Silfab SIL-370-BK 370W vs Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W
The Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W wins this comparison by a clear margin. It leads in efficiency (21.25% vs 20.4%) and matches or exceeds on warranty (30 vs 25 years). For most residential installations, the Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W is the stronger choice.
Key Differences
- • Silfab SIL-370-BK 370W is rated at 370W while Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W is rated at 415W, a 45W difference.
- • Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W achieves 21.25% efficiency vs 20.4% for the other, a 0.9 percentage point gap.
- • Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W comes with a 30-year product warranty vs 25 years for the other.
- • Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W has a superior temperature coefficient of -0.32%/°C vs -0.35%/°C, retaining more power in hot climates.
- • Silfab SIL-370-BK 370W uses PERC Mono cells while Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W uses PERC Mono Bifacial cells, representing different technology generations.
Specifications Breakdown
Module Efficiency
The Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W achieves 21.25% module efficiency compared to Silfab SIL-370-BK 370W's 20.4%, meaning Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W converts 0.9 percentage points more sunlight into electricity per square meter. In practical terms, the Silfab SIL-370-BK 370W produces 189.5 watts per square meter of panel area while the Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 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 Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W delivers 415W per panel versus 370W for the Silfab SIL-370-BK 370W, a 45W difference per module. To build an 8 kW residential system, you would need 22 Silfab SIL-370-BK 370W panels or 20 Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W 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 Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W has a temperature coefficient of -0.32%/°C versus -0.35%/°C for the Silfab SIL-370-BK 370W. On a hot summer day when cell temperature reaches 65°C (40°C above the 25°C STC baseline), the Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W retains 93.6% of its rated power while the other retains 93.0%. 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 Silfab SIL-370-BK 370W is backed by a 25-year product warranty and 25-year performance guarantee, while the Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W offers 30-year product and 30-year performance coverage. The Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W provides 5 additional years of defect protection, covering manufacturing issues, material failures, and premature performance loss. Based on their published degradation rates (1% first year then 0.4%/year for Silfab SIL-370-BK 370W; 1% first year then 0.54%/year for Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W), after 25 years the Silfab SIL-370-BK 370W should retain approximately 89.4% of original output versus 86.0% for the Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W. This 3.4 percentage point gap in end-of-life output meaningfully impacts lifetime energy economics.
Physical Dimensions & Weight
The Silfab SIL-370-BK 370W measures 1722×1134×30mm and weighs 19.5 kg, while the Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W measures 1722×1134×35mm at 22 kg. 1.95 m² of panel area for the Silfab SIL-370-BK 370W versus 1.95 m² for the Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W. The Silfab SIL-370-BK 370W is 2.5 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 50 kg. Similar footprints mean both panels fit comparably on standard residential rooftop configurations.
Specification Comparison
| Specification | Silfab SIL-370-BK 370W | Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 370W | 415W |
| Efficiency | 20.4% | 21.25% |
| Power Density | 17.6 W/sq ft | 19.7 W/sq ft |
| Cell Type | PERC Mono | PERC Mono Bifacial |
| Bifacial | No | Yes |
| Weight | 19.5 kg | 22 kg |
| Temp Coefficient | -0.35%/°C | -0.32%/°C |
| Snow Load | 2400 Pa | 5400 Pa |
| Wind Load | 2400 Pa | 4000 Pa |
| Product Warranty | 25 years | 30 years |
| Performance Warranty | 25 years | 30 years |
| Degradation (Year 1) | 1% | 1% |
| Annual Degradation | 0.4% | 0.54% |
| Country | United States | Vietnam |
5-Dimension Head-to-Head Analysis
1. Efficiency & Power Density
Winner: Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415WThe Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W achieves 21.25% efficiency versus 20.4% — a 0.9 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: Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415WThe Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W has a better temperature coefficient of -0.32%/°C versus -0.35%/°C. On a 45°C summer day (20°C above STC), the winner retains 93.6% of rated power versus 93.0%. The difference is modest but accumulates over 25 years of summer production.
3. Durability & Warranty
Winner: Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415WAptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W leads with a 30-year product warranty versus 25 years. Silfab SIL-370-BK 370W degrades more slowly at 0.4% per year versus 0.54%. After 25 years, expect 89.4% vs 86.0% of original output for Silfab SIL-370-BK 370W and Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W respectively.
4. Power Output
Winner: Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415WThe Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 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: TieThe Silfab SIL-370-BK 370W uses PERC Mono: PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) is the current mainstream technology, offering good efficiency at the lowest manufacturing cost. The Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W uses PERC Mono Bifacial: PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) is the current mainstream technology, offering good efficiency at the lowest manufacturing cost. Both are equivalent-generation technologies.
Silfab SIL-370-BK 370W
The SIL-370-BK is Silfab's entry-level US-made all-black panel delivering 370W for budget-conscious domestic installations.
Pros
- + Made in USA
- + All-black design
- + 25-year warranty
- + ARRA compliant
Cons
- - Lower wattage
- - Basic PERC technology
- - Less competitive efficiency
Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W
Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 is a 415W bifacial residential panel with up to 30% rear-side energy gain using patented DNA technology and 108 half-cut cells.
Pros
- + Bifacial design captures up to 30% additional rear-side energy
- + 30-year dual warranty for product and performance
- + Compact 108-cell format for residential rooftops
- + All-black aesthetic
Cons
- - Bifacial gain requires reflective ground surface or elevated mounting
- - PERC technology vs newer N-type alternatives
- - Slightly heavier than monofacial version
Choose Silfab SIL-370-BK 370W If...
- ✓ You want maximum output retention over the system's 25-30 year lifespan
- ✓ Government or institutional projects requiring ARRA/Buy America compliance.
Choose Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 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
- ✓ 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 with ground-mount or elevated roof installations who want additional energy from bifacial rear-side capture.
Our Recommendation
We recommend the Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W 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 Silfab SIL-370-BK 370W remains a good product, but the Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W delivers better overall value for the majority of installations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Silfab SIL-370-BK 370W or Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W?
The Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W wins this comparison by a clear margin. It leads in efficiency (21.25% vs 20.4%) and matches or exceeds on warranty (30 vs 25 years). For most residential installations, the Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W is the stronger choice.
Which panel is more efficient, Silfab SIL-370-BK 370W or Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W?
The Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 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 0.9 percentage points translates to approximately 45W per panel under standard test conditions.
Which has a better warranty, Silfab SIL-370-BK 370W or Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W?
The Silfab SIL-370-BK 370W comes with a 25-year product warranty and 25-year performance guarantee. The Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W offers 30-year product and 30-year performance warranties. Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W provides 5 additional years of product coverage.
Which panel performs better in hot weather?
The Silfab SIL-370-BK 370W has a temperature coefficient of -0.35%/°C and the Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W is -0.32%/°C. Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W retains more power in heat — important in states like Arizona, Texas, and Florida. A lower (less negative) temperature coefficient is better.
How many Silfab SIL-370-BK 370W vs Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W panels do I need for an 8 kW system?
For an 8 kW system: you need 22 Silfab SIL-370-BK 370W panels (370W each) or 20 Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W panels (415W each). The Aptos Solar DNA-108-BF10 415W requires fewer panels, saving on racking hardware and installation labor.
Related Resources
Last updated: February 2026