Details describe the tested sample, not every module of the series.
RETC PV Module Index — ES Foundry
Year
Recognition
2024
Overall Highest 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)
39.2 V
Voc when cold
per panel
25.4 V
Vmp when hot
per panel
15
Max panels / string
max DC 600 V
3
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
Inverter
Max DC input
MPPT
Window source
Panels per string
Tesla 1538000-xx-y
600 V
60–480 V
datasheet
3–15
Solis (Ginlong) S6-EH1P10K-H-US
600 V
80–520 V
datasheet
4–15
Solis (Ginlong) Solis-1P7.6K-4G-US
600 V
100–500 V
datasheet
4–15
Qcells Q.VOLT H7.6SX
498 V
234–498 V
CEC test window
10–12
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
39.2 / 25.4 V
⚠ Works; below MPPT at peak heat
1.38
Enphase IQ8X-80-M-US
320–540 W
79.5 V
43–60 V
39.2 / 25.4 V
✗ Not a match: module voltage below MPPT range
1.05
APsystems (Alt Power System) DS3-L
265–570 W
60 V
28–45 V
39.2 / 25.4 V
⚠ Works; below MPPT at peak heat
0.51
Enphase IQ8M-72-2-US
260–460 W
60 V
30–45 V
39.2 / 25.4 V
⚠ Works; below MPPT at peak heat
1.23
Enphase IQ8A-72-2-US
295–500 W
60 V
32–45 V
39.2 / 25.4 V
✗ Not a match: module voltage below MPPT range
1.15
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
670
12,067
6.08
Palmdale
1,835
734
13,212
6.69
Chula Vista
1,696
678
12,211
6.11
Huntington Beach
1,643
657
11,830
5.89
Riverside
1,696
678
12,211
6.21
Santa Clarita
1,724
690
12,413
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.
Compare with similar 400 W panels
CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Qcells datasheet · Kiwa PVEL Scorecard · building permits
Panel
Pmax
Efficiency
γ Pmax (CEC)
Voc, V
Isc, A
PVEL (product / brand)
SoCal permits (series)
ES Foundry ES-DP8-H54B 400
400 W
≈20.5%
−0.333
37.07
13.79
product 2026
—
Qcells Q.PEAK DUO BLK ML-G10+ 400
400 W
≥20.4%
−0.362
45.3
11.14
product 2022, 2023
221
JA Solar JAM54S31-400/MR
400 W
≈21.1%
−0.329
37.07
13.79
product 2023, 2024
152
REC Group REC400AA Pure
400 W
≈22.3%
−0.256
48.8
10.25
brand 9× (2016–2025)
66
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 ES Foundry
CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Kiwa PVEL Scorecard · RETC PV Module Index
ManufacturerES Foundry
Listed in CEC asES Foundry Corp
PVEL Top Performer (manufacturer)2026 Scorecard
RETC PV Module Index2024
Current panel series in CEC list4
Other series by SoCal permits
ES-DN8-H54BES-DP8-H72ES-DP8-H72L
Questions & answers
How efficient is the ES Foundry ES-DP8-H54B 400?
Calculated from the panel area (1.95 m²): about 20.5% for the 400 W class. 400 W over 1.95 m² equals about 205 W per square meter.
How much energy does one panel produce in Los Angeles or Palmdale?
PVWatts v8 with typical-year weather gives about 670 kWh per year per 400 W panel in Los Angeles and about 734 kWh in Palmdale (20° roof, facing south, 14% system losses).
How much power does it lose on a hot roof?
With γ = −0.333 %/°C, at a 77 °C cell temperature (hottest modeled hour in Palmdale) output is about 17.2% 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 3–15 panels per string (Voc at 2 °C = 39.2 V, Vmp at 74 °C cell = 25.4 V). Final design must follow the inverter manual and NEC 690.7.
Is it bifacial?
Yes. Rear gain depends on mounting height and ground reflectance.
Has this panel been reliability-tested?
ES-DP8-H54B-xxx was a PVEL Top Performer in 2026 (DH, LID+LETID, MSS, PID, TC).
Sources
California Energy Commission — Solar Equipment Lists, PV Module List, Inverter List (snapshot Oct 7, 2026).
Qcells — manufacturer datasheet “Q.PEAK DUO BLK ML-G10+ ENDURING HIGH PERFORMANCE”.
Kiwa PVEL — PV Module Reliability Scorecard, Top Performer lists.
RETC — PV Module Index report.
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 — Southern California permit portals. Equipment matched from permit descriptions.
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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