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SIL-520 XM vs SIL-520 QM 16 of 19 identical Swap Change panels

Silfab SIL-520 XM vs Silfab SIL-520 QM

Silfab
SIL-520 XM
520 Wp 21.90 % TOPCon Bifacial
Open panel page Datasheet PDF
VS
Silfab SIL-520 QM
Silfab
SIL-520 QM
520 Wp 21.90 % N-type
Open panel page Datasheet PDF
The verdict

SIL-520 XM leads on the differences that matter

The largest is cell technology: TOPCon vs N-type. 16 of 19 comparable parameters are identical.

See all 3 differences
How alike are they
16 of 19 comparable
parameters are identical
identical differs
01

What actually differs

3 of 19 parameters
Parameter SIL-520 XM SIL-520 QM Difference
Cell technology TOPCon N-type TOPCon vs N-type
Annual degradation 0.30 %/yr 0.35 %/yr 0.05 %/yr slower
Bifacial Yes No Yes vs No
02

What it means on a roof

Thirty years of production
Each panel's own declared degradation curve, at 1,200 kWh/kWp a year
Same temp coeff. for both panels (-0.290 %/°C), so a warmer roof scales both curves by the same factor: the totals fall together and neither panel gains on the other.
SIL-520 XM
17,531 kWh
SIL-520 QM
17,396 kWh
Lifetime gap
135 kWh
Output when it is hot
Rated power carried across the range a module actually sees
Scenario SIL-520 XM SIL-520 QM
Standard test conditions 25 °C 100.0% of rated power 520 W 520 W
Cool, bright day 40 °C 95.7% of rated power 497 W 497 W
Typical summer roof 55 °C 91.3% of rated power 475 W 475 W
Hot roof 70 °C 87.0% of rated power 452 W 452 W
03

Full specification

Parameter SIL-520 XM SIL-520 QM Difference
Power and efficiency
Rated power 520 Wp 520 Wp Same
Module efficiency 21.90 % 21.90 % Same
Power density 218.8 Wp/m² 218.8 Wp/m² Same
Open-circuit voltage 47.52 V 47.52 V Same
Voltage at max power 40.48 V 40.48 V Same
Short-circuit current 13.65 A 13.65 A Same
Current at max power 12.85 A 12.85 A Same
Temperature
Temperature coefficient -0.290 %/°C -0.290 %/°C Same
Mechanical
Dimensions 2098x1133x35 mm 2098x1133x35 mm Same
Module area 2.377 m² 2.377 m² Same
Weight 26.2 kg 26.2 kg Same
Weight per kWp 50.4 kg/kWp 50.4 kg/kWp Same
Warranty and degradation
Product warranty 25 yrs 25 yrs Same
Performance warranty 30 yrs 30 yrs Same
Annual degradation 0.30 %/yr 0.35 %/yr -0.05 %/yr for SIL-520 XM
Technology
Cell technology TOPCon N-type TOPCon vs N-type
Cell type Monocrystalline Monocrystalline Same
Cell count 132 132 Same
Bifacial Yes No Yes vs No
04

Against the whole database

14,129 panels
Efficiency
#6,847 vs #6,847
Tied - the same position in the database
Power density
#6,900 vs #6,900
Tied - the same position in the database
Heat behaviour
#2,220 vs #2,220
Tied - the same position in the database
Weight
#3,778 vs #3,778
Tied - the same position in the database
Warranty
#21 vs #21
Tied - the same position in the database
Overall
#4,542 vs #4,542
Tied - the same position in the database
05

More useful comparisons

Open the full database
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Silfab
Silfab SIL-520 XM vs Silfab SIL-590 XM+
11 differences, the largest is module efficiency
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Silfab
Silfab SIL-520 XM vs Silfab SIL-580-XM+-BIFACIAL
10 differences, the largest is rated power
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Silfab
Silfab SIL-520 XM vs Silfab SIL-570 XM+ BIFACIAL
9 differences, the largest is rated power
Same series, other bin
Silfab
Silfab SIL-520 XM vs Silfab SIL-570 XM+
9 differences, the largest is rated power
Same series, other bin
Silfab
Silfab SIL-520 XM vs Silfab SIL-530 XM
4 differences, the largest is module efficiency
Same manufacturer
Silfab
Silfab SIL-520 XM vs Silfab SIL-640 XL
11 differences, the largest is module efficiency
06

Written summary

07

Questions about this pairing

Which panel is better: Silfab SIL-520 XM or Silfab SIL-520 QM?
According to our database: both panels are closely matched on key specs - the decision often comes down to price and local availability. See the full spec comparison and 30-year energy simulation above for a complete picture.
What is the efficiency of Silfab SIL-520 XM and Silfab SIL-520 QM?
Silfab SIL-520 XM has a module efficiency of 21.90%, while Silfab SIL-520 QM is 21.90%. Higher efficiency means more electricity from the same roof area - useful when space is limited.
What cell technology does Silfab SIL-520 XM use vs Silfab SIL-520 QM?
Silfab SIL-520 XM uses TOPCon cells; Silfab SIL-520 QM uses N-type. 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 Silfab SIL-520 XM and Silfab SIL-520 QM?
Silfab SIL-520 XM has a 30 years power warranty; Silfab SIL-520 QM 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 Silfab SIL-520 XM and Silfab SIL-520 QM bifacial panels?
Silfab SIL-520 XM is bifacial (captures light from both faces); Silfab SIL-520 QM is monofacial. Bifacial panels work best on ground mounts or raised structures with a light-coloured surface underneath.

Shop prices: See 2 Silfab offers

Every figure here is from the manufacturers' own datasheets - a dash means the value is not published, never an estimate. The thirty-year projection and the temperature scenarios are calculations from those figures, and each states its assumption above.