Cali-GrafCali-Graf
For pros Sign in
Illustration · 132 half-cut cells
Solar panelTrina Solar

Trina Solar TSM-655DE21

132 half-cut cells. Power classes 645–670 W in the CEC list.

CEC listed · Nov 1, 2021UL 61730PVEL Top Performer 2022, 2023
Power class
  • Power (STC)655 WCEC nameplate
  • Efficiency≈21.2%calculated from area
  • %/°C Pmax−0.301CEC listing test
  • PTC / STC94.8%PTC 621 W (CEC)

Power classes

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Cali-Graf calculation · 6 models
ModelPmaxVoc, VIsc, AVmp, VImp, AEfficiencyPTCCEC listed
TSM-645DE21645 W45.1018.3937.2017.35≈20.9%611 WNov 1, 2021
TSM-650DE21650 W45.3018.4437.4017.39≈21.1%616 WNov 1, 2021
TSM-655DE21655 W45.5018.4837.6017.43≈21.2%621 WNov 1, 2021
TSM-660DE21660 W45.7018.5337.8017.47≈21.4%626 WNov 1, 2021
TSM-665DE21665 W45.9018.5738.0017.51≈21.6%631 WNov 1, 2021
TSM-670DE21670 W46.1018.6238.2017.55≈21.7%636 WNov 1, 2021
≈ efficiency = Pmax ÷ CEC-listed area 3.08 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−0.301 %/°C
Voc coefficient β−0.214 %/°C
Isc coefficient α+0.032 %/°C
Operating cell temperatureNOCT 43.3 °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
645 W489.6 W35.2 V × 13.91 A125.2 W97%
650 W493.4 W35.39 V × 13.94 A126.1 W97%
655 W497.2 W35.58 V × 13.97 A127.1 W97%
660 W500.9 W35.77 V × 14.01 A128.1 W97%
665 W504.7 W35.96 V × 14.04 A129 W97%
670 W508.6 W36.15 V × 14.07 A130 W97%
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

Independent reliability testing

Kiwa PVEL Scorecard · RETC PV Module Index
2022, 2023
PVEL Top Performer
this series
3
Tests passed as Top Performer
LID+LETID, MSS, TC
12
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

YearProductTests
2022TSM-xxxDE21LID+LETID
2023TSM-xxxDE21LID+LETIDMSSTC

Tested bill of materials

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

RETC PV Module Index — Trina Solar

YearRecognition
2023Overall 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)
2024Overall Highest Achiever
2025Overall Highest Achiever
2026Overall 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)
47.7 V
Voc when cold
per panel
31.5 V
Vmp when hot
per panel
12
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 Vdatasheet2–12
Solis (Ginlong) S6-EH1P10K-H-US600 V80–520 Vdatasheet3–12
Solis (Ginlong) Solis-1P7.6K-4G-US600 V100–500 Vdatasheet4–12
Qcells Q.VOLT H7.6SX498 V234–498 VCEC test window8–10

Microinverters (one per panel)

No microinverter in the reference set lists this power class in its recommended module power range.
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 Angeles1,6761,09812,0766.08
Palmdale1,8351,20213,2216.69
Chula Vista1,6961,11112,2206.11
Huntington Beach1,6431,07611,8385.89
Riverside1,6961,11112,2206.21
Santa Clarita1,7241,12912,4216.28
788Jan789Feb1,012Mar1,118Apr1,105May1,174Jun1,236Jul1,251Aug1,094Sep965Oct829Nov718DeckWh 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 655 W panels

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Kiwa PVEL Scorecard · datasheets
PanelPmaxEfficiencyγ Pmax (CEC)Voc, VIsc, APVEL (product / brand)
Trina Solar TSM-655DE21655 W≈21.2%−0.30145.518.48product 2022, 2023
Canadian Solar CS7N-655MB-AG655 W≈21.3%−0.39045.218.43product 2024
Hyundai Energy Solutions HiN-T650NJ650 W≈23.5%−0.27356.714.51brand 5× (2017–2025)
JinkoSolar JKM650N-66HL4M-BDV650 W≈24.1%−0.29950.2816.44product 2025
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

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-655DE21?

Calculated from the panel area (3.08 m²): about 21.2% for the 655 W class. 655 W over 3.08 m² equals about 212 W per square meter.

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

PVWatts v8 with typical-year weather gives about 1,098 kWh per year per 655 W panel in Los Angeles and about 1,202 kWh in Palmdale (20° roof, facing south, 14% system losses).

How much power does it lose on a hot roof?

With γ = −0.301 %/°C, at a 77 °C cell temperature (hottest modeled hour in Palmdale) output is about 15.6% 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 2–12 panels per string (Voc at 2 °C = 47.7 V, Vmp at 74 °C cell = 31.5 V). Final design must follow the inverter manual and NEC 690.7.

Has this panel been reliability-tested?

TSM-xxxDE21 was a PVEL Top Performer in 2022, 2023 (LID+LETID, MSS, TC).

Sources

  1. California Energy Commission — Solar Equipment Lists, PV Module List, Inverter List (snapshot Oct 7, 2026).
  2. Hyundai Energy Solutions — datasheet [US] NJ(HiN) Series (N TOPCon Bifacial) 640~645W.
  3. JinkoSolar — datasheet THE MOST DEPENDABLE SOLAR PRODUCT.
  4. Kiwa PVEL — PV Module Reliability Scorecard, Top Performer lists 2014–2026.
  5. RETC — PV Module Index reports 2023–2026.
  6. NLR (formerly NREL) — System Advisor Model CEC inverter library (version 2026.7.3).
  7. NLR (formerly NREL) — PVWatts v8, NSRDB PSM v3 typical-year weather for Los Angeles, Palmdale, Chula Vista, Huntington Beach, Riverside, Santa Clarita.
  8. Inverter datasheets — Solis (Ginlong), Tesla (manufacturer documents).
  9. Building permits — Southern California permit portals. Equipment matched from permit descriptions.
  10. Cali-Graf calculations — formulas and inputs are shown next to each calculated value (efficiency from area, temperature-corrected voltages, string sizing, energy estimates).