--- title: "Canadian Solar CS6L-455MS 455W Solar Panel - Specs & Review | ComparePV" description: "Canadian Solar CS6L-455MS 455W solar panel. Specs: 21.10% efficiency, Monocrystalline cells, dimensions, warranty and temperature coefficient." source: "https://comparepv.com/panel/csi-solar-co-ltd-canadian-solar-cs6l-455ms" updated: 2026-09-11 --- # Canadian Solar CS6L-455MS Strong in heat, no clear weak spot 449 panels in the segment PERC 450-500 W ## Identity - **Manufacturer:** Canadian Solar - **Model:** CS6L-455MS - **Series:** HiKu6 Mono PERC - **Rated power:** 455 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) | 455 W | 460 W | Typical | | | Module efficiency | 21.10% | 20.82% | Strong - top 21% | 9,297 | | Power density | 210.8 | 208.5 | Strong - top 23% | 9,534 | | Temperature coefficient | -0.340 | -0.350 | Strong - top 19% | 8,778 | | Weight (kg) | 24.2 kg | 24.5 kg | Typical | | | Performance warranty | 25 yrs | 25 yrs | Typical | 9,798 | ### Full peer table | Measure | This panel | Segment median | Standing | Rank | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Module efficiency | 21.10% | 20.82% | Strong - top 21% | 9,297 | | Power density | 210.8 | 208.5 | Strong - top 23% | 9,534 | | Temperature coefficient | -0.340 | -0.350 | Strong - top 19% | 8,778 | | Weight per kWp | 53.2 | 53.1 | Typical | 7,011 | | Performance warranty | 25 yrs | 25 yrs | Typical | 9,798 | ### Strengths - **-0.340 %/°C temperature coefficient** - Top 19% of the PERC 450-500 W segment, against a median of -0.350. - **21.10% module efficiency** - Top 21% of the PERC 450-500 W segment, against a median of 20.82%. - **210.8 watts per square metre** - Top 23% of the PERC 450-500 W segment, against a median of 208.5. - **Best for:** Residential, commercial, utility-scale and shaded-installations. ## Specification ### Electrical - **Rated power (Pmax):** 455 W - **Efficiency:** 21.10 % - **Voltage at Pmax (Vmp):** 34.60 V - **Current at Pmax (Imp):** 13.17 A - **Open-circuit voltage (Voc):** 41.20 V - **Short-circuit current (Isc):** 13.95 A - **Max system voltage:** 1500 V ### Temperature - **Temperature coefficient of Pmax:** -0.340 %/degC - **Temperature coefficient of Voc:** -0.260 %/degC - **Temperature coefficient of Isc:** 0.050 %/degC - **NOCT:** 41 degC ### Cell and construction - **Cell type:** Monocrystalline - **Cell technology:** PERC - **Cell count:** 120 ### Physical - **Length:** 1903 mm - **Width:** 1134 mm - **Thickness:** 30 mm - **Weight:** 24.2 kg - **Area:** 2.16 m2 - **Power density:** 210.8 Wp/m2 ### Warranty and degradation - **Product warranty:** 12 years - **Performance warranty:** 25 years - **Output guaranteed at end of warranty:** 84.8 % - **First-year degradation:** 2.00 % - **Annual degradation:** 0.55 % - **Output after 30 years:** 373 W ## Rank in the whole catalogue | Measure | Position | | --- | --- | | Efficiency | 9297 of 14005 | | Power density | 9534 of 14005 | | Temperature coefficient | 8778 of 14005 | | Weight | 7011 of 14005 | | Warranty | 9798 of 14005 | ## Pros - **Tier-1 Manufacturer with Continuously Confirmed Bankability** - Canadian Solar has appeared on the BNEF Tier-1 list without interruption for years, with a manufacturing capacity of 61,000 MW (Q2 2025 data), ensuring bankability for debt-financed and leased projects while minimizing the risk of manufacturer insolvency within the 25-year power warranty horizon. - **Up to 21.7% Efficiency – In Line with Peer Comparables** - Peak efficiency of 21.7% matches Premier Energies (21.67%) and Sunova TS-BW72 (21.68%), with no price premium for bifacial technology, making the series cost-competitive in the high-power 182 mm PERC module segment. - **Half-Cut 182 mm Cells + PERC: +2.7% Lifetime Energy Yield** - The half-cut 182 mm cell architecture combined with Mono PERC delivers, according to Canadian Solar's official datasheets, 2.7% higher energy yield over the module's lifetime compared to conventional full-cell designs, translating into real-world production gains under partial shading and high-temperature conditions. - **Linear 25-Year Power Warranty, Max. 0.55%/Year Degradation** - The manufacturer guarantees max. 2% degradation in year 1, followed by max. 0.55%/year, with a minimum