--- title: "Philadelphia Solar PS-MNB156(HCBF)-640W 640W Solar Panel - Specs & Review | ComparePV" description: "Philadelphia Solar PS-MNB156(HCBF)-640W 640W solar panel. Specs: 22.90% efficiency, Monocrystalline cells." source: "https://comparepv.com/panel/philadelphia-solar-ps-mnb156-hcbf-640w" updated: 2026-09-12 --- # Philadelphia Solar PS-MNB156(HCBF)-640W Solid all-round for its segment 359 panels in the segment N-type 600-650 W ## Identity - **Manufacturer:** Philadelphia Solar - **Model:** PS-MNB156(HCBF)-640W - **Series:** NEXUS PS-MNB156(HCBF)-xxxW - **Rated power:** 640 W - **Cell technology:** N-type - **Bifacial:** yes ## How it compares Compared against segment N-type 600-650 W (359 panels). | Measure | This panel | Segment median | Standing | Rank | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Power (Wp) | 640 W | 625 W | Strong - top 11% | | | Module efficiency | 22.90% | 22.77% | Typical | 2,359 | | Power density | 229.0 | 227.7 | Typical | 2,380 | | Temperature coefficient | -0.290 | -0.290 | Typical | 2,165 | | Weight (kg) | 32.5 kg | 32.5 kg | Typical | | | Performance warranty | 30 yrs | 30 yrs | Typical | 21 | ### Full peer table | Measure | This panel | Segment median | Standing | Rank | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Module efficiency | 22.90% | 22.77% | Typical | 2,359 | | Power density | 229.0 | 227.7 | Typical | 2,380 | | Temperature coefficient | -0.290 | -0.290 | Typical | 2,165 | | Weight per kWp | 50.8 | 52.7 | Typical | 4,196 | | Performance warranty | 30 yrs | 30 yrs | Typical | 21 | - **Best for:** Commercial, utility-scale, shaded-installations and off-grid. ## Specification ### Electrical - **Rated power (Pmax):** 640 W - **Efficiency:** 22.90 % - **Voltage at Pmax (Vmp):** 47.78 V - **Current at Pmax (Imp):** 13.41 A - **Open-circuit voltage (Voc):** 56.25 V - **Short-circuit current (Isc):** 14.18 A - **Max system voltage:** 1500 V ### Temperature - **Temperature coefficient of Pmax:** -0.290 %/degC - **Temperature coefficient of Voc:** -0.250 %/degC - **Temperature coefficient of Isc:** 0.045 %/degC - **NOCT:** 45 degC ### Cell and construction - **Cell type:** Monocrystalline - **Cell technology:** N-type - **Cell count:** 156 - **Bifacial:** yes - **Bifacial gain:** 25.00 ### Physical - **Length:** 2464 mm - **Width:** 1134 mm - **Thickness:** 35 mm - **Weight:** 32.5 kg - **Area:** 2.79 m2 - **Power density:** 229.0 Wp/m2 ### Warranty and degradation - **Product warranty:** 12 years - **Performance warranty:** 30 years - **Output guaranteed at end of warranty:** 87.4 % - **First-year degradation:** 1.00 % - **Annual degradation:** 0.40 % - **Output after 30 years:** 559 W ## Rank in the whole catalogue | Measure | Position | | --- | --- | | Efficiency | 2359 of 14005 | | Power density | 2380 of 14005 | | Temperature coefficient | 2165 of 14005 | | Weight | 4196 of 14005 | | Warranty | 21 of 14005 | ## Pros - **N-Type cells + bifacial technology** - Combining N-type half-cut cells with bifacial light capture delivers a declared efficiency of up to 23.26% and additional rear-side energy yield of up to double-digit percentages, without increasing installation footprint. - **30-year linear power warranty** - The manufacturer guarantees minimal annual power degradation over a 30-year horizon, a premium-segment standard for N-type modules matching offerings from BYD AURO N and Jinko Tiger Neo. - **16 busbars reduce power loss** - The increased busbar count (16BB) improves current collection from each cell and reduces losses under partial shading, resulting in more stable real-world performance beyond STC test conditions. - **High unit power up to 650 Wp** - The 650 Wp variant matches top-tier competitor modules (BYD AURO N NLBK-39, Astronergy ASTRO N5), reducing module count and BoS costs in large commercial installations and utility-scale solar farms. - **Tier-1 manufacturer with 18-year track record** - Philadelphia Solar has operated since 2007 and appears on BNEF Tier 1 lists, confirming