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GCL GCL-M10/72GDF-540

GCL GCL-M10/72GDF-540

540 Wp PERC Bifacial 70%
ComparePV verdict

Solid all-round for its segment

Rank 7,930 of 14,129
Compare panels Datasheet PDF
Power (Wp)
540
Typical for its class
Efficiency (%)
20.90
Typical · median 20.90%
Density (Wp/m²)
209.0
Typical · median 209.0
Temp (%/°C)
-0.350
Typical · median -0.350
Weight (kg)
31.2
Typical · median 28.3 kg
Warranty (yrs)
30
Typical · median 30 yrs

The GCL GCL-M10/72GDF series are bifacial modules featuring a dual-glass construction, designed for reliable operation in challenging field conditions. Based on a monocrystalline P-type cell architecture using PERC technology and equipped with MBB, the module effectively minimizes connection losses and performs better under non-ideal irradiation conditions, such as light dirt or diffuse light. In turn, half-cut cells reduce working currents in module sections, resulting in lower internal losses and more predictable string performance.

The dual-glass structure with POE encapsulant aids long-term resistance to degradation and supports higher mechanical durability, which is crucial for installations exposed to wind, snow, and frequent temperature changes. This makes it an excellent choice for floating PV, agroPV, and ground-mount installations, where fire safety class A, reliability, and additional energy yield from the rear side of the module are essential.

Ranking

709 panels in the segment PERC 500-550 W
Metric This panel Median Position in segment Overall rank
Module efficiency 20.90% 20.90% Typical 10,148
Power density 209.0 209.0 Typical 10,176
Temperature coefficient -0.350 -0.350 Typical 10,489
Weight per kWp 57.8 53.0 Typical 11,492
Performance warranty 30 yrs 30 yrs Typical 21
Colour key Strong - top 25% Typical - middle 50% Weak - bottom 25%

Signals from the data

5 positive · 2 caution
Best for

Utility-scale, agrivoltaic, floating and shaded-installations.

What owners get
Bifacial Dual-Glass with POE Encapsulant

The dual-glass construction using POE instead of EVA significantly reduces the risk of yellowing and delamination over the long term. Rear-side energy yield typically adds +5-15% depending on ground albedo, making this series particularly attractive for utility-scale ground-mount, agrivoltaic, and floating PV installations. Certified Fire Safety Class A.

Multi-Busbar + Half-Cut PERC: Reduced Resistive Losses

The multi-busbar (MBB) architecture shortens current paths and reduces resistive losses at cell interconnections. Half-cut cells lower the operating current per section by approximately 50%, reducing thermal stress and improving partial-shading tolerance - a meaningful advantage under non-ideal irradiance conditions.

Efficiency Up to 21.68% - Top of Its Segment

A maximum module efficiency of 21.68% positions this series virtually on par with direct peer comparables: DAH Solar DHM-T72X10/BF/FS (21.72%) and Exiom EX540-560M(B)-144 (21.7%). The gap of less than 0.05 percentage points is not operationally significant, and GCL delivers comparable energy yield at equivalent technology.

30-Year Linear Power Warranty

The manufacturer provides a 30-year linear performance warranty, exceeding the 25-year standard offered by most Chinese P-type PERC producers. This translates into lower financial risk in bankability assessments and a longer investment return horizon for utility-scale PV projects.

BNEF Tier-1 Manufacturer, Operating Since 1990

GCL-SI is listed as a Tier-1 manufacturer by Bloomberg NEF, qualifying the modules as bankable and enabling non-recourse debt project financing. Over 30 years of industry presence and substantial production capacity minimize counterparty risk under long-term service and supply agreements.

Trade-offs
P-Type PERC - Technology Being Displaced by TOPCon

By 2025-2026, N-type TOPCon cells have reached price parity with PERC while offering lower LID (approximately 0.5% vs. ~1.5-2% for P-type in year one) and a better temperature coefficient (approximately -0.30%/°C vs. -0.35%/°C for PERC). In long-term utility-scale projects, the difference in real annual energy yield can reach 1-2%, to this series' disadvantage.

