--- title: "Trina Solar TSM-DE18M(II)-485 485W Solar Panel - Specs & Review | ComparePV" description: "Trina Solar TSM-DE18M(II)-485 485W solar panel. Specs: 20.10% efficiency, Monocrystalline cells, dimensions, warranty and temperature coefficient." source: "https://comparepv.com/panel/trina-solar-tsm-de18m-ii-485" updated: 2026-09-11 --- # Trina Solar TSM-DE18M(II)-485 Strong in heat, modest efficiency 449 panels in the segment PERC 450-500 W ## Identity - **Manufacturer:** Trina Solar - **Model:** TSM-DE18M(II)-485 - **Series:** Vertex Backsheet Monocrystalline Module - **Rated power:** 485 W - **Cell technology:** PERC ## How it compares Compared against segment PERC 450-500 W (449 panels). | Measure | This panel | Segment median | Standing | Rank | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Power (Wp) | 485 W | 460 W | Strong - top 24% | | | Module efficiency | 20.10% | 20.82% | Weak - bottom 3% | 12,102 | | Power density | 201.2 | 208.5 | Weak - bottom 4% | 12,097 | | Temperature coefficient | -0.340 | -0.350 | Strong - top 19% | 8,778 | | Weight (kg) | 26.3 kg | 24.5 kg | Typical | | | Performance warranty | 25 yrs | 25 yrs | Typical | 9,798 | ### Full peer table | Measure | This panel | Segment median | Standing | Rank | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Module efficiency | 20.10% | 20.82% | Weak - bottom 3% | 12,102 | | Power density | 201.2 | 208.5 | Weak - bottom 4% | 12,097 | | Temperature coefficient | -0.340 | -0.350 | Strong - top 19% | 8,778 | | Weight per kWp | 54.2 | 53.1 | Typical | 8,473 | | Performance warranty | 25 yrs | 25 yrs | Typical | 9,798 | ### Strengths - **-0.340 %/°C temperature coefficient** - Top 19% of the PERC 450-500 W segment, against a median of -0.350. ### Watch out for - **20.10% module efficiency** - Bottom 3% of the PERC 450-500 W segment, against a median of 20.82%. Ranked 12,102nd in the whole database. - **201.2 watts per square metre** - Bottom 4% of the PERC 450-500 W segment, against a median of 208.5. Ranked 12,097th in the whole database. - **Best for:** Commercial, utility-scale and shaded-installations. - **Not ideal for:** Tight roof space and roofs where every square metre has to count. ## Specification ### Electrical - **Rated power (Pmax):** 485 W - **Efficiency:** 20.10 % - **Voltage at Pmax (Vmp):** 42.20 V - **Current at Pmax (Imp):** 11.49 A - **Open-circuit voltage (Voc):** 51.10 V - **Short-circuit current (Isc):** 12.07 A - **Max system voltage:** 1500 V ### Temperature - **Temperature coefficient of Pmax:** -0.340 %/degC - **Temperature coefficient of Voc:** -0.250 %/degC - **Temperature coefficient of Isc:** 0.040 %/degC - **NOCT:** 43 degC ### Cell and construction - **Cell type:** Monocrystalline - **Cell technology:** PERC - **Cell count:** 150 ### Physical - **Length:** 2187 mm - **Width:** 1102 mm - **Thickness:** 35 mm - **Weight:** 26.3 kg - **Area:** 2.41 m2 - **Power density:** 201.2 Wp/m2 ### Warranty and degradation - **Product warranty:** 12 years - **Performance warranty:** 25 years - **Output guaranteed at end of warranty:** 84.8 % - **First-year degradation:** 2.00 % - **Annual degradation:** 0.55 % - **Output after 30 years:** 398 W ## Rank in the whole catalogue | Measure | Position | | --- | --- | | Efficiency | 12102 of 14005 | | Power density | 12097 of 14005 | | Temperature coefficient | 8778 of 14005 | | Weight | 8473 of 14005 | | Warranty | 9798 of 14005 | ## About this series Trina Solar's Vertex Backsheet Monocrystalline Module series is designed to deliver high efficiency while simultaneously minimizing construction and cabling costs. Central to this is the platform featuring 210 mm silicon wafers, along with technologies that genuinely boost performance-such as **multi-busbar**, **non-destructive cell cutting**, and **high-density interconnect**. These features enhance module performance under partial shading and minimize losses from micro-cracks. In practice, the Vertex backsheet module helps solve the frequent problem investors face: how to increase power and yield without complicating the design. Its optimized low-voltage architecture enables longer strings and higher string power, simplifying the design and potentially reducing BOS costs. This is an excellent solution for PV farms, large industrial roofs, and projects where fast installation, repeatability, and **high long-term reliability** are key-without needing to resort to heavier dual-glass structures. ## Notable figures - Efficiency of 20.1% is 0.7pp below the \*\*PERC 450-500W\*\* median (20.8%) - At 201.2 W/m², this panel generates 7.3 W/m² less per unit area than \*\*PERC 450-500W\*\* median (208.5 W/m²) - Temperature coefficient of -0.34%/°C matches the \*\*PERC 450-500W\*\* median - At 26.3 kg (1.8 kg above \*\*PERC 450-500W\*\* median of 24.5 kg), requires checking roof load capacity - In the top 86% for efficiency among all PERC panels ## Questions ### What is the maximum power output of the Trina Solar Vertex Backsheet Monocrystalline Module panels? The series offers modules with up to 510 Wp, built on monocrystalline