Skip to main content
Solar-Fabrik Brand review

Mono S4 Halfcut BC Black 475-485W

480 Wp Back Contact Bifacial 80%
ComparePV verdict

Middle of its segment, heavy for its output

Rank 2,954 of 14,005
Compare panels Datasheet PDF
Power (Wp)
480
Typical for its class
Efficiency (%)
23.55
Typical · median 23.50%
Density (Wp/m²)
235.2
Typical · median 235.2
Temp (%/°C)
-0.260
Typical · median -0.260
Weight (kg)
25.0
Weak · 1.5 kg above median
Warranty (yrs)
30
Typical · median 30 yrs

The Mono S4 Halfcut BC Black series from Solar-Fabrik combines advanced Back Contact (BC) technology with an all-black design, built for installers and homeowners who value performance and aesthetics equally. By moving all electrical contacts to the rear of the cell, the front surface stays free of visible grid lines, resulting in a uniform, deep-black appearance and higher energy yield per unit of roof area. The N-type half-cut cells reduce power losses, improve current distribution, and keep the module performing reliably even under partial shading. The construction is a bifacial glass-glass module with a transparent rear glass, letting the panel capture additional light reflected from the roof or facade and boost total output without enlarging the installed area. A robust build resistant to hail, heavy snow loads, ammonia, and salt mist makes the series suitable for residential rooftops as well as agricultural and coastal buildings. The manufacturer backs the panels with a 30-year warranty on both product and performance, making them a fitting choice for anyone who expects long-term reliability alongside a modern, minimalist look for their solar installation.

Ranking

156 panels in the segment Back Contact 450-500 W
Metric This panel Median Position in segment Overall rank
Module efficiency 23.55% 23.50% Typical 671
Power density 235.2 235.2 Typical 718
Temperature coefficient -0.260 -0.260 Typical 511
Weight per kWp 52.1 48.0 Weak · bottom 11% 5,516
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 · 1 caution
Best for

Residential, commercial and shaded-installations.

Not ideal for

Weight-limited structures.

Watch-outs
52.1 kg per kWp

Bottom 11% of the Back Contact 450-500 W segment, against a median of 48.0.

Notes from the database
  • At 23.6% efficiency, this panel is on par with typical Back Contact 450-500W modules
  • At 235.2 W/m² power density, roof space requirements are typical for Back Contact 450-500W panels
  • Temperature coefficient of -0.26%/°C matches the Back Contact 450-500W median
  • At 25.0 kg (1.5 kg above Back Contact 450-500W median of 23.5 kg), requires checking roof load capacity
  • Bifacial design (80% factor) captures reflected light - adds 4-12% yield on ground-mount or white roof

Specifications

Open datasheet PDF
Nominal power (Pmax) 480 Wp Nameplate at 1000 W/m², 25 °C
Module efficiency 23.55 % Typical Segment median 23.50%
Vmpp · Impp 33.50 V · 14.33 A Operating point at max power
Voc · Isc 40.53 V · 14.98 A Sizes the string length
Max system voltage 1500 V Longer strings than 1000 V modules
Dimensions 1800×1134×30 mm · 2.04 m² of roof
Weight 25.0 kg Weak Weak · 1.5 kg above median
Cells 108 · Back Contact Monocrystalline
Bifaciality 80 % Rear output as a share of front
Coefficient Pmax -0.260 %/°C Typical median -0.260 of its segment
Coefficient Voc · Isc -0.200 · 0.050 %/°C
NOCT 45 °C At 800 W/m², 20 °C ambient
Product warranty 30 years Hardware defects only
Performance warranty 30 years Typical median 30 yrs · median 30 yrs

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
-0.260 %/°C against a segment median of -0.260
-
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
Solar-Fabrik Mono S4 Halfcut BC Black 475-485W 480 W 23.55% -0.260 25.0 kg You are here
LR7-54HJD-510M 510 W 25.00% -0.240 23.5 kg +30 W, cooler, +1.4 pp
AIKO-A495-MCE54Mw 495 W 24.80% -0.260 21.0 kg +15 W, lighter, +1.2 pp
LR7-54HJD-505M 505 W 24.70% -0.240 23.5 kg +25 W, cooler, +1.1 pp
AIKO-A490-MCE54Mw 490 W 24.50% -0.260 21.0 kg +10 W, lighter, +0.9 pp
LR7-54HJD-500M 500 W 24.50% -0.240 23.5 kg +20 W, cooler, +0.9 pp
CIPRO-TN9C54M-500W 500 W 24.50% -0.260 21.4 kg +20 W, lighter, +0.9 pp
Mono S4 Halfcut BC Full Black 475W 475 W 23.30% -0.260 25.0 kg -0.2 pp
Mono S4 Halfcut BC White 485 485 W 23.75% -0.260 25.0 kg Very close match

Found 197 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±10 mm. See them here Found 201 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±25 mm. See them here Found 1712 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±50 mm. See them here Found 4014 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±100 mm. See them here

Common questions

6 answered
How does Back Contact technology in the Solar-Fabrik Mono S4 BC Black differ from standard half-cut panels?
In conventional panels, the conductive grid sits on the front of the cell, reducing active surface area and creating visible busbar lines. Back Contact technology moves all electrical contacts to the rear of the cell, giving the module a uniform black front with no visible busbars while letting more light reach the silicon directly. This results in higher efficiency (up to 23.5%) and a cleaner installation look.
How much power does one Mono S4 Halfcut BC Black panel produce, and how many are needed for a typical system?
The panel delivers up to 480 Wp. For an average single-family home needing a 5-6 kWp system, roughly 10-12 panels are typically sufficient, depending on roof orientation and local solar irradiance. Thanks to the high per-unit power, you can reach a larger energy yield with fewer modules than with older, less efficient panels.
Does the bifacial design of this panel make sense on a typical pitched roof?
Yes, though the biggest gains from bifaciality come with mounting on bright, reflective surfaces like white metal roofing, gravel, or facades. On a typical pitched roof, the extra rear-side energy gain is usually a few percent, but since the module has a glass-glass construction, it still benefits from added durability and moisture resistance, making it a worthwhile choice regardless of the substrate.
What warranty comes with the Solar-Fabrik Mono S4 Halfcut BC Black panels?
The manufacturer provides a 30-year warranty covering both the product and power output. This is significantly longer than the standard 10-12 year product warranty offered by many competitors, giving homeowners confidence that returns on their investment are secured for the entire lifespan of the residential system.
Are the BC Black panels suitable for installations near the sea or on farm buildings?
Yes, the Mono S4 Halfcut BC Black series is engineered for harsh environmental conditions, offering resistance to salt mist and ammonia exposure, which matters for livestock buildings. The construction also withstands heavy snow loads and hail impacts, making it suitable for both coastal areas and agricultural sites.
Do the N-type half-cut cells in this panel handle partial shading well, for example from a chimney?
Yes, splitting cells into half-cut segments (half-cut) reduces power losses under partial shading, since current is distributed across smaller, independently operating sections. N-type cells also show lower degradation over time and more stable performance than older P-type cells, which matters on roofs with chimneys, dormers, or antennas casting shadows.
Add to compare