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Global Tier-1

TOPHiKu6 48TD

440–470 W · 48-cell · N-type TOPCon · All-black · Dual-glass

Canadian SolarReleased 2022

70/ 100

Very good

Global

15+ Yrs Field-ProvenGlass-Glass

The verdict. In our Global Tier-1 class, Canadian Solar TOPHiKu6 48TD leads on architecture & design.

17thof 51 in Global Tier-1Top halfclass average 66.1
Compare this panelAsk Watt →

The assessment

How it scores, by category

Architecture & Design82
Efficiency & Yield64
Durability (verified)60
Performance & Degradation73
Guarantee & Backbone80
Sustainability67

Market position

17thof 51 in Global Tier-1Top half
467076

Our reading

TOPHiKu6 48TD scores 70, placing 17 of 51 in the Global Tier-1 class against a class average of 66.1. Its strongest scoring dimension is architecture & design (82), running 7.3 points above the class average on this dimension. Durability (verified) (60) is the dimension with the most room to move. Underlying specifications include a module efficiency of 23.5%, N-type TOPCon cell technology, 25-year product warranty backed by a 30-year performance term.

The data

Power
470W
Efficiency
23.5%
Cell
N-type TOPCon
Temp coeff
-0.29%/°C
Technology architecture

N-type TOPCon module

Architecture guide

Produces DC electricity at the roof. It contains no system-level power conversion or storage.

Product role
None in the module.
Published range
440–470 W
Electrical layer
DC module output
Construction
Dual-glass, All-black
Architecture describes the product boundary. It is not a system design or an equipment-pairing decision.
Decision evidence

What the documents establish

Published evidence, source-reviewed non-disclosure and unresolved questions remain separate from the product score.

Performance guarantee: 30-year linear output

470 Wrated411W at yr 30
80859095100Guaranteed floor 87.4%Product 25yr87.4%0yr5yr10yr15yr20yr25yr30yr
Projected outputGuaranteed floor: 87.4% at yr 30Product warranty ends yr 25

Wattage figure based on the sourced rated power (470 W) applied to the guaranteed floor; modular/format differences aside, this is the same rated-power spec shown above.

Modelled effective output, year by year

421W381W

Year 1 to year 25, at 30°C and 1000 W/m². Rated 470 W at STC.

How this is modelled

Compounds this panel’s own published first-year (1%) and annual (0.4%/yr) degradation figures against its 470 W rated (STC) output, then derates for the ambient and irradiance selected. Output is scaled roughly linearly with irradiance (1000W/m² against the 1000 W/m² STC reference). This is the dominant real-world effect at low light, whether from cloud, shading or soiling. Output is then further derated for heat, from this panel’s own NOCT (42°C) and temperature coefficient (-0.29%/°C), giving an estimated cell temperature of 58°C at that ambient and irradiance. A datasheet-derived estimate, not a field measurement or a warranty guarantee: it does not account for this panel’s own low-light efficiency response (a separate, less-consistently-published spec), or for wind and system design. See NOCT and temperature coefficient in the glossary.

Control panel

30°C
1000 W/m²
Year1510152025
Watts421 W415 W406 W398 W389 W381 W
% of rated89.7%88.2%86.4%84.6%82.8%81.0%
Before you buy
Local positionUse a market view to check local availability, approvals and warranty scope.
Ask the installerWill the quote name the exact TOPHiKu6 48TD model and wattage, and who covers labour if the module warranty is used?

Verification & sources

Market context

Global evidencechange in the site menu

Global benchmark. This scorecard is benchmarked globally. A global score does not imply local availability, certification, warranty coverage, or installer compatibility.

Benchmark anchor. The score is anchored to the highest published Australian rating in this exact series. Scored model: CS6.2-48TD-470 · checked 2026-08-06. Evidence.

Sources & references · checked 2026-08-19

Strong evidence coverage

28 of 28 scored criteria link directly to a published source.

Values marked estimated, derived, or not found remain visible on the audit sheet and do not carry the same evidential weight as a linked source. Coverage measures direct links, not an independent guarantee that a claim is correct.

Record correction. Canadian Solar TOPHiKu6 All-Black CS6.2-48TD V1.5 AU and TopHiKu AU warranty V2.0 reviewed 2026-08-06 Re-verification 2026-08-18: ammonia resistance recorded from the Clean Energy Council enhanced listing for exact model CS6.2-48TD-470, matched on exact model identity rather than brand or series. Salt mist is also enhanced-listed for this model but the rubric bands salt mist by severity and the regulator publishes none, so it remains unset. Re-verification 2026-08-18: salt mist recorded as certified without published severity from the Clean Energy Council enhanced listing for exact model CS6.2-48TD-470, under panel rubric v2.11.0 which added that band. LeTID re-verified 2026-08-19 for rubric v2.12.0: scored under the returned criterion on the evidence recorded in its provenance. Re-verification 2026-08-19: Verified reliability recorded as "Brand or series independently tested; exact model not covered" under panel rubric v2.13.0, which added a band for brand or series evidence where the exact model is not covered by the third-party record.

