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Solar-Fabrik Mono S4 Halfcut BC Series White 490W
Solar-Fabrik Brand review

Mono S4 Halfcut BC Series White 490W

490 Wp Back Contact Bifacial 3000%
ComparePV verdict

Efficiency leader, heavy for its output

Rank 2,188 of 14,005
Compare panels Datasheet PDF
Power (Wp)
490
Strong · top 9%
Efficiency (%)
24.00
Strong · top 22%
Density (Wp/m²)
240.1
Strong · top 23%
Temp (%/°C)
-
Not published
Weight (kg)
25.0
Weak · 1.5 kg above median
Warranty (yrs)
30
Typical · median 30 yrs

The Mono S4 Halfcut BC Series is Solar-Fabrik's latest offering, combining sleek aesthetics with high energy efficiency. At the heart of this series is Back Contact (BC) technology, which moves the cell's conductive pathways to the rear side, resulting in a uniform, all-black module surface with no visible connectors - ideal for roofs where the appearance of the installation matters. The panels feature busbar-free N-Type cells, which reduce current losses and improve light capture even under diffuse sunlight conditions. Thanks to its double-glass, bifacial construction, the module also captures light reflected from the ground, boosting energy yield without increasing the installation's footprint - a solution for investors who want to make the most of available roof space. The series also stands out for its resistance to hail, ammonia, and salt spray, making it suitable for residential buildings as well as agricultural and industrial facilities. The manufacturer backs the modules with a 30-year warranty on product and performance, and production takes place under a Made in Germany program at the new Factory One plant, ensuring short supply chains and consistently high quality.

Ranking

156 panels in the segment Back Contact 450-500 W
Metric This panel Median Position in segment Overall rank
Module efficiency 24.00% 23.50% Strong · top 22% 303
Power density 240.1 235.2 Strong · top 23% 313
Temperature coefficient - -0.260 Not published 13,924
Weight per kWp 51.0 48.0 Weak · bottom 19% 4,360
Performance warranty 30 yrs 30 yrs Typical 21
Colour key Strong - top 25% Typical - middle 50% Weak - bottom 25%

Signals from the data

2 positive · 1 caution
Best for

Residential, commercial, shaded-installations and BIPV.

Not ideal for

Weight-limited structures.

Strengths
24.00% module efficiency

Top 22% of the Back Contact 450-500 W segment, against a median of 23.50%.

240.1 watts per square metre

Top 23% of the Back Contact 450-500 W segment, against a median of 235.2.

Watch-outs
51.0 kg per kWp

Bottom 19% of the Back Contact 450-500 W segment, against a median of 48.0.

Notes from the database
  • Efficiency of 24.0% matches the Back Contact 450-500W median
  • At 240.1 W/m² power density, this panel generates 4.9 W/m² more per unit area than Back Contact 450-500W median (235.2 W/m²)
  • Weight of 25.0 kg is 1.5 kg above Back Contact 450-500W median (23.5 kg) - verify structural support
  • #303 for efficiency, #13924 for temperature performance out of 14005 panels

Specifications

Open datasheet PDF
Nominal power (Pmax) 490 Wp Nameplate at 1000 W/m², 25 °C
Module efficiency 24.00 % Strong Segment median 23.50%
Vmpp · Impp 33.73 V · 14.53 A Operating point at max power
Voc · Isc 40.75 V · 15.18 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 3000 % Rear output as a share of front
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
-
-
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 Series White 490W 490 W 24.00% - 25.0 kg You are here
LR7-54HJD-510M 510 W 25.00% -0.240 23.5 kg +20 W, lighter, +1.0 pp
AIKO-A495-MCE54Mw 495 W 24.80% -0.260 21.0 kg Lighter, +0.8 pp
LR7-54HJD-505M 505 W 24.70% -0.240 23.5 kg +15 W, lighter, +0.7 pp
AIKO-A490-MCE54Mw 490 W 24.50% -0.260 21.0 kg Lighter, +0.5 pp
LR7-54HJD-500M 500 W 24.50% -0.240 23.5 kg +10 W, lighter, +0.5 pp
CIPRO-TN9C54M-500W 500 W 24.50% -0.260 21.4 kg +10 W, lighter, +0.5 pp
Mono S4 Halfcut BC Full Black 475W 475 W 23.30% -0.260 25.0 kg -15 W, -0.7 pp
Mono S4 Halfcut BC Full Black 480W 480 W 23.50% -0.260 25.0 kg -10 W, -0.5 pp
Mono S4 Halfcut BC White 485 485 W 23.75% -0.260 25.0 kg -0.2 pp

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
What is Back Contact (BC) technology in the Solar-Fabrik Mono S4 Halfcut panels?
Back Contact is a design where all conductive pathways and soldering connections of the cell are moved to the rear side of the module. This gives the front surface a uniform black appearance with no visible busbars or interconnect ribbons. Beyond aesthetics, the technology reduces shading of the cell caused by conductive elements, improving overall energy conversion efficiency.
Are the Mono S4 Halfcut BC panels suitable for a single-family home roof in terms of appearance?
Yes, this is one of the series' main strengths. Thanks to Back Contact technology, the front side of the panel is fully black with no visible interconnections or metallic grid lines, creating a smooth, uniform surface. This look works especially well on pitched residential roofs, where aesthetics matter a lot to the investor.
What does the bifacial, dual-glass construction of the Mono S4 Halfcut BC module provide?
The bifacial design lets the panel capture sunlight not only on the front but also light reflected off the ground (such as a light-colored roof, gravel, or snow) through the rear side of the module. This allows more energy yield from the same roof area without adding more panels. It works particularly well on flat roofs and ground-mounted installations with a light-colored surface.
What is the maximum power output and what warranty does Solar-Fabrik offer on the Mono S4 Halfcut BC series?
Modules in this series reach a maximum power output of up to 490 Wp, thanks to N-Type cells without busbars that reduce current losses. The manufacturer covers the panels with a 30-year product warranty and a 30-year performance warranty, one of the longer coverage periods currently available in the PV market and a sign of the durability of the glass-glass construction.
Are the Mono S4 Halfcut BC panels suitable for farms and industrial buildings?
Yes, the series features enhanced resistance to hail, ammonia vapors, and salt mist, making it suitable for livestock buildings, barns, and coastal or industrial installations where standard modules could corrode faster. It still retains the aesthetic all-black look, so it also works well on residential roofs.
Where are the Solar-Fabrik Mono S4 Halfcut BC panels manufactured, and does that matter for quality?
The modules are made in Germany at the new Factory One plant in Hösbach near Aschaffenburg, part of Solar-Fabrik's return to domestic manufacturing. Made in Germany production means shorter supply chains, tighter quality control at every step, and lower risk of delivery delays compared to panels sourced from distant Asian markets.
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