Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W vs Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black
The Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black wins this comparison by a clear margin. It leads in efficiency (20.5% vs 20.28%) and matches or exceeds on warranty (25 vs 25 years). For most residential installations, the Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black is the stronger choice.
Key Differences
- • Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W is rated at 370W while Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black is rated at 400W, a 30W difference.
- • Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black achieves 20.5% efficiency vs 20.28% for the other, a 0.2 percentage point gap.
- • Both carry matching 25-year product warranties.
- • Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black has a superior temperature coefficient of -0.34%/°C vs -0.36%/°C, retaining more power in hot climates.
- • Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W uses PERC Mono cells while Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black uses Shingled Mono PERC cells, representing different technology generations.
Specifications Breakdown
Module Efficiency
The Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black achieves 20.5% module efficiency compared to Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W's 20.28%, meaning Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black converts 0.2 percentage points more sunlight into electricity per square meter. In practical terms, the Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W produces 200.4 watts per square meter of panel area while the Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black produces 205.3 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 Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black delivers 400W per panel versus 370W for the Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W, a 30W difference per module. To build an 8 kW residential system, you would need 22 Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W panels or 20 Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black panels. Choosing the higher-wattage option saves 2 panels, reducing total racking hardware, wiring, and installation labor costs. Higher wattage per panel is particularly valuable for commercial-scale installations where panel count directly impacts balance-of-system costs.
Temperature Coefficient
The Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black has a temperature coefficient of -0.34%/°C versus -0.36%/°C for the Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W. On a hot summer day when cell temperature reaches 65°C (40°C above the 25°C STC baseline), the Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black retains 93.2% of its rated power while the other retains 92.8%. 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 Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W is backed by a 25-year product warranty and 30-year performance guarantee, while the Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black offers 25-year product and 25-year performance coverage. Both offer identical product warranty duration. Based on their published degradation rates (1% first year then 0.54%/year for Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W; 1.5% first year then 0.4%/year for Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black), after 25 years the Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W should retain approximately 86.0% of original output versus 88.9% for the Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black. This 2.9 percentage point gap in end-of-life output meaningfully impacts lifetime energy economics.
Physical Dimensions & Weight
The Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W measures 1762×1048×35mm and weighs 20.5 kg, while the Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black measures 1812×1075×40mm at 21.5 kg. 1.85 m² of panel area for the Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W versus 1.95 m² for the Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black. Their weights are closely matched, so neither panel imposes a significantly different structural load on the mounting system. The more compact Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W may be easier to fit on irregularly shaped or space-limited rooftops.
Specification Comparison
| Specification | Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W | Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 370W | 400W |
| Efficiency | 20.28% | 20.5% |
| Power Density | 18.6 W/sq ft | 19.1 W/sq ft |
| Cell Type | PERC Mono | Shingled Mono PERC |
| Bifacial | No | No |
| Weight | 20.5 kg | 21.5 kg |
| Temp Coefficient | -0.36%/°C | -0.34%/°C |
| Snow Load | 5400 Pa | 5400 Pa |
| Wind Load | 4000 Pa | 2400 Pa |
| Product Warranty | 25 years | 25 years |
| Performance Warranty | 30 years | 25 years |
| Degradation (Year 1) | 1% | 1.5% |
| Annual Degradation | 0.54% | 0.4% |
| Country | Vietnam | USA |
5-Dimension Head-to-Head Analysis
1. Efficiency & Power Density
Winner: Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure BlackThe Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black achieves 20.5% efficiency versus 20.28% — a 0.2 percentage point advantage. On a typical 30-panel residential roof, this translates to approximately 0.9 kW more total system capacity, or 5 kWh more annual production in an average US location.
2. Hot Climate Performance
Winner: Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure BlackThe Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black has a better temperature coefficient of -0.34%/°C versus -0.36%/°C. On a 45°C summer day (20°C above STC), the winner retains 93.2% of rated power versus 92.8%. The difference is modest but accumulates over 25 years of summer production.
