--- title: "TCL Zhonghuan HSM-BD60-LA500 500W Solar Panel - Specs & Review | ComparePV" description: "TCL Zhonghuan HSM-BD60-LA500 500W solar panel. Specs: 22.60% efficiency, Monocrystalline cells, dimensions, warranty and temperature coefficient." source: "https://comparepv.com/panel/tcl-zhonghuan-hsm-bd60-la500" updated: 2026-09-11 --- # TCL Zhonghuan HSM-BD60-LA500 Middle of its segment, needs the roof space 255 panels in the segment Back Contact 400-600 W ## Identity - **Manufacturer:** TCL Zhonghuan - **Model:** HSM-BD60-LA500 - **Series:** TCL Solar Back Contact HSM-BD60-LA500~520 - **Rated power:** 500 W - **Cell technology:** Back Contact ## How it compares Compared against segment Back Contact 400-600 W (255 panels). | Measure | This panel | Segment median | Standing | Rank | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Power (Wp) | 500 W | 475 W | Strong - top 17% | | | Module efficiency | 22.60% | 23.30% | Typical | 3,658 | | Power density | 225.6 | 232.7 | Weak - bottom 24% | 3,861 | | Temperature coefficient | -0.260 | -0.260 | Typical | 511 | | Weight (kg) | 23.5 kg | 21.5 kg | Typical | | | Performance warranty | 30 yrs | 30 yrs | Typical | 21 | ### Full peer table | Measure | This panel | Segment median | Standing | Rank | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Module efficiency | 22.60% | 23.30% | Typical | 3,658 | | Power density | 225.6 | 232.7 | Weak - bottom 24% | 3,861 | | Temperature coefficient | -0.260 | -0.260 | Typical | 511 | | Weight per kWp | 47.0 | 47.5 | Typical | 1,450 | | Performance warranty | 30 yrs | 30 yrs | Typical | 21 | ### Watch out for - **225.6 watts per square metre** - Bottom 24% of the Back Contact 400-600 W segment, against a median of 232.7. - **Best for:** Residential and commercial. - **Not ideal for:** Roofs where every square metre has to count. ## Specification ### Electrical - **Rated power (Pmax):** 500 W - **Efficiency:** 22.60 % - **Voltage at Pmax (Vmp):** 37.90 V - **Current at Pmax (Imp):** 13.20 A - **Open-circuit voltage (Voc):** 45.02 V - **Short-circuit current (Isc):** 14.05 A - **Max system voltage:** 1500 V ### Temperature - **Temperature coefficient of Pmax:** -0.260 %/degC - **Temperature coefficient of Voc:** -0.220 %/degC - **Temperature coefficient of Isc:** 0.050 %/degC - **NOCT:** 43 degC ### Cell and construction - **Cell type:** Monocrystalline - **Cell technology:** Back Contact - **Cell count:** 120 ### Physical - **Length:** 1954 mm - **Width:** 1134 mm - **Thickness:** 30 mm - **Weight:** 23.5 kg - **Area:** 2.22 m2 - **Power density:** 225.6 Wp/m2 ### Warranty and degradation - **Product warranty:** 25 years - **Performance warranty:** 30 years - **Output guaranteed at end of warranty:** 88.8 % - **First-year degradation:** 1.00 % - **Annual degradation:** 0.35 % - **Output after 30 years:** 444 W ## Rank in the whole catalogue | Measure | Position | | --- | --- | | Efficiency | 3658 of 14005 | | Power density | 3861 of 14005 | | Temperature coefficient | 511 of 14005 | | Weight | 1450 of 14005 | | Warranty | 21 of 14005 | ## About this series The TCL Solar Back Contact HSM-BD60-LA500-520 panel series redefines performance standards through the use of advanced **back contact cell technology**. Unlike traditional modules, this design completely eliminates metal busbars from the front of the panel, allowing for maximum utilization of the active surface area for sunlight absorption. This solves the key problem of energy losses resulting from cell shading by its own components, which translates into the **highest energy conversion efficiency** even on heavily cloudy days. This series is designed for the most demanding users who have limited roof space and expect maximum yields from every installed kilowatt of power. What distinguishes these panels from the competition is not only excellent technical parameters, but also a **unique Full Black aesthetic**, free of visible silver lines, making them an ideal choice for modern construction. The innovative N-type cell structure also ensures **minimized power degradation over time**, guaranteeing energy production stability for decades. Using this series ensures an investment in a premium class product that offers a better temperature coefficient and higher mechanical resistance. By choosing the HSM-BD60-LA500-520 model, investors receive a combination of futuristic design with uncompromising power that goes far beyond market standards. ## Notable figures - At 22.6% efficiency, this panel is 1.1pp below the \*\*Back Contact 500-550W\*\* median of 23.7% - 225.7 W/m² power density is 11.4 W/m² below \*\*Back Contact 500-550W\*\* median (237.1 W/m²) - requires larger installation area - Temperature coefficient of -0.26%/°C matches the \*\*Back Contact 500-550W\*\* median - #3658 for efficiency, #511 for temperature performance out of 14005 panels ## Questions ### What is Back Contact technology in the TCL Zhonghuan HSM-BD60-LA500-520 panels