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Silfab SIL-520 QM
Silfab Brand review

SIL-520 QM

520 Wp N-type
ComparePV verdict

Middle of its segment, needs the roof space

Rank 4,485 of 14,005
Compare panels Datasheet PDF
Power (Wp)
520
Typical for its class
Efficiency (%)
21.90
Weak · bottom 17%
Density (Wp/m²)
218.8
Weak · bottom 15%
Temp (%/°C)
-0.290
Typical · median -0.290
Weight (kg)
26.2
Typical · median 26.2 kg
Warranty (yrs)
30
Typical · median 30 yrs

Silfab Commercial NTC is a line of solar modules built on n-type cells with a rear passivation layer using TOPCon technology, designed for commercial and industrial installations where maximizing energy yield per square meter of roof space is the priority. The n-type cell architecture combined with advanced passivation delivers higher efficiency in low-light conditions and more stable performance at elevated temperatures, translating into real-world energy gains rather than just improved STC lab figures. A half-cut cell layout with multi-busbar interconnection reduces resistive losses and improves partial shading tolerance, a key advantage on irregularly shaped roofs or sites near neighboring structures. With a lower long-term degradation rate, this series stands apart from conventional PERC modules, giving investors a better energy balance over the lifetime of the system. The panels are manufactured in the United States, which for many buyers means easier qualification for incentive programs and a shorter supply chain. The entire line is backed by a 25-year product warranty and a 30-year linear performance warranty, making it a dependable choice for installers and investors seeking predictable returns on rooftop and ground-mount commercial-scale projects.

Ranking

140 panels in the segment N-type 500-550 W
Metric This panel Median Position in segment Overall rank
Module efficiency 21.90% 22.54% Weak · bottom 17% 6,783
Power density 218.8 225.3 Weak · bottom 15% 6,837
Temperature coefficient -0.290 -0.290 Typical 2,165
Weight per kWp 50.4 50.0 Typical 3,761
Performance warranty 30 yrs 30 yrs Typical 21
Colour key Strong - top 25% Typical - middle 50% Weak - bottom 25%

Signals from the data

0 positive · 2 caution
Best for

Commercial, utility-scale and shaded-installations.

Not ideal for

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

Watch-outs
218.8 watts per square metre

Bottom 15% of the N-type 500-550 W segment, against a median of 225.3.

21.90% module efficiency

Bottom 17% of the N-type 500-550 W segment, against a median of 22.54%.

Notes from the database
  • At 21.9% efficiency, this panel is 0.6pp below the N-type 500-550W median of 22.5%
  • Power density of 218.8 W/m² is 6.5 W/m² below N-type 500-550W median (225.3 W/m²) - needs more roof space
  • At -0.29%/°C, hot weather performance is typical for N-type 500-550W panels
  • Ranked #6783 out of 14005 panels for efficiency in the database

Specifications

Open datasheet PDF
Nominal power (Pmax) 520 Wp Nameplate at 1000 W/m², 25 °C
Module efficiency 21.90 % Weak Segment median 22.54%
Vmpp · Impp 40.48 V · 12.85 A Operating point at max power
Voc · Isc 47.52 V · 13.65 A Sizes the string length
Max system voltage 1500 V Longer strings than 1000 V modules
Dimensions 2098×1133×35 mm · 2.38 m² of roof
Weight 26.2 kg Typical Typical · median 26.2 kg
Cells 132 · N-type Monocrystalline
Coefficient Pmax -0.290 %/°C Typical median -0.290 of its segment
Coefficient Voc · Isc -0.240 · 0.040 %/°C
NOCT 45 °C At 800 W/m², 20 °C ambient
Product warranty 25 years Hardware defects only
Performance warranty 30 years Typical median 30 yrs · median 30 yrs
End-of-warranty output 89.3 % Equals 457 W guaranteed
Degradation 2.00 → 0.35 % First year, then annual

