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JA Solar JAM60S40-490/LR
JA Solar Brand review

JAM60S40-490/LR

490 Wp TOPCon
ComparePV verdict

Middle of its segment, needs the roof space

Rank 7,440 of 14,129
Compare panels Datasheet PDF
Power (Wp)
490
Strong · top 12%
Efficiency (%)
22.10
Weak · bottom 23%
Density (Wp/m²)
221.2
Weak · bottom 23%
Temp (%/°C)
-0.290
Typical · median -0.290
Weight (kg)
24.3
Typical · median 24.0 kg
Warranty (yrs)
30
Typical · median 30 yrs

The JA Solar JAM60S40 LR series was designed for maximum energy yield in real-world conditions - not just in the laboratory. The modules utilize N-type TOPCon cells, ensuring stable performance over time and being less susceptible to power degradation caused by common aging effects in the early years of operation. The construction based on half-cut cells minimizes resistive losses and helps maintain more stable performance under partial shading - which is particularly important for rooftops with chimneys, window wells, or installations near trees.

In practice, the JAM60S40 LR addresses two key challenges for investors: how to extract more kWh from the same surface area and how to reduce the risk of losses in harsher weather conditions. Additionally, the multi-busbar architecture improves current collection from the cells and enhances resistance to micro-cracking, translating to higher reliability.

This is an excellent choice for both residential and commercial installations, where high yield in low-light conditions and reliable performance over years are key factors.

Ranking

1,096 panels in the segment TOPCon 450-500 W
Metric This panel Median Position in segment Overall rank
Module efficiency 22.10% 22.52% Weak · bottom 23% 6,076
Power density 221.2 225.2 Weak · bottom 23% 6,029
Temperature coefficient -0.290 -0.290 Typical 2,220
Weight per kWp 49.6 52.2 Typical 3,156
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 · 3 caution
Best for

Residential, commercial and shaded-installations.

Not ideal for

Roofs where every square metre has to count and tight roof space.

Watch-outs
221.2 watts per square metre

Bottom 23% of the TOPCon 450-500 W segment, against a median of 225.2.

22.10% module efficiency

Bottom 23% of the TOPCon 450-500 W segment, against a median of 22.52%.

What owners get
Up to 23% efficiency - top of segment

The 510 Wp variant reaches 23% efficiency, outperforming the comparable Trina Solar Vertex (21.2%) by 1.8 pp and virtually matching the Sunlike SKT (22.93%). Only the DMEGC INFINITY RT (23.1%) marginally surpasses this series at the same peak power.

N-type TOPCon - low temperature coefficient and minimal LID

The temperature coefficient is -0.29%/°C, meaning smaller output losses on hot days compared to typical PERC cells (-0.35%/°C). N-type technology virtually eliminates Light Induced Degradation (LID), which causes 1-3% power loss in P-type cells within the first months of operation.

Half-cut + multi-busbar - stable output under partial shading

Splitting cells in half reduces internal resistance and limits losses under partial shading - shading half the module does not shut down the entire string. The multi-busbar architecture improves current collection and increases resistance to microcracks, directly lowering field failure rates.

30-year linear power warranty (>87.4%)

The manufacturer guarantees at least 87.4% of nominal power after 30 years, with a first-year degradation cap of ≤1% and an annual degradation rate of ≤0.4%. This warranty horizon is 5 years longer than the typical 25-year commitment in the PERC segment, reducing investor risk in long-term LCOE calculations.

JA Solar - BNEF Tier-1, Wood Mackenzie #1 in 2025

JA Solar maintains BNEF Tier-1 bankable status (Q1 2026) and ranked #1 in the Wood Mackenzie Global Solar Module Manufacturer Ranking for H1 2025 with a score of 91.7/100 - the highest among all evaluated companies. This ensures genuine access to non-recourse project financing and minimizes guarantor insolvency risk over the 30-year warranty horizon.

Trade-offs
Monofacial-only construction

The JAM60S40 LR series is not bifacial (is_bifacial: false) and therefore does not capture reflected irradiance from the surface beneath the module. On installations with highly reflective ground (gravel, snow, white roofing membrane), bifacial variants of equivalent peak power - such as the JA Solar JAM60D41/LB - can generate 5-25% more energy without any increase in mounting area.

Notes from the database
  • At 22.1% efficiency, this panel is on par with typical TOPCon 450-500W modules
  • 221.2 W/m² power density is 3.9 W/m² below TOPCon 450-500W median (225.2 W/m²) - requires larger installation area
  • At -0.29%/°C, hot weather performance is typical for TOPCon 450-500W panels
  • Ranked #6076 out of 14129 panels for efficiency in the database

Specifications

Open datasheet PDF
Nominal power (Pmax) 490 Wp Nameplate at 1000 W/m², 25 °C
Module efficiency 22.10 % Weak Segment median 22.52%
Vmpp · Impp 36.49 V · 13.43 A Operating point at max power
Voc · Isc 43.45 V · 14.30 A Sizes the string length
Max system voltage 1500 V Longer strings than 1000 V modules
Dimensions 1953×1134×30 mm · 2.21 m² of roof
Weight 24.3 kg Typical Typical · median 24.0 kg
Cells 120 · TOPCon Monocrystalline
Coefficient Pmax -0.290 %/°C Typical median -0.290 of its segment
Coefficient Voc · Isc -0.250 · 0.045 %/°C
NOCT 45 °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 428 W guaranteed
Degradation 1.00 → 0.40 % First year, then annual

Datasheet charts

Open datasheet PDF

Measured curves published by JA Solar in this model's datasheet. A chart carrying a wattage was measured on that variant alone - only the ones that describe 490 Wp appear here. The rest cover the whole series.