output of 84.8% after 25 years — identical to leading Tier-1 competitors (Jinko, JA Solar) — backed by a 12-year product warranty covering materials and workmanship. - **Reduced LID and LeTID Degradation** - Applied cell passivation processes mitigate Light-Induced Degradation (LID) and Light and Elevated Temperature Induced Degradation (LeTID), stabilizing performance during the first 2–3 years of operation — particularly important for rooftop installations where module temperatures routinely exceed 50°C in summer. ## Cons - **P-Type PERC Technology in Decline Since 2025** - The PV industry is migrating en masse to N-type TOPCon — including Canadian Solar's own TOPHiKu6. The HiKu6 temperature coefficient of -0.34%/°C compares unfavorably to -0.29%/°C for TOPCon modules — roughly 15% higher power losses at typical summer cell temperatures of 65–70°C. Over a 25-year warranty period, choosing PERC results in a somewhat lower cumulative energy yield relative to N-type modules available at comparable price points. - **Monofacial Design Despite Comparable Efficiency** - The competing Premier Energies 144 HC PERC (21.67%) is available in a bifacial dual-glass configuration, which in ground-mount and flat-roof installations with a light-colored membrane can contribute 5–20% additional yield from albedo. As a monofacial module, the HiKu6 does not offer this option — a tangible limitation when designing utility-scale and commercial ground-mount systems. ## About this series The Canadian Solar HiKu6 Mono PERC series was designed to extract more energy from the same roof surface - thanks to the **dual cell (divided cells)** architecture and **Mono PERC** technology, which improves module performance in real-world conditions, not just in the laboratory. In practice, this translates to higher energy production, even when the installation operates under intense sunlight or partial shading. The HiKu6 features **enhanced resistance to LID and LeTID degradation**, ensuring more stable performance over the years of operation. Additionally, the module construction supports **better shading tolerance** and minimizes the impact of microcracks, which is crucial during transportation, installation, and operation on roofs exposed to wind and snow loads. This is an excellent choice for residential installations, small businesses, and commercial properties where high energy yield from limited space, aesthetics (available frame options), and long-term performance guaranteed by extensive manufacturer warranties matter. ## Notable figures - Efficiency of 21.1% matches the \*\*PERC 450-500W\*\* median - At 210.8 W/m² power density, roof space requirements are typical for \*\*PERC 450-500W\*\* panels - Temperature coefficient of -0.34%/°C matches the \*\*PERC 450-500W\*\* median - #9297 for efficiency, #8778 for temperature performance out of 14005 panels ## Questions ### What warranty is offered on Canadian Solar HiKu6 Mono PERC panels? The manufacturer provides a 12-year product warranty covering materials and workmanship, along with a 25-year linear power output warranty. Degradation limits are precisely defined: maximum power loss in the first year is 2%, with no more than 0.55% per year in subsequent years. This ensures the module retains at least 84.8% of its nominal power after 25 years of operation. As a Tier 1 manufacturer, Canadian Solar provides genuine assurance that these warranty terms can be enforced. ### What are LID and LeTID, and why does the HiKu6 series' resistance to them matter? LID (Light Induced Degradation) and LeTID (Light and elevated Temperature Induced Degradation) are phenomena that cause permanent power loss in PV panels during the first months and years of operation. The HiKu6 Mono PERC series employs active mitigation of both effects, which according to Canadian Solar reduces their impact by up to 50%. In practice, this translates to more stable energy production over the full 25-year operational lifetime and a closer correlation between rated power and real-world output. ### What is the maximum power output of modules in the Canadian Solar HiKu6 Mono PERC series? The HiKu6 Mono PERC series reaches a peak power output of up to 560 Wp, making it an attractive choice wherever