Canadian Solar CS6R 420W vs Hyundai HiE-S420VG
The Hyundai HiE-S420VG wins this comparison by a decisive margin. It leads in efficiency (21.5% vs 21%) and matches or exceeds on warranty (25 vs 12 years). For most residential installations, the Hyundai HiE-S420VG is the stronger choice.
Key Differences
- • Both panels are rated at 420W, so the comparison comes down to efficiency, warranty, and technology.
- • Hyundai HiE-S420VG achieves 21.5% efficiency vs 21% for the other, a 0.5 percentage point gap.
- • Hyundai HiE-S420VG comes with a 25-year product warranty vs 12 years for the other.
- • Hyundai HiE-S420VG has a superior temperature coefficient of -0.3%/°C vs -0.34%/°C, retaining more power in hot climates.
- • Canadian Solar CS6R 420W uses PERC Mono cells while Hyundai HiE-S420VG uses TOPCon N-type cells, representing different technology generations.
Specifications Breakdown
Module Efficiency
The Hyundai HiE-S420VG achieves 21.5% module efficiency compared to Canadian Solar CS6R 420W's 21%, meaning Hyundai HiE-S420VG converts 0.5 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 Hyundai HiE-S420VG produces 215.1 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
Both panels are rated at 420W under standard test conditions (STC), requiring 20 panels each to build an 8 kW system. With identical wattage ratings, the power output dimension is a draw and does not favor either panel. The real differentiators become efficiency density, temperature behavior, and long-term degradation rates which determine actual field performance beyond the nameplate rating.
Temperature Coefficient
The Hyundai HiE-S420VG has a temperature coefficient of -0.3%/°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 Hyundai HiE-S420VG retains 94.0% 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 Hyundai HiE-S420VG offers 25-year product and 25-year performance coverage. The Hyundai HiE-S420VG provides 13 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 0.4%/year for Hyundai HiE-S420VG), after 25 years the Canadian Solar CS6R 420W should retain approximately 86.5% of original output versus 89.4% for the Hyundai HiE-S420VG. This 2.9 percentage point gap in end-of-life output meaningfully impacts lifetime energy economics.
Physical Dimensions & Weight
The Canadian Solar CS6R 420W measures 1722×1134×30mm and weighs 21 kg, while the Hyundai HiE-S420VG measures 1722×1134×30mm at 21 kg. 1.95 m² of panel area for the Canadian Solar CS6R 420W versus 1.95 m² for the Hyundai HiE-S420VG. 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 | Hyundai HiE-S420VG |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 420W | 420W |
| Efficiency | 21% | 21.5% |
| Power Density | 20.0 W/sq ft | 20.0 W/sq ft |
| Cell Type | PERC Mono | TOPCon N-type |
| Bifacial | No | No |
| Weight | 21 kg | 21 kg |
| Temp Coefficient | -0.34%/°C | -0.3%/°C |
| Snow Load | 5400 Pa | 5400 Pa |
| Wind Load | 2400 Pa | 2400 Pa |
| Product Warranty | 12 years | 25 years |
| Performance Warranty | 25 years | 25 years |
| Degradation (Year 1) | 1.5% | 1% |
| Annual Degradation | 0.5% | 0.4% |
| Country | China | South Korea |
5-Dimension Head-to-Head Analysis
1. Efficiency & Power Density
Winner: Hyundai HiE-S420VGThe Hyundai HiE-S420VG achieves 21.5% efficiency versus 21% — a 0.5 percentage point advantage. On a typical 30-panel residential roof, this translates to approximately 0.0 kW more total system capacity, or 0 kWh more annual production in an average US location.
2. Hot Climate Performance
Winner: Hyundai HiE-S420VGThe Hyundai HiE-S420VG has a better temperature coefficient of -0.3%/°C versus -0.34%/°C. On a 45°C summer day (20°C above STC), the winner retains 94.0% of rated power versus 93.2%. The difference is modest but accumulates over 25 years of summer production.