Standard Module Linear Performance Warranty Standard Module Linear 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
JA Solar JAM60S40-490/LR 490 W 22.10% -0.290 24.3 kg You are here
LR7-54HJD-510M 510 W 25.00% -0.240 23.5 kg +20 W, cooler, +2.9 pp
AIKO-A495-MCE54Mw 495 W 24.80% -0.260 21.0 kg Cooler, lighter, +2.7 pp
LR7-54HJD-505M 505 W 24.70% -0.240 23.5 kg +15 W, cooler, +2.6 pp
WST-505BKX54-A2 505 W 24.70% -0.260 25.0 kg +15 W, cooler, +2.6 pp
AIKO-A490-MCE54Mw 490 W 24.50% -0.260 21.0 kg Cooler, lighter, +2.4 pp
LR7-54HJD-500M 500 W 24.50% -0.240 23.5 kg +10 W, cooler, +2.4 pp
CIPRO-TN9C54M-500W 500 W 24.50% -0.260 21.4 kg Cooler, lighter, +2.4 pp
JAM60D41 485/LB 485 W 21.90% -0.290 27.3 kg Heavier, -0.2 pp
JAM60D41 495/LB 495 W 22.40% -0.290 27.3 kg Heavier, +0.3 pp
JAM60S40-500/LR 500 W 22.60% -0.290 24.3 kg +10 W, +0.5 pp
LR7-60HVH-560M 560 W 24.80% -0.260 25.0 kg +70 W, cooler, +2.7 pp
LR7-60HVH-555M 555 W 24.60% -0.260 25.0 kg +65 W, cooler, +2.5 pp
LR7-60HVHL-550M 550 W 24.40% -0.260 16.3 kg +60 W, lighter, +2.3 pp
JAT60S40-540/LR 540 W 24.40% -0.260 23.5 kg +50 W, cooler, +2.3 pp
GK-5-60HG-540M 540 W 24.40% -0.260 23.3 kg +50 W, cooler, +2.3 pp
JKM545-54QL6-DV-F1-EU 545 W 24.27% -0.260 27.5 kg +55 W, heavier, +2.2 pp

Found 488 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±10 mm. See them here Found 507 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±25 mm. See them here Found 1265 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±50 mm. See them here Found 1474 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±100 mm. See them here

About the JAM60S40 LR series

6 answered

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

What warranty does the JA Solar JAM60S40 LR come with?
The JAM60S40 LR series carries a 15-year product warranty and a 30-year linear power warranty. After 30 years, the module is guaranteed to retain at least 87.4% of its nominal power output. This is one of the longest warranty standards available on the market, backed by JA Solar - a Bloomberg Tier 1 manufacturer.
Is N-type TOPCon technology in the JAM60S40 LR genuinely better than older PERC modules, and is the price premium worth it?
Yes. N-type TOPCon cells are significantly less susceptible to LID (Light Induced Degradation) than standard PERC cells, resulting in smaller power losses in the first months of operation. Higher conversion efficiency also means more energy harvested from the same roof area. For a residential installation this translates to a measurably higher annual kWh yield without having to expand the system size.
Will JA Solar JAM60S40 LR panels perform well with partial roof shading from a chimney or dormers?
Yes. The JAM60S40 LR modules use half-cut cells that split each cell into two independent halves. This means shading one section of the panel does not shut down the entire string, and power losses are far smaller than with conventional full-cell modules. This is a significant advantage on urban rooftops featuring chimneys, dormers, or nearby trees.
How does the JAM60S40 LR perform on cloudy days and in low-irradiance conditions typical of Central European climates?
N-type TOPCon modules inherently perform better in diffuse light than older P-type technologies. The multi-busbar architecture improves current collection across the entire cell surface, boosting output at low irradiance levels. In climates where overcast days dominate for much of the year, this characteristic has a measurable positive impact on annual energy production.
Is the JA Solar JAM60S40 LR 510W a monofacial or bifacial panel?
The JAM60S40 LR series is monofacial - it generates power from the front side only and does not collect reflected irradiance from the surface beneath it. The monofacial design is fully adequate for standard rooftop installations and requires no special substrate or specific tilt angle. It also integrates easily with conventional racking systems.
What is the maximum wattage of the JAM60S40 LR series, and is choosing the 510 Wp variant worth it?
The top variant in the series is 510 Wp. A higher per-module wattage means fewer panels are needed to reach the target system capacity, directly reducing installation labor costs and roof space requirements. For a typical residential system of 8-10 kWp, only 16-20 modules are needed, making it especially practical on rooftops with limited usable area.
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