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AE Solar SME-80E-425
AE Solar Brand review

SME-80E-425

425 Wp TOPCon
ComparePV verdict

Light for its output, modest efficiency

Rank 10,227 of 14,129
Compare panels Datasheet PDF
Power (Wp)
425
Typical for its class
Efficiency (%)
21.29
Weak · bottom 11%
Density (Wp/m²)
212.9
Weak · bottom 15%
Temp (%/°C)
-0.290
Typical · median -0.290
Weight (kg)
19.0
Strong · 3.0 kg below median
Warranty (yrs)
30
Typical · median 30 yrs

The SME-80E ShadeStar series is AE Solar's answer to one of the most common rooftop installation problems - partial shading caused by chimneys, antennas, trees, or neighboring buildings. The panel relies on segmented cell technology built on n-Type TOPCon half-cut cells, so a single shadow doesn't shut down the entire production string, letting the module maintain high efficiency even under uneven illumination. A key element of the design is the smart bypass diode layout, arranged to minimize the risk of hot spots and protect the cells from degradation under demanding operating conditions. As a result, the SME-80E delivers higher energy output under partial shading conditions and a lower LCOE compared to conventional TOPCon butterfly or BC modules, as confirmed by independent Fraunhofer CSP testing. The sleek, uniformly black mono-facial design makes the panel well suited to residential rooftops, where both aesthetics and stable productivity matter. This is a solution aimed at investors and installers working on sites with complex shading patterns - places where standard modules lose a significant share of their energy potential. Robust construction and a long manufacturer warranty further underline the long-term reliability of this series.

Ranking

1,220 panels in the segment TOPCon 400-450 W
Metric This panel Median Position in segment Overall rank
Module efficiency 21.29% 22.00% Weak · bottom 11% 8,776
Power density 212.9 220.2 Weak · bottom 15% 8,663
Temperature coefficient -0.290 -0.290 Typical 2,220
Weight per kWp 44.7 51.5 Strong · top 4% 517
Performance warranty 30 yrs 30 yrs Typical 21
Colour key Strong - top 25% Typical - middle 50% Weak - bottom 25%

Signals from the data

6 positive · 5 caution
Best for

Residential and shaded-installations.

Not ideal for

Tight roof space and roofs where every square metre has to count.

Strengths
44.7 kg per kWp

Top 4% of the TOPCon 400-450 W segment, against a median of 51.5. Ranked 517th in the whole database.

Watch-outs
21.29% module efficiency

Bottom 11% of the TOPCon 400-450 W segment, against a median of 22.00%.

212.9 watts per square metre

Bottom 15% of the TOPCon 400-450 W segment, against a median of 220.2.

What owners get
Patented shading-resistant architecture

The segmented n-Type TOPCon half-cell architecture combined with an intelligently placed bypass diode layout was co-developed with Fraunhofer CSP under the SegmentPV research project. Independent lab and field testing by Fraunhofer CSP showed the ShadeStar module delivers up to 70% higher energy output under partial-shading conditions compared to BC modules.

High n-Type TOPCon efficiency

Efficiency of 21.04-22.04% along with the low LID degradation typical of n-Type cells results in higher annual energy yield compared to older PERC modules, even under standard (unshaded) irradiance conditions.

Reduced hot-spot risk

The bypass diode layout, developed jointly with Fraunhofer CSP based on novel thermal-cycling tests (alternating operating conditions), minimizes the risk of localized cell overheating, improving long-term reliability on roofs affected by chimneys, antennas, or shading from neighboring buildings.

Tier-1 manufacturer, 20+ years in the market

AE Solar is a German, Tier-1 bankable manufacturer operating since 2003, which supports bank/insurer financeability of projects and long-term warranty backing stability.

30-year linear power warranty

The 30-year linear power warranty, with annual degradation no greater than 0.4% after the first year (first-year degradation ≤1%), guarantees at least ~87.4% of nominal power after 30 years - on par with leading offers in the premium TOPCon segment.

Trade-offs
Efficiency below segment leaders

Maximum efficiency of 22.04% trails comparable TOPCon series from competitors such as Luxor Solar ECO LINE N-TYPE (22.86%), JA Solar JAM54D40 (22.5%), and Lina Energy LEPV 132 ULTRA PREMIUM (22.37%) - meaning less power per roof area on space-constrained installations.

15-year product warranty

The product warranty is limited to 15 years, shorter than the 25-year standard increasingly offered by Tier-1 TOPCon manufacturers since 2023-2024, which may matter when comparing total lifecycle service-risk cost across installations.

No bifacial variant available

The SME-80E series is only offered as mono-facial, unlike some competing TOPCon series that offer a bifacial option - ruling out additional yield from reflected irradiance on installations with bright ground cover or ground-mount/carport applications.

