--- title: "AE Solar MD-120E-460 460W Solar Panel - Specs & Review | ComparePV" description: "AE Solar MD-120E-460 460W solar panel. Specs: 21.35% efficiency, Monocrystalline cells, dimensions, warranty and temperature coefficient." source: "https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-md-120e-460" updated: 2026-09-11 --- # AE Solar MD-120E-460 Efficiency leader, no clear weak spot 449 panels in the segment PERC 450-500 W ## Identity - **Manufacturer:** AE Solar - **Model:** MD-120E-460 - **Series:** AURORA MD-120E (Mono-facial Black) - **Rated power:** 460 W - **Cell technology:** PERC ## How it compares Compared against segment PERC 450-500 W (449 panels). | Measure | This panel | Segment median | Standing | Rank | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Power (Wp) | 460 W | 460 W | Typical | | | Module efficiency | 21.35% | 20.82% | Strong - top 6% | 8,462 | | Power density | 213.5 | 208.5 | Strong - top 6% | 8,421 | | Temperature coefficient | -0.350 | -0.350 | Typical | 10,419 | | Weight (kg) | 22.5 kg | 24.5 kg | Strong - top 9% | | | Performance warranty | 30 yrs | 25 yrs | Strong - top 20% | 21 | ### Full peer table | Measure | This panel | Segment median | Standing | Rank | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Module efficiency | 21.35% | 20.82% | Strong - top 6% | 8,462 | | Power density | 213.5 | 208.5 | Strong - top 6% | 8,421 | | Temperature coefficient | -0.350 | -0.350 | Typical | 10,419 | | Weight per kWp | 48.9 | 53.1 | Strong - top 9% | 2,589 | | Performance warranty | 30 yrs | 25 yrs | Strong - top 20% | 21 | ### Strengths - **21.35% module efficiency** - Top 6% of the PERC 450-500 W segment, against a median of 20.82%. Ranked 8,462nd in the whole database. - **213.5 watts per square metre** - Top 6% of the PERC 450-500 W segment, against a median of 208.5. Ranked 8,421st in the whole database. - **48.9 kg per kWp** - Top 9% of the PERC 450-500 W segment, against a median of 53.1. Ranked 2,589th in the whole database. - **Best for:** Residential, commercial and shaded-installations. ## Specification ### Electrical - **Rated power (Pmax):** 460 W - **Efficiency:** 21.35 % - **Voltage at Pmax (Vmp):** 35.60 V - **Current at Pmax (Imp):** 12.92 A - **Open-circuit voltage (Voc):** 42.60 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:** 120 ### Physical - **Length:** 1902 mm - **Width:** 1133 mm - **Thickness:** 30 mm - **Weight:** 22.5 kg - **Area:** 2.15 m2 - **Power density:** 213.5 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 % - **Output after 30 years:** 375 W ## Rank in the whole catalogue | Measure | Position | | --- | --- | | Efficiency | 8462 of 14005 | | Power density | 8421 of 14005 | | Temperature coefficient | 10419 of 14005 | | Weight | 2589 of 14005 | | Warranty | 21 of 14005 | ## Pros - **The only European Tier 1 BNEF manufacturer** - AE Solar is the only European manufacturer with Tier 1 BloombergNEF certification and high bankability – the indicator has increased from 26% (2023) to 50% (2024). This directly translates to easier project financing and lower investment risk when claims are made under warranty over a 30-year period. - **30-year product and performance warranty** - The manufacturer guarantees >87% of the nominal power after 30 years – both the product warranty and the power warranty cover the same 30-year period. The industry standard in a comparable segment is 25 years, making this series stand out in terms of investment protection. - **PERC solar cells with gallium doping, using half-cut technology** - Applying a galem coating reduces LID (Light-Induced Degradation), stabilizing the performance of the panels in the initial years of operation. Half-cut cells reduce resistive losses and limit the impact of partial shading (chimneys, skylights, trees) – a common issue in residential rooftops in Poland. - **Kiwa PVEL Top Performer 2025 + DIBt certificate** - AE Solar has been awarded the Kiwa PVEL Top Performer 2025 award (an independent performance and durability test) and, as the first Tier 1 manufacturer in the industry, has also achieved the DIBt certification (German Institute for Building Technology). This provides objective confirmation of the quality of its production, which is rare among manufacturers from Asia. - **Full Black, without compromising on price.