project bankability and reducing financing risk for installations using this series. ## Cons - **Efficiency trails segment leader** - Maximum efficiency of 23.26% is lower than Jinko Solar Tiger Neo (24.06%) and Astronergy ASTRO N5 (23.3%) at the same 650 Wp power class, meaning a slightly larger array footprint is needed for equivalent installed capacity. - **12-year product warranty below market trend** - The standard product defect warranty is 12 years, while some Tier-1 N-type competitors are moving to 15-year product warranties, which may matter in negotiations for large commercial projects. ## About this series The NEXUS PS-MNB156(HCBF) series combines **half-cut N-type cells** with **bifacial** technology, allowing the module to capture irradiance from both the front and rear sides and boosting energy yield by a meaningful margin without increasing the installation's footprint. The **16 busbar** layout improves current collection and reduces losses from partial shading, translating into more stable performance under real-world conditions rather than lab settings alone. The panel is built for installers and investors who expect low LCOE over the long haul, backed by a **30-year linear power warranty** with minimal annual degradation and strong resistance to PID effects achieved through carefully selected materials and controlled manufacturing processes. Its reinforced construction withstands high mechanical loads on both the front and rear surfaces, making it suitable for industrial and commercial rooftops as well as large-scale solar power plants and off-grid systems. This is a solution for those seeking high reliability, predictable performance over time, and a genuine energy advantage from bifacial light capture, not just declared nominal power. ## Notable figures - At 22.9% efficiency, this panel is on par with typical \*\*N-type 600-650W\*\* modules - At 229.1 W/m² power density, roof space requirements are typical for \*\*N-type 600-650W\*\* panels - Temperature coefficient of -0.29%/°C matches the \*\*N-type 600-650W\*\* median - Bifaciality factor of 80% can add 4-12% extra yield with reflective mounting surface - Ranked #2359 out of 14005 panels for efficiency in the database ## Questions ### How does bifacial technology in the NEXUS PS-MNB156(HCBF) panels differ from a standard monofacial panel? The NEXUS bifacial panel captures light on both the front and rear sides of the module, which with proper installation (e.g., on a reflective surface or ground-mounted racking) can yield an extra several percent of energy without increasing the installation footprint. The N-type half-cut cells further reduce power losses and improve performance under partial shading compared to standard monofacial panels. ### What warranty comes with the NEXUS PS-MNB156(HCBF) panels and what does it cover? NEXUS panels come with a 12-year product warranty covering material and workmanship defects, plus a 30-year linear power warranty guaranteeing minimal annual degradation and sustained high performance over the long term. This warranty level is typical of tier-1 manufacturers such as Philadelphia Solar and reduces investment risk for commercial installations and solar farms. ### What installations are the NEXUS PS-MNB156(HCBF) panels suited for - rooftop or ground-mount? Thanks to a reinforced frame resistant to mechanical loads on both the front and rear sides, NEXUS panels work well on industrial and commercial rooftops as well as large ground-mounted installations and solar farms. The bifacial technology delivers the greatest benefit in ground-mount setups or on racking over reflective ground surfaces, where the rear side can effectively capture additional irradiance. ### What does 16 busbars mean for the NEXUS panel and how does it affect performance? 