Illustration · 144 half-cut cells

Solar panelCanadian Solar

Canadian Solar CS3W-455MS

Name: Canadian Solar CS3W-455MS
Brand: Canadian Solar

144 half-cut cells, PERC. Power classes 430–470 W in the CEC list; datasheet covers 435–465 W.

CEC listed · Nov 23, 2020UL 61730PVEL Top Performer 2023PERCInstalled in 6 SoCal permits

Power class

Power (STC)455 Wtolerance +10 / −0 W
Efficiency≥20.6%datasheet minimum
%/°C Pmax−0.34CEC test: −0.324
Degradation / yr0.55%after year 1 (warranty)

Power classes

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Cali-Graf calculation · Canadian Solar datasheet · 9 models

Model	Pmax	Voc, V	Isc, A	Vmp, V	Imp, A	Efficiency	PTC	CEC listed
CS3W-430MS	430 W	48.30	11.37	40.30	10.68	≈20.1%	400 W	Nov 23, 2020
CS3W-435MS	435 W	48.50	11.42	40.50	10.75	≥19.7%	405 W	Nov 23, 2020
CS3W-440MS	440 W	48.70	11.48	40.70	10.82	≥19.9%	410 W	Nov 23, 2020
CS3W-445MS	445 W	48.90	11.54	40.90	10.89	≥20.1%	414 W	Nov 23, 2020
CS3W-450MS	450 W	49.10	11.60	41.10	10.96	≥20.4%	419 W	Nov 23, 2020
CS3W-455MS	455 W	49.30	11.66	41.30	11.02	≥20.6%	429 W	Nov 23, 2020
CS3W-460MS	460 W	49.50	11.72	41.50	11.09	≥20.8%	429 W	Nov 23, 2020
CS3W-465MS	465 W	49.70	11.78	41.70	11.16	≥21.0%	434 W	Nov 23, 2020
CS3W-470MS	470 W	49.90	11.84	41.90	11.22	≈21.6%	444 W	Sep 13, 2021

≈ efficiency = Pmax ÷ CEC-listed area 2.14 m² for classes outside the datasheet.

CEC note: Formerly listed under Canadian Solar Inc.

Build & dimensions

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Canadian Solar datasheet

Module area2.14 m² (23 ft²)CEC-listed area
Weight53.6 lb (24.3 kg)
Cells144 half-cut cellsPERC
Front glasslective coating
Back coverWhite backsheet
FrameAnodized aluminium alloy
Junction boxIP68, 3 bypass diodes
Cable / connector4 mm2 (IEC), 12 AWG (UL) · T4 series or MC4-EVO2

Heat & cold behaviour

Canadian Solar datasheet · CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Cali-Graf calculation

	Datasheet	CEC listing test
Pmax coefficient γ	−0.34 %/°C	−0.324 %/°C
Voc coefficient β	−0.26 %/°C	−0.260 %/°C
Isc coefficient α	+0.05 %/°C	+0.052 %/°C
Vmp coefficient	≈ −0.39 %/°C	—
Operating cell temperature	NMOT 41 ± 3 °C	NOCT 43.4 °C

Vmp coefficient ≈ γ − α (datasheet); used only for the hot-roof voltage estimate.

At normal operating conditions (NMOT, 800 W/m²) — datasheet

Class	Pmax, W	Voc, V	Isc, A	Vmp, V	Imp, A
435 W	326.0	45.80	9.21	38.00	8.59
440 W	330.0	46.00	9.26	38.20	8.65
445 W	334.0	46.20	9.31	38.30	8.71
450 W	338.0	46.40	9.35	38.50	8.76
455 W	341.0	46.60	9.40	38.70	8.82
460 W	345.0	46.80	9.45	38.90	8.87
465 W	349.0	47.00	9.50	39.10	8.92

Away from lab conditions — CEC listing test points

Class	Pmax at NOCT	Vmp × Imp at NOCT	Pmax at 200 W/m²	Low-light efficiency vs STC
430 W	313.1 W	37.38 V × 8.38 A	81.8 W	95%
435 W	316.8 W	37.57 V × 8.43 A	82.7 W	95%
440 W	320.4 W	37.75 V × 8.49 A	83.7 W	95%
445 W	324 W	37.94 V × 8.54 A	84.6 W	95%
450 W	327.7 W	38.13 V × 8.6 A	85.6 W	95%
455 W	337.7 W	38.89 V × 8.68 A	86.8 W	95%
460 W	334.8 W	38.5 V × 8.7 A	87.5 W	95%
465 W	338.6 W	38.68 V × 8.75 A	88.4 W	95%
470 W	348.8 W	39.45 V × 8.84 A	89.7 W	95%

Pmax = Vmp × Imp from the CEC listing; low-light efficiency = Pmax at 200 W/m² ÷ (20% of STC Pmax).

