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Manufacturer review

Canadian Solar panels, read off the datasheets

Canadian Solar Inc. is a global renewable energy company founded in 2001. Headquartered in Kitchener, Ontario, it manufactures solar PV modules and provides battery energy storage solutions. The company also develops utility-scale solar power and battery energy storage projects.

Everything below is computed from those 292 datasheets: no score out of ten, no ranking of brands against each other, and nothing a manufacturer can pay to change. Where Canadian Solar does not publish a figure, it is left out of the average rather than assumed.

Panels
292
models in the database
Average efficiency
20.7%
across the catalogue
Best efficiency
24.4%
their strongest module
Power range
290-730 Wp
smallest to largest
Bifacial share
46%
133 dual-sided models
Average warranty
28 years
guaranteed output term
01

The top of the range

The leaders of Canadian Solar's own catalogue on the two figures a specification sheet leads with. Neither is a verdict: the most efficient module in a range is rarely the one that suits a given roof.

Most efficient module efficiency
1 CS6.2-66TB-660 Monocrystalline bifacial 660 Wp 24.4% 2 CS6.2-66TB-655 Monocrystalline bifacial 655 Wp 24.2% 3 CS6.2-66TB-650 Monocrystalline bifacial 650 Wp 24.1% 4 CS6.2-66HB-645 Monocrystalline bifacial 645 Wp 23.9% 5 CS6.2-66TB-645 Monocrystalline bifacial 645 Wp 23.9%
Sort the whole catalogue by efficiency
Highest power nameplate output
1 CS7N-730TB-AG Monocrystalline bifacial 23.5% 730 Wp 2 CS7N-725TB-AG Monocrystalline bifacial 23.3% 725 Wp 3 CS7N-720TB-AG Monocrystalline bifacial 23.2% 720 Wp 4 CS7N-715TB-AG Monocrystalline bifacial 23.0% 715 Wp 5 CS7N-710TB-AG Monocrystalline bifacial 22.9% 710 Wp
Sort the whole catalogue by power
02

By what the array is for

Three cuts of the same catalogue, each ordered by efficiency inside its band. An empty column means the brand does not build for that case.

For a house roof 380-460 Wp
1 CS6R-450T Monocrystalline 450 Wp 23.0% 2 CS6.2-48TD-460 Monocrystalline bifacial 460 Wp 23.0% 3 CS6R-445T Monocrystalline 445 Wp 22.8% 4 CS6.2-48TD-455 Monocrystalline bifacial 455 Wp 22.8% 5 CS6R-445H-AG Monocrystalline bifacial 445 Wp 22.8%
For a commercial array 500 Wp and up
1 CS7N-730TB-AG Monocrystalline bifacial 730 Wp 23.5% 2 CS7N-725TB-AG Monocrystalline bifacial 725 Wp 23.3% 3 CS7N-720TB-AG Monocrystalline bifacial 720 Wp 23.2% 4 CS7N-715TB-AG Monocrystalline bifacial 715 Wp 23.0% 5 CS7N-710TB-AG Monocrystalline bifacial 710 Wp 22.9%
For a ground mount dual-sided
1 CS6.2-66TB-660 Monocrystalline bifacial 660 Wp 24.4% 2 CS6.2-66TB-655 Monocrystalline bifacial 655 Wp 24.2% 3 CS6.2-66TB-650 Monocrystalline bifacial 650 Wp 24.1% 4 CS6.2-66HB-645 Monocrystalline bifacial 645 Wp 23.9% 5 CS6.2-66TB-645 Monocrystalline bifacial 645 Wp 23.9%
03

What the catalogue is made of

Cell technology across the market

Shares are of the 292 modules in the database, counted once each. A power ladder of one module counts as its rungs, which is why a large catalogue is not the same as a wide one.

Cell technology share of the catalogue
PERC 66.8% 195 TOPCon 29.1% 85 HJT 4.1% 12
PERC accounts for 66.8% of the catalogue - 195 of 292 modules.
Efficiency spread share of the catalogue
<20% 43.8% 128 20-21% 12.3% 36 21-22% 14.0% 41 22-23% 17.1% 50 23%+ 12.7% 37
04

Strengths and gaps

Both lists are derived from the figures above rather than written about the brand. A gap here is a gap in what is published, which is not always a gap in what is built.

What this catalogue is good at
  • Extensive portfolio of 292 panels across multiple series
  • Tier 1 bankable manufacturer - recognized by major financial institutions
  • High-efficiency panels available (up to 24.4%)
  • Strong warranty coverage averaging 28 years
  • High-power panels available (up to 730W) for commercial applications
  • Established manufacturer with 25+ years of experience
  • Large-scale production capacity of 51 GW
Where it is thin
  • Average efficiency of 20.7% is below the industry leading edge
05

In short

Canadian Solar: Canadian Solar is an industry leader in efficiency, offering 292 panels suitable for both residential and commercial buyers. With an average efficiency of 20.7% and top models reaching 24.4%, their panels deliver competitive performance. As a Tier 1 bankable manufacturer, they offer strong financial backing and long-term reliability.
Common questions
Is Canadian Solar a good solar panel manufacturer?
Canadian Solar offers 292 solar panel models with an average efficiency of 20.7%. They are a Tier 1 bankable manufacturer, recognized by major financial institutions for reliability. Check their full panel lineup on ComparePV to find the best model for your needs.
What types of solar panels does Canadian Solar make?
Canadian Solar manufactures panels ranging from 290W to 730W, covering both residential and commercial applications. Their portfolio includes PERC (67%), TOPCon (29%), HJT (4%) cell technologies.
How efficient are Canadian Solar solar panels?
Canadian Solar panels have an average efficiency of 20.7%, with their most efficient model reaching 24.4%. This puts them among the industry leaders in the current market.
Does Canadian Solar make bifacial solar panels?
Yes, Canadian Solar offers 133 bifacial panels, representing 46% of their portfolio. Bifacial panels can generate additional energy from the rear side, making them ideal for ground-mounted systems.
What warranty does Canadian Solar offer on their solar panels?
Canadian Solar panels come with an average performance warranty of 28 years. This warranty guarantees that the panels will maintain a specified level of power output over time, protecting your investment against degradation beyond normal levels.
Are Canadian Solar panels good for residential use?
Canadian Solar offers panels in the residential-friendly 380-460W range. For home installations, look for models with high efficiency and compact dimensions to maximize power from limited roof space. Browse their full lineup on ComparePV to filter by power range and specifications.
Does Canadian Solar use TOPCon technology?
Yes, Canadian Solar has adopted TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) cell technology in part of their portfolio. TOPCon cells offer higher efficiency and better temperature performance compared to older PERC technology, making them a strong choice for maximizing energy production.
06

Compared with

Build your own

A brand comparison weighs the two catalogues against each other - what each builds, at what efficiency, and how deep the range goes.

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