Change ledger

Product record history

4 changes to this record · 31 products changed in this update
  1. Record updated

    Durability (verified) pillar score

    Before
    54.2
    After
    59.8
    Primary datasheet
  2. Record updated

    Global score

    Before
    69.1
    After
    70.4
    Primary datasheet
  3. Record updated

    Source revision

    Current text
    Canadian Solar TOPHiKu6 All-Black CS6.2-48TD V1.5 AU and TopHiKu AU warranty V2.0 reviewed 2026-08-06 Re-verification 2026-08-18: ammonia resistance recorded from the Clean Energy Council enhanced listing for exact model CS6.2-48TD-470, matched on exact model identity rather than brand or series. Salt mist is also enhanced-listed for this model but the rubric bands salt mist by severity and the regulator publishes none, so it remains unset. Re-verification 2026-08-18: salt mist recorded as certified without published severity from the Clean Energy Council enhanced listing for exact model CS6.2-48TD-470, under panel rubric v2.11.0 which added that band. LeTID re-verified 2026-08-19 for rubric v2.12.0: scored under the returned criterion on the evidence recorded in its provenance. Re-verification 2026-08-19: Verified reliability recorded as "Brand or series independently tested; exact model not covered" under panel rubric v2.13.0, which added a band for brand or series evidence where the exact model is not covered by the third-party record.

    The previous text is not reproduced here: both versions run to a full research paragraph. Both are in the JSON record linked below.

    Primary datasheet
  4. Record updated

    Verified reliability

    Before
    Not independently tested
    After
    Brand or series independently tested; exact model not covered
    Independent energy yieldVerified reliability
6 changes to this record · 23 products changed in this update
  1. Record updated

    Source revision

    Current text
    Canadian Solar TOPHiKu6 All-Black CS6.2-48TD V1.5 AU and TopHiKu AU warranty V2.0 reviewed 2026-08-06 Re-verification 2026-08-18: ammonia resistance recorded from the Clean Energy Council enhanced listing for exact model CS6.2-48TD-470, matched on exact model identity rather than brand or series. Salt mist is also enhanced-listed for this model but the rubric bands salt mist by severity and the regulator publishes none, so it remains unset. Re-verification 2026-08-18: salt mist recorded as certified without published severity from the Clean Energy Council enhanced listing for exact model CS6.2-48TD-470, under panel rubric v2.11.0 which added that band. LeTID re-verified 2026-08-19 for rubric v2.12.0: scored under the returned criterion on the evidence recorded in its provenance.

    The previous text is not reproduced here: both versions run to a full research paragraph. Both are in the JSON record linked below.

    Primary datasheet
  2. Record updated

    Durability (verified) pillar score

    Before
    52.9
    After
    54.2
    Primary datasheet
  3. Evidence added

    LeTID resistance (IEC TS 63342)

    Before
    Not previously recorded
    After
    Independently tested / certified, figure not published
    PID (IEC TS 62804)
  4. Evidence added

    LeTID resistance (IEC TS 63342): Evidence status

    Before
    Not previously recorded
    After
    sourced
    PID (IEC TS 62804)
  5. Record updated

    Global score

    Before
    68.8
    After
    69.1
    Primary datasheet
  6. Evidence added

    LeTID resistance (IEC TS 63342): Evidence sources

    Before
    Not previously recorded
    After
    https://cleanenergycouncil.org.au/api/PvModule/get
    PID (IEC TS 62804)
2 changes to this record · 15 products changed in this update
  1. Record updated

    Ammonia resistance (IEC 62716): Evidence sources

    Before
    https://static.csisolar.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/16151141/CS-Datasheet-TOPHiKu6_All-Black_CS6.2-48TD_v1.5_AU_-5W10W.pdf
    After
    https://cleanenergycouncil.org.au/api/PvModule/get; https://cleanenergycouncil.org.au/industry-programs/products-program
    PID (IEC TS 62804)Primary datasheet+1 in JSON record
  2. Record updated

    Salt mist (IEC 61701): Evidence sources

    Before
    https://static.csisolar.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/16151141/CS-Datasheet-TOPHiKu6_All-Black_CS6.2-48TD_v1.5_AU_-5W10W.pdf
    After
    https://cleanenergycouncil.org.au/api/PvModule/get; https://cleanenergycouncil.org.au/industry-programs/products-program
    PID (IEC TS 62804)Primary datasheet+1 in JSON record
4 changes to this record · 19 products changed in this update
  1. Record updated