Electrical & strength ratings

Max system voltage1,500 V
Max series fuse20 A
Module temperature−40 °F to +185 °F−40 °C to +85 °C
Power tolerance+10 / −0 W

Certifications

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Canadian Solar datasheet

UL 61730IEC 61215IEC 61730IEC 61701IEC 62716MCSISO 14001ISO 45001ISO 9001

UL 61730CEC listing
IEC 61215datasheet
IEC 61730datasheet
IEC 61701datasheet
IEC 62716datasheet
MCSdatasheet
ISO 14001factory, datasheet
ISO 45001factory, datasheet
ISO 9001factory, datasheet

Warranty & degradation

Canadian Solar datasheet

Year 1≥ 98%
Then≤ 0.55% / year

Independent reliability testing

Kiwa PVEL Scorecard · RETC PV Module Index

2023

PVEL Top Performer

this series

Tests passed as Top Performer

DH, LID+LETID, PID

PVEL Scorecards

Canadian Solar named Top Performer, 2020–2026

RETC PV Module Index

Canadian Solar, 2025

PVEL Top Performer tests

Year	Product	Tests
2023	CS3W-xxxMS	DHLID+LETIDPID

Tested bill of materials

PVEL-tested factoryThailand
Cell technology (tested BOM)p-type PERC
Module design (tested BOM)monofacial - glass//backsheet
Power class range tested430-475W

Details describe the tested sample, not every module of the series.

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)

CityColdest air, °CHottest cell, °CString inverter

52.2 V

Voc when cold

per panel

33.4 V

Vmp when hot

per panel

Max panels / string

max DC 600 V

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	3–11
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 IQ8X-80-M-US	320–540 W	79.5 V	43–60 V	52.2 / 33.4 V	✗ Not a match: module voltage below MPPT range	1.2
APsystems (Alt Power System) DS3-L	265–570 W	60 V	28–45 V	52.2 / 33.4 V	✓ Within range	0.58
Enphase IQ8M-72-2-US	260–460 W	60 V	30–45 V	52.2 / 33.4 V	✓ Within range	1.4
Enphase IQ8A-72-2-US	295–500 W	60 V	32–45 V	52.2 / 33.4 V	✓ Within range	1.3

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

PanelsCity for chartSystem size

City	kWh / kW / yr	kWh / panel / yr	kWh / system / yr	Sun, kWh/m²/day
Los Angeles	1,676	763	11,439	6.08
Palmdale	1,835	835	12,524	6.69
Chula Vista	1,696	772	11,575	6.11
Huntington Beach	1,643	748	11,213	5.89
Riverside	1,696	772	11,575	6.21
Santa Clarita	1,724	784	11,766	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.

Who installs CS3W-xxxMS panels in SoCal

building permits

Permits naming this series

Sep 2022 – Jul 2023

Jurisdictions so far

LA County (unincorp.) (6)

Permits over time

Power class named in permit

455 W

445 W

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+

Number of permits naming both this panel series and the product; 5 of 6 permits list other equipment.

Compare with similar 455 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	PVEL (product / brand)	SoCal permits (series)
Canadian Solar CS3W-455MS	455 W	≥20.6%	−0.324	49.3	11.66	product 2023	6
Hyundai Energy Solutions HiN-T450NF(BK)	450 W	≈23.2%	−0.298	39.2	14.53	brand 5× (2017–2025)	37
REC Group REC455AA Pure-RX	455 W	≈22.5%	−0.248	65.6	8.84	brand 9× (2016–2025)	33
Aptos Solar DNA-120-MF10-455W	455 W	≈21%	−0.363	41.5	13.93	—	22

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
Websitecanadiansolar.com
PVEL Top Performer (manufacturer)5 Scorecards (2020–2026)
RETC PV Module Index2025
Current panel series in CEC list38

Other series by SoCal permits

CS6R-xxxMS-HL · 46CS3N-xxxMS · 46CS6.1-54TM-xxxH · 9CS1Y-xxxMS · 6CS3W-xxxMB-AG · 5CS7N-xxxMB-AG · 2

Questions & answers

How efficient is the Canadian Solar CS3W-455MS?

The Canadian Solar datasheet guarantees at least 20.6% module efficiency for the 455 W class (up to 21% for 465 W). 455 W over 2.14 m² equals about 213 W per square meter.

How much energy does one panel produce in Los Angeles or Palmdale?

PVWatts v8 with typical-year weather gives about 763 kWh per year per 455 W panel in Los Angeles and about 835 kWh in Palmdale (20° roof, facing south, 14% system losses).

How much power does it lose on a hot roof?

With γ = −0.34 %/°C, at a 77 °C cell temperature (hottest modeled hour in Palmdale) output is about 17.6% 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 = 52.2 V, Vmp at 74 °C cell = 33.4 V). Final design must follow the inverter manual and NEC 690.7.

Does it work with APsystems (Alt Power System) DS3-L microinverters?

Voltage check against the APsystems (Alt Power System) datasheet: Voc when cold 52.2 V vs max input 60 V; Vmp when hot 33.4 V vs MPPT low 28 V; recommended module power 265–570 W. Confirm on the microinverter maker’s compatibility list.

Has this panel been reliability-tested?

CS3W-xxxMS was a PVEL Top Performer in 2023 (DH, LID+LETID, PID).

Sources

California Energy Commission — Solar Equipment Lists, PV Module List, Inverter List (snapshot Oct 7, 2026).
Canadian Solar — manufacturer datasheet “HiKu HIGH POWER MONO PERC MODULE CS3W-435|440|445|450|455|460|465MS”.
Hyundai Energy Solutions — datasheet [US] NF(BK)(HiN) Series (N TOPCon Bifacial) 435~445W.
Aptos Solar — datasheet Legacy Products.
Kiwa PVEL — PV Module Reliability Scorecard, Top Performer lists 2020–2026.
RETC — PV Module Index report.
NLR (formerly NREL) — System Advisor Model CEC inverter library (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) (Sep 2022 – Jul 2023). Equipment matched from permit descriptions by model number.
Cali-Graf calculations — formulas and inputs are shown next to each calculated value (efficiency from area, temperature-corrected voltages, string sizing, energy estimates).