Middle of its segment, heavy for its output
The AE Solar ALPINE CMER-96BDE-I series is a full-black, bifacial double-glass module, designed for maximum durability in demanding climates. The use of N-type TOPCon cells ensures stable operation and high efficiency even under less-than-ideal conditions - with lower sunlight and on cooler days. The glass-to-glass construction, combined with sealed encapsulation layers, effectively protects against moisture and minor damage, supporting the long lifespan of the installation.
What truly sets ALPINE apart is its enhanced hail resistance, confirmed by independent tests, and its Swiss Hail VKF HW4 certification, which is particularly important for investments exposed to increasingly frequent extreme weather events. The bifacial operation of the module also allows for the utilization of reflected light from the ground, increasing energy yield without increasing the roof surface area.
This is a smart choice for single-family homes, commercial buildings, and premium projects, where aesthetics, durability, and predictable energy production are key.
Ranking
Signals from the data
Residential, commercial and cold-climate.
Weight-limited structures and tight roof space.
Bottom 3% of the TOPCon 400-450 W segment, against a median of 51.5. Ranked 13,515th in the whole database.
Bottom 25% of the TOPCon 400-450 W segment, against a median of 22.00%.
The module underwent independent tests by TÜV Rheinland, confirming its resistance to hail with a diameter of 40 mm at a speed of 27.54 m/s, across 16 impact points - a threshold significantly higher than the IEC standard (25 mm, 23 m/s). The tests revealed no visible damage, microcracks in the EL test, or power degradation, making ALPINE one of the few full-black modules in this power range with this certification.
AE Solar has been recognized as a Tier 1 company by BloombergNEF for the 16th consecutive year, and is the only European PV manufacturer to have received a "high bankability" rating in 2024 (bankability increased from 26% in 2023 to 50% in 2024). This makes it easier to obtain project financing and meet due diligence requirements for commercial installations.
The N-type TOPCon technology provides a Pmax temperature coefficient of -0.29%/°C, which means lower losses at high temperatures compared to typical P-type PERC modules (approximately -0.35%/°C). This 0.06%/°C difference translates into a significantly higher summer yield, especially on roofs with dark finishes.
The manufacturer offers a 30-year warranty on both the product and the power output - 5 years longer than the standard 25-year warranty offered by most competitors (including Trina Solar and JA Solar in the mass market segment). This extended warranty directly improves LCOE calculations and enhances the product's attractiveness to investors.
This unique combination of full-black aesthetics, bifacial technology, and a glass-glass construction offers a typical bifacial gain of +5-15%, depending on the surface albedo, without increasing the installation area. Among comparable products, only the Suntech Ultra V Pro mini offers a similar glass-glass configuration, but without HW4 certification and with a shorter warranty.
The maximum efficiency of the module is 22.54%, which is approximately 0.5% lower than comparable SunKean/Sunket SKT430~450M10-108D5 modules (23.04% with the same Pmax of 450 Wp). For installations with limited space (e.g., small pitched roofs), this means a slightly lower yield with the same number of modules; however, this difference is not offset by the noticeably lower bankability and lack of HW4 certification of those manufacturers.
- Efficiency of 21.5% matches the TOPCon 400-450W median
- At 215.4 W/m², this panel generates 4.8 W/m² less per unit area than TOPCon 400-450W median (220.2 W/m²)
- At -0.29%/°C, hot weather performance is typical for TOPCon 400-450W panels
- At 30.0 kg, this panel is 8.0 kg heavier than the TOPCon 400-450W median (22.0 kg) - more demanding for installation crews
- 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 430 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 1402 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±10 mm. See them here Found 1432 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±25 mm. See them here Found 3651 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±50 mm. See them here Found 3999 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±100 mm. See them here
About the ALPINE CMER-96BDE-I (Black, bifacial double-glass) series
These answers cover the whole series. Where a figure differs, the specification above is this module's own.