AIKO Neostar 3S 495W Solar Panel | AIKO-A495-MCE54Mb | All Black

Description

The AIKO Neostar 3S 495W All Black (AIKO-A495-MCE54Mb) is a third-generation N-type ABC (All Back Contact) mono-glass solar panel with a 24.8% module efficiency. Because all metal contacts sit on the rear of the cell, the front surface carries no busbars or grid lines. The result is a uniform, bezel-less all-black look and more of the panel area exposed to light.

Built on 108 cells (6 x 18) with 3.2mm tempered glass, a black anodised aluminium frame, an IP68 junction box with 3 bypass diodes and 4mm² cables with Stäubli EVO connectors, it suits domestic roofs where appearance matters as much as output. It is backed by a 30-year linear performance warranty and a 25-year product warranty.

495W

Peak power (STC)

24.8%

Module efficiency

25 yr

Product warranty

30 yr

Linear performance warranty

-0.26%/°C

Pmax temperature coefficient

1500V

Maximum system voltage

Installation safety

Modules produce DC voltage above 30V in daylight and must be installed by qualified personnel only. Never drill the frame, never lift by the junction box or cables, and use two people holding the frame edges. Rooftop arrays need a structural check and must follow BS 7671 and MCS installation requirements.

Warranty wording

Some manufacturer web listings quote a 30-year product warranty for the 480W to 495W range. This page follows the current manufacturer datasheet and warranty document, which state 25 years product and 30 years performance. Check the terms supplied with your delivery.

Coastal sites

The manufacturer advises that sites 50m to 500m from the sea need a module designed for salt-affected locations, and does not support other models there.

Key performance figures

Guaranteed output is 99% of nameplate in year 1, falling by no more than 0.35% a year, giving 90.6% at year 25 and 88.85% at year 30.

Key features

All Back Contact cells

Moving the metal grid to the rear removes front-side shading and cuts resistive losses, which lifts efficiency to 24.8%.

Fully black design

A bezel-less, no-busbar front with a black anodised frame gives a clean, uniform finish on any roof.

Partial shading optimisation

The cell architecture is designed to limit the loss from partial shade, helping yield on roofs with chimneys, vents or nearby trees.

Better temperature behaviour

A -0.26%/°C power coefficient and a rated operating range of -40°C to +85°C help output hold up in hot weather.

Durable construction

Micro-crack resistance, 3.2mm tempered glass, 5400Pa front and 2400Pa rear static load and a 40mm hail test at 27.5 m/s.

Lower BOS, quicker install

Higher power per panel means fewer modules, clamps and connections for a given array size, and the junction box is centrally placed for simple series wiring.

Technical specification

Electrical (STC: 1000W/m², AM1.5, 25°C)

Peak power (Pmax)

495W (power binning 0 to +3%)

Open circuit voltage (Voc)

41.20V

Voltage at max power (Vmp)

34.80V

Short circuit current (Isc)

14.92A

Current at max power (Imp)

14.23A

Module efficiency

24.8%

Pmax, Voc and Isc tolerance

±3%

Electrical (NOCT: 800W/m², AM1.5, 20°C, 1m/s)

Peak power (Pmax)

375W

Voc

39.09V

Vmp

33.02V

Isc

12.06A

Imp

11.37A

Temperature and ratings

Temperature coefficient of Pmax

-0.26%/°C

Temperature coefficient of Voc

-0.22%/°C

Temperature coefficient of Isc

+0.05%/°C

Operating temperature

-40°C to +85°C

Maximum system voltage

1500V DC

Maximum series fuse rating

25A

Protection class

Class II

Fire rating

IEC Class C

Static load

Front 5400Pa / rear 2400Pa

Hail test

40mm diameter at 27.5 m/s

Mechanical

Cell type

N-type ABC (back contact)

Number of cells

108 (6 x 18)

Glass

3.2mm tempered glass

Frame

Black anodised aluminium

Dimensions

1762 x 1134 x 30mm

Weight

20.6kg ±3%

Junction box

IP68, 3 bypass diodes

Cable

4mm², approx. 1200mm

Connectors

PV-KST4-EVO 2A/6I and PV-KBT4-EVO 2A/6I (Stäubli)

Pallet quantity

37 panels per pallet

Warranty and identification

Manufacturer part number

AIKO-A495-MCE54Mb

Product warranty

25 years

Performance warranty

30 years, linear

First-year degradation

1%

Annual degradation, years 2 to 30

0.35%

Installation notes

From the manufacturer's installation manual

Clamps

Minimum 4 per panel; 6 where heavy wind or snow loads are expected

Clamp overlap on frame

At least 10mm and no more than 12mm

Gap between panels

Minimum 10mm

Roof clearance

Minimum 100mm between frame and roof surface

Minimum tilt

10° recommended

Frame

Do not drill; M8 bolt torque 16 to 20Nm if bolt-mounting

Earthing

4.2mm earth holes on the frame; 4mm² copper earth wire

Recommended ambient range

-20°C to 50°C

Frequently asked questions

Is the AIKO Neostar 3S 495W fully black?

Yes. The ABC cell design has no front busbars, and combined with the black anodised frame the panel looks uniformly black from the roof.

What is the difference between ABC and standard N-type TOPCon?

In an ABC (All Back Contact) cell all electrical contacts are on the rear, so nothing blocks light on the front. TOPCon cells still have a front metal grid. That is why ABC panels can reach 24.8% efficiency in a clean, all-black format.

How many panels fit in a string?

Calculate the cold-weather open circuit voltage: N x Voc x [1 + (-0.22%/°C) x (Tmin - 25)], and keep it below your inverter and the 1500V panel limit. As an example, at -10°C each panel reaches about 44.4V. Always check the inverter MPPT window and maximum input voltage.

What warranty does it carry?

The manufacturer datasheet and warranty document give a 25-year product warranty and a 30-year linear power warranty, guaranteeing 90.6% of nameplate power at year 25 and 88.85% at year 30. Warranty validity depends on installing to the manufacturer manual.

Can I mount it with clamps or bolts?

Both are allowed. Clamps need at least four per panel (six for high loads), and the frame must not be drilled. Load ratings of up to 5400Pa front and 2400Pa rear apply to the manufacturer-specified clamp and bolt positions only, so follow its mounting method table.

What are the dimensions and weight?

The panel measures 1762 x 1134 x 30mm and weighs 20.6kg, so two people should carry it by the frame edges.

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Room Dimensions

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Width (in m):

Height (in m):

Room Type

Living Room

Bedroom

Kitchen

Bathroom

Conservatory

Hallway

Glazing Type

Single Glazed

Double Glazed

Triple Glazed

External Walls

0 Wall

1 Wall

2 Walls

3 Walls

4 Walls

Insulation Level

Poor

Average

Good (New Build)

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