Canadian Solar CS6R 420W vs Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W
The Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W wins this comparison by a decisive margin. It leads in efficiency (21.25% vs 21%) and matches or exceeds on warranty (30 vs 12 years). For most residential installations, the Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W is the stronger choice.
Key Differences
- • Canadian Solar CS6R 420W is rated at 420W while Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W is rated at 415W, a 5W difference.
- • Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W achieves 21.25% efficiency vs 21% for the other, a 0.3 percentage point gap.
- • Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W comes with a 30-year product warranty vs 12 years for the other.
- • Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W has a superior temperature coefficient of -0.32%/°C vs -0.34%/°C, retaining more power in hot climates.
Specifications Breakdown
Module Efficiency
The Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W achieves 21.25% module efficiency compared to Canadian Solar CS6R 420W's 21%, meaning Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W converts 0.3 percentage points more sunlight into electricity per square meter. In practical terms, the Canadian Solar CS6R 420W produces 215.1 watts per square meter of panel area while the Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W produces 212.5 W/m². For rooftop installations where space is limited, this efficiency gap determines how many kilowatts you can fit on your available roof area. Over a 25-year system life, even a small efficiency advantage compounds into meaningful additional energy production.
Power Output
The Canadian Solar CS6R 420W delivers 420W per panel versus 415W for the Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W, a 5W difference per module. To build an 8 kW residential system, you would need 20 Canadian Solar CS6R 420W panels or 20 Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W panels. Despite the per-panel wattage difference, both require the same number of panels for this system size due to rounding. Higher wattage per panel is particularly valuable for commercial-scale installations where panel count directly impacts balance-of-system costs.
Temperature Coefficient
The Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W has a temperature coefficient of -0.32%/°C versus -0.34%/°C for the Canadian Solar CS6R 420W. On a hot summer day when cell temperature reaches 65°C (40°C above the 25°C STC baseline), the Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W retains 93.6% of its rated power while the other retains 93.2%. While the numerical gap is modest, it still accumulates over decades of summer production, especially in southern latitudes with prolonged peak heat hours.
Warranty Coverage
The Canadian Solar CS6R 420W is backed by a 12-year product warranty and 25-year performance guarantee, while the Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W offers 30-year product and 30-year performance coverage. The Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W provides 18 additional years of defect protection, covering manufacturing issues, material failures, and premature performance loss. Based on their published degradation rates (1.5% first year then 0.5%/year for Canadian Solar CS6R 420W; 1% first year then 0.54%/year for Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W), after 25 years the Canadian Solar CS6R 420W should retain approximately 86.5% of original output versus 86.0% for the Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W. The end-of-life output levels are closely matched.
Physical Dimensions & Weight
The Canadian Solar CS6R 420W measures 1722×1134×30mm and weighs 21 kg, while the Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W measures 1722×1134×35mm at 21.5 kg. 1.95 m² of panel area for the Canadian Solar CS6R 420W versus 1.95 m² for the Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W. Their weights are closely matched, so neither panel imposes a significantly different structural load on the mounting system. Similar footprints mean both panels fit comparably on standard residential rooftop configurations.
Specification Comparison
| Specification | Canadian Solar CS6R 420W | Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 420W | 415W |
| Efficiency | 21% | 21.25% |
| Power Density | 20.0 W/sq ft | 19.7 W/sq ft |
| Cell Type | PERC Mono | PERC Mono |
| Bifacial | No | No |
| Weight | 21 kg | 21.5 kg |
| Temp Coefficient | -0.34%/°C | -0.32%/°C |
| Snow Load | 5400 Pa | 5400 Pa |
| Wind Load | 2400 Pa | 4000 Pa |
| Product Warranty | 12 years | 30 years |
| Performance Warranty | 25 years | 30 years |
| Degradation (Year 1) | 1.5% | 1% |
| Annual Degradation | 0.5% | 0.54% |
| Country | China | Vietnam |
5-Dimension Head-to-Head Analysis
1. Efficiency & Power Density
Winner: Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415WThe Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W achieves 21.25% efficiency versus 21% — a 0.3 percentage point advantage. On a typical 30-panel residential roof, this translates to approximately 0.1 kW more total system capacity, or 1 kWh more annual production in an average US location.