12-Year Product Warranty Below Premium Tier

The product warranty stands at 12 years - in line with most Chinese Tier-1 modules in this segment, but below the 15-year coverage offered by select premium manufacturers (e.g., certain LONGi Hi-MO X6 and REC Alpha series). For installers serving demanding corporate clients, this may be a negotiating point.

Notes from the database
  • At 20.9% efficiency, this panel is on par with typical PERC 500-550W modules
  • Power density of 209.0 W/m² matches the PERC 500-550W median
  • At -0.35%/°C, hot weather performance is typical for PERC 500-550W panels
  • At 31.2 kg, this panel is 2.9 kg heavier than the PERC 500-550W median (28.3 kg) - more demanding for installation crews
  • Bifaciality factor of 70% can add 4-10% extra yield with reflective mounting surface

Specifications

Open datasheet PDF
Nominal power (Pmax) 540 Wp Nameplate at 1000 W/m², 25 °C
Module efficiency 20.90 % Typical Segment median 20.90%
Vmpp · Impp 41.45 V · 13.03 A Operating point at max power
Voc · Isc 49.24 V · 13.78 A Sizes the string length
Max system voltage 1500 V Longer strings than 1000 V modules
Dimensions 2278×1134×30 mm · 2.58 m² of roof
Weight 31.2 kg Typical Typical · median 28.3 kg
Cells 144 · PERC Monocrystalline
Bifaciality 70 % Rear output as a share of front
Coefficient Pmax -0.350 %/°C Typical median -0.350 of its segment
Coefficient Voc · Isc -0.280 · 0.050 %/°C
NOCT 45 °C At 800 W/m², 20 °C ambient
Product warranty 12 years Hardware defects only
Performance warranty 30 years Typical median 30 yrs · median 30 yrs
End-of-warranty output 85.0 % Equals 459 W guaranteed
Degradation 2.00 → 0.45 % First year, then annual

Datasheet charts

Open datasheet PDF

Measured curves published by GCL in this model's datasheet. A chart carrying a wattage was measured on that variant alone - only the ones that describe 540 Wp appear here. The rest cover the 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
-
With bifacial gain
-

Degradation from this panel's own datasheet figures. No inverter, soiling or shading losses.

Heat losses
-0.350 %/°C against a segment median of -0.350
-
Bifacial gain
Rear gain over light concrete: -
-

Model: bifaciality × albedo × 0.6 view factor. A first-order estimate, not a yield simulation.

Filter these
Size
Panel Power Eff. Temp. Weight Difference
GCL GCL-M10/72GDF-540 540 W 20.90% -0.350 31.2 kg You are here
LR7-54HJD-510M 510 W 25.00% -0.240 23.5 kg Cooler, lighter, +4.1 pp
AIKO-A495-MCE54Mw 495 W 24.80% -0.260 21.0 kg Cooler, lighter, +3.9 pp
LR7-60HVH-560M 560 W 24.80% -0.260 25.0 kg Cooler, lighter, +3.9 pp
LR7-54HJD-505M 505 W 24.70% -0.240 23.5 kg Cooler, lighter, +3.8 pp
WST-505BKX54-A2 505 W 24.70% -0.260 25.0 kg Cooler, lighter, +3.8 pp
LR7-60HVH-555M 555 W 24.60% -0.260 25.0 kg Cooler, lighter, +3.7 pp
AIKO-A490-MCE54Mw 490 W 24.50% -0.260 21.0 kg Cooler, lighter, +3.6 pp
GCL-M10/72GDF-545 545 W 21.10% -0.350 31.2 kg +0.2 pp
GCL-M10/72GDF-550 550 W 21.29% -0.350 31.2 kg +10 W, +0.4 pp
GCL-M10/72GDF-555 555 W 21.48% -0.350 31.2 kg +15 W, +0.6 pp
GCL-M10/72H-560 560 W 21.68% -0.350 27.7 kg Lighter, +0.8 pp, -5 yr warranty
GCL-M10/72H-565 565 W 21.87% -0.350 27.7 kg Lighter, +1.0 pp, -5 yr warranty
AIKO-A650-MAE72Mw 650 W 25.20% -0.260 27.0 kg +110 W, cooler, +4.3 pp
AIKO-A645-MAE72Mw 645 W 25.00% -0.260 27.0 kg +105 W, cooler, +4.1 pp
AIKO-A640-MAE72Mw 640 W 24.80% -0.260 27.0 kg +100 W, cooler, +3.9 pp
AIKO-A635-MAE72Mw 635 W 24.60% -0.260 27.0 kg +95 W, cooler, +3.7 pp

