Strong in heat, no clear weak spot
The Terra E CMER-72BD series is engineered for agrivoltaic applications, where the module doubles as both a roofing element and a power source. The defining feature of this line is high transparency of up to 40%, enabling homogeneous light distribution for crops grown beneath modules installed on greenhouse structures or agri-PV canopies. The panel shields plants from hail, heavy rain, and wind while also reducing heat stress during droughts and frost periods. Its bifacial double-glass construction boosts energy yield by capturing light reflected from the ground, improving LCOE in commercial installations. The half-cut n-Type TOPCon cells deliver lower power degradation over time and more stable performance under high temperatures compared to standard PERC structures. A reinforced frame and tempered, anti-reflective coated glass ensure high mechanical resistance to snow and wind loads, making the series well suited to demanding weather conditions. This makes it a strong choice for agricultural investors, greenhouse developers, and agri-PV projects that need to combine crop protection with a stable source of electricity revenue.
Ranking
Signals from the data
Agrivoltaic, commercial and shaded-installations.
Top 17% of the TOPCon 300-350 W segment, against a median of -0.300.
The series offers light transmittance of up to 40%, enabling homogeneous illumination of crops under greenhouse structures and agrivoltaic canopies - a feature rarely found in standard tier-1 panels (Canadian Solar HiDM, Jinko Cheetah HC), which do not offer this type of solution.
The glass-glass bifacial construction captures light reflected from the ground, improving the LCOE in commercial projects and extending module lifespan through better moisture protection compared to backsheet-based designs.
TOPCon technology delivers lower LID/LeTID degradation and more stable performance at high temperatures than older PERC structures, translating into higher real-world annual yield - particularly relevant during hot growing-season months.
The manufacturer provides a 30-year power output warranty, matching the current market standard for TOPCon modules and exceeding the 25-year power warranties still common in the PERC segment until recently.
AE Solar is a Tier-1 manufacturer headquartered in Germany, operating since 2003, which enhances project bankability for financiers requiring a documented supply track record and supplier financial stability.
Module efficiency ranges from 14.64-15.54%, significantly below comparable Tier-1 modules such as Canadian Solar HiDM (20.5%) or Jinko Cheetah HC 60M-V (20.45%). This is a direct consequence of the 40% transparency reducing active cell area - an acceptable trade-off for agri-PV, but a disadvantage in per-m² power comparisons for projects that don't require crop light transmission.
The product warranty is 15 years, while some competing TOPCon modules on the market already offer a 25-year product warranty alongside a 30-year power warranty - a meaningful factor for investors comparing total service-risk cost.
- At 15.1% efficiency, this panel is 0.9pp below the TOPCon 0-400W median of 16.0%
- Power density of 150.8 W/m² is 9.0 W/m² below TOPCon 0-400W median (159.8 W/m²) - needs more roof space
- At -0.29%/°C, hot weather performance is typical for TOPCon 0-400W panels
- At 27.5 kg (4.0 kg above TOPCon 0-400W median of 23.5 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 335 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 488 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±10 mm. See them here Found 508 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±25 mm. See them here Found 776 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±50 mm. See them here Found 1476 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±100 mm. See them here
About the Terra E CMER-72BD series
These answers cover the whole series. Where a figure differs, the specification above is this module's own.