and how does it differ from conventional panels? Back Contact technology places all cell electrical connections on the rear side of the cell instead of the front, as in conventional panels. This leaves the front surface free of metal busbars, allowing it to fully absorb sunlight. In practice, this results in higher energy conversion efficiency, reaching up to 23.5%, and no visible silver lines on the module. ### What warranty comes with the HSM-BD60-LA500-520 series panels? TCL Zhonghuan provides a 25-year product warranty and a 30-year power output warranty. This means the manufacturer guarantees a minimum energy production level for three decades, while the first 25 years also cover the module against material and manufacturing defects. These terms are typical of premium, latest-generation N-type modules. ### Is the TCL HSM-BD60-LA500-520 panel bifacial? No, the HSM-BD60-LA500-520 series is a mono-facial panel, optimized for maximum use of direct irradiance on the front surface. Unlike bifacial modules, it does not generate additional energy from reflected light on the rear side, but its Back Contact technology compensates with higher active-surface efficiency. ### Are TCL Solar Back Contact panels suitable for installations with limited roof space? Yes, this is one of the series' main use cases. High power output of up to 520 Wp within a standard panel format means a larger total system capacity can be achieved on limited roof area compared to conventional modules of similar size. This makes it a good choice for single-family homes with small roof surfaces. ### What sets the Full Black aesthetic of this series apart? By eliminating front busbars, the HSM-BD60-LA500-520 panels have a uniform black surface with no visible metal lines. This Full Black look is especially valued in modern construction and premium architecture, where roof or facade aesthetics matter as much as the technical performance of the installation. ### Who manufactures TCL Zhonghuan panels, and is it a reliable manufacturer? The panels are manufactured by TCL Zhonghuan, a Chinese company recognized as a Tier 1 supplier under the Bloomberg New Energy Finance classification, indicating strong financial stability and extensive experience in cell and module production. Tier 1 status is important when applying for loans or subsidies, since banks and government programs often require panels from established manufacturers. ## Datasheet [Manufacturer datasheet (PDF)](https://comparepv.com/datasheets/68ff57bf974f3a740c012ea7_TCL-BC-500520-60-Blk-SG-Com-4d1df3593a25.pdf) ## Alternatives | Panel | Power | How it differs | | --- | --- | --- | | [Longi Solar LR7-54HJD-510M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-54hjd-510m) | 510 W | +10 W, cooler, +2.4 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A495-MCE54Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a495-mce54mw) | 495 W | Lighter, +2.2 pp | | [Longi Solar LR7-54HJD-505M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-54hjd-505m) | 505 W | Cooler, +2.1 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A490-MCE54Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a490-mce54mw) | 490 W | -10 W, lighter, +1.9 pp | | [Longi Solar LR7-54HJD-500M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-54hjd-500m) | 500 W | Cooler, +1.9 pp | | [Talesun CIPRO-TN9C54M-500W](https://comparepv.com/panel/talesun-cipro-tn9c54m-500w) | 500 W | Lighter, +1.9 pp | | [TCL Zhonghuan HSM-ND54-GR490](https://comparepv.com/panel/tcl-zhonghuan-hsm-nd54-gr490) | 490 W | Hotter, heavier, -0.6 pp | | [TCL Zhonghuan HSM-ND54-GR495](https://comparepv.com/panel/tcl-zhonghuan-hsm-nd54-gr495) | 495 W | Hotter, heavier, -0.3 pp | | [TCL Zhonghuan HSM-ND54-GR500](https://comparepv.com/panel/tcl-zhonghuan-hsm-nd54-gr500) | 500 W | Hotter, heavier | | [TCL Zhonghuan HSM-BD60-LA505](https://comparepv.com/panel/tcl-zhonghuan-hsm-bd60-la505) | 505 W | Very close match | | [TCL Zhonghuan HSM-ND54-GR505](https://comparepv.com/panel/tcl-zhonghuan-hsm-nd54-gr505) | 505 W | Hotter, heavier | | [TCL Zhonghuan HSM-BD60-LA510](https://comparepv.com/panel/tcl-zhonghuan-hsm-bd60-la510) | 510 W | +10 W, +0.4 pp | | [TCL Zhonghuan HSM-ND54-GR510](https://comparepv.com/panel/tcl-zhonghuan-hsm-nd54-gr510) | 510 W | Hotter, heavier, +0.3 pp | | [TCL Zhonghuan HSM-BD60-LA515](https://comparepv.com/panel/tcl-zhonghuan-hsm-bd60-la515) | 515 W | +15 W, +0.6 pp | | [TCL Zhonghuan HSM-ND54-GR515](https://comparepv.com/panel/tcl-zhonghuan-hsm-nd54-gr515) | 515 W | Hotter, heavier, +0.6 pp | | [Longi Solar LR7-60HVH-560M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-60hvh-560m) | 560 W | +60 W, heavier, +2.2 pp | --- Source: https://comparepv.com/panel/tcl-zhonghuan-hsm-bd60-la500 Not in this file, on the page: the I-V and temperature curves lifted from the manufacturer's datasheet, a thirty-year output simulator and alternatives filtered by how closely they match these dimensions.