--- title: "Philadelphia Solar PS-M144(HCBF)-550W 550W Solar Panel - Specs & Review | ComparePV" description: "Philadelphia Solar PS-M144(HCBF)-550W 550W solar panel. Specs: 21.30% efficiency, Monocrystalline cells, dimensions, warranty and temperature coefficient." source: "https://comparepv.com/panel/philadelphia-solar-ps-m144-hcbf-550w" updated: 2026-09-11 --- # Philadelphia Solar PS-M144(HCBF)-550W Middle of its segment, short guarantee 589 panels in the segment PERC 550-600 W ## Identity - **Manufacturer:** Philadelphia Solar - **Model:** PS-M144(HCBF)-550W - **Series:** PHENex - **Rated power:** 550 W - **Cell technology:** PERC - **Bifacial:** yes ## How it compares Compared against segment PERC 550-600 W (589 panels). | Measure | This panel | Segment median | Standing | Rank | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Power (Wp) | 550 W | 560 W | Weak - bottom 15% | | | Module efficiency | 21.30% | 21.29% | Typical | 8,519 | | Power density | 213.2 | 212.9 | Typical | 8,446 | | Temperature coefficient | -0.350 | -0.350 | Typical | 10,419 | | Weight (kg) | 29.0 kg | 30.8 kg | Typical | | | Performance warranty | 25 yrs | 27 yrs | Weak - bottom 24% | 9,798 | ### Full peer table | Measure | This panel | Segment median | Standing | Rank | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Module efficiency | 21.30% | 21.29% | Typical | 8,519 | | Power density | 213.2 | 212.9 | Typical | 8,446 | | Temperature coefficient | -0.350 | -0.350 | Typical | 10,419 | | Weight per kWp | 52.7 | 52.7 | Typical | 6,373 | | Performance warranty | 25 yrs | 27 yrs | Weak - bottom 24% | 9,798 | ### Watch out for - **25 year performance warranty** - Bottom 24% of the PERC 550-600 W segment, against a median of 27 yrs. - **Best for:** Utility-scale, commercial and shaded-installations. - **Not ideal for:** Owners who want a long output guarantee. ## Specification ### Electrical - **Rated power (Pmax):** 550 W - **Efficiency:** 21.30 % - **Voltage at Pmax (Vmp):** 42.19 V - **Current at Pmax (Imp):** 13.05 A - **Open-circuit voltage (Voc):** 50.25 V - **Short-circuit current (Isc):** 13.69 A - **Max system voltage:** 1500 V ### Temperature - **Temperature coefficient of Pmax:** -0.350 %/degC - **Temperature coefficient of Voc:** -0.220 %/degC - **Temperature coefficient of Isc:** 0.050 %/degC - **NOCT:** 45 degC ### Cell and construction - **Cell type:** Monocrystalline - **Cell technology:** PERC - **Cell count:** 144 - **Bifacial:** yes ### Physical - **Length:** 2277 mm - **Width:** 1133 mm - **Thickness:** 35 mm - **Weight:** 29.0 kg - **Area:** 2.58 m2 - **Power density:** 213.2 Wp/m2 ### Warranty and degradation - **Product warranty:** 12 years - **Performance warranty:** 25 years - **Output guaranteed at end of warranty:** 86.0 % - **First-year degradation:** 2.00 % - **Annual degradation:** 0.50 % - **Output after 30 years:** 459 W ## Rank in the whole catalogue | Measure | Position | | --- | --- | | Efficiency | 8519 of 14005 | | Power density | 8446 of 14005 | | Temperature coefficient | 10419 of 14005 | | Weight | 6373 of 14005 | | Warranty | 9798 of 14005 | ## Pros - **Half-cut PERC cells with 10 busbars** - The use of half-cut monocrystalline PERC cells in a 10-busbar layout reduces resistive losses and improves module behavior under partial shading (e.g., chimneys, antennas), resulting in higher and more stable energy yield in typical rooftop installations. - **High bifacial gain up to 65%** - Per Philadelphia Solar's datasheet, PHENex modules deliver an additional bifacial gain of up to 65%, making them attractive for ground-mount PV farms built on high-albedo surfaces such as light soil, gravel, or reflective membranes. - **Very high mechanical load resistance** - The module withstands front loads of up to 5400 Pa and rear loads of up to 2400 Pa, exceeding typical segment specs and making the series well suited for utility-scale projects in regions with heavy snow and wind loads. - **Tier-1 manufacturer with a 19-year track record** - Philadelphia Solar has operated since 2007 and holds BNEF Tier-1 bankable status, easing project financing through commercial banks and reducing investor risk when choosing the PHENex series. - **21.5% efficiency on par with segment leaders** - The top-bin variant reaches 21.5% efficiency, matching the best comparable PERC/half-cut modules such as JA Solar DEEP BLUE 3.0 (21.5%) and outperforming ET Solar Elite PLUS (21.4%) and Boviet VEGA (21.3%) at the same 555 Wp maximum power. ## Cons - **Lower efficiency on the base variant** - The weakest bin within the 4-variant PHENex lineup reaches only 20.9% efficiency, below comparable competitor models (ET Solar 21.4%, Boviet 21.3%, JA Solar 21.5%) at the same 555 Wp maximum power - selecting a lower bin gives up part of the series' technological edge. ## About this series PHENex is Philadelphia Solar's bifacial module series, engineered to maximize energy yield from every square meter of roof or ground-mounted project. At the heart of the series are **half-cut monocrystalline PERC cells**, which reduce resistive losses through cell segmentation and improve performance under partial shading - a real-world issue for rooftop installations where a chimney or antenna can drag down output across an entire string. The **bifacial technology** captures additional irradiance reflected from the ground surface, a feature particularly valued by developers building PV farms on light-colored soil or gravel. The modules use a **10-busbar layout**, ensuring even current distribution and higher long-term connection reliability. The PHENex design also stands out for its **high mechanical resistance to snow and wind loads**, making it a solid choice for both