---
title: "AE Solar AE MD-144BD-540 vs AE Solar AE MD-144BD-550 - Solar Panel Comparison | ComparePV"
description: "Compare AE Solar AE MD-144BD-540 vs AE Solar AE MD-144BD-550 side by side: what actually differs, output when it is hot, thirty-year production, and the full specification."
source: "https://comparepv.com/compare/ae-solar-ae-md-144bd-540/ae-solar-ae-md-144bd-550"
updated: 2026-09-11
---

# AE Solar AE MD-144BD-540 vs AE Solar AE MD-144BD-550

550 leads on the differences that matter

The largest is module efficiency: 0.39 pp more efficient. 15 of 19 comparable parameters are identical.


## The two panels


| Attribute | A | B |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Panel | [AE Solar AE MD-144BD-540](https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-ae-md-144bd-540) | [AE Solar AE MD-144BD-550](https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-ae-md-144bd-550) |
| Manufacturer | AE Solar | AE Solar |
| Power | 540 Wp | 550 Wp |
| Efficiency | 20.92 % | 21.31 % |
| Technology | PERC | PERC |


## Where they differ

Ranked by how much the difference matters, not by datasheet order.


| Parameter | 540 | 550 | Difference |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Module efficiency | 20.92 % | 21.31 % | +0.39 pp for 550 |
| Power density | 209.2 Wp/m² | 213.1 Wp/m² | +3.9 Wp/m² for 550 |
| Rated power | 540 Wp | 550 Wp | +10 W for 550 |
| Open-circuit voltage | 49.90 V | 51.44 V | 1.54 V apart |


## Every compared parameter


| Parameter | 540 | 550 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Rated power | 540 Wp | 550 Wp |
| Module efficiency | 20.92 % | 21.31 % |
| Power density | 209.2 Wp/m² | 213.1 Wp/m² |
| Open-circuit voltage | 49.90 V | 51.44 V |
| Voltage at max power | 42.15 V | 42.57 V |
| Short-circuit current | 13.57 A | 13.67 A |
| Current at max power | 12.81 A | 12.92 A |
| Temperature coefficient | -0.350 %/°C | -0.350 %/°C |
| Dimensions | 2278x1133x30 mm | 2278x1133x30 mm |
| Module area | 2.581 m² | 2.581 m² |
| Weight | 31.0 kg | 31.0 kg |
| Weight per kWp | 57.4 kg/kWp | 56.4 kg/kWp |
| Product warranty | 15 yrs | 15 yrs |
| Performance warranty | 30 yrs | 30 yrs |
| Annual degradation | 0.55 %/yr | 0.55 %/yr |
| Cell technology | PERC | PERC |
| Cell type | Monocrystalline | Monocrystalline |
| Cell count | 144 | 144 |
| Bifacial | Yes | Yes |


## Thirty-year yield

Each panel's own declared degradation curve, at 1,200 kWh/kWp a year

Same temp coeff. for both panels (-0.350 %/°C), so a warmer roof scales both curves by the same factor: the totals fall together and neither panel gains on the other.

- **Cumulative output, 540:** 17,404 kWh
- **Cumulative output, 550:** 17,726 kWh
- **Gap:** 322 kWh


## Output when hot


| Condition | Cell temperature | 540 | 550 | Retained |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Standard test conditions | 25 °C | 540 W | 550 W | 100.0% of rated power |
| Cool, bright day | 40 °C | 512 W | 521 W | 94.8% of rated power |
| Typical summer roof | 55 °C | 483 W | 492 W | 89.5% of rated power |
| Hot roof | 70 °C | 455 W | 463 W | 84.2% of rated power |


## Against the whole database


| Measure | 540 | 550 | Out of | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Efficiency | #10,014 | #8,503 | 14,005 | 550 leads by 1,511 places |
| Power density | #10,065 | #8,474 | 14,005 | 550 leads by 1,591 places |
| Heat behaviour | #10,419 | #10,419 | 14,005 | Tied - the same position in the database |
| Weight | #11,198 | #10,606 | 14,005 | 550 leads by 592 places |
| Warranty | #21 | #21 | 14,005 | Tied - the same position in the database |
| Overall | #7,151 | #6,280 | 14,005 | 550 leads by 871 places |


## Questions


### Which panel is better: AE Solar AE MD-144BD-540 or AE Solar AE MD-144BD-550?

According to our database: **AE Solar AE MD-144BD-550** has higher module efficiency (**21.31%** vs **20.92%**). See the full spec comparison and 30-year energy simulation above for a complete picture.


### What is the efficiency of AE Solar AE MD-144BD-540 and AE Solar AE MD-144BD-550?

**AE Solar AE MD-144BD-540** has a module efficiency of **20.92%**, while **AE Solar AE MD-144BD-550** is **21.31%**. Higher efficiency means more electricity from the same roof area - useful when space is limited.


### What cell technology does AE Solar AE MD-144BD-540 use vs AE Solar AE MD-144BD-550?

**AE Solar AE MD-144BD-540** uses **PERC** cells; **AE Solar AE MD-144BD-550** uses **PERC**. Modern **n-type** technologies (**TOPCon**, **HJT**, BC) typically deliver higher efficiency and lower degradation compared to older **PERC** (p-type) cells.


### What is the warranty on AE Solar AE MD-144BD-540 and AE Solar AE MD-144BD-550?

**AE Solar AE MD-144BD-540** has a **30 years** power warranty; **AE Solar AE MD-144BD-550** has a **30 years** power warranty. The power warranty guarantees a minimum percentage of rated output at the end of the warranty period (typically 80**-87%**). Product (materials) warranties are usually shorter.


### Are AE Solar AE MD-144BD-540 and AE Solar AE MD-144BD-550 bifacial panels?

Both **AE Solar AE MD-144BD-540** and **AE Solar AE MD-144BD-550** are bifacial - they capture reflected light from the ground, which can add 5**-15%** more annual energy on ground-mount or elevated rooftop installations with a light surface beneath.


## Related comparisons

- [AE Solar AE MD-144BD-540 vs AE Solar MD-144BS-550](https://comparepv.com/compare/ae-solar-ae-md-144bd-540/ae-solar-md-144bs-550) - 7 differences, the largest is weight
- [AE Solar AE MD-144BD-540 vs AE Solar MD-144BS-550W](https://comparepv.com/compare/ae-solar-ae-md-144bd-540/ae-solar-md-144bs-550w) - 6 differences, the largest is weight
- [AE Solar AE MD-144BD-540 vs AE Solar MD-144BS-545](https://comparepv.com/compare/ae-solar-ae-md-144bd-540/ae-solar-md-144bs-545) - 4 differences, the largest is weight
- [AE Solar AE MD-144BD-540 vs AE Solar AE MD-144BD-545](https://comparepv.com/compare/ae-solar-ae-md-144bd-540/ae-solar-ae-md-144bd-545) - One difference: module efficiency
- [AE Solar AE MD-144BD-540 vs AE Solar MD-144BS-545W](https://comparepv.com/compare/ae-solar-ae-md-144bd-540/ae-solar-md-144bs-545w) - 3 differences, the largest is weight
- [AE Solar AE MD-144BD-540 vs AE Solar MD-144BS-540](https://comparepv.com/compare/ae-solar-ae-md-144bd-540/ae-solar-md-144bs-540) - 3 differences, the largest is weight


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Source: https://comparepv.com/compare/ae-solar-ae-md-144bd-540/ae-solar-ae-md-144bd-550

Not in this file, on the page: the thirty-year yield curve year by year at a cell temperature you pick and a written summary generated on request.