3. Durability & Warranty
Winner: Hyundai HiE-S420VGHyundai HiE-S420VG leads with a 25-year product warranty versus 12 years. Hyundai HiE-S420VG degrades more slowly at 0.4% per year versus 0.5%. After 25 years, expect 86.5% vs 89.4% of original output for Canadian Solar CS6R 420W and Hyundai HiE-S420VG respectively.
4. Power Output
Winner: TieBoth panels deliver 420W — identical power output per panel. System cost per watt will be the deciding factor.
5. Cell Technology
Winner: Hyundai HiE-S420VGThe Canadian Solar CS6R 420W uses PERC Mono: PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) is the current mainstream technology, offering good efficiency at the lowest manufacturing cost. The Hyundai HiE-S420VG uses TOPCon N-type: TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) adds a thin tunnel oxide layer to reduce recombination losses, achieving higher efficiency than PERC while being manufacturable on existing production lines. TOPCon N-type represents a newer generation technology with a longer performance runway as manufacturing matures.
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
Hyundai HiE-S420VG
The Hyundai HiE-S420VG is a 420W residential-format TOPCon N-type panel in the popular 108-cell configuration (1722 x 1134mm), matching the most common residential panel size for easy racking and roof fit. Korean manufacturing provides supply chain diversification, and the TOPCon N-type cells deliver better temperature performance (-0.30%/°C) and lower degradation than PERC alternatives. The standard residential form factor ensures compatibility with all major racking systems.
Pros
- + Standard 108-cell residential size — fits any racking system
- + Korean-made TOPCon N-type with 21.5% efficiency
- + -0.30%/°C temperature coefficient for hot climate performance
- + 25+25 year warranty backed by Hyundai corporate
- + Non-Chinese manufacturing for tariff and UFLPA considerations
- + 420W competitive output in standard residential format
Cons
- - 420W is competitive but not class-leading for 108-cell panels
- - Slightly higher per-watt cost than Chinese equivalents
- - Smaller US installer network and distribution
- - Less brand recognition in solar market despite Hyundai name
Choose Canadian Solar CS6R 420W If...
- ✓ Budget residential installations from a bankable Tier 1 brand.
Choose Hyundai HiE-S420VG 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 25+ years
- ✓ You live in a hot climate (Arizona, Texas, Florida) where heat performance matters
- ✓ You want maximum output retention over the system's 25-30 year lifespan
- ✓ You prefer newer cell technology with a longer performance improvement runway
Our Recommendation
The Hyundai HiE-S420VG is the decisive winner in this solar panel comparison, outperforming the Canadian Solar CS6R 420W in 4 of 5 dimensions. Unless you have a specific requirement that the Canadian Solar CS6R 420W uniquely addresses, the Hyundai HiE-S420VG is the stronger choice for virtually every installation scenario.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Canadian Solar CS6R 420W or Hyundai HiE-S420VG?
The Hyundai HiE-S420VG wins this comparison by a decisive margin. It leads in efficiency (21.5% vs 21%) and matches or exceeds on warranty (25 vs 12 years). For most residential installations, the Hyundai HiE-S420VG is the stronger choice.
Which panel is more efficient, Canadian Solar CS6R 420W or Hyundai HiE-S420VG?
The Hyundai HiE-S420VG at 21.5% module efficiency. Higher efficiency means more watts per square foot of roof space, which is critical for space-constrained installations. The difference of 0.5 percentage points translates to approximately 0W per panel under standard test conditions.
Which has a better warranty, Canadian Solar CS6R 420W or Hyundai HiE-S420VG?
The Canadian Solar CS6R 420W comes with a 12-year product warranty and 25-year performance guarantee. The Hyundai HiE-S420VG offers 25-year product and 25-year performance warranties. Hyundai HiE-S420VG provides 13 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 Hyundai HiE-S420VG is -0.3%/°C. Hyundai HiE-S420VG 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 Hyundai HiE-S420VG 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 Hyundai HiE-S420VG panels (420W each). Both require the same number of panels.
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Last updated: February 2026