This exact series is not listed in published PVEL Top Performer tables. Results below are for the manufacturer.
RETC PV Module Index — Canadian Solar
Year
Recognition
2025
Reliability High Achiever
Inverter compatibility & string sizing
Canadian Solar datasheet · Cali-Graf calculation · NLR PVWatts v8 · CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · inverter datasheets · NLR SAM inverter library · CEC Grid Support Inverter List (Oct 7, 2026)
51.7 V
Voc when cold
per panel
32.7 V
Vmp when hot
per panel
11
Max panels / string
max DC 600 V
2
Min panels / string
MPPT from 60 V
Defaults come from NLR TMY weather (coldest hour, hottest modeled cell). Code calculations (NEC 690.7) use the ASHRAE extreme annual minimum, which is usually colder — enter it above.
String inverters most named in SoCal permits
Inverter
Max DC input
MPPT
Window source
Panels per string
Tesla 1538000-xx-y
600 V
60–480 V
datasheet
2–11
Solis (Ginlong) S6-EH1P10K-H-US
600 V
80–520 V
datasheet
3–11
Solis (Ginlong) Solis-1P7.6K-4G-US
600 V
100–500 V
datasheet
4–11
Qcells Q.VOLT H7.6SX
498 V
234–498 V
CEC test window
8–9
Microinverters (one per panel)
Microinverter
Recommended module power
Max DC input
MPPT
Voc cold / Vmp hot
Check
DC/AC
Enphase IQ8PLUS-72-2-US
235–440 W
60 V
29–45 V
51.7 / 32.7 V
✓ Within range
1.52
Enphase IQ8X-80-M-US
320–540 W
79.5 V
43–60 V
51.7 / 32.7 V
✗ Not a match: module voltage below MPPT range
1.16
APsystems (Alt Power System) DS3-L
265–570 W
60 V
28–45 V
51.7 / 32.7 V
✓ Within range
0.56
Enphase IQ8M-72-2-US
260–460 W
60 V
30–45 V
51.7 / 32.7 V
✓ Within range
1.35
Enphase IQ8A-72-2-US
295–500 W
60 V
32–45 V
51.7 / 32.7 V
✓ Within range
1.26
Voltage check against the microinverter datasheets — confirm the pairing on the manufacturer’s module compatibility list. Rows appear only when the panel’s power is inside the microinverter’s recommended module power range.
SolarEdge and other optimizer-based systems size strings by the optimizer rules — use the manufacturer’s designer. Reference inverters: most named in SoCal permits since Oct 2024.
Expected production in Southern California
NLR PVWatts v8 · Cali-Graf calculation
City
kWh / kW / yr
kWh / panel / yr
kWh / system / yr
Sun, kWh/m²/day
Los Angeles
1,676
737
11,799
6.08
Palmdale
1,835
807
12,918
6.69
Chula Vista
1,696
746
11,940
6.11
Huntington Beach
1,643
723
11,567
5.89
Riverside
1,696
746
11,940
6.21
Santa Clarita
1,724
759
12,137
6.28
Estimate for comparison, not a quote: shading, roof orientation and local losses change real output. Roof mount, 20° tilt, south, 14% system losses.
Only installer and ZIP level is shown — no homeowner names, street addresses or permit numbers. Permits from LA County (unincorp.) come without a contractor license, so they count toward totals but not toward installers. Counts grow as more permit portals are loaded.
Installed together with
building permits
Microinverters
Enphase IQ8+
2
Number of permits naming both this panel series and the product; 3 of 5 permits list other equipment.
Compare with similar 440 W panels
CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · datasheets · Kiwa PVEL Scorecard · building permits
Panel
Pmax
Efficiency
γ Pmax (CEC)
Voc, V
Isc, A
Size
Warranty
PVEL (product / brand)
SoCal permits (series)
Canadian Solar CS3W-440MB-AG
440 W
≈19.7%
−0.406
48.7
11.48
83.9 × 41.3 in
—
brand 5×
5
Qcells Q.TRON BLK M-G2+ 440
440 W
≥22.5%
−0.276
39.88
13.9
67.8 × 44.6 in
25 / 25 yr
brand 11× (2016–2026)
40
Silfab Solar SIL-440QD
440 W
≈22.6%
−0.294
38.97
14.25
67.8 × 44.6 in
25 / 30 yr
brand 7× (2017–2025)
39
Hyundai Energy Solutions HiN-T440NF(BK)
440 W
≈22.7%
−0.298
38.8
14.39
—
25 / 30 yr
brand 5× (2017–2025)
37
Same fields from the same sources for every row; ≈ efficiency is calculated from the listed area. Comparable series: other brands, same product group, power range covering this class.
About Canadian Solar
CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Kiwa PVEL Scorecard · RETC PV Module Index · building permits
ManufacturerCanadian Solar
Listed in CEC asCSI Energy Storage Co., Ltd., CSI Solar Co., Ltd., Canadian Solar
How efficient is the Canadian Solar CS3W-440MB-AG?
Calculated from the panel area (2.23 m²): about 19.7% for the 440 W class. 440 W over 2.23 m² equals about 197 W per square meter.
How much energy does one panel produce in Los Angeles or Palmdale?
PVWatts v8 with typical-year weather gives about 737 kWh per year per 440 W panel in Los Angeles and about 807 kWh in Palmdale (20° roof, facing south, 14% system losses).
How much power does it lose on a hot roof?
With γ = −0.35 %/°C, at a 77 °C cell temperature (hottest modeled hour in Palmdale) output is about 18.1% below the STC rating.
How many panels fit on one string?
With the Tesla 1538000-xx-y (max DC 600 V, MPPT from 60 V, datasheet) in Los Angeles the calculator gives 2–11 panels per string (Voc at 2 °C = 51.7 V, Vmp at 74 °C cell = 32.7 V). Final design must follow the inverter manual and NEC 690.7.
Does it work with Enphase IQ8PLUS-72-2-US microinverters?
Voltage check against the Enphase datasheet: Voc when cold 51.7 V vs max input 60 V; Vmp when hot 32.7 V vs MPPT low 29 V; recommended module power 235–440 W. Confirm on the microinverter maker’s compatibility list.
NLR (formerly NREL) — System Advisor Model CEC module and inverter libraries (version 2026.7.3).
NLR (formerly NREL) — PVWatts v8, NSRDB PSM v3 typical-year weather for Los Angeles, Palmdale, Chula Vista, Huntington Beach, Riverside, Santa Clarita.
Inverter datasheets — APsystems (Alt Power System), Enphase, Solis (Ginlong), Tesla (manufacturer documents).
Building permits — Los Angeles County Public Works (EPIC-LA, unincorporated areas) (Aug 2022 – Oct 2022); City of Huntington Beach (Oct 2024). Equipment matched from permit descriptions by model number.
Contractors State License Board — License Master (contractor names and license status), as of Oct 5, 2026.
Cali-Graf calculations — formulas and inputs are shown next to each calculated value (efficiency from area, temperature-corrected voltages, string sizing, energy estimates).
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