First Solar Series 6 Plus 465W vs Hyundai HiE-S485VG
The Hyundai HiE-S485VG wins this comparison by a decisive margin. It leads in efficiency (22% vs 19.2%) and matches or exceeds on warranty (25 vs 10 years). For most residential installations, the Hyundai HiE-S485VG is the stronger choice.
Key Differences
- • First Solar Series 6 Plus 465W is rated at 465W while Hyundai HiE-S485VG is rated at 485W, a 20W difference.
- • Hyundai HiE-S485VG achieves 22% efficiency vs 19.2% for the other, a 2.8 percentage point gap.
- • Hyundai HiE-S485VG comes with a 25-year product warranty vs 10 years for the other.
- • First Solar Series 6 Plus 465W has a superior temperature coefficient of -0.28%/°C vs -0.3%/°C, retaining more power in hot climates.
- • First Solar Series 6 Plus 465W uses CdTe (Cadmium Telluride) cells while Hyundai HiE-S485VG uses TOPCon N-type cells, representing different technology generations.
Specifications Breakdown
Module Efficiency
The Hyundai HiE-S485VG achieves 22% module efficiency compared to First Solar Series 6 Plus 465W's 19.2%, meaning Hyundai HiE-S485VG converts 2.8 percentage points more sunlight into electricity per square meter. In practical terms, the First Solar Series 6 Plus 465W produces 187.9 watts per square meter of panel area while the Hyundai HiE-S485VG produces 222.9 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 Hyundai HiE-S485VG delivers 485W per panel versus 465W for the First Solar Series 6 Plus 465W, a 20W difference per module. To build an 8 kW residential system, you would need 18 First Solar Series 6 Plus 465W panels or 17 Hyundai HiE-S485VG panels. Choosing the higher-wattage option saves 1 panel, 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 First Solar Series 6 Plus 465W has a temperature coefficient of -0.28%/°C versus -0.3%/°C for the Hyundai HiE-S485VG. On a hot summer day when cell temperature reaches 65°C (40°C above the 25°C STC baseline), the First Solar Series 6 Plus 465W retains 94.4% of its rated power while the other retains 94.0%. 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 First Solar Series 6 Plus 465W is backed by a 10-year product warranty and 30-year performance guarantee, while the Hyundai HiE-S485VG offers 25-year product and 25-year performance coverage. The Hyundai HiE-S485VG provides 15 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 First Solar Series 6 Plus 465W; 1% first year then 0.4%/year for Hyundai HiE-S485VG), after 25 years the First Solar Series 6 Plus 465W should retain approximately 86.5% of original output versus 89.4% for the Hyundai HiE-S485VG. This 2.9 percentage point gap in end-of-life output meaningfully impacts lifetime energy economics.
Physical Dimensions & Weight
The First Solar Series 6 Plus 465W measures 2009×1232×49mm and weighs 34.5 kg, while the Hyundai HiE-S485VG measures 2094×1039×35mm at 24.5 kg. 2.48 m² of panel area for the First Solar Series 6 Plus 465W versus 2.18 m² for the Hyundai HiE-S485VG. The Hyundai HiE-S485VG is 10.0 kg lighter per panel, which reduces structural load requirements on the roof and makes handling easier during installation. For a 20-panel system, that is a total weight difference of 200 kg. The more compact Hyundai HiE-S485VG may be easier to fit on irregularly shaped or space-limited rooftops.
Specification Comparison
| Specification | First Solar Series 6 Plus 465W | Hyundai HiE-S485VG |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 465W | 485W |
| Efficiency | 19.2% | 22% |
| Power Density | 17.5 W/sq ft | 20.7 W/sq ft |
| Cell Type | CdTe (Cadmium Telluride) | TOPCon N-type |
| Bifacial | No | No |
| Weight | 34.5 kg | 24.5 kg |
| Temp Coefficient | -0.28%/°C | -0.3%/°C |
| Snow Load | 5400 Pa | 5400 Pa |
| Wind Load | 4000 Pa | 2400 Pa |
| Product Warranty | 10 years | 25 years |
| Performance Warranty | 30 years | 25 years |
| Degradation (Year 1) | 1.5% | 1% |
| Annual Degradation | 0.5% | 0.4% |
| Country | United States | South Korea |
5-Dimension Head-to-Head Analysis
1. Efficiency & Power Density
Winner: Hyundai HiE-S485VGThe Hyundai HiE-S485VG achieves 22% efficiency versus 19.2% — a 2.8 percentage point advantage. On a typical 30-panel residential roof, this translates to approximately 0.6 kW more total system capacity, or 3 kWh more annual production in an average US location.
2. Hot Climate Performance
Winner: First Solar Series 6 Plus 465WThe First Solar Series 6 Plus 465W has a better temperature coefficient of -0.28%/°C versus -0.3%/°C. On a 45°C summer day (20°C above STC), the winner retains 94.4% of rated power versus 94.0%. The difference is modest but accumulates over 25 years of summer production.
