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Solar panelTrina Solar

Trina Solar TSM-470DEG15VC.20(II)

252 cells. Power classes 465–490 W in the CEC list.

CEC listed · Mar 1, 2021UL 61730PVEL Top Performer 2022
Power class
  • Power (STC)470 WCEC nameplate
  • Efficiency≈20.2%calculated from area
  • %/°C Pmax−0.296CEC listing test
  • PTC / STC94.1%PTC 442 W (CEC)

Power classes

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Cali-Graf calculation · 6 models
ModelPmaxVoc, VIsc, AVmp, VImp, AEfficiencyPTCCEC listed
TSM-465DEG15VC.20(II)465 W43.0013.5835.8012.99≈20.0%437 WMar 1, 2021
TSM-470DEG15VC.20(II)470 W43.1013.6835.9013.09≈20.2%442 WMar 1, 2021
TSM-475DEG15VC.20(II)475 W43.2013.8036.0013.19≈20.4%447 WMar 1, 2021
TSM-480DEG15VC.20(II)480 W43.3013.9236.1013.29≈20.6%452 WMar 1, 2021
TSM-485DEG15VC.20(II)485 W43.4013.9736.2013.39≈20.8%457 WMar 1, 2021
TSM-490DEG15VC.20(II)490 W43.5014.0736.3013.49≈21.0%461 WMar 1, 2021
≈ efficiency = Pmax ÷ CEC-listed area 2.33 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−0.296 %/°C
Voc coefficient β−0.231 %/°C
Isc coefficient α+0.057 %/°C
Operating cell temperatureNOCT 45.8 °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
465 W349.4 W33.75 V × 10.35 A88.9 W96%
470 W353 W33.84 V × 10.43 A89.8 W96%
475 W356.7 W33.94 V × 10.51 A90.8 W96%
480 W360.4 W34.03 V × 10.59 A91.7 W96%
485 W364.1 W34.12 V × 10.67 A92.7 W96%
490 W367.9 W34.22 V × 10.75 A93.6 W96%
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
PVEL Top Performer
this series
5
Tests passed as Top Performer
DH, LID+LETID, MSS, PID, 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-xxxDEG15VC.20(II)DHLID+LETIDMSSPIDTC

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)
45.4 V
Voc when cold
per panel
29.7 V
Vmp when hot
per panel
13
Max panels / string
max DC 600 V
3
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 Vdatasheet3–13
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 V45.4 / 29.7 V✗ Not a match: module voltage below MPPT range1.24
APsystems (Alt Power System) DS3-L265–570 W60 V28–45 V45.4 / 29.7 V✓ Within range0.6
Enphase IQ8A-72-2-US295–500 W60 V32–45 V45.4 / 29.7 V⚠ Works; below MPPT at peak heat1.35
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 Angeles1,67678811,8166.08
Palmdale1,83586212,9376.69
Chula Vista1,69679711,9576.11
Huntington Beach1,64377211,5835.89
Riverside1,69679711,9576.21
Santa Clarita1,72481012,1546.28
771Jan772Feb991Mar1,094Apr1,081May1,148Jun1,210Jul1,224Aug1,070Sep944Oct811Nov702DeckWh 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 470 W panels

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Kiwa PVEL Scorecard · datasheets · building permits
PanelPmaxEfficiencyγ Pmax (CEC)Voc, VIsc, APVEL (product / brand)SoCal permits (series)
Trina Solar TSM-470DEG15VC.20(II)470 W≈20.2%−0.29643.113.68product 2022—
REC Group REC470AA Pure-RX470 W≈23.3%−0.24865.78.95brand 9× (2016–2025)33
Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF10-465W465 W≈21.5%−0.36341.914.07—22
Canadian Solar CS6.1-54TM-465H465 W≥22.8%−0.30839.514.77product 2024, 20259
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-470DEG15VC.20(II)?

Calculated from the panel area (2.33 m²): about 20.2% for the 470 W class. 470 W over 2.33 m² equals about 202 W per square meter.

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

PVWatts v8 with typical-year weather gives about 788 kWh per year per 470 W panel in Los Angeles and about 862 kWh in Palmdale (20° roof, facing south, 14% system losses).

How much power does it lose on a hot roof?

With γ = −0.296 %/°C, at a 77 °C cell temperature (hottest modeled hour in Palmdale) output is about 15.3% 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 = 45.4 V, Vmp at 74 °C cell = 29.7 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 45.4 V vs max input 60 V; Vmp when hot 29.7 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-xxxDEG15VC.20(II) was a PVEL Top Performer in 2022 (DH, LID+LETID, MSS, PID, TC).

Sources

  1. California Energy Commission — Solar Equipment Lists, PV Module List, Inverter List (snapshot Oct 7, 2026).
  2. Aptos Solar — datasheet Legacy Products.
  3. Canadian Solar — datasheet TOPHiKu6 (All-Black) N-type TOPCon Technology CS6.1-54TM-435|440|445|450|455|460|465H.
  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 — APsystems (Alt Power System), Enphase, 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).