commercial rooftops and large utility-scale projects in demanding climates. The PHENex series suits investors looking for a balance between low LCOE and long-term energy production stability, backed by the manufacturer's extended warranty. ## Notable figures - Efficiency of 21.3% matches the \*\*PERC 550-600W\*\* median - At 213.2 W/m² power density, roof space requirements are typical for \*\*PERC 550-600W\*\* panels - Temperature coefficient of -0.35%/°C matches the \*\*PERC 550-600W\*\* median - At 29.0 kg, this panel is 1.8 kg lighter than \*\*PERC 550-600W\*\* median (30.8 kg) - easier handling during installation - 65% bifaciality enables rear-side power generation, boosting yield by 3-10% on reflective surfaces ## Questions ### How does bifacial technology in PHENex panels differ from standard monofacial modules? PHENex panels have both sides active, capturing not only direct sunlight but also light reflected off the surrounding surface - a roof, gravel, or light-colored ground. Depending on the albedo of the surroundings and mounting height, this can deliver an additional energy yield of several to over ten percent compared to a monofacial module of the same rated power. ### What is the maximum power output of the PHENex module and who is it best suited for? The PHENex series reaches up to 555 Wp of maximum power, reducing the number of modules needed to reach a given installation capacity. This output level suits both commercial installations on large roof areas and utility-scale projects, where a low cost per watt of installed capacity matters most. ### What warranty covers PHENex panels and what does it include? Philadelphia Solar provides a 12-year product warranty covering material and workmanship defects, along with a 25-year linear power warranty guaranteeing sustained performance throughout the module's service life. This is in line with warranty terms offered by other tier 1 manufacturers. ### Does the 10-busbar design in PHENex panels have a real impact on module durability? Yes, the 10-busbar layout spreads current across more conduction paths, reducing the load on any single solder joint and lowering the risk of microcracks or connection degradation over time. In practice this translates into higher long-term reliability, especially under significant temperature fluctuations. ### Do PERC half-cut cells in PHENex handle partial shading better? Yes, splitting cells into half-cells reduces resistive losses, so shading part of the module - from a chimney or antenna, for example - has a smaller impact on the whole string's output than in standard full-size cell panels. This is a notable advantage for rooftop installations with irregularly shaped roof planes. ### Is Philadelphia Solar a reliable and established manufacturer for the PHENex series? Philadelphia Solar is a tier 1 manufacturer headquartered in Jordan, active in the PV market for many years and supplying modules for commercial and utility-scale projects worldwide. Tier 1 status confirms financial stability and the real likelihood of warranty support over the long term, reducing risk for investors. ## Datasheet [Manufacturer datasheet (PDF)](https://comparepv.com/datasheets/ps-m144-540-555-AR-8dcd2506208f.pdf) ## Alternatives | Panel | Power | How it differs | | --- | --- | --- | | [Longi Solar LR7-54HJD-510M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-54hjd-510m) | 510 W | Cooler, lighter, +3.7 pp | | [Longi Solar LR7-60HVH-560M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-60hvh-560m) | 560 W | Cooler, +3.5 pp, +5 yr warranty | | [Longi Solar LR7-54HJD-505M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-54hjd-505m) | 505 W | Cooler, lighter, +3.4 pp | | [Longi Solar LR7-60HVH-555M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-60hvh-555m) | 555 W | Cooler, +3.3 pp, +5 yr warranty | | [Longi Solar LR7-54HJD-500M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-54hjd-500m) | 500 W | Cooler, lighter, +3.2 pp | | [Philadelphia Solar PS-M144(HCBF)-GG-535W](https://comparepv.com/panel/philadelphia-solar-ps-m144-hcbf-gg-535w) | 535 W | Heavier, -0.6 pp, +5 yr warranty | | [Philadelphia Solar PS-M144(HCBF)-GG-540W](https://comparepv.com/panel/philadelphia-solar-ps-m144-hcbf-gg-540w) | 540 W | Heavier, -0.4 pp, +5 yr warranty | | [Philadelphia Solar PS-M144(HCBF)-540W](https://comparepv.com/panel/philadelphia-solar-ps-m144-hcbf-540w) | 540 W | -10 W, -0.4 pp | | [Philadelphia Solar PS-M144(HCBF)-GG-545W](https://comparepv.com/panel/philadelphia-solar-ps-m144-hcbf-gg-545w) | 545 W | Heavier, +5 yr warranty | | [Philadelphia Solar PS-M144(HCBF)-545W](https://comparepv.com/panel/philadelphia-solar-ps-m144-hcbf-545w) | 545 W | Very close match | | [AIKO AIKO-A650-MAE72Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a650-mae72mw) | 650 W | +100 W, cooler, +3.9 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A645-MAE72Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a645-mae72mw) | 645 W | +95 W, cooler, +3.7 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A640-MAE72Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a640-mae72mw) | 640 W | +90 W, cooler, +3.5 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A635-MAE72Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a635-mae72mw) | 635 W | +85 W, cooler, +3.3 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A630-MAH72Dw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a630-mah72dw) | 630 W | +80 W, cooler, +3.1 pp | --- Source: https://comparepv.com/panel/philadelphia-solar-ps-m144-hcbf-550w Not in this file, on the page: a thirty-year output simulator, a bifacial gain calculator and alternatives filtered by how closely they match these dimensions.