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
Silfab SIL-520 QM 520 W 21.90% -0.290 26.2 kg You are here
LR7-54HJD-510M 510 W 25.00% -0.240 23.5 kg Cooler, lighter, +3.1 pp
AIKO-A495-MCE54Mw 495 W 24.80% -0.260 21.0 kg Cooler, lighter, +2.9 pp
LR7-60HVH-560M 560 W 24.80% -0.260 25.0 kg +40 W, cooler, +2.9 pp
LR7-54HJD-505M 505 W 24.70% -0.240 23.5 kg Cooler, lighter, +2.8 pp
LR7-60HVH-555M 555 W 24.60% -0.260 25.0 kg +35 W, cooler, +2.7 pp
AIKO-A490-MCE54Mw 490 W 24.50% -0.260 21.0 kg -30 W, lighter, +2.6 pp
LR7-54HJD-500M 500 W 24.50% -0.240 23.5 kg Cooler, lighter, +2.6 pp
SIL-500 HM 500 W 21.00% -0.360 26.2 kg -20 W, hotter, -0.9 pp
SIL-530 QM 530 W 22.30% -0.290 26.2 kg +10 W, +0.4 pp
SIL-540-XM-BIFACIAL 540 W 22.70% -0.290 26.2 kg +20 W, +0.8 pp
GKA120N-PRO-590W 590 W 23.82% -0.300 26.7 kg +70 W, hotter, +1.9 pp
GKA120N-PRO-585W 585 W 23.62% -0.300 26.7 kg +65 W, hotter, +1.7 pp
BGO 580 580 W 23.50% -0.290 26.0 kg +60 W, +1.6 pp
GKA120N-PRO-580W 580 W 23.42% -0.300 26.7 kg +60 W, hotter, +1.5 pp

Found 397 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±10 mm. See them here Found 408 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±25 mm. See them here Found 430 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±50 mm. See them here Found 884 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±100 mm. See them here

Common questions

6 answered
How does N-type TOPCon cell technology in Silfab Commercial NTC panels differ from conventional PERC cells?
N-type cells with a TOPCon passivation layer have a lower degradation rate and are less sensitive to boron-oxygen light-induced degradation than PERC cells. This lets Silfab Commercial NTC panels achieve higher efficiency in low-light conditions and more stable performance on hot days, translating into higher annual energy yield compared to comparable PERC-based modules.
What warranty comes with Silfab Commercial NTC panels, and what does it cover?
The Silfab Commercial NTC series carries a 25-year product warranty and a 30-year linear power warranty. The product warranty covers material and manufacturing defects, while the power warranty guarantees a set minimum percentage of the original rated output after 30 years, making this series one of the longer-warrantied options in the commercial module market.
What is the maximum power output of a single Silfab Commercial NTC panel?
Panels in the Silfab Commercial NTC series reach up to 570 Wp while keeping dimensions typical for the commercial segment. Higher per-panel output means fewer modules are needed to hit a target system capacity, lowering racking, cabling, and installation labor costs on large rooftop and ground-mount projects.
Do Silfab Commercial NTC panels perform well on roofs with partial shading, such as from chimneys or nearby buildings?
Yes. The half-cut cell design combined with a multi-busbar layout reduces resistive losses and improves the module's tolerance to partial shading. In practice, shading part of the panel from a chimney, antenna, or adjacent building causes a smaller drop in energy output than in traditional full-cell modules without cell segmentation.
Are Silfab Commercial NTC panels manufactured in the United States?
Yes, Silfab Commercial NTC modules are produced at Silfab's manufacturing facility in the United States. For investors, this typically means easier qualification for US incentive programs requiring domestic content, along with a shorter, more disruption-resistant supply chain compared to panels imported from Asia.
How does Silfab Commercial NTC differ from the manufacturer's earlier PERC modules?
The main difference is the use of N-type cells with TOPCon passivation instead of P-type PERC cells. This results in slower power degradation over time, higher efficiency in low light, and better resistance to high operating temperatures. As a result, the NTC series delivers higher cumulative energy yield over a system's lifetime than older PERC lines.
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