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WINAICO Brand review

WST-490BDX54-A2

490 Wp Back Contact Bifacial 70%
ComparePV verdict

Efficiency leader, heavy for its output

Rank 2,215 of 14,129
Compare panels Datasheet PDF
Power (Wp)
490
Strong · top 12%
Efficiency (%)
24.00
Strong · top 24%
Density (Wp/m²)
240.1
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 WINAICO WBC series (WST-BDX54-A2) brings back-contact cell technology to the residential segment, moving all electrodes to the rear side of the cell. This gives the panel a clean, uniform front surface with no visible gridlines or busbars, making it a natural fit for roofs where appearance matters as much as output. Without front-side metallization, more sunlight reaches the silicon directly, translating into a real gain in energy yield without increasing the mounting footprint. The modules use monocrystalline N-type bifacial cells, which additionally capture light reflected from the surrounding surface on the rear side of the panel. A single-line soldering structure reduces stress at the cell edges, resulting in lower microcrack risk and greater long-term reliability. The bypass function built into the BC cells limits shading losses to a single cell rather than an entire string, improving energy stability under partial shading conditions. The module is completed with a glass-glass construction and a long-term linear performance warranty, giving homeowners confidence in minimal power degradation over decades of operation. It's a strong option for homeowners seeking premium design paired with high reliability.

Ranking

167 panels in the segment Back Contact 450-500 W
Metric This panel Median Position in segment Overall rank
Module efficiency 24.00% 23.52% Strong · top 24% 329
Power density 240.1 235.2 Typical 339
Temperature coefficient -0.260 -0.260 Typical 515
Weight per kWp 51.0 48.5 Weak · bottom 21% 4,383
Performance warranty 30 yrs 30 yrs Typical 21
Colour key Strong - top 25% Typical - middle 50% Weak - bottom 25%

Signals from the data

1 positive · 1 caution
Best for

Residential and shaded-installations.

Not ideal for

Weight-limited structures.

Strengths
24.00% module efficiency

Top 24% of the Back Contact 450-500 W segment, against a median of 23.52%.

Watch-outs
51.0 kg per kWp

Bottom 21% of the Back Contact 450-500 W segment, against a median of 48.5.

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)
  • At -0.26%/°C, hot weather performance is typical for Back Contact 450-500W panels
  • At 25.0 kg (1.5 kg above Back Contact 450-500W median of 23.5 kg), requires checking roof load capacity
  • Bifaciality factor of 70% can add 4-10% extra yield with reflective mounting surface

Specifications

Open datasheet PDF
Nominal power (Pmax) 490 Wp Nameplate at 1000 W/m², 25 °C
Module efficiency 24.00 % Strong Segment median 23.52%
Vmpp · Impp 34.04 V · 14.40 A Operating point at max power
Voc · Isc 41.02 V · 15.10 A Sizes the string length
Max system voltage 1500 V Longer strings than 1000 V modules
Dimensions 1800×1134×35 mm · 2.04 m² of roof
Weight 25.0 kg Weak Weak · 1.5 kg above median
Cells 108 · Back Contact Monocrystalline
Bifaciality 70 % Rear output as a share of front
Coefficient Pmax -0.260 %/°C Typical median -0.260 of its segment
Coefficient Voc · Isc -0.220 · 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
End-of-warranty output 88.8 % Equals 435 W guaranteed
Degradation 1.00 → 0.35 % First year, then annual

Datasheet charts

Open datasheet PDF

Measured curves published by WINAICO in this model's datasheet. A chart carrying a wattage was measured on that variant alone - only the ones that describe 490 Wp appear here. The rest cover the whole series.

WINAICO Performance Guarantee – Yearly degradation from 2nd to 30th year WINAICO Performance Guarantee – Yearly degradation from 2nd to 30th year Whole series

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
WINAICO WST-490BDX54-A2 490 W 24.00% -0.260 25.0 kg You are here
LR7-54HJD-510M 510 W 25.00% -0.240 23.5 kg +20 W, cooler, +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, cooler, +0.7 pp
WST-505BKX54-A2 505 W 24.70% -0.260 25.0 kg +15 W, +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 Cooler, lighter, +0.5 pp
CIPRO-TN9C54M-500W 500 W 24.50% -0.260 21.4 kg +10 W, lighter, +0.5 pp
WST-475BDX54-A2 475 W 23.30% -0.260 25.0 kg -15 W, -0.7 pp
WST-480BDX54-B2 480 W 23.50% -0.260 25.0 kg -10 W, -0.5 pp
WST-485BDX54-A2 485 W 23.80% -0.260 25.0 kg Very close match
WST-495BKX54-B2 495 W 24.30% -0.260 25.0 kg +0.3 pp

Found 213 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±10 mm. See them here Found 217 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±25 mm. See them here Found 1735 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±50 mm. See them here Found 4051 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±100 mm. See them here

About the WST-BDX54-A2 WBC Series series

6 answered

These answers cover the whole series. Where a figure differs, the specification above is this module's own.

How does Back Contact cell technology in WINAICO WBC panels differ from standard busbar panels?
In Back Contact technology, all electrodes and metallization pathways are moved to the rear side of the cell. The front surface of the WST-BDX54-A2 panel is therefore smooth and uniform, with no visible grids or busbars. This allows more sunlight to reach the silicon directly, increasing energy yield from the same roof area while also giving the panel a cleaner, premium appearance.
Are WINAICO WBC WST-BDX54-A2 panels bifacial, and is it worth it?
Yes, the series uses monocrystalline N-type bifacial cells that also capture light reflected from the ground on the rear side of the panel. Combined with the glass-glass construction, this enables additional, though variable, energy gain depending on the albedo of the mounting surface, such as a light-colored roof or ground. The greatest benefit is achieved with elevated mounting and a reflective background.
What is the warranty on WINAICO WST-BDX54-A2 WBC Series panels?
The manufacturer provides a 30-year product warranty and a 30-year linear power warranty. This is one of the longest linear warranties on the market, well beyond the standard 25 years. Thanks to the glass-glass construction and the absence of front busbars, power degradation over time is lower, resulting in genuine long-term durability rather than just a stated figure.
Do WINAICO WBC panels rated at 500 Wp require a special inverter?
Panels with a maximum power of 500 Wp work with most standard string inverters on the market, as long as the module's voltage and current fall within the inverter's MPPT range. Before purchasing, check the panel's datasheet and match the number of modules per string to the specific inverter's parameters, especially in bifacial installations where actual power can temporarily exceed the STC rating.
Are microcracks less of an issue in WINAICO WBC panels?
Yes, the single soldering line construction reduces mechanical stress at cell edges, lowering the risk of microcracks during transport, installation, and thermal cycling. Additionally, the bypass current system in Back Contact cells limits losses from partial shading to a single cell rather than the entire string, improving energy production stability under challenging conditions.
Is WINAICO a reliable manufacturer, and where are WBC modules produced?
WINAICO is a Taiwan-based manufacturer classified as Tier 1, meaning it belongs to a group of financially stable companies with a documented production history and bankability. This classification matters for bank and leasing financing of installations, as it lowers investor risk related to potential manufacturer insolvency during the long warranty period.
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