** - The series offers a mono-facial Full Black (black frame, black backsheet) without the typical premium price for the aesthetic version. For professional and commercial installations, where appearance is important, it eliminates the need to choose a more expensive product from a different product line of the same manufacturer. ## Cons - **Performance is approximately 1.7 percentage points lower than that of TOPCon peers.** - With the same rated power of 460 Wp, the Risen RSM96-11-460BNDG achieves an efficiency of 23%, while the SunKean SKT460M12-96D4 achieves 23.02%, compared to a maximum of 21.35% for the MD-120E. In a 10 kWp installation, this difference requires approximately 0.8–1 m² more roof area to achieve the same peak power. - **PERC: Higher annual degradation rate than TOPCon** - Standard PERC technology exhibits an annual degradation rate of approximately 0.55%/year after the first year, while TOPCon panels (from manufacturers like Risen and SunKean, comparable to others) achieve a degradation rate of approximately 0.40–0.45%/year. Over a 30-year warranty period, this difference could translate to approximately 3–5% lower overall energy yield. ## About this series The AE Solar AURORA MD-120E (Mono-facial Black) series are fully black modules designed for high aesthetics and stable performance in real roof conditions. They feature a **mono-facial Full Black** finish, which complements modern roofing materials and is widely chosen for single-family homes and commercial buildings where the appearance of the installation is important. This series utilizes a **proven PERC technology** with monocrystalline cells, along with solutions to minimize degradation (including gallium doping), which helps maintain predictable energy production over the years. The **half-cut** design supports operation in partially shaded conditions - lower losses in typical scenarios, such as chimneys, skylights, or trees. This is a good choice for investors who are looking for **a balance between performance and cost-effectiveness**, without paying extra for technologies that may not always be worthwhile in Polish conditions. The series is focused on durability and operational reliability, which sets it apart from many "attractive" panels that focus solely on appearance. ## Notable figures - Efficiency of 21.4% is 0.5pp above the \*\*PERC 450-500W\*\* median (20.8%) - Power density of 213.5 W/m² packs 5.0 W/m² more into the same footprint vs \*\*PERC 450-500W\*\* median (208.5 W/m²) - Temperature coefficient of -0.35%/°C matches the \*\*PERC 450-500W\*\* median - Weight of 22.5 kg (2.0 kg below \*\*PERC 450-500W\*\* median of 24.5 kg) allows easier transport and roof mounting - Ranked #8462 out of 14005 panels for efficiency in the database ## Questions ### What is the warranty on AE Solar AURORA MD-120E (Mono-facial Black) solar panels? The AURORA MD-120E series comes with a 30-year product warranty and a 30-year performance warranty. This is one of the longest warranty periods available on the market in this price range. AE Solar is a Tier 1 manufacturer based in Germany, which translates into a real ability to handle warranty claims over a long period. ### Will AE Solar AURORA MD-120E panels perform adequately under partial shading from a chimney or trees? Yes, the MD-120E series utilizes half-cut cell (182 mm) technology, which divides the module into two independent electrical sections. This significantly reduces energy losses caused by shading from vents, skylights, or tree branches, compared to traditional full-cell modules. This is particularly important in the Polish rooftop conditions, where unobstructed ideal sunlight is rare. ### What is the addition of gall in AURORA MD-120E panels, and why is it important? Doping with gallium is a technological process that replaces the traditional boron in the PERC cell structure. Boron-based cells degrade more rapidly over time due to light exposure (the LID effect). The use of gallium significantly reduces this degradation, which, in practice, means that the panel maintains its nominal power after 10 or 15 years of operation. This directly translates