--- title: "AE Solar AE MD-144BS-550 550W Solar Panel - Specs & Review | ComparePV" description: "AE Solar AE MD-144BS-550 550W solar panel. Specs: 21.31% efficiency, Monocrystalline cells, dimensions, warranty and temperature coefficient." source: "https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-ae-md-144bs-550" updated: 2026-09-11 --- # AE Solar AE MD-144BS-550 Light for its output, no clear weak spot 589 panels in the segment PERC 550-600 W ## Identity - **Manufacturer:** AE Solar - **Model:** AE MD-144BS-550 - **Series:** AE MD-144BS - **Rated power:** 550 W - **Cell technology:** PERC - **Bifacial:** yes ## How it compares Compared against segment PERC 550-600 W (589 panels). | Measure | This panel | Segment median | Standing | Rank | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Power (Wp) | 550 W | 560 W | Weak - bottom 15% | | | Module efficiency | 21.31% | 21.29% | Typical | 8,503 | | Power density | 213.1 | 212.9 | Typical | 8,474 | | Temperature coefficient | -0.350 | -0.350 | Typical | 10,419 | | Weight (kg) | 26.5 kg | 30.8 kg | Strong - top 5% | | | Performance warranty | 30 yrs | 27 yrs | Strong - top 25% | 21 | ### Full peer table | Measure | This panel | Segment median | Standing | Rank | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Module efficiency | 21.31% | 21.29% | Typical | 8,503 | | Power density | 213.1 | 212.9 | Typical | 8,474 | | Temperature coefficient | -0.350 | -0.350 | Typical | 10,419 | | Weight per kWp | 48.2 | 52.7 | Strong - top 5% | 2,087 | | Performance warranty | 30 yrs | 27 yrs | Strong - top 25% | 21 | ### Strengths - **48.2 kg per kWp** - Top 5% of the PERC 550-600 W segment, against a median of 52.7. Ranked 2,087th in the whole database. - **30 year performance warranty** - Top 25% of the PERC 550-600 W segment, against a median of 27 yrs. - **Best for:** Commercial, utility-scale and shaded-installations. ## Specification ### Electrical - **Rated power (Pmax):** 550 W - **Efficiency:** 21.31 % - **Voltage at Pmax (Vmp):** 42.57 V - **Current at Pmax (Imp):** 12.92 A - **Open-circuit voltage (Voc):** 51.44 V - **Short-circuit current (Isc):** 13.67 A - **Max system voltage:** 1500 V ### Temperature - **Temperature coefficient of Pmax:** -0.350 %/degC - **Temperature coefficient of Voc:** -0.275 %/degC - **Temperature coefficient of Isc:** 0.045 %/degC - **NOCT:** 45 degC ### Cell and construction - **Cell type:** Monocrystalline - **Cell technology:** PERC - **Cell count:** 144 - **Bifacial:** yes ### Physical - **Length:** 2278 mm - **Width:** 1133 mm - **Thickness:** 30 mm - **Weight:** 26.5 kg - **Area:** 2.58 m2 - **Power density:** 213.1 Wp/m2 ### Warranty and degradation - **Product warranty:** 30 years - **Performance warranty:** 30 years - **Output guaranteed at end of warranty:** 81.5 % - **First-year degradation:** 2.50 % - **Annual degradation:** 0.55 % - **Output after 30 years:** 449 W ## Rank in the whole catalogue | Measure | Position | | --- | --- | | Efficiency | 8503 of 14005 | | Power density | 8474 of 14005 | | Temperature coefficient | 10419 of 14005 | | Weight | 2087 of 14005 | | Warranty | 21 of 14005 | ## Pros - **The only European Tier 1 BNEF manufacturer** - AE Solar is listed on the BNEF Tier 1 list for the 16th time (Q1 2025), and is the only European manufacturer with this status. The bankability has increased from 26% (2023) to 50% (2024), which directly reduces the cost of financing PV farm projects by commercial banks. - **30-year warranty on both power and product quality** - Both the product warranty and the power warranty cover a period of 30 years – 5 years longer than the standard 25-year warranties offered by most manufacturers in the segment (e.g., typical offerings from JA Solar, Trina Solar). The longer coverage reduces financial risks in LCOE models for commercial investments. - **Efficiency of 21.31%, which is comparable to the leading performers in the segment.