--- title: "Solar-Fabrik Mono S4 Halfcut BC Black 475-485W 480W Solar Panel - Specs & Review | ComparePV" description: "Solar-Fabrik Mono S4 Halfcut BC Black 475-485W 480W solar panel. Specs: 23.55% efficiency, Monocrystalline cells." source: "https://comparepv.com/panel/solar-fabrik-mono-s4-halfcut-bc-black-475-485w" updated: 2026-09-11 --- # Solar-Fabrik Mono S4 Halfcut BC Black 475-485W Middle of its segment, heavy for its output 156 panels in the segment Back Contact 450-500 W ## Identity - **Manufacturer:** Solar-Fabrik - **Model:** Mono S4 Halfcut BC Black 475-485W - **Series:** Mono S4 Halfcut BC Black - **Rated power:** 480 W - **Cell technology:** Back Contact - **Bifacial:** yes ## How it compares Compared against segment Back Contact 450-500 W (156 panels). | Measure | This panel | Segment median | Standing | Rank | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Power (Wp) | 480 W | 475 W | Typical | | | 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 (kg) | 25.0 kg | 23.5 kg | Weak - bottom 11% | | | Performance warranty | 30 yrs | 30 yrs | Typical | 21 | ### Full peer table | Measure | This panel | Segment median | Standing | 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 | ### Watch out for - **52.1 kg per kWp** - Bottom 11% of the Back Contact 450-500 W segment, against a median of 48.0. - **Best for:** Residential, commercial and shaded-installations. - **Not ideal for:** Weight-limited structures. ## Specification ### Electrical - **Rated power (Pmax):** 480 W - **Efficiency:** 23.55 % - **Voltage at Pmax (Vmp):** 33.50 V - **Current at Pmax (Imp):** 14.33 A - **Open-circuit voltage (Voc):** 40.53 V - **Short-circuit current (Isc):** 14.98 A - **Max system voltage:** 1500 V ### Temperature - **Temperature coefficient of Pmax:** -0.260 %/degC - **Temperature coefficient of Voc:** -0.200 %/degC - **Temperature coefficient of Isc:** 0.050 %/degC - **NOCT:** 45 degC ### Cell and construction - **Cell type:** Monocrystalline - **Cell technology:** Back Contact - **Cell count:** 108 - **Bifacial:** yes ### Physical - **Length:** 1800 mm - **Width:** 1134 mm - **Thickness:** 30 mm - **Weight:** 25.0 kg - **Area:** 2.04 m2 - **Power density:** 235.2 Wp/m2 ### Warranty and degradation - **Product warranty:** 30 years - **Performance warranty:** 30 years ## Rank in the whole catalogue | Measure | Position | | --- | --- | | Efficiency | 671 of 14005 | | Power density | 718 of 14005 | | Temperature coefficient | 511 of 14005 | | Weight | 5516 of 14005 | | Warranty | 21 of 14005 | ## About this series 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. ## Notable figures - 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 ## Questions ### 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. ## Datasheet [Manufacturer datasheet (PDF)](https://comparepv.com/datasheets/au_s4_bc_b_475-485_hc_108_de-15a3eab5b8ba.pdf) ## Alternatives | Panel | Power | How it differs | | --- | --- | --- | | [Longi Solar LR7-54HJD-510M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-54hjd-510m) | 510 W | +30 W, cooler, +1.4 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A495-MCE54Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a495-mce54mw) | 495 W | +15 W, lighter, +1.2 pp | | [Longi Solar LR7-54HJD-505M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-54hjd-505m) | 505 W | +25 W, cooler, +1.1 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A490-MCE54Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a490-mce54mw) | 490 W | +10 W, lighter, +0.9 pp | | [Longi Solar LR7-54HJD-500M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-54hjd-500m) | 500 W | +20 W, cooler, +0.9 pp | | [Talesun CIPRO-TN9C54M-500W](https://comparepv.com/panel/talesun-cipro-tn9c54m-500w) | 500 W | +20 W, lighter, +0.9 pp | | [Solar-Fabrik Mono S4 Halfcut BC Full Black 475W](https://comparepv.com/panel/solar-fabrik-mono-s4-halfcut-bc-full-black-475w) | 475 W | -0.2 pp | | [Solar-Fabrik Mono S4 Halfcut BC White 485](https://comparepv.com/panel/solar-fabrik-mono-s4-halfcut-bc-white-485) | 485 W | Very close match | --- Source: https://comparepv.com/panel/solar-fabrik-mono-s4-halfcut-bc-black-475-485w 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.