JA Solar JAM54S31 415W vs Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W
The Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W wins this comparison by a clear margin. It offers better long-term durability with 25-year warranty. For most residential installations, the Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W is the stronger choice.
Key Differences
- • JA Solar JAM54S31 415W is rated at 415W while Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W is rated at 370W, a 45W difference.
- • JA Solar JAM54S31 415W achieves 21.5% efficiency vs 20.28% for the other, a 1.2 percentage point gap.
- • Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W comes with a 25-year product warranty vs 12 years for the other.
- • JA Solar JAM54S31 415W has a superior temperature coefficient of -0.34%/°C vs -0.36%/°C, retaining more power in hot climates.
Specifications Breakdown
Module Efficiency
The JA Solar JAM54S31 415W achieves 21.5% module efficiency compared to Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W's 20.28%, meaning JA Solar JAM54S31 415W converts 1.2 percentage points more sunlight into electricity per square meter. In practical terms, the JA Solar JAM54S31 415W produces 212.5 watts per square meter of panel area while the Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W produces 200.4 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 JA Solar JAM54S31 415W delivers 415W per panel versus 370W for the Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W, a 45W difference per module. To build an 8 kW residential system, you would need 20 JA Solar JAM54S31 415W panels or 22 Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W 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 JA Solar JAM54S31 415W 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 JA Solar JAM54S31 415W 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 JA Solar JAM54S31 415W is backed by a 12-year product warranty and 25-year performance guarantee, while the Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W offers 25-year product and 30-year performance coverage. The Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W 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 JA Solar JAM54S31 415W; 1% first year then 0.54%/year for Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W), after 25 years the JA Solar JAM54S31 415W should retain approximately 86.5% of original output versus 86.0% for the Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W. The end-of-life output levels are closely matched.
Physical Dimensions & Weight
The JA Solar JAM54S31 415W measures 1722×1134×30mm and weighs 21.5 kg, while the Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W measures 1762×1048×35mm at 20.5 kg. 1.95 m² of panel area for the JA Solar JAM54S31 415W versus 1.85 m² for the Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W. 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 | JA Solar JAM54S31 415W | Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 415W | 370W |
| Efficiency | 21.5% | 20.28% |
| Power Density | 19.7 W/sq ft | 18.6 W/sq ft |
| Cell Type | PERC Mono | PERC Mono |
| Bifacial | No | No |
| Weight | 21.5 kg | 20.5 kg |
| Temp Coefficient | -0.34%/°C | -0.36%/°C |
| Snow Load | 5400 Pa | 5400 Pa |
| Wind Load | 2400 Pa | 4000 Pa |
| Product Warranty | 12 years | 25 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: JA Solar JAM54S31 415WThe JA Solar JAM54S31 415W achieves 21.5% efficiency versus 20.28% — a 1.2 percentage point advantage. On a typical 30-panel residential roof, this translates to approximately 1.4 kW more total system capacity, or 7 kWh more annual production in an average US location.
2. Hot Climate Performance
Winner: JA Solar JAM54S31 415WThe JA Solar JAM54S31 415W 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: Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370WAptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W leads with a 25-year product warranty versus 12 years. JA Solar JAM54S31 415W degrades more slowly at 0.5% per year versus 0.54%. After 25 years, expect 86.5% vs 86.0% of original output for JA Solar JAM54S31 415W and Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W respectively.
4. Power Output
Winner: JA Solar JAM54S31 415WThe JA Solar JAM54S31 415W delivers 415W versus 370W per panel — 45W 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: TieBoth panels use PERC Mono cell technology. No technology advantage for either product.
JA Solar JAM54S31 415W
The JAM54S31 is a compact residential PERC panel delivering 415W with a solid balance of performance and affordability.
Pros
- + Compact residential form factor
- + Good price-performance ratio
- + Widely available
- + Proven reliability
Cons
- - Lower efficiency vs N-type
- - Higher degradation rate
- - Standard warranty
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
Choose JA Solar JAM54S31 415W 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
- ✓ Budget residential installations seeking reliable PERC performance.
Choose Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W If...
- ✓ Long-term warranty protection is a top priority and you plan to stay in your home for 25+ years
- ✓ Budget-conscious homeowners who want an attractive all-black panel with reliable performance and long warranty coverage.
Our Recommendation
We recommend the Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W for most buyers in this comparison. It wins 1 of 5 key dimensions and offers a clear advantage in the metrics that matter most for a solar panel purchase. The JA Solar JAM54S31 415W remains a good product, but the Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W delivers better overall value for the majority of installations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, JA Solar JAM54S31 415W or Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W?
The Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W wins this comparison by a clear margin. It offers better long-term durability with 25-year warranty. For most residential installations, the Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W is the stronger choice.
Which panel is more efficient, JA Solar JAM54S31 415W or Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W?
The JA Solar JAM54S31 415W 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 1.2 percentage points translates to approximately 45W per panel under standard test conditions.
Which has a better warranty, JA Solar JAM54S31 415W or Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W?
The JA Solar JAM54S31 415W comes with a 12-year product warranty and 25-year performance guarantee. The Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W offers 25-year product and 30-year performance warranties. Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W provides 13 additional years of product coverage.
Which panel performs better in hot weather?
The JA Solar JAM54S31 415W has a temperature coefficient of -0.34%/°C and the Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W is -0.36%/°C. JA Solar JAM54S31 415W retains more power in heat — important in states like Arizona, Texas, and Florida. A lower (less negative) temperature coefficient is better.
How many JA Solar JAM54S31 415W vs Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W panels do I need for an 8 kW system?
For an 8 kW system: you need 20 JA Solar JAM54S31 415W panels (415W each) or 22 Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF26 370W panels (370W each). The JA Solar JAM54S31 415W requires fewer panels, saving on racking hardware and installation labor.
Related Resources
Last updated: February 2026