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AE Solar AE CMD-120BDS-480
AE Solar Brand review

AE CMD-120BDS-480

480 Wp TOPCon Bifacial 80%
ComparePV verdict

Solid all-round for its segment

Rank 4,488 of 14,129
Compare panels Datasheet PDF
Power (Wp)
480
Typical for its class
Efficiency (%)
22.27
Typical · median 22.52%
Density (Wp/m²)
222.7
Typical · median 225.2
Temp (%/°C)
-0.290
Typical · median -0.290
Weight (kg)
25.5
Typical · median 24.0 kg
Warranty (yrs)
30
Typical · median 30 yrs

The AE Solar Meteor series sets new standards in energy efficiency, utilizing advanced N-type technology, which significantly reduces light-induced degradation. These modules are designed to maximize yields in real-world weather conditions, offering exceptional efficiency even under low solar radiation intensity. A key advantage of the Meteor series is its high resistance to hotspots, which directly translates into fire safety and the longevity of the entire installation. Thanks to cell structure optimization, these panels exhibit a low temperature coefficient, ensuring stable power production during summer heatwaves. This solution is dedicated primarily to demanding private investors and companies with limited mounting space that require components with the highest power density. What distinguishes this series from standard market solutions is its precise craftsmanship and extended product warranty, which forms the foundation of a secure investment for years. By choosing the Meteor line, the user is assured that their photovoltaic system will operate with the highest technical standards, combining an aesthetic finish with uncompromising technological performance that clearly outpaces traditional older-generation modules.

Ranking

1,096 panels in the segment TOPCon 450-500 W
Metric This panel Median Position in segment Overall rank
Module efficiency 22.27% 22.52% Typical 5,544
Power density 222.7 225.2 Typical 5,352
Temperature coefficient -0.290 -0.290 Typical 2,220
Weight per kWp 53.1 52.2 Typical 6,974
Performance warranty 30 yrs 30 yrs Typical 21
Colour key Strong - top 25% Typical - middle 50% Weak - bottom 25%

Signals from the data

5 positive · 1 caution
Best for

Residential, commercial and hot-climate.

What owners get
The only European Tier 1 manufacturer of BNEF

AESOLAR has been ranked in BNEF Tier 1 for the 16th consecutive quarter (Q1 2025) and is the only European manufacturer in the 2024 bankability ranking, with its bankability score increasing from 26% to 50% year-on-year. This translates to improved project acceptability for financing banks and lower insurance requirements for installations.

Peak efficiency of 22.97% - leading the pack

The highest-performing model in the series achieves 22.97% efficiency, surpassing direct competitors such as the Seraphim YUKON N (22.87%), Solarspace SS8-60HD (22.87%), and Resun RS8K-M (22.94%). This translates to a higher installed power capacity on a limited roof area, given the same footprint.

Low thermal expansion coefficient of -0.29%/°C

The -0.29°C/°C value for Pmax is significantly more advantageous than the typical -0.35°C/°C for PERC modules. At an operating temperature of 65°C, the power loss is approximately 7.3% compared to ~10.9% in PERC, which realistically increases energy generation in warmer months without additional costs.

30-year product and performance warranty

The manufacturer guarantees more than 87% of its rated power after 30 years of operation. The standard market warranty for comparable series is 25 years, with a decrease to approximately 84.8%, which, over the full lifespan of operation, results in a significantly higher cumulative energy yield compared to the Meteor series.

Double-glass, bifacial construction, fire resistance rating A

Double glazing enhances resistance to UV degradation, moisture, and mechanical stress, while bifaciality allows for the recovery of an additional 5-15% of energy from reflected light. The Class A fire rating (verified in the CMD-120BDS datasheet) eliminates installation restrictions on roofs adjacent to other buildings.

Trade-offs
The range of performance within the series

The lower variants of the series achieve efficiencies of 22.04-22.5%, which is significantly below all three comparable products (22.87-22.94%). An investor purchasing the lower variant may inadvertently acquire a module with a power density that is inferior to that of direct competitors, despite the premium price characteristic of the entire N-type TOPCon series.

Notes from the database
  • Efficiency of 22.3% matches the TOPCon 450-500W median
  • At 222.7 W/m² power density, roof space requirements are typical for TOPCon 450-500W panels
  • At -0.29%/°C, hot weather performance is typical for TOPCon 450-500W panels
  • At 25.5 kg, this panel is 1.5 kg heavier than the TOPCon 450-500W median (24.0 kg) - more demanding for installation crews
  • Bifacial design (80% factor) captures reflected light - adds 4-12% yield on ground-mount or white roof

Specifications

Open datasheet PDF
Nominal power (Pmax) 480 Wp Nameplate at 1000 W/m², 25 °C
Module efficiency 22.27 % Typical Segment median 22.52%
Vmpp · Impp 35.38 V · 13.57 A Operating point at max power
Voc · Isc 42.71 V · 14.31 A Sizes the string length
Max system voltage 1500 V Longer strings than 1000 V modules
Dimensions 1902×1133×30 mm · 2.15 m² of roof
Weight 25.5 kg Typical Typical · median 24.0 kg
Cells 120 · TOPCon Monocrystalline
Bifaciality 80 % Rear output as a share of front
Coefficient Pmax -0.290 %/°C Typical median -0.290 of its segment
Coefficient Voc · Isc -0.250 · 0.046 %/°C
NOCT 42 °C At 800 W/m², 20 °C ambient
Product warranty 30 years Hardware defects only
Performance warranty 30 years Typical median 30 yrs · median 30 yrs
End-of-warranty output 87.4 % Equals 420 W guaranteed
Degradation 1.00 → 0.40 % First year, then annual

Datasheet charts

Open datasheet PDF

Measured curves published by AE Solar in this model's datasheet. A chart carrying a wattage was measured on that variant alone - only the ones that describe 480 Wp appear here. The rest cover the whole series.