PERC cells cut from 210 mm silicon wafers. High yield is achieved through multi-busbar technology and non-destructive cell cutting, which reduce microcracks and power loss. As a result, a single panel generates more energy from the same roof or ground area than older designs based on smaller wafers. ### How many years of warranty does the 510 W Vertex Backsheet panel come with? Trina Solar provides a 12-year product warranty and a 25-year power output warranty, which is standard for premium-class modules. The power warranty guarantees the panel still delivers a specified percentage of its initial output after 25 years. This is a key parameter when calculating installation profitability, as it directly affects the projected LCOE of the project. ### Is the Vertex Backsheet Monocrystalline Module a bifacial panel? No, this version is monofacial - the rear backsheet, instead of glass, means the panel cannot capture light reflected from the ground. This is a deliberate trade-off: the construction is lighter and cheaper to install than dual-glass bifacial modules, at the cost of missing the extra yield from the rear side. If maximizing yield over a highly reflective surface is a priority, a bifacial Vertex variant is worth considering. ### Is this series suitable for large industrial roofs and utility-scale PV farms? Yes, this is one of the series' main applications. The low-voltage architecture allows for longer strings and higher power per string, simplifying the electrical design and lowering BoS costs for cabling and mounting structures. Combined with a high unit power of 510 Wp and a lightweight backsheet construction, this reduces the number of panels needed and speeds up installation on large surfaces. ### Is Trina Solar a Tier 1 manufacturer, and does that matter when choosing panels? Yes, Trina Solar is a Chinese manufacturer with Tier 1 status, meaning financial stability, in-house factories, and a documented track record of large-scale deliveries. This matters for project financing - banks and leasing companies are more willing to fund installations using Tier 1 panels, as it minimizes the risk of warranty issues should the manufacturer face financial trouble. ### How do Vertex Backsheet panels perform in cold winter temperatures? The PERC cells used in this series have a favorable power temperature coefficient, so the panel loses less efficiency in cold conditions than in extreme heat - in practice, PV modules often perform even better on cold, sunny winter days than during very hot summer days. However, proper snow clearing is important, as partial shading from snow cover reduces yield far more than the temperature drop itself. ## Datasheet [Manufacturer datasheet (PDF)](https://comparepv.com/datasheets/PS-M-0907-E-Datasheet-Vertex-DE18M-II-EN-2022-A-web-3149fbcd9d92.pdf) ## Alternatives | Panel | Power | How it differs | | --- | --- | --- | | [Longi Solar LR7-54HJD-510M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-54hjd-510m) | 510 W | Cooler, +4.9 pp, +5 yr warranty | | [AIKO AIKO-A495-MCE54Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a495-mce54mw) | 495 W | Cooler, lighter, +4.7 pp | | [Longi Solar LR7-54HJD-505M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-54hjd-505m) | 505 W | Cooler, +4.6 pp, +5 yr warranty | | [AIKO AIKO-A490-MCE54Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a490-mce54mw) | 490 W | Cooler, lighter, +4.4 pp | | [Longi Solar LR7-54HJD-500M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-54hjd-500m) | 500 W | Cooler, +4.4 pp, +5 yr warranty | | [Talesun CIPRO-TN9C54M-500W](https://comparepv.com/panel/talesun-cipro-tn9c54m-500w) | 500 W | Cooler, +4.4 pp, +5 yr warranty | | [Trina Solar TSM-DEG18MC.20(II)-480](https://comparepv.com/panel/trina-solar-tsm-deg18mc-20-ii-480) | 480 W | Heavier, -0.2 pp, +5 yr warranty | | [Trina Solar TSM-DE18M(II)-490](https://comparepv.com/panel/trina-solar-tsm-de18m-ii-490) | 490 W | Very close match | | [Trina Solar TSM-DEG18MC.20(II)-495](https://comparepv.com/panel/trina-solar-tsm-deg18mc-20-ii-495) | 495 W | Heavier, +0.4 pp, +5 yr warranty | | [AIKO AIKO-A650-MAE72Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a650-mae72mw) | 650 W | +165 W, cooler, +5.1 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A645-MAE72Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a645-mae72mw) | 645 W | +160 W, cooler, +4.9 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A640-MAE72Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a640-mae72mw) | 640 W | +155 W, cooler, +4.7 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A635-MAE72Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a635-mae72mw) | 635 W | +150 W, cooler, +4.5 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A630-MAH72Dw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a630-mah72dw) | 630 W | +145 W, cooler, +4.3 pp | --- Source: https://comparepv.com/panel/trina-solar-tsm-de18m-ii-485 Not in this file, on the page: a thirty-year output simulator and alternatives filtered by how closely they match these dimensions.