SolarTown Review of the Canadian Solar 230 Panel

The Canadian Solar 230 Watt CS6P-230 module is a polycrystalline solar panel with 60 solar cells. It is well-suited for both off-grid and grid-tie solar energy systems, and is particularly well-suited for a residential solar pv system. These solar modules have broad appeal and are attractively priced. Canadian Solar panels are popular in hail-prone regions of the country, as they reportedly hold up well to this kind of abuse – better than shingles in many instances! They have a good power tolerance ratio of +/- 2% of their rated output (+/- 5 watts). Power tolerance is how much power a panel will generate compared to the nameplate output. In other words, if a panel is rated at 200W under Standard Test Conditions (STC) and has a power tolerance of +/- 2%, then the actual output of the panel will be within 4 watts (2%) of 200. Last, the CS6P-230 has a 25 year limited warranty on output – 90% power assurance the first 10 years, 80% power assurance for 25 years. Panels degrade over time so an 80% power assurance means a 200 watt panel will deliver 160 watts after 25 years.

• Specifications. The Canadian Solar CS6P-230 polycrystalline module delivers 230 watts of power under Standard Test Conditions. Vmp = 29.8V. Imp = 7.71A. Voc = 36.6V. Isc = 8.34A. The CS6P modules have strong mechanical aluminum frames, capable of withstanding 5400Pa (pascal) instead of the more common 2400Pa. These solar modules are quite resilient to wind stress and snow loads. 


• Suitable for Commercial and Residential Solar PV Installations. CSI panels are suitable for commercial and residential solar systems. They use industry standard MC4 locking connections. 


• Manufactured in China. CSI manufactures its solar modules in China with some of the lowest manufacturing cost structures in the industry. CSI has its own photovoltaic testing lab where they conduct many of the following reliability tests: thermal cycling, damp heat, UV, hotspot, mechanical load, IV performance, outdoor exposure, bypass diode performance, humidity freeze and robustness of terminations. CSI is one of the largest solar companies in the world. 


• What is unique about the Canadian Solar 230. The CS6P-230 solar module has the following quality certifications:  
  
  
  
  • IEC 61215 – Crystalline silicon PV Modules design qualification and type approval
  
  
  • TUV Safety Class II – certifies insulation capability of the module to prevent accidental shock. 
  
  
  •  UL 1703 – UL Standard for Safety of Flat-Plate Photovoltaic Modules.
  
  
  
  

Canadian solar manufacturers have the following factory certificates:

Canadian Solar has found a sweet spot with their quality certifications and low price point on the Canadian Solar 230 module. The modules have a good power tolerance and excellent durability. As modules go, the CSP6 series is one you can rely on.