Cali-GrafCali-Graf
Solar panelCanadian Solar

Canadian Solar CS3W-415P

144 half-cut cells. Power classes 380–450 W in the CEC list.

CEC listed · Jan 2, 2019UL 61730
Power class
  • Power (STC)415 WCEC nameplate
  • Efficiency≈19.4%calculated from area
  • %/°C Pmax−0.352CEC listing test
  • PTC / STC93.2%PTC 387 W (CEC)

Power classes

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Cali-Graf calculation · 15 models
ModelPmaxVoc, VIsc, AVmp, VImp, AEfficiencyPTCCEC listed
CS3W-380P380 W46.4010.5837.9010.03≈17.8%351 WJan 2, 2019
CS3W-385P385 W46.6010.6638.1010.11≈18.0%356 WJan 2, 2019
CS3W-390P390 W46.8010.7438.3010.19≈18.2%360 WJan 2, 2019
CS3W-395P395 W47.0010.8238.5010.26≈18.5%365 WJan 2, 2019
CS3W-400P400 W47.2010.9038.7010.34≈18.7%370 WJan 2, 2019
CS3W-405P405 W47.4010.9838.9010.42≈18.9%375 WJan 2, 2019
CS3W-410P410 W47.6011.0639.1010.49≈19.2%382 WNov 1, 2019
CS3W-415P415 W47.8011.1439.3010.56≈19.4%387 WNov 1, 2019
CS3W-420P420 W48.0011.2639.5010.64≈19.6%392 WNov 1, 2019
CS3W-425P425 W48.2011.2939.7010.71≈19.9%396 WNov 1, 2019
CS3W-430P430 W48.4011.3239.9010.78≈20.1%401 WNov 1, 2019
CS3W-435P435 W48.6011.3540.1010.85≈20.3%402 WNov 1, 2019
CS3W-440P440 W48.7011.4040.3010.92≈20.6%407 WSep 11, 2020
CS3W-445P445 W48.8011.4540.5010.99≈20.8%412 WSep 11, 2020
CS3W-450P450 W49.0011.5340.7011.06≈21.0%416 WSep 11, 2020
≈ efficiency = Pmax ÷ CEC-listed area 2.14 m².
CEC note: Formerly listed under Canadian Solar Inc.

Build & dimensions

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026)

Heat & cold behaviour

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Cali-Graf calculation
CEC listing test
Pmax coefficient γ−0.352 %/°C
Voc coefficient β−0.269 %/°C
Isc coefficient α+0.047 %/°C
Operating cell temperatureNOCT 44.7 °C
Vmp coefficient ≈ γ − α (CEC); used only for the hot-roof voltage estimate.

Away from lab conditions — CEC listing test points

ClassPmax at NOCTVmp × Imp at NOCTPmax at 200 W/m²Low-light efficiency vs STC
380 W283.2 W35.3 V × 8.02 A72.9 W96%
385 W286.9 W35.48 V × 8.09 A73.8 W96%
390 W290.7 W35.67 V × 8.15 A74.8 W96%
395 W294.3 W35.85 V × 8.21 A75.7 W96%
400 W298.1 W36.04 V × 8.27 A76.7 W96%
405 W301.9 W36.23 V × 8.33 A77.7 W96%
410 W304.9 W36.61 V × 8.33 A78.4 W96%
415 W308.5 W36.8 V × 8.38 A79.3 W96%
420 W312.4 W36.99 V × 8.45 A80.3 W96%
425 W316 W37.17 V × 8.5 A81.3 W96%
430 W319.7 W37.36 V × 8.56 A82.2 W96%
435 W322.3 W36.51 V × 8.83 A83.9 W96%
440 W326 W36.69 V × 8.89 A84.8 W96%
445 W329.8 W36.87 V × 8.94 A85.8 W96%
450 W333.5 W37.06 V × 9 A86.8 W96%
Pmax = Vmp × Imp from the CEC listing; low-light efficiency = Pmax at 200 W/m² ÷ (20% of STC Pmax).

Independent reliability testing

Kiwa PVEL Scorecard · RETC PV Module Index
5
PVEL Scorecards
Canadian Solar named Top Performer, 2020–2026
1
RETC PV Module Index
Canadian Solar, 2025
This exact series is not listed in published PVEL Top Performer tables. Results below are for the manufacturer.

RETC PV Module Index — Canadian Solar

YearRecognition
2025Reliability High Achiever

Inverter compatibility & string sizing

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Cali-Graf calculation · NLR PVWatts v8 · inverter datasheets · NLR SAM inverter library · CEC Grid Support Inverter List (Oct 7, 2026)
50.8 V
Voc when cold
per panel
31.6 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. β is the CEC-measured coefficient; NEC 690.7 calculations use the datasheet value.