3. Durability & Warranty
Winner: Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure BlackSolaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black degrades more slowly at 0.4% per year versus 0.54%. After 25 years, expect 86.0% vs 88.9% of original output for Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W and Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black respectively.
4. Power Output
Winner: Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure BlackThe Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black delivers 400W versus 370W per panel — 30W more. For an 8 kW system, you need 20 panels with the higher-wattage option versus 22 panels, saving 2 panels and the associated racking and labor costs.
5. Cell Technology
Winner: TieThe Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W uses PERC Mono: PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) is the current mainstream technology, offering good efficiency at the lowest manufacturing cost. The Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black uses Shingled Mono PERC: PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) is the current mainstream technology, offering good efficiency at the lowest manufacturing cost. Both are equivalent-generation technologies.
Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W
Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 is a 370W all-black residential panel with DNA technology, designed for aesthetic rooftop installations with strong value pricing.
Pros
- + All-black design for aesthetic residential rooftops
- + Lightweight at 20.5 kg
- + Budget-friendly price per watt
- + 30-year performance warranty
Cons
- - Lower 370W output requires more panels
- - 20.28% efficiency below premium tier
- - No bifacial option in this model
Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black
The Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black is the compact residential variant of Solaria's shingled-cell panel line, delivering 400W in a smaller form factor optimized for constrained rooftops. The shingled cell architecture produces a completely uniform black surface — no visible busbars, cell gaps, or gridlines — making it one of the most aesthetically appealing panels on the market. Manufactured in Fremont, California, it qualifies for domestic content bonus ITC credits. The 400W output in a compact footprint makes it suitable for smaller residential roofs where every square foot counts.
Pros
- + Industry-leading all-black aesthetics — completely uniform surface
- + Compact size fits constrained residential rooftops
- + US-manufactured — domestic content ITC bonus eligible
- + Shingled cells improve shade tolerance and eliminate hot spots
- + 25-year dual warranty (product + performance)
- + No busbar visibility for premium curb appeal
Cons
- - 400W output lower than larger-format competitors
- - Higher per-watt cost for the aesthetic and US-made premium
- - Smaller installer network than mainstream brands
- - 20.5% efficiency is good but not class-leading
Choose Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W If...
- ✓ Budget-conscious homeowners who want an attractive all-black panel with reliable performance and long warranty coverage.
Choose Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black If...
- ✓ Your roof space is limited and you need maximum power per panel
- ✓ You want fewer panels to reach your target system size, reducing racking and labor costs
- ✓ 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
- ✓ Homeowners with visible roof installations who demand the best-looking all-black panel with American manufacturing and domestic content tax benefits.
Our Recommendation
We recommend the Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black for most buyers in this comparison. It wins 4 of 5 key dimensions and offers a clear advantage in the metrics that matter most for a solar panel purchase. The Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W remains a good product, but the Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black delivers better overall value for the majority of installations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W or Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black?
The Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black wins this comparison by a clear margin. It leads in efficiency (20.5% vs 20.28%) and matches or exceeds on warranty (25 vs 25 years). For most residential installations, the Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black is the stronger choice.
Which panel is more efficient, Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W or Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black?
The Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black at 20.5% module efficiency. Higher efficiency means more watts per square foot of roof space, which is critical for space-constrained installations. The difference of 0.2 percentage points translates to approximately 30W per panel under standard test conditions.
Which has a better warranty, Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W or Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black?
The Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W comes with a 25-year product warranty and 30-year performance guarantee. The Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black offers 25-year product and 25-year performance warranties. Both offer identical warranty terms.
Which panel performs better in hot weather?
The Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W has a temperature coefficient of -0.36%/°C and the Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black is -0.34%/°C. Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black retains more power in heat — important in states like Arizona, Texas, and Florida. A lower (less negative) temperature coefficient is better.
How many Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W vs Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black panels do I need for an 8 kW system?
For an 8 kW system: you need 22 Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W panels (370W each) or 20 Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black panels (400W each). The Solaria PowerXT 400R Pure Black requires fewer panels, saving on racking hardware and installation labor.
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Last updated: February 2026