** - The series achieves a maximum efficiency of 21.31%, placing it on par with direct competitors such as Goldi Solar GS10-B144-TF (21.3%) and IBC Solar 182M (21.28%). The higher power density per square meter reduces the number of modules and BOS (balance of system) costs in ground-mounted installations. - **Galem supplementation – resistance to LID and PID** - The use of gallium-doped wafers instead of boron-doped wafers eliminates the classic LID (Light Induced Degradation) effect observed in standard p-type solar cells in the first year of operation. The manufacturer's datasheets also confirm resistance to PID (Potential Induced Degradation), saline mist, sand, and ammonia – which expands the range of applications to industrial and coastal environments. - **Bifacial, half-cut 144 cells – lower system losses** - Half-cut configuration reduces current in each half of the string, lowering resistive losses and limiting the impact of partial shading. When combined with bifacial technology, the module can achieve a real additional gain of 5–15% in ground-mounted installations with a high albedo surface (e.g., sand, concrete, snow). ## Cons - **PERC Technology – Losing Market Share** - PERC cells exhibit an annual degradation rate of 0.6–0.8%, while newer TOPCon cells achieve a rate of 0.4–0.5%, and the bifaciality coefficient for PERC is approximately 70% compared to approximately 83–85% for TOPCon. Market forecasts (2025–2026) indicate a decline in the share of PERC below 25% of global production capacity, which could make it more difficult to secure project financing in the future, as banks tend to favor newer technologies. ## About this series The AE Solar AE MD-144BS panel series focuses on maximizing energy yields through the use of advanced **bifacial technology**, which allows for the absorption of sunlight from both sides of the module. This is a key solution for ground-mounted installations and surfaces with high albedo, where reflected light significantly increases total electricity production. The design, based on 144 half-cut cells, effectively minimizes resistance losses and limits the negative impact of partial shading on the stability of the entire system. A distinguishing feature of this series is its **high resistance to the LID effect**, achieved through the gallium-doping process, which guarantees the maintenance of nominal power over the long term. These panels solve the problem of limited installation space by offering higher power density per square meter compared to standard monofacial modules. They are primarily intended for commercial investments and solar farms, where the lowest levelized cost of energy (LCOE) matters. A robust frame and tempered glass ensure **exceptional mechanical strength** against snow and wind loads, which distinguishes them from cheaper alternatives with lower rigidity. By choosing AE MD-144BS, investors receive a product that combines German engineering precision with an innovative approach to **reducing the risk of hot-spot formation**, which directly translates into fire safety and trouble-free operation for decades. ## Notable figures - At 21.3% efficiency, this panel is on par with typical \*\*PERC 550-600W\*\* modules - Power density of 213.1 W/m² matches the \*\*PERC 550-600W\*\* median - Temperature coefficient of -0.35%/°C matches the \*\*PERC 550-600W\*\* median - 26.5 kg weight - 4.3 kg lighter than \*\*PERC 550-600W\*\* median (30.8 kg), reducing installation effort - Bifaciality factor of 70% can add 4-10% extra yield with reflective mounting surface ## Questions ### How much more energy does the AE MD-144BS produce compared to a standard panel due to its bifacial technology? The bifacial technology in the AE MD-144BS series allows the module to absorb radiation from both the front and the back of the panel. On ground-mounted installations with reflective surfaces such as concrete, sand, or snow, the energy gain from the back side ranges from 5 to 30% compared to an identical monofacial module. The actual gain depends on the reflectivity (albedo) of the surface and the mounting angle. ### Are the AE Solar AE MD-144BS 550 Wp panels suitable for a large-scale photovoltaic farm or a commercial installation? Yes, the AE MD-144BS series, with a power output of up to 550 Wp, is designed for farms and commercial investments. Its high peak power, bifaciality, and efficiency of up to 21.31% result in a low LCOE (Levelized Cost of Energy), which is the average cost of produced energy. The resistance to mechanical loads, including snow loads up to 5400 Pa and wind loads up to 2400 Pa, confirms the suitability of the panels for use in field conditions. ### What is the purpose of adding gale in AE MD-144BS panels, and why does it protect against power loss? The AE MD-144BS solar cells are manufactured using silicon doped with gallium instead of the standard boron. This eliminates the LID (Light-Induced Degradation) effect, which causes a permanent reduction in power output in the early hours of sunlight for traditional boron-based modules. As a result, the