3. Durability & Warranty
Winner: Hyundai HiE-S485VGHyundai HiE-S485VG leads with a 25-year product warranty versus 10 years. Hyundai HiE-S485VG degrades more slowly at 0.4% per year versus 0.5%. After 25 years, expect 86.5% vs 89.4% of original output for First Solar Series 6 Plus 465W and Hyundai HiE-S485VG respectively.
4. Power Output
Winner: Hyundai HiE-S485VGThe Hyundai HiE-S485VG delivers 485W versus 465W per panel — 20W more. For an 8 kW system, you need 17 panels with the higher-wattage option versus 18 panels, saving 1 panels and the associated racking and labor costs.
5. Cell Technology
Winner: Hyundai HiE-S485VGThe First Solar Series 6 Plus 465W uses CdTe (Cadmium Telluride): CdTe (Cadmium Telluride). The Hyundai HiE-S485VG 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.
First Solar Series 6 Plus 465W
The Series 6 Plus delivers 465W using First Solar's proven CdTe thin-film technology, manufactured in the United States.
Pros
- + Proven US thin-film technology
- + Excellent temperature coefficient
- + Environmentally responsible
- + Strong bankability
Cons
- - Lower efficiency
- - Very heavy panel
- - Not suitable for residential
Hyundai HiE-S485VG
The Hyundai HiE-S485VG is a 485W TOPCon N-type panel manufactured in South Korea by Hyundai Energy Solutions, a division of the Hyundai conglomerate. The N-type TOPCon cell technology delivers 22.0% module efficiency with a -0.30%/°C temperature coefficient — significantly better than PERC alternatives in hot climates. Hyundai's Korean manufacturing offers non-Chinese supply chain diversification for buyers concerned about tariffs or UFLPA compliance. The 25+25 year warranty is backed by the Hyundai corporate group's financial stability.
Pros
- + South Korean manufacturing — non-Chinese supply chain diversification
- + TOPCon N-type with 22.0% efficiency and -0.30%/°C temp coefficient
- + Backed by Hyundai conglomerate's financial strength for warranty assurance
- + 25-year product and performance warranties
- + Lower degradation than PERC — 1.0% first year, 0.4% annual
- + Competitively priced for a non-Chinese Tier-1 panel
Cons
- - Lower brand recognition in US solar market than LONGi or JinkoSolar
- - 132-cell format slightly larger than standard 108/120-cell residential panels
- - US dealer network smaller than mainstream brands
- - 485W is mid-range — competitors offer 500W+ in similar sizes
Choose First Solar Series 6 Plus 465W If...
- ✓ You live in a hot climate (Arizona, Texas, Florida) where heat performance matters
- ✓ Large commercial and utility projects wanting proven US thin-film technology.
Choose Hyundai HiE-S485VG 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
- ✓ Long-term warranty protection is a top priority and you plan to stay in your home for 25+ years
- ✓ 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-S485VG is the decisive winner in this solar panel comparison, outperforming the First Solar Series 6 Plus 465W in 4 of 5 dimensions. Unless you have a specific requirement that the First Solar Series 6 Plus 465W uniquely addresses, the Hyundai HiE-S485VG is the stronger choice for virtually every installation scenario.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, First Solar Series 6 Plus 465W or Hyundai HiE-S485VG?
The Hyundai HiE-S485VG wins this comparison by a decisive margin. It leads in efficiency (22% vs 19.2%) and matches or exceeds on warranty (25 vs 10 years). For most residential installations, the Hyundai HiE-S485VG is the stronger choice.
Which panel is more efficient, First Solar Series 6 Plus 465W or Hyundai HiE-S485VG?
The Hyundai HiE-S485VG at 22% module efficiency. Higher efficiency means more watts per square foot of roof space, which is critical for space-constrained installations. The difference of 2.8 percentage points translates to approximately 20W per panel under standard test conditions.
Which has a better warranty, First Solar Series 6 Plus 465W or Hyundai HiE-S485VG?
The First Solar Series 6 Plus 465W comes with a 10-year product warranty and 30-year performance guarantee. The Hyundai HiE-S485VG offers 25-year product and 25-year performance warranties. Hyundai HiE-S485VG provides 15 additional years of product coverage.
Which panel performs better in hot weather?
The First Solar Series 6 Plus 465W has a temperature coefficient of -0.28%/°C and the Hyundai HiE-S485VG is -0.3%/°C. First Solar Series 6 Plus 465W retains more power in heat — important in states like Arizona, Texas, and Florida. A lower (less negative) temperature coefficient is better.
How many First Solar Series 6 Plus 465W vs Hyundai HiE-S485VG panels do I need for an 8 kW system?
For an 8 kW system: you need 18 First Solar Series 6 Plus 465W panels (465W each) or 17 Hyundai HiE-S485VG panels (485W each). The Hyundai HiE-S485VG requires fewer panels, saving on racking hardware and installation labor.
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Last updated: February 2026