Found 2327 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±10 mm. See them here Found 2369 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±25 mm. See them here Found 2383 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±50 mm. See them here Found 2548 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±100 mm. See them here

About the GCL-M10/72GDF series

6 answered

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

What warranty applies to the GCL-M10/72GDF panels, and what does the power output warranty cover?
The GCL-M10/72GDF series comes with a 12-year product warranty covering material and workmanship defects, along with a 30-year linear power output warranty. After 30 years, the manufacturer guarantees that the module will retain at least 84.95% of its rated power. This is the standard performance level for Tier 1 modules, ensuring predictable energy yield throughout the entire operational lifetime of the installation.
What are the benefits of the bifacial design in the GCL-M10/72GDF panels, and how much additional energy can be harvested from the rear side?
The bifacial cells in the GCL-M10/72GDF series capture light from both the front and the rear of the module - utilizing irradiance reflected from the ground surface (albedo). In practice, with a high-reflectivity surface such as concrete, light-colored gravel, or snow, the additional energy yield from the rear side ranges from 5% to as much as 20%. The greatest bifacial gain is achieved in ground-mounted installations with unobstructed clearance beneath the module, making this series particularly well-suited for utility-scale PV farms and agrivoltaic (agro-PV) systems.
Are the GCL-M10/72GDF panels suitable for floating PV (floatovoltaics) and agrivoltaic installations?
Yes. The dual-glass construction with POE encapsulant makes the GCL-M10/72GDF modules highly resistant to elevated humidity and water vapor - a critical requirement for floating PV deployments. Fire Safety Class A certification and a robust aluminum frame further enhance safety in agrivoltaic environments. The manufacturer explicitly lists floatovoltaics and agrovoltaics as dedicated target applications for this series.
How does the GCL-M10/72GDF series perform at high temperatures during summer, and what is its temperature coefficient?
The power temperature coefficient of the GCL-M10/72GDF is -0.35%/°C, which is a strong result for P-type PERC technology. This means that at a cell temperature of 65°C - typical for a hot summer midday - the module loses approximately 14% of its rated power relative to STC. The half-cut cell architecture combined with MBB (Multi-Busbar) interconnection further reduces resistive losses, resulting in improved performance during peak irradiance hours.
Is GCL a reputable manufacturer, and can buyers trust the GCL-M10/72GDF panels?
GCL System Integration (GCLSI) is a Bloomberg NEF Tier 1 listed manufacturer and one of the largest suppliers of PV cells and modules in the world. The company holds TÜV, CE, ISO, and other internationally recognized certifications, and its products are deployed in large-scale industrial projects across Europe and Asia. By choosing the GCL-M10/72GDF, buyers are working with a well-established supplier, which significantly reduces the risk of issues with warranty enforcement.
How does the half-cut and MBB technology in the GCL-M10/72GDF differ from standard mono-Si panels?
A conventional panel uses full-size cells interconnected by 3-4 ribbons. In the GCL-M10/72GDF, each cell is laser-cut in half, resulting in 144 half-cut cells instead of 72 full cells. This halves the current within each cell string, significantly reducing resistive (I²R) heating losses at the interconnections. MBB (Multi-Busbar) technology replaces a few wide busbars with a larger number of thin wires, shortening the electron path and minimizing shading from the busbars themselves. The combined result is a higher module efficiency (approximately 21.7%) and improved tolerance to partial shading.
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