high energy yield from a limited roof area is a priority. The half-cut cell technology combined with Mono PERC architecture delivers high module efficiency while simultaneously reducing losses caused by partial shading. ### Are Canadian Solar HiKu6 Mono PERC panels bifacial? No, the HiKu6 Mono PERC series consists of monofacial modules — they collect energy exclusively from the front side of the cell. This means full compatibility with standard rooftop mounting structures and no requirement for specialized reflective underlays. For rooftop installations, this is typically a sufficient and more cost-effective solution than the more expensive bifacial panels. ### Are HiKu6 Mono PERC panels suitable for a typical pitched roof on a single-family home? Yes, the HiKu6 Mono PERC series is designed with prosumer rooftop installations in mind, including pitched roofs. The modules are compatible with standard mounting systems and are available in variants with either a black or silver frame. Their construction minimizes the impact of microcracks that may occur during transport and installation, and their high tolerance for snow and wind loads makes them well suited to the Polish climate. ### Does the Canadian Solar HiKu6 Mono PERC perform well under partial shading or on hot days? Yes, the half-cut cell architecture significantly reduces losses under partial shading conditions — for example, from chimneys or trees. Mono PERC technology, in turn, improves energy yield at elevated temperatures compared to standard mono cells, although all panels experience some power reduction in high heat. As a result, the HiKu6 produces more energy under real-world conditions than a straightforward comparison of nominal power ratings would suggest. ## Datasheet [Manufacturer datasheet (PDF)](https://comparepv.com/datasheets/cs-datasheet-hiku6-cs6l-ms-v1-31-en-03e9bf049562.pdf) ## Alternatives | Panel | Power | How it differs | | --- | --- | --- | | [AIKO AIKO-A495-MCE54Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a495-mce54mw) | 495 W | Cooler, +3.7 pp, +5 yr warranty | | [Longi Solar LR7-54HJD-505M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-54hjd-505m) | 505 W | +50 W, cooler, +3.6 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A490-MCE54Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a490-mce54mw) | 490 W | Cooler, +3.4 pp, +5 yr warranty | | [Longi Solar LR7-54HJD-500M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-54hjd-500m) | 500 W | Cooler, +3.4 pp, +5 yr warranty | | [Talesun CIPRO-TN9C54M-500W](https://comparepv.com/panel/talesun-cipro-tn9c54m-500w) | 500 W | Cooler, +3.4 pp, +5 yr warranty | | [Gokin GK-3-54HGb-500M](https://comparepv.com/panel/gokin-gk-3-54hgb-500m) | 500 W | Cooler, +3.4 pp, +5 yr warranty | | [Canadian Solar CS6L-440MS](https://comparepv.com/panel/csi-solar-co-ltd-canadian-solar-cs6l-440ms) | 440 W | -15 W, -0.7 pp | | [Canadian Solar CS6L-445MS](https://comparepv.com/panel/csi-solar-co-ltd-canadian-solar-cs6l-445ms) | 445 W | -10 W, -0.5 pp | | [Canadian Solar CS6L-450MS](https://comparepv.com/panel/csi-solar-co-ltd-canadian-solar-cs6l-450ms) | 450 W | -0.2 pp | | [Canadian Solar CS6L-460MS](https://comparepv.com/panel/csi-solar-co-ltd-canadian-solar-cs6l-460ms) | 460 W | Very close match | | [Canadian Solar CS6L-465MS](https://comparepv.com/panel/csi-solar-co-ltd-canadian-solar-cs6l-465ms) | 465 W | +10 W, +0.4 pp | | [Longi Solar LR7-60HVH-560M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-60hvh-560m) | 560 W | +105 W, cooler, +3.7 pp | | [Longi Solar LR7-60HVH-555M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-60hvh-555m) | 555 W | +100 W, cooler, +3.5 pp | | [Longi Solar LR7-60HVHL-550M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-60hvhl-550m) | 550 W | +95 W, cooler, +3.3 pp | | [JA Solar JAT60S40-540/LR](https://comparepv.com/panel/ja-solar-jat60s40-540-lr) | 540 W | +85 W, cooler, +3.3 pp | | [Gokin GK-5-60HG-540M](https://comparepv.com/panel/gokin-gk-5-60hg-540m) | 540 W | +85 W, cooler, +3.3 pp | --- Source: https://comparepv.com/panel/csi-solar-co-ltd-canadian-solar-cs6l-455ms Not in this file, on the page: a thirty-year output simulator and alternatives filtered by how closely they match these dimensions.