Notes from the database
  • Module efficiency of 21.3% is 0.7pp below average for TOPCon 400-450W panels (median: 22.0%)
  • At 212.9 W/m², this panel generates 7.3 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
  • 19.0 kg weight - 3.0 kg lighter than TOPCon 400-450W median (22.0 kg), reducing installation effort
  • In the top 62% for efficiency among all TOPCon panels

Specifications

Open datasheet PDF
Nominal power (Pmax) 425 Wp Nameplate at 1000 W/m², 25 °C
Module efficiency 21.29 % Weak Segment median 22.00%
Vmpp · Impp 50.24 V · 8.46 A Operating point at max power
Voc · Isc 57.44 V · 8.91 A Sizes the string length
Max system voltage 1500 V Longer strings than 1000 V modules
Dimensions 1762×1133×30 mm · 2.00 m² of roof
Weight 19.0 kg Strong Strong · 3.0 kg below median
Cells 80 · TOPCon Monocrystalline
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
Product warranty 15 years Hardware defects only
Performance warranty 30 years Typical median 30 yrs · median 30 yrs
End-of-warranty output 87.4 % Equals 371 W guaranteed
Degradation 1.00 → 0.40 % First year, then annual

Datasheet charts

Open datasheet PDF

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 425 Wp appear here. The rest cover the whole series.

Our Performance Warranty Our Performance Warranty Whole series

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 SME-80E-425 425 W 21.29% -0.290 19.0 kg You are here
SPR-MAX7-475 475 W 24.00% -0.270 21.1 kg +50 W, +2.7 pp, +10 yr warranty
JST-EDMH-(445-465)W-TD (465W class) 465 W 23.81% -0.300 20.5 kg +40 W, heavier, +2.5 pp
JAT54S40-475/LR 475 W 23.80% -0.260 19.3 kg +50 W, cooler, +2.5 pp
TWMNH-48HW475 475 W 23.80% -0.280 23.7 kg +50 W, heavier, +2.5 pp
CHSM48RN(DG)/F-BH-475 475 W 23.80% -0.290 24.5 kg +50 W, heavier, +2.5 pp
AIKO-A475-MCE54Mw 475 W 23.80% -0.260 21.0 kg +50 W, cooler, +2.5 pp
AIKO-A475-MAH54Mw 475 W 23.80% -0.260 21.5 kg +50 W, cooler, +2.5 pp
CMER-64BD-290 290 W 14.53% -0.290 23.0 kg -135 W, heavier, -6.8 pp
CMER-64BD-295 295 W 14.78% -0.290 23.0 kg -130 W, heavier, -6.5 pp
CMER-64BD-300 300 W 15.03% -0.290 23.0 kg -125 W, heavier, -6.3 pp
CMER-64BD-305 305 W 15.28% -0.290 23.0 kg -120 W, heavier, -6.0 pp
CMER-64BD-310 310 W 15.53% -0.290 23.0 kg -115 W, heavier, -5.8 pp
AE_CMD-108BD-Terracotta 360 W 18.03% -0.320 26.0 kg -65 W, heavier, -3.3 pp
AE_CMD-108BD-Emerald 375 W 18.78% -0.320 26.0 kg -50 W, heavier, -2.5 pp
AE_CMD-108BD-Blues 380 W 19.03% -0.320 26.0 kg Heavier, -2.3 pp, -5 yr warranty
AE_CMD-108BD-Frost 385 W 19.29% -0.320 26.0 kg Heavier, -2.0 pp, -5 yr warranty
LR7-54HJD-510M 510 W 25.00% -0.240 23.5 kg +85 W, cooler, +3.7 pp

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 SME-80E SHADESTAR series

6 answered

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

How does the AE Solar SME-80E ShadeStar series differ from standard TOPCon panels?
The key difference is the segmented cell technology built on n-Type TOPCon half-cells combined with an intelligent bypass diode layout. This means a single shadow, for example from a chimney or antenna, does not shut down the entire power production string as it would in conventional butterfly or BC modules. Independent Fraunhofer CSP testing confirms higher energy yield under partial shading and a lower LCOE compared to standard TOPCon designs.
Is the SME-80E ShadeStar suitable for roofs with partial shading from chimneys or trees?
Yes, that is exactly what this series is designed for. The segmented cell architecture and bypass diode placement are engineered to keep the module efficient even under uneven irradiance. This solution is aimed at sites with complex shading patterns, such as chimneys, satellite antennas, or nearby trees, where standard modules lose a significant share of their energy potential.
What warranty comes with AE Solar SME-80E ShadeStar panels?
The panels come with a 15-year product warranty and a 30-year linear power output warranty. AE Solar is a Tier-1 manufacturer headquartered in Germany, which further underlines the long-term reliability of this series. This warranty period aligns with market standards for high-end n-Type TOPCon modules and gives investors confidence in stable energy production over the system's lifetime.
What is the maximum power output of the SME-80E ShadeStar, and is it strong for a shade-optimized panel?
The module's maximum power output is 440 Wp. That's an excellent result for a panel designed for challenging irradiance conditions, since shade-optimized modules typically sacrifice power rating for shading tolerance. The segmented TOPCon cell technology allows this series to combine high nominal power with genuinely better energy production when part of the module is shaded.
Is the SME-80E ShadeStar a bifacial module?
No, the SME-80E ShadeStar series is a mono-facial module, not bifacial. It features a uniformly black housing that fits well with the aesthetics of residential rooftops, where both appearance and output matter. The panel generates energy only from its front side, so its advantage comes mainly from shading resilience rather than additional rear-side energy gain.
What type of installations is the SME-80E ShadeStar series best suited for?
This series is aimed primarily at installers and investors working on residential roofs with complex shading patterns, where standard TOPCon modules lose a significant portion of their energy potential. Combining a high 440 Wp power rating, an aesthetic black housing, and strong shading resilience, the panel performs well wherever both productivity and visual appearance on a prominent roof matter.
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