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AE Solar Brand review

AE CMDS-60 170W

170 Wp TOPCon
ComparePV verdict

Middle of its segment, modest efficiency

Rank 14,121 of 14,129
Compare panels Datasheet PDF
Power (Wp)
170
Typical for its class
Efficiency (%)
13.32
Weak · bottom 14%
Density (Wp/m²)
133.2
Weak · bottom 17%
Temp (%/°C)
-0.290
Typical · median -0.290
Weight (kg)
13.5
Weak · 3.0 kg above median
Warranty (yrs)
-
Not published

The AE CMDS-60 series addresses one of the most common headaches for owners of older photovoltaic installations: the difficulty of sourcing replacement panels with matching dimensions and electrical parameters for an existing system. These modules are purpose-built as a repowering solution - allowing operators to fill gaps or replace damaged panels within older strings without redesigning the entire array or reconfiguring the inverter. The cells use n-Type TOPCon technology, delivering higher operational stability and lower long-term degradation compared to conventional P-type cells. The panels also stand out for their broad environmental resistance - the manufacturer confirms resistance to salt corrosion, sand, and ammonia exposure, making them a strong fit for agricultural, livestock, and coastal installations. On top of that, the modules carry certified resistance to PID and LID effects, translating into more consistent energy output over the system's lifetime. The AE CMDS-60 series is primarily aimed at investors servicing and upgrading existing PV farms, where mechanical compatibility matters more than maximizing nominal output.

Ranking

33 panels in the segment TOPCon 70-270 W
Metric This panel Median Position in segment Overall rank
Module efficiency 13.32% 16.80% Weak · bottom 14% 14,086
Power density 133.2 168.4 Weak · bottom 17% 14,068
Temperature coefficient -0.290 -0.290 Typical 2,220
Weight per kWp 79.4 68.6 Weak · bottom 23% 13,843
Performance warranty - 30 yrs Not published 14,004
Colour key Strong - top 25% Typical - middle 50% Weak - bottom 25%

Signals from the data

5 positive · 5 caution
Not ideal for

Tight roof space, roofs where every square metre has to count and weight-limited structures.

Watch-outs
13.32% module efficiency

Bottom 14% of the TOPCon 70-270 W segment, against a median of 16.80%.

133.2 watts per square metre

Bottom 17% of the TOPCon 70-270 W segment, against a median of 168.4.

79.4 kg per kWp

Bottom 23% of the TOPCon 70-270 W segment, against a median of 68.6.

What owners get
Repowering compatibility

CMDS-60 modules are engineered to match the physical dimensions and electrical parameters of older PV strings, allowing damaged panels to be replaced or supplemented without redesigning the array or reconfiguring the inverter - a niche rarely addressed by Tier-1 manufacturers.

n-Type TOPCon cells

n-Type TOPCon technology delivers lower LID degradation and greater long-term operational stability compared to classic P-type cells, resulting in more predictable energy yield over the module's lifetime.

Resistance to corrosive environments

The manufacturer confirms resistance to salt mist, sand, and ammonia, making the series well-suited for agricultural, livestock, and coastal installations - an application rarely covered by standard residential-grade modules.

PID and LID certification

Certified resistance to potential-induced degradation (PID) and light-induced degradation (LID) limits power losses over time, stabilizing energy production across the module's operational lifespan.

20-year-old Tier-1 manufacturer

AE Solar is a German manufacturer founded in 2003, continuously listed as a BloombergNEF Tier 1 PV module maker since 2021 (5th consecutive year, 17th recognition overall), confirming brand bankability and operational stability.

Trade-offs
Low efficiency versus peers

Efficiency of 13.32-14.1% is noticeably below comparable same-power modules (Centro Energy CE-180M60: 20.51%, SpolarPV BIPV: 16.84%), a result of the design being tailored to match legacy, lower-efficiency cell formats rather than a shortcoming of the TOPCon technology itself.

Limited use case for new installations

Low unit power (170-180 Wp) and sub-15% efficiency make the series uneconomical for new, large-scale system builds where maximizing power per roof area matters - this is a niche solution dedicated solely to servicing existing installations.

