Illustration · 252 cells

Solar panelTrina Solar

Trina Solar TSM-480DE15V(II)

Name: Trina Solar TSM-480DE15V(II)
Brand: Trina Solar

252 cells. Power classes 470–490 W in the CEC list.

CEC listed · Mar 1, 2021UL 61730PVEL Top Performer 2022

Power class

Power (STC)480 WCEC nameplate
Efficiency≈20.6%calculated from area
%/°C Pmax−0.362CEC listing test
PTC / STC93.5%PTC 449 W (CEC)

Power classes

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Cali-Graf calculation · 5 models

Model	Pmax	Voc, V	Isc, A	Vmp, V	Imp, A	Efficiency	PTC	CEC listed
TSM-470DE15V(II)	470 W	43.00	13.73	36.10	13.02	≈20.2%	439 W	Mar 1, 2021
TSM-475DE15V(II)	475 W	43.10	13.80	36.20	13.12	≈20.4%	444 W	Mar 1, 2021
TSM-480DE15V(II)	480 W	43.20	13.92	36.30	13.23	≈20.6%	449 W	Mar 1, 2021
TSM-485DE15V(II)	485 W	43.30	13.97	36.40	13.33	≈20.8%	454 W	Mar 1, 2021
TSM-490DE15V(II)	490 W	43.40	14.07	36.50	13.43	≈21.0%	459 W	Mar 1, 2021

≈ efficiency = Pmax ÷ CEC-listed area 2.33 m².

Build & dimensions

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026)

Module area2.33 m² (25.1 ft²)CEC-listed area
Cells252 cells
Back coverWhite backsheet

Heat & cold behaviour

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

	CEC listing test
Pmax coefficient γ	−0.362 %/°C
Voc coefficient β	−0.275 %/°C
Isc coefficient α	+0.047 %/°C
Operating cell temperature	NOCT 43.7 °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
470 W	353 W	33.76 V × 10.45 A	90.4 W	96%
475 W	356.7 W	33.86 V × 10.53 A	91.3 W	96%
480 W	360.6 W	33.95 V × 10.62 A	92.3 W	96%
485 W	364.4 W	34.05 V × 10.7 A	93.3 W	96%
490 W	368.1 W	34.14 V × 10.78 A	94.3 W	96%

Pmax = Vmp × Imp from the CEC listing; low-light efficiency = Pmax at 200 W/m² ÷ (20% of STC Pmax).

Certifications

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026)

UL 61730IEC 61215

UL 61730CEC listing
IEC 61215design qualification on file with CEC · Dec 30, 2020

Independent reliability testing

Kiwa PVEL Scorecard · RETC PV Module Index

2022

PVEL Top Performer

this series

Tests passed as Top Performer

LID+LETID, MSS, PID, TC

PVEL Scorecards

Trina Solar named Top Performer, 2014–2026

2023, 2024, 2025, 2026

RETC Overall Highest Achiever

Trina Solar, manufacturer level

PVEL Top Performer tests

Year	Product	Tests
2022	TSM-xxxDE15V(II)	LID+LETIDMSSPIDTC

Tested bill of materials

Cell technology (tested BOM)p-type PERC
Module design (tested BOM)Monofacial - glass//backsheet
Power class range tested455-500W

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

RETC PV Module Index — Trina Solar

Year	Recognition
2023	Overall Highest Achiever; High Achievement in Performance (Ptc-to-stc ratio, Module efficiency, LeTID RESISTANCE); High Achievement in Quality (Hail durability test); High Achievement in Reliability (Thermal cycle test, SDML, Pid resistance, Damp heat test)
2024	Overall Highest Achiever
2025	Overall Highest Achiever
2026	Overall Highest Achiever; High achievement in performance; High achievement in reliability; Performance discipline high achiever (Temperature coefficient, Iam, Letid, PAN file); Quality discipline high achiever (BOM verification); Reliability discipline high achiever (Damp heat, Pid, Sdml, Tc)

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

45.9 V

Voc when cold

per panel

29 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	3–13
Solis (Ginlong) S6-EH1P10K-H-US	600 V	80–520 V	datasheet	3–13
Solis (Ginlong) Solis-1P7.6K-4G-US	600 V	100–500 V	datasheet	4–13
Qcells Q.VOLT H7.6SX	498 V	234–498 V	CEC test window	9–10

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	45.9 / 29 V	✗ Not a match: module voltage below MPPT range	1.26
APsystems (Alt Power System) DS3-L	265–570 W	60 V	28–45 V	45.9 / 29 V	✓ Within range	0.62
Enphase IQ8A-72-2-US	295–500 W	60 V	32–45 V	45.9 / 29 V	⚠ Works; below MPPT at peak heat	1.38

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	804	12,067	6.08
Palmdale	1,835	881	13,212	6.69
Chula Vista	1,696	814	12,211	6.11
Huntington Beach	1,643	789	11,830	5.89
Riverside	1,696	814	12,211	6.21
Santa Clarita	1,724	828	12,413	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 480 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)
Trina Solar TSM-480DE15V(II)	480 W	≈20.6%	−0.362	43.2	13.92	product 2022	—
REC Group REC475AA Pure-RX	475 W	≈23.5%	−0.248	65.7	9	brand 9× (2016–2025)	33
SEG Solar SEG-495-BTD-BG	495 W	≈25.3%	−0.290	39.9	15.82	product 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026	8
Qcells Q.PEAK DUO XL-G10.d 480	480 W	≥20.7%	−0.340	53.61	11.26	product 2023	6

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 Trina Solar

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

ManufacturerTrina Solar
Listed in CEC asTrina Solar, Trina Solar Co.,Ltd
Websitetrinasolar.com
PVEL Top Performer (manufacturer)12 Scorecards (2014–2026)
RETC PV Module Index2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
Current panel series in CEC list56

Other series by SoCal permits

TSM-xxxDE06X.05(II) · 23TSM-xxxNE09RC.05 · 6TSM-xxxDE09C.07 · 6TSM-xxxNEG19RC.20TSM-xxxNEG21C.20TSM-xxxNEG9RH.25

Questions & answers

How efficient is the Trina Solar TSM-480DE15V(II)?

Calculated from the panel area (2.33 m²): about 20.6% for the 480 W class. 480 W over 2.33 m² equals about 206 W per square meter.

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

PVWatts v8 with typical-year weather gives about 804 kWh per year per 480 W panel in Los Angeles and about 881 kWh in Palmdale (20° roof, facing south, 14% system losses).

How much power does it lose on a hot roof?

With γ = −0.362 %/°C, at a 77 °C cell temperature (hottest modeled hour in Palmdale) output is about 18.8% 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 3–13 panels per string (Voc at 2 °C = 45.9 V, Vmp at 74 °C cell = 29 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 29 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?

TSM-xxxDE15V(II) was a PVEL Top Performer in 2022 (LID+LETID, MSS, PID, TC).

Sources

California Energy Commission — Solar Equipment Lists, PV Module List, Inverter List (snapshot Oct 7, 2026).
SEG Solar — manufacturer datasheet “XXXTFHTPMBSDPN YUKON/Series )BMG$FMM/5ZQF501$PO”.
Qcells — manufacturer datasheet “Q.PEAK DUO XL-G10.d ENDURING HIGH PERFORMANCE”.
Kiwa PVEL — PV Module Reliability Scorecard, Top Performer lists 2014–2026.
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).