16 busbars means an increased number of current-collecting paths on the cell compared to older 9- or 12-busbar designs. This construction improves current collection efficiency, reduces resistive losses, and increases resistance to microcracks and partial shading, resulting in more stable energy output under real-world operating conditions rather than just lab conditions. ### What is the maximum power output of the NEXUS PS-MNB156(HCBF) panel and what installations suit it best? The NEXUS series offers a maximum power output of up to 650 Wp, making it one of the higher-power options on the market, suitable for both large commercial installations and solar farms where high power density per square meter matters. Higher single-module power reduces the number of panels and mounting components needed, lowering BoS costs for the installation. ### Is Philadelphia Solar a reliable solar panel manufacturer? Philadelphia Solar is a tier-1 manufacturer headquartered in Jordan, with years of experience producing PV modules for Middle Eastern, European, and African markets. Tier-1 status reflects the company's financial stability and manufacturing lines' compliance with strict quality standards, an important factor when choosing panels for large, long-term commercial and industrial investments. ## Datasheet [Manufacturer datasheet (PDF)](https://comparepv.com/datasheets/Datasheet-PS-MNB156HCBF-630W-650W-1-3mqtv8-28d8a5c051ac.pdf) ## Alternatives | Panel | Power | How it differs | | --- | --- | --- | | [AIKO AIKO-A650-MAE72Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a650-mae72mw) | 650 W | Cooler, lighter, +2.3 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A680-MDE72Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a680-mde72mw) | 680 W | +40 W, lighter, +2.3 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A675-MDE72Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a675-mde72mw) | 675 W | +35 W, lighter, +2.1 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A645-MAE72Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a645-mae72mw) | 645 W | Cooler, lighter, +2.1 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-G670-MCH72Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-g670-mch72mw) | 670 W | +30 W, lighter, +1.9 pp | | [Longi Solar LR7-72HVHF-670M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-72hvhf-670m) | 670 W | +30 W, lighter, +1.9 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A640-MAE72Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a640-mae72mw) | 640 W | Cooler, lighter, +1.9 pp | | [Philadelphia Solar PS-M156(HCBF)-GG-580W](https://comparepv.com/panel/philadelphia-solar-ps-m156-hcbf-gg-580w) | 580 W | -60 W, hotter, -2.2 pp | | [Philadelphia Solar PS-M156(HCBF)-GG-585W](https://comparepv.com/panel/philadelphia-solar-ps-m156-hcbf-gg-585w) | 585 W | -55 W, hotter, -2.0 pp | | [Philadelphia Solar PS-M156(HCBF)-GG-590W](https://comparepv.com/panel/philadelphia-solar-ps-m156-hcbf-gg-590w) | 590 W | -50 W, hotter, -1.8 pp | | [Philadelphia Solar PS-MNB156(HCBF)-630W](https://comparepv.com/panel/philadelphia-solar-ps-mnb156-hcbf-630w) | 630 W | -10 W, -0.3 pp | | [Philadelphia Solar PS-MNB156(HCBF)-635W](https://comparepv.com/panel/philadelphia-solar-ps-mnb156-hcbf-635w) | 635 W | Very close match | | [Philadelphia Solar PS-MNB156(HCBF)-645W](https://comparepv.com/panel/philadelphia-solar-ps-mnb156-hcbf-645w) | 645 W | Very close match | | [Philadelphia Solar PS-MNB156(HCBF)-650W](https://comparepv.com/panel/philadelphia-solar-ps-mnb156-hcbf-650w) | 650 W | +10 W, +0.4 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A700-MAE78Dw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a700-mae78dw) | 700 W | +60 W, cooler, +2.1 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A695-MAE78Dw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a695-mae78dw) | 695 W | +55 W, cooler, +2.0 pp | --- Source: https://comparepv.com/panel/philadelphia-solar-ps-mnb156-hcbf-640w Not in this file, on the page: the I-V and temperature curves lifted from the manufacturer's datasheet, a thirty-year output simulator, a bifacial gain calculator and alternatives filtered by how closely they match these dimensions.