2. Hot Climate Performance
Winner: Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415WThe Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W has a better temperature coefficient of -0.32%/°C versus -0.34%/°C. On a 45°C summer day (20°C above STC), the winner retains 93.6% of rated power versus 93.2%. The difference is modest but accumulates over 25 years of summer production.
3. Durability & Warranty
Winner: Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415WAptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W leads with a 30-year product warranty versus 12 years. Canadian Solar CS6R 420W degrades more slowly at 0.5% per year versus 0.54%. After 25 years, expect 86.5% vs 86.0% of original output for Canadian Solar CS6R 420W and Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W respectively.
4. Power Output
Winner: Canadian Solar CS6R 420WThe Canadian Solar CS6R 420W delivers 420W versus 415W per panel — 5W more. For an 8 kW system, you need 20 panels with the higher-wattage option versus 20 panels, saving 0 panels and the associated racking and labor costs.
5. Cell Technology
Winner: TieBoth panels use PERC Mono cell technology. No technology advantage for either product.
Canadian Solar CS6R 420W
The CS6R is Canadian Solar's residential PERC workhorse delivering 420W in a compact, roof-friendly form factor.
Pros
- + Compact residential size
- + Affordable pricing
- + Proven track record
- + Easy installation
Cons
- - Older PERC technology
- - Standard performance
- - Higher degradation
Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W
Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 is a 415W residential panel using patented DNA PERC technology with 108 half-cut cells and 10 ultra-thin busbars for high efficiency in a compact all-black design.
Pros
- + Compact 108-cell format ideal for residential rooftops
- + 30-year product and performance warranty
- + All-black aesthetic with high 21.25% efficiency
- + Lightweight at 21.5 kg for easy installation
Cons
- - PERC technology vs newer TOPCon alternatives
- - Lower wattage limits large system designs
- - No bifacial energy gain
Choose Canadian Solar CS6R 420W If...
- ✓ You want fewer panels to reach your target system size, reducing racking and labor costs
- ✓ You want maximum output retention over the system's 25-30 year lifespan
- ✓ Budget residential installations from a bankable Tier 1 brand.
Choose Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W If...
- ✓ Your roof space is limited and you need maximum power per panel
- ✓ Long-term warranty protection is a top priority and you plan to stay in your home for 30+ years
- ✓ You live in a hot climate (Arizona, Texas, Florida) where heat performance matters
- ✓ Homeowners seeking a compact, aesthetically pleasing panel with strong warranty coverage for residential rooftop installations.
Our Recommendation
The Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W is the decisive winner in this solar panel comparison, outperforming the Canadian Solar CS6R 420W in 3 of 5 dimensions. Unless you have a specific requirement that the Canadian Solar CS6R 420W uniquely addresses, the Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W is the stronger choice for virtually every installation scenario.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Canadian Solar CS6R 420W or Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W?
The Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W wins this comparison by a decisive margin. It leads in efficiency (21.25% vs 21%) and matches or exceeds on warranty (30 vs 12 years). For most residential installations, the Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W is the stronger choice.
Which panel is more efficient, Canadian Solar CS6R 420W or Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W?
The Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W at 21.25% module efficiency. Higher efficiency means more watts per square foot of roof space, which is critical for space-constrained installations. The difference of 0.3 percentage points translates to approximately 5W per panel under standard test conditions.
Which has a better warranty, Canadian Solar CS6R 420W or Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W?
The Canadian Solar CS6R 420W comes with a 12-year product warranty and 25-year performance guarantee. The Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W offers 30-year product and 30-year performance warranties. Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W provides 18 additional years of product coverage.
Which panel performs better in hot weather?
The Canadian Solar CS6R 420W has a temperature coefficient of -0.34%/°C and the Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W is -0.32%/°C. Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W retains more power in heat — important in states like Arizona, Texas, and Florida. A lower (less negative) temperature coefficient is better.
How many Canadian Solar CS6R 420W vs Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W panels do I need for an 8 kW system?
For an 8 kW system: you need 20 Canadian Solar CS6R 420W panels (420W each) or 20 Aptos Solar DNA-108-MF10 415W panels (415W each). The Canadian Solar CS6R 420W requires fewer panels, saving on racking hardware and installation labor.
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Last updated: February 2026