Notes from the database
  • Module efficiency of 13.3% is 2.7pp below average for TOPCon 0-400W panels (median: 16.0%)
  • Power density of 133.2 W/m² is 26.6 W/m² below TOPCon 0-400W median (159.8 W/m²) - needs more roof space
  • Temperature coefficient of -0.29%/°C matches the TOPCon 0-400W median
  • 13.5 kg weight - 10.0 kg lighter than TOPCon 0-400W median (23.5 kg), reducing installation effort
  • #14086 for efficiency, #2220 for temperature performance out of 14129 panels

Specifications

Open datasheet PDF
Nominal power (Pmax) 170 Wp Nameplate at 1000 W/m², 25 °C
Module efficiency 13.32 % Weak Segment median 16.80%
Vmpp · Impp 36.37 V · 4.67 A Operating point at max power
Voc · Isc 42.25 V · 5.50 A Sizes the string length
Max system voltage 1500 V Longer strings than 1000 V modules
Dimensions 1580×808×30 mm · 1.28 m² of roof
Weight 13.5 kg Weak Weak · 3.0 kg above median
Cells 60 · TOPCon Polycrystalline
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

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
-

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
-
Filter these
Size
Panel Power Eff. Temp. Weight Difference
AE Solar AE CMDS-60 170W 170 W 13.32% -0.290 13.5 kg You are here
RS7E-205P 205 W 18.77% -0.390 12.0 kg +35 W, hotter, +5.4 pp
RS7E-200P 200 W 18.32% -0.390 12.0 kg +30 W, hotter, +5.0 pp
RS7E-195P 195 W 17.86% -0.390 12.0 kg +25 W, hotter, +4.5 pp
MYP3036-180 180 W 17.65% -0.370 11.3 kg Hotter, lighter, +4.3 pp
MYP3036-180 180 W 17.65% -0.370 11.3 kg Hotter, lighter, +4.3 pp
RS7E-190P 190 W 17.40% -0.390 12.0 kg +20 W, hotter, +4.1 pp
MYP3036-175 175 W 17.16% -0.370 11.3 kg Hotter, lighter, +3.8 pp
MYP3036-175 175 W 17.16% -0.370 11.3 kg Hotter, lighter, +3.8 pp
MYM2036-170 170 W 17.10% -0.370 11.2 kg Hotter, lighter, +3.8 pp
RS7E-185P 185 W 16.94% -0.390 12.0 kg +15 W, hotter, +3.6 pp
AE CMDS-60 175W 175 W 13.71% -0.290 13.5 kg +0.4 pp
AE CMDS-60 180W 180 W 14.10% -0.290 13.5 kg +10 W, +0.8 pp
ZEUS 1.2 FullBlack 280W 280 W 23.31% -0.260 14.3 kg +110 W, cooler, +10.0 pp
ZEUS 3.2 285WP FullBlack 285 W 23.14% -0.260 15.6 kg +115 W, cooler, +9.8 pp
GKA182M285W 285 W 23.00% - 10.8 kg +115 W, lighter, +9.7 pp
GKA182M240W 240 W 23.00% - 10.8 kg +70 W, lighter, +9.7 pp

Found 20 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±10 mm. See them here Found 20 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±25 mm. See them here Found 36 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±50 mm. See them here Found 46 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±100 mm. See them here

About the AE CMDS-60 series

6 answered

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

What is the AE CMDS-60 series used for and who is it designed for?
AE CMDS-60 is a repowering panel series designed to supplement or replace damaged modules in older photovoltaic installations. Matching dimensions and electrical parameters allow you to repair an existing string without rebuilding the whole system or reconfiguring the inverter. The series mainly targets service technicians and owners of older PV farms rather than new installations focused on maximum output.
Will an 180 Wp AE CMDS-60 panel fit my old solar installation?
AE CMDS-60 panels are available at a maximum power of 180 Wp, chosen specifically to match older systems where finding a compatible replacement is difficult. Before purchasing, compare the operating voltage and short-circuit current with your original panels to avoid string mismatch and power losses across the whole array.
How does the n-Type TOPCon technology in AE CMDS-60 differ from standard P-Type cells?
N-Type TOPCon cells offer greater operational stability and slower power degradation over time compared to traditional P-Type cells. In practice, this means the panel retains higher efficiency for longer, which matters when replacing modules in an installation that still has many years of operation ahead.
Are AE CMDS-60 panels suitable for agricultural or coastal installations?
Yes, the manufacturer confirms resistance to salt mist, sand, and ammonia corrosion for the CMDS-60 series. This makes the panels well suited for farms, livestock facilities, and installations located near the coast, where standard modules degrade faster due to coating and frame corrosion.
Are AE CMDS-60 panels resistant to PID and LID effects?
Yes, the modules have certified resistance to PID and LID, meaning degradation caused by induced voltage and initial light exposure, respectively. This results in more stable and predictable energy output over the long-term operation of the installation.
Is AE Solar a reliable and trustworthy panel manufacturer?
AE Solar is a German manufacturer classified as a Tier 1 supplier, indicating a stable financial position and a proven production track record confirmed by independent industry rankings. This status reduces the risk of warranty servicing issues in the future, which is especially important when buying panels for modernizing an existing installation.
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