Our Performance Warranty (Relative Power vs Years) Our Performance Warranty (Relative Power vs Years) Whole series

Simulations

Live - change any input
Lifetime output & value
30 years at 1200 kWh/kWp/year and €0.50 per kWh
Power in year 30
-
Lifetime energy
-
Energy value
-
With bifacial gain
-

Degradation from this panel's own datasheet figures. No inverter, soiling or shading losses.

Heat losses
-0.290 %/°C against a segment median of -0.290
-
Bifacial gain
Rear gain over light concrete: -
-

Model: bifaciality × albedo × 0.6 view factor. A first-order estimate, not a yield simulation.

Filter these
Size
Panel Power Eff. Temp. Weight Difference
AE Solar AE CMD-120BDS-480 480 W 22.27% -0.290 25.5 kg You are here
LR7-54HJD-510M 510 W 25.00% -0.240 23.5 kg +30 W, cooler, +2.7 pp
AIKO-A495-MCE54Mw 495 W 24.80% -0.260 21.0 kg Cooler, lighter, +2.5 pp
LR7-54HJD-505M 505 W 24.70% -0.240 23.5 kg +25 W, cooler, +2.4 pp
WST-505BKX54-A2 505 W 24.70% -0.260 25.0 kg +25 W, cooler, +2.4 pp
AIKO-A490-MCE54Mw 490 W 24.50% -0.260 21.0 kg Cooler, lighter, +2.2 pp
LR7-54HJD-500M 500 W 24.50% -0.240 23.5 kg +20 W, cooler, +2.2 pp
CIPRO-TN9C54M-500W 500 W 24.50% -0.260 21.4 kg Cooler, lighter, +2.2 pp
AE CMD-80BD-315 315 W 14.62% -0.290 25.5 kg -165 W, -7.7 pp
AE CMD-80BD-320 320 W 14.85% -0.290 25.5 kg -160 W, -7.4 pp
AE CMD-80BD-325 325 W 15.08% -0.290 25.5 kg -155 W, -7.2 pp
AE CMD-80BD-330 330 W 15.31% -0.290 25.5 kg -150 W, -7.0 pp
AE CMD-80BD-335 335 W 15.55% -0.290 25.5 kg -145 W, -6.7 pp
MD-120BD-440 440 W 20.42% -0.350 25.5 kg -40 W, hotter, -1.8 pp
LR7-60HVH-560M 560 W 24.80% -0.260 25.0 kg +80 W, cooler, +2.5 pp
LR7-60HVH-555M 555 W 24.60% -0.260 25.0 kg +75 W, cooler, +2.3 pp
LR7-60HVHL-550M 550 W 24.40% -0.260 16.3 kg +70 W, lighter, +2.1 pp

Found 698 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±10 mm. See them here Found 756 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±25 mm. See them here Found 844 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±50 mm. See them here Found 1504 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±100 mm. See them here

About the Meteor series

6 answered

These answers cover the whole series. Where a figure differs, the specification above is this module's own.

What does the TOPCon technology mean in AE Solar Meteor panels, and why is it better than PERC?
TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) refers to N-type cells that exhibit significantly lower light-induced degradation (LID) compared to older PERC cells. In practice, this means that AE Solar Meteor panels lose less power in their initial years of operation and maintain a higher efficiency throughout their lifespan. The bifacial design of the Meteor series also allows for the capture of energy from reflected radiation from the underside of the module, which increases the overall energy yield by several to fifteen percent, depending on the substrate.
What is the warranty on AE Solar Meteor panels, and what exactly does it cover?
The AE Solar Meteor series comes with a 30-year product warranty and a 30-year performance warranty, which are among the longest warranties available on the market. The product warranty protects against material and workmanship defects, while the performance warranty ensures that the panel will produce a specified percentage of its nominal power for three decades. The manufacturer, based in Germany, is part of Tier 1 suppliers, further confirming the credibility of these guarantees.
Do AE Solar Meteor 495W panels perform well in summer, even at very high temperatures?
Yes, the Meteor series is characterized by a low temperature coefficient of approximately -0.29%/°C, which places it among the leading N-type modules on the market. For comparison, standard PERC modules lose even -0.34 to -0.37% of power for the same temperature increase. In practice, this means that during summer heat waves, Meteor panels produce significantly more energy than older modules, and the risk of hot spots is significantly reduced.
What is the target audience for the AE Solar Meteor series - is it suitable for a small roof?
The Meteor series is primarily aimed at investors with limited mounting space who want to maximize the power output of their installations within a given area. With a power output of up to 495 Wp and the high power density characteristic of TOPCon cells, it is possible to achieve a higher energy yield with fewer modules compared to standard PERC panels. This is an ideal solution for single-family homes, commercial buildings, and investors who require the highest quality components.
Are AE Solar Meteor panels available in Poland, and where can they be purchased?
Yes, the AE Solar Meteor series is currently available on the Polish market and has not been discontinued. AE Solar, as a Tier 1 manufacturer based in Germany, has a wide distribution network across Europe. Modules can be purchased through authorized distributors and solar installation companies. It is advisable to compare offers from several installers before making a purchase, as prices may vary depending on the model and the quantity of panels ordered.
Does the bifacial nature of AE Solar Meteor panels make sense for installation on a sloped roof?
Bifaciality also offers real benefits for pitched roofs, although the effect is most pronounced in ground-mounted or light-colored installations. For roofs with a light membrane or white backing material, bifaciality of Meteor modules (75-85%) translates into an additional few percentage points of annual energy production. On typical dark roofs, the gain is smaller, but still present, and the N-type technology and low temperature coefficient remain fully active regardless of the mounting method.
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