Strong in heat, modest efficiency
AE Solar Terra E CMD-72BD modules are a specialized solution designed for modern agrivoltaic systems and agriculture-integrated installations. Their most characteristic feature is 40-percent transparency, which allows an optimal amount of sunlight to penetrate to the crops located directly under the panels. Thanks to the use of advanced n-Type TOPCon cell technology, this series offers excellent efficiency even in low-light conditions and shows minimal degradation over time, as confirmed by a 30-year product warranty. The bifacial double-glass design allows for active energy harvesting from both sides of the module, significantly increasing the total energy yield from a given area. These panels effectively solve the problem of land competition between food production and clean energy generation, while serving as a solid protective barrier for plants against hail, frost, or excessive soil evaporation. Exceptional resistance to ammonia and salt mist makes this an unrivaled product in the harsh environmental conditions typical of farms. Terra E CMD-72BD is an investment in durability and multifunctionality that stands out from standard PV modules due to its unique ability to combine high efficiency with care for the crop microclimate.
Ranking
Signals from the data
Agrivoltaic.
Tight roof space, roofs where every square metre has to count and weight-limited structures.
Top 2% of the PERC 250-300 W segment, against a median of -0.370. Ranked 2,220th in the whole database.
Top 20% of the PERC 250-300 W segment, against a median of 25 yrs.
Bottom 1% of the PERC 250-300 W segment, against a median of 17.21%. Ranked 14,020th in the whole database.
Bottom 1% of the PERC 250-300 W segment, against a median of 172.1. Ranked 13,996th in the whole database.
Bottom 1% of the PERC 250-300 W segment, against a median of 66.5. Ranked 13,933rd in the whole database.
AE Solar ranks 18th out of 67 evaluated manufacturers in the BNEF Global PV Module Bankability 2024 report, and is the only European manufacturer in Tier 1, appearing on the BNEF list for the 16th time (Q1 2025). This translates to the highest standards of financial guarantees, supply continuity, and risk assessment by banks financing renewable energy projects.
N-type TOPCon cells exhibit a temperature coefficient of -0.29%/°C (better than standard PERC cells at approximately -0.35%/°C), and a bifaciality factor of 80% allows for the recovery of 10-15% additional energy from the ground through reflection. In agrophotovoltaic systems with high ground albedo (e.g., light soil, mulch), the actual yield is significantly higher than what would be expected based solely on the module's efficiency.
The designed 40% transparency allows for even distribution of light across the panels, reduces water evaporation from the soil, and protects crops from hail and frost. In direct comparison to the DMEGC Greenhouse (11.61% efficiency), Terra E CMD-72BD achieves a maximum efficiency of 15.39% while maintaining its agricultural photovoltaic function - representing a lead of over 32% in power density within the same segment.
The manufacturer guarantees that over 87% of the nominal power will be maintained after 30 years, both for product and performance warranties - a significantly higher standard than those offered by Trina Solar or JA Solar (typically 25 years with a threshold of 84.8%). For agricultural photovoltaic systems with a long payback period, this is a key factor in assessing profitability.
The module has achieved fire resistance rating A (IEC 61730) and hail resistance rating 4, as well as has been proven to be resistant to ammonia and saline mist - critical requirements for installations in agricultural settings and coastal areas. The double-glass construction eliminates the need for rear EVA film, extending its mechanical lifespan.
40% transparency inevitably reduces the efficiency of the module - compared to the Runtech RT Compact Mono (18.44%), the difference is approximately 21-25%, which in installations where space is limited, means a need for approximately 26% more surface area to achieve the same rated power. This is a reasonable compromise for agricultural photovoltaics, but it excludes the series from typical rooftop and ground-mounted applications.
A maximum power output of 300 Wp is significantly below the current standard for commercial and utility-scale modules (500-720 Wp). This requires a larger number of modules, a more extensive mounting infrastructure, and cabling, which increases the BOS (Balance of System) costs - which is particularly important for larger agrophotovoltaic projects.
- At 14.4% efficiency, this panel is 5.1pp below the PERC 0-400W median of 19.4%
- 143.6 W/m² power density is 50.6 W/m² below PERC 0-400W median (194.2 W/m²) - requires larger installation area
- At -0.29%/°C (vs median -0.36%/°C), loses ~3% less power in hot conditions
- At 23.5 kg (3.0 kg above PERC 0-400W median of 20.5 kg), requires checking roof load capacity
- 80% bifaciality enables rear-side power generation, boosting yield by 4-12% on reflective surfaces
Specifications
Datasheet charts
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 280 Wp appear here. The rest cover the whole series.
Simulations
Degradation from this panel's own datasheet figures. No inverter, soiling or shading losses.
Model: bifaciality × albedo × 0.6 view factor. A first-order estimate, not a yield simulation.
Found 1797 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±10 mm. See them here Found 1928 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±25 mm. See them here Found 3413 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±50 mm. See them here Found 4015 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±100 mm. See them here
About the Terra E | CMD-72BD series
These answers cover the whole series. Where a figure differs, the specification above is this module's own.