into the actual energy yield throughout the warranty period. ### What is the weight of the AE Solar AURORA MD-120E panel, and does it require additional roof reinforcement? The AURORA MD-120E module weighs approximately 23.5–24 kg and measures approximately 1910 x 1133 x 35 mm. In a typical residential installation, several such panels are mounted on the roof, typically generating 6–10 kW of power. Before installation, it is advisable to have a professional installer or engineer assess the roof's load-bearing capacity, especially in older homes with wooden roofs. In most modern buildings, the standard roof structure does not require reinforcement. ### What is the efficiency of the AE Solar AURORA MD-120E panels, and is this a good result? The AURORA MD-120E series achieves a module efficiency of 20.4–21.4% (at a peak power of 460 W). This is a strong result for monocrystalline PERC technology in the Full Black segment, where the dark frame and back of the panel slightly increase the operating temperature. For comparison, more expensive TOPCon technologies achieve 22–23%, but the difference in annual yield with a typical Polish installation is relatively small. ### Do the black panels of the AE Solar AURORA MD-120E heat up more, and does this reduce their efficiency? Full black panels absorb more heat than modules with white backing film, which can slightly reduce the momentary power output at high temperatures in summer. In practice, the difference is typically 1–3% over a year, and this is compensated for by the aesthetics and the ease of matching dark roofing materials. The PERC technology with gallium doping minimizes additional temperature losses. ## Datasheet [Manufacturer datasheet (PDF)](https://comparepv.com/datasheets/ae-md-120e-440w-460w-ver24-11-1-b4369cc0b27a.pdf) ## Alternatives | Panel | Power | How it differs | | --- | --- | --- | | [Longi Solar LR7-54HJD-510M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-54hjd-510m) | 510 W | +50 W, cooler, +3.6 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A495-MCE54Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a495-mce54mw) | 495 W | +35 W, cooler, +3.4 pp | | [Longi Solar LR7-54HJD-505M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-54hjd-505m) | 505 W | +45 W, cooler, +3.3 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A490-MCE54Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a490-mce54mw) | 490 W | +30 W, cooler, +3.1 pp | | [Longi Solar LR7-54HJD-500M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-54hjd-500m) | 500 W | +40 W, cooler, +3.1 pp | | [Talesun CIPRO-TN9C54M-500W](https://comparepv.com/panel/talesun-cipro-tn9c54m-500w) | 500 W | +40 W, cooler, +3.1 pp | | [AE Solar AE CMD-80BD-315](https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-ae-cmd-80bd-315) | 315 W | -145 W, cooler, -6.7 pp | | [AE Solar AE CMD-80BD-320](https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-ae-cmd-80bd-320) | 320 W | -140 W, cooler, -6.5 pp | | [AE Solar AE CMD-80BD-325](https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-ae-cmd-80bd-325) | 325 W | -135 W, cooler, -6.3 pp | | [AE Solar AE CMD-80BD-330](https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-ae-cmd-80bd-330) | 330 W | -130 W, cooler, -6.0 pp | | [AE Solar AE CMD-80BD-335](https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-ae-cmd-80bd-335) | 335 W | -125 W, cooler, -5.8 pp | | [AE Solar MD-120BD-440](https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-md-120bd-440) | 440 W | -20 W, heavier, -0.9 pp | | [Longi Solar LR7-60HVH-560M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-60hvh-560m) | 560 W | +100 W, cooler, +3.4 pp | | [Longi Solar LR7-60HVH-555M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-60hvh-555m) | 555 W | +95 W, cooler, +3.2 pp | | [Longi Solar LR7-60HVHL-550M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-60hvhl-550m) | 550 W | +90 W, cooler, +3.0 pp | | [JA Solar JAT60S40-540/LR](https://comparepv.com/panel/ja-solar-jat60s40-540-lr) | 540 W | +80 W, cooler, +3.0 pp | --- Source: https://comparepv.com/panel/ae-solar-md-120e-460 Not in this file, on the page: a thirty-year output simulator and alternatives filtered by how closely they match these dimensions.