SEG-495-BTD-BG495 W≈25.3%−0.29039.915.82product 2023, 2024, 2025, 20268
Qcells Q.PEAK DUO XL-G10.d 495495 W≥21.4%−0.34053.7111.34product 20236
AXITEC AC-530MH/144V530 W≥20.5%−0.36649.313.72—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-SBT60(495)?

Calculated from the panel area (2.14 m²): about 23.1% for the 495 W class. 495 W over 2.14 m² equals about 231 W per square meter.

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

PVWatts v8 with typical-year weather gives about 830 kWh per year per 495 W panel in Los Angeles and about 908 kWh in Palmdale (20° roof, facing south, 14% system losses).

How much power does it lose on a hot roof?

With γ = −0.293 %/°C, at a 77 °C cell temperature (hottest modeled hour in Palmdale) output is about 15.2% 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 = 45.9 V, Vmp at 74 °C cell = 31.1 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 45.9 V vs max input 60 V; Vmp when hot 31.1 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?

This exact series is not in published PVEL Top Performer tables; Thornova Solar was named a Top Performer in 3 Scorecards (2024–2026). RETC named Thornova Solar Overall Highest Achiever in 2026.

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 inverter library (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).