--- title: "WINAICO WST-490BDX54-A2 Solar Panel: Specs & Datasheet | ComparePV" description: "WINAICO WST-490BDX54-A2 solar panel. Specs: 24.00% efficiency, Monocrystalline cells, dimensions, warranty and temperature coefficient." source: "https://comparepv.com/panel/winaico-wst-490bdx54-a2" image: "https://comparepv.com/og/panel/winaico-wst-490bdx54-a2.png" updated: 2026-10-23 --- # WINAICO WST-490BDX54-A2 Efficiency leader, heavy for its output 167 panels in the segment Back Contact 450-500 W ## Identity - **Manufacturer:** WINAICO - **Model:** WST-490BDX54-A2 - **Series:** WST-BDX54-A2 WBC Series - **Rated power:** 490 W - **Cell technology:** Back Contact - **Bifacial:** yes ## How it compares Compared against segment Back Contact 450-500 W (167 panels). | Measure | This panel | Segment median | Standing | Rank | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Power (Wp) | 490 W | 475 W | Strong - top 12% | | | 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 (kg) | 25.0 kg | 23.5 kg | Weak - bottom 21% | | | Performance warranty | 30 yrs | 30 yrs | Typical | 21 | ### Full peer table | Measure | This panel | Segment median | Standing | 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 | ### Strengths - **24.00% module efficiency** - Top 24% of the Back Contact 450-500 W segment, against a median of 23.52%. ### Watch out for - **51.0 kg per kWp** - Bottom 21% of the Back Contact 450-500 W segment, against a median of 48.5. - **Best for:** Residential and shaded-installations. - **Not ideal for:** Weight-limited structures. ## Specification ### Electrical - **Rated power (Pmax):** 490 W - **Efficiency:** 24.00 % - **Voltage at Pmax (Vmp):** 34.04 V - **Current at Pmax (Imp):** 14.40 A - **Open-circuit voltage (Voc):** 41.02 V - **Short-circuit current (Isc):** 15.10 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:** 45 degC ### Cell and construction - **Cell type:** Monocrystalline - **Cell technology:** Back Contact - **Cell count:** 108 - **Bifacial:** yes - **Bifacial gain:** 20.00 ### Physical - **Length:** 1800 mm - **Width:** 1134 mm - **Thickness:** 35 mm - **Weight:** 25.0 kg - **Area:** 2.04 m2 - **Power density:** 240.1 Wp/m2 ### Warranty and degradation - **Product warranty:** 30 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:** 435 W ## Rank in the whole catalogue | Measure | Position | | --- | --- | | Efficiency | 329 of 14129 | | Power density | 339 of 14129 | | Temperature coefficient | 515 of 14129 | | Weight | 4383 of 14129 | | Warranty | 21 of 14129 | ## About this series 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. ## Notable figures - 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 ## Questions ### 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. ## Datasheet [Manufacturer datasheet (PDF)](https://comparepv.com/datasheets/WINAICO_WST-500BDX54-A2_AUS_CEC_0725-1-938ffa13fc89.pdf) ## Alternatives | Panel | Power | How it differs | | --- | --- | --- | | [Longi Solar LR7-54HJD-510M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-54hjd-510m) | 510 W | +20 W, cooler, +1.0 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A495-MCE54Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a495-mce54mw) | 495 W | Lighter, +0.8 pp | | [Longi Solar LR7-54HJD-505M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-54hjd-505m) | 505 W | +15 W, cooler, +0.7 pp | | [WINAICO WST-505BKX54-A2](https://comparepv.com/panel/winaico-wst-505bkx54-a2) | 505 W | +15 W, +0.7 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A490-MCE54Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a490-mce54mw) | 490 W | Lighter, +0.5 pp | | [Longi Solar LR7-54HJD-500M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-54hjd-500m) | 500 W | Cooler, lighter, +0.5 pp | | [Talesun CIPRO-TN9C54M-500W](https://comparepv.com/panel/talesun-cipro-tn9c54m-500w) | 500 W | +10 W, lighter, +0.5 pp | | [WINAICO WST-475BDX54-A2](https://comparepv.com/panel/winaico-wst-475bdx54-a2) | 475 W | -15 W, -0.7 pp | | [WINAICO WST-480BDX54-B2](https://comparepv.com/panel/winaico-wst-480bdx54-b2) | 480 W | -10 W, -0.5 pp | | [WINAICO WST-485BDX54-A2](https://comparepv.com/panel/winaico-wst-485bdx54-a2) | 485 W | Very close match | | [WINAICO WST-495BKX54-B2](https://comparepv.com/panel/winaico-wst-495bkx54-b2) | 495 W | +0.3 pp | --- Source: https://comparepv.com/panel/winaico-wst-490bdx54-a2 Not in this file, on the page: the I-V and temperature curves lifted from the manufacturer's datasheet, a thirty-year output simulator, a bifacial gain calculator and alternatives filtered by how closely they match these dimensions.