String inverters most named in SoCal permits

InverterMax DC inputMPPTWindow sourcePanels per string
Tesla 1538000-xx-y600 V60–480 Vdatasheet2–11
Solis (Ginlong) S6-EH1P10K-H-US600 V80–520 Vdatasheet3–11
Solis (Ginlong) Solis-1P7.6K-4G-US600 V100–500 Vdatasheet4–11
Qcells Q.VOLT H7.6SX498 V234–498 VCEC test window8–9

Microinverters (one per panel)

MicroinverterRecommended module powerMax DC inputMPPTVoc cold / Vmp hotCheckDC/AC
Enphase IQ8PLUS-72-2-US235–440 W60 V29–45 V50.8 / 31.6 V✓ Within range1.43
Enphase IQ8X-80-M-US320–540 W79.5 V43–60 V50.8 / 31.6 V✗ Not a match: module voltage below MPPT range1.09
APsystems (Alt Power System) DS3-L265–570 W60 V28–45 V50.8 / 31.6 V✓ Within range0.53
Enphase IQ8M-72-2-US260–460 W60 V30–45 V50.8 / 31.6 V✓ Within range1.28
Enphase IQ8A-72-2-US295–500 W60 V32–45 V50.8 / 31.6 V⚠ Works; below MPPT at peak heat1.19
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
CitykWh / kW / yrkWh / panel / yrkWh / system / yrSun, kWh/m²/day
Los Angeles1,67669611,8246.08
Palmdale1,83576212,9466.69
Chula Vista1,69670411,9656.11
Huntington Beach1,64368211,5915.89
Riverside1,69670411,9656.21
Santa Clarita1,72471512,1636.28
772Jan773Feb991Mar1,095Apr1,082May1,149Jun1,211Jul1,225Aug1,071Sep945Oct812Nov703DeckWh per month · Los Angeles
Estimate for comparison, not a quote: shading, roof orientation and local losses change real output. Roof mount, 20° tilt, south, 14% system losses.

Compare with similar 415 W panels

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Qcells datasheet · Kiwa PVEL Scorecard · building permits
PanelPmaxEfficiencyγ Pmax (CEC)Voc, VIsc, APVEL (product / brand)SoCal permits (series)
Canadian Solar CS3W-415P415 W≈19.4%−0.35247.811.14brand 5×—
Qcells Q.PEAK DUO BLK ML-G10+ 415415 W≈21.1%−0.33745.4111.23product 2022, 2023221
REC Group REC410AA Pure410 W≈22.9%−0.2564910.35brand 9× (2016–2025)66
LONGi LR5-54HABB-415M415 W≈21.8%−0.34237.7713.94brand 9× (2017–2026)64
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

Other series by SoCal permits

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

Questions & answers

How efficient is the Canadian Solar CS3W-415P?

Calculated from the panel area (2.14 m²): about 19.4% for the 415 W class. 415 W over 2.14 m² equals about 194 W per square meter.

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

PVWatts v8 with typical-year weather gives about 696 kWh per year per 415 W panel in Los Angeles and about 762 kWh in Palmdale (20° roof, facing south, 14% system losses).

How much power does it lose on a hot roof?

With γ = −0.352 %/°C, at a 77 °C cell temperature (hottest modeled hour in Palmdale) output is about 18.2% 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 = 50.8 V, Vmp at 74 °C cell = 31.6 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 50.8 V vs max input 60 V; Vmp when hot 31.6 V vs MPPT low 29 V; recommended module power 235–440 W. Confirm on the microinverter maker’s compatibility list.

Has this panel been reliability-tested?

This exact series is not in published PVEL Top Performer tables; Canadian Solar was named a Top Performer in 5 Scorecards (2020–2026).

Sources

  1. California Energy Commission — Solar Equipment Lists, PV Module List, Inverter List (snapshot Oct 7, 2026).
  2. Qcells — manufacturer datasheet “Q.PEAK DUO BLK ML-G10+ ENDURING HIGH PERFORMANCE”.
  3. Kiwa PVEL — PV Module Reliability Scorecard, Top Performer lists 2020–2026.
  4. RETC — PV Module Index report.
  5. NLR (formerly NREL) — System Advisor Model CEC inverter library (version 2026.7.3).
  6. NLR (formerly NREL) — PVWatts v8, NSRDB PSM v3 typical-year weather for Los Angeles, Palmdale, Chula Vista, Huntington Beach, Riverside, Santa Clarita.
  7. Inverter datasheets — APsystems (Alt Power System), Enphase, Solis (Ginlong), Tesla (manufacturer documents).
  8. Building permits — Southern California permit portals. Equipment matched from permit descriptions.
  9. Cali-Graf calculations — formulas and inputs are shown next to each calculated value (efficiency from area, temperature-corrected voltages, string sizing, energy estimates).