    Source revision

    Current text
    Canadian Solar TOPHiKu6 All-Black CS6.2-48TD V1.5 AU and TopHiKu AU warranty V2.0 reviewed 2026-08-06 Re-verification 2026-08-18: ammonia resistance recorded from the Clean Energy Council enhanced listing for exact model CS6.2-48TD-470, matched on exact model identity rather than brand or series. Salt mist is also enhanced-listed for this model but the rubric bands salt mist by severity and the regulator publishes none, so it remains unset. Re-verification 2026-08-18: salt mist recorded as certified without published severity from the Clean Energy Council enhanced listing for exact model CS6.2-48TD-470, under panel rubric v2.11.0 which added that band.

    The previous text is not reproduced here: both versions run to a full research paragraph. Both are in the JSON record linked below.

    Primary datasheet
  2. Record updated

    Durability (verified) pillar score

    Before
    49.5
    After
    52.9
    Primary datasheet
  3. Record updated

    Global score

    Before
    68.1
    After
    68.8
    Primary datasheet
  4. Record updated

    Salt mist (IEC 61701)

    Before
    Not Listed
    After
    Certified (IEC 61701), severity not published
    Primary datasheet
9 changes to this record · 106 products changed in this update
  1. Record updated

    Durability (verified) pillar score

    Before
    50.2
    After
    49.5
    Primary datasheet
  2. Evidence removed

    Damp heat extended (2000h)

    Before
    1000h IEC 61215 standard
    After
    No longer recorded
    Primary datasheet
  3. Evidence removed

    Awards: Evidence status

    Before
    sourced
    After
    No longer recorded
    ContactContact
  4. Record updated

    Global score

    Before
    67.2
    After
    68.1
    Primary datasheet
  5. Evidence removed

    Awards

    Before
    Not Listed
    After
    No longer recorded
    ContactContact
  6. Evidence removed

    Awards: Evidence sources

    Before
    https://static.csisolar.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/23165936/CS-Datasheet-TOPHiKu6_All-Black_CS6.2-48TD_v1.2C25_AU.pdf; https://static.csisolar.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/27133117/PV_TopHiKu_Module_Warranty_au-v1.7.pdf
    After
    No longer recorded
    ContactContact
  7. Record updated

    Architecture & Design pillar score

    Before
    76.7
    After
    81.8
    Primary datasheet
  8. Evidence removed

    Damp heat extended (2000h): Evidence status

    Before
    sourced
    After
    No longer recorded
    Primary datasheet
  9. Evidence removed

    Damp heat extended (2000h): Evidence sources

    Before
    https://static.csisolar.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/16151141/CS-Datasheet-TOPHiKu6_All-Black_CS6.2-48TD_v1.5_AU_-5W10W.pdf
    After
    No longer recorded
    Primary datasheet
4 changes to this record · 17 products changed in this update
  1. Record updated

    Durability (verified) pillar score

    Before
    48.2
    After
    50.2
    Primary datasheet
  2. Record updated

    Ammonia resistance (IEC 62716)

    Before
    Not listed
    After
    IEC 62716 certified
    Primary datasheet
  3. Record updated

    Global score

    Before
    66.8
    After
    67.2
    Primary datasheet
  4. Record updated

    Source revision

    Before
    Canadian Solar TOPHiKu6 All-Black CS6.2-48TD V1.5 AU and TopHiKu AU warranty V2.0 reviewed 2026-08-06
    After
    Canadian Solar TOPHiKu6 All-Black CS6.2-48TD V1.5 AU and TopHiKu AU warranty V2.0 reviewed 2026-08-06 Re-verification 2026-08-18: ammonia resistance recorded from the Clean Energy Council enhanced listing for exact model CS6.2-48TD-470, matched on exact model identity rather than brand or series. Salt mist is also enhanced-listed for this model but the rubric bands salt mist by severity and the regulator publishes none, so it remains unset.
    Primary datasheet

This is review.solar's publication history. It does not claim the product changed on the recorded date, and it excludes compatibility, system pairing, installation suitability and relative leaderboard prose. Open the complete JSON record.

Evidence timeline

Recorded verification events for this scorecard. These are evidence checks, not historical score snapshots.

  1. Core scorecard evidence checked
  2. AU market evidence checked
  3. Series benchmark evidence checked
  4. Plain-language warranty summary checked

Evidence record (JSON)

Scored by Solar Analytica Research

Further reading from Findings

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