panel maintains its specified peak power from day one, and the annual decrease in performance does not exceed 0.55% over the entire 30-year lifespan. ### What is the warranty on AE Solar AE MD-144BS panels, and what does it cover? AE Solar offers a 30-year product warranty and a 30-year linear power warranty for the AE MD-144BS series. The manufacturer guarantees that after 30 years of operation, the module will maintain at least 81.55% of its nominal peak power, and the annual degradation will not exceed 0.55%. AE Solar is based in Germany and has Tier 1 manufacturer status according to BNEF, which significantly reduces the risk of warranty loss over the long term. ### How do the AE MD-144BS panels perform in situations with partial shading, such as caused by a chimney or a tree? The use of 144 half-cut cells divides each cell into two smaller components, which reduces the current and resistive losses. When partially shaded by a roof, antenna, or lightning protection system, losses due to shading are minimized, as the shadow on the lower half of the panel does not affect the entire module. In ground-mounted or hall-mounted installations, where the risk of shading is minimal, the advantages of half-cut technology are primarily seen in lower operating temperatures and improved long-term stability. ### Does the AE MD-144BS panel work with inverters operating at 1500 V, and what is the significance of this for a farm? Yes, the AE MD-144BS series supports a maximum system voltage of 1500 V DC, making it compatible with modern string inverters and central inverters used in commercial installations, such as those from Fronius, SMA, Huawei, Sungrow, or Growatt. The higher system voltage allows for the construction of longer strings, which reduces DC cabling costs and the number of distribution cabinets, ultimately lowering the overall investment cost of a photovoltaic farm. ## Datasheet [Manufacturer datasheet (PDF)](https://comparepv.com/datasheets/ae-md-144bs-530w-550w-ver24-11-1-7ff04e642fce.pdf) ## Alternatives | Panel | Power | How it differs | | --- | --- | --- | | [Longi Solar LR7-54HJD-510M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-54hjd-510m) | 510 W | -40 W, cooler, +3.7 pp | | [Longi Solar LR7-60HVH-560M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-60hvh-560m) | 560 W | Cooler, lighter, +3.5 pp | | [Longi Solar LR7-54HJD-505M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-54hjd-505m) | 505 W | -45 W, cooler, +3.4 pp | | [Longi Solar LR7-60HVH-555M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-60hvh-555m) | 555 W | Cooler, lighter, +3.3 pp | | [Longi Solar LR7-54HJD-500M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-54hjd-500m) | 500 W | -50 W, cooler, +3.2 pp | | [AE Solar AE CMD-96BD 375W](https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-ae-cmd-96bd-375w) | 375 W | -175 W, cooler, -6.8 pp | | [AE Solar AE CMD-96BD 380W](https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-ae-cmd-96bd-380w) | 380 W | -170 W, cooler, -6.6 pp | | [AE Solar AE CMD-96BD 385W](https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-ae-cmd-96bd-385w) | 385 W | -165 W, cooler, -6.4 pp | | [AE Solar AE CMD-96BD 390W](https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-ae-cmd-96bd-390w) | 390 W | -160 W, cooler, -6.2 pp | | [AE Solar AE CMD-96BD 395W](https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-ae-cmd-96bd-395w) | 395 W | -155 W, cooler, -6.0 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A650-MAE72Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a650-mae72mw) | 650 W | +100 W, cooler, +3.9 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A645-MAE72Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a645-mae72mw) | 645 W | +95 W, cooler, +3.7 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A640-MAE72Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a640-mae72mw) | 640 W | +90 W, cooler, +3.5 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A635-MAE72Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a635-mae72mw) | 635 W | +85 W, cooler, +3.3 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A630-MAH72Dw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a630-mah72dw) | 630 W | +80 W, cooler, +3.1 pp | --- Source: https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-ae-md-144bs-550 Not in this file, on the page: a thirty-year output simulator, a bifacial gain calculator and alternatives filtered by how closely they match these dimensions.