Illustration · 36 cells

Solar panelMerlin Solar Technologies

Merlin Solar Technologies RFP-F036W180S

Name: Merlin Solar Technologies RFP-F036W180S
Brand: Merlin Solar Technologies

36 cells, PERC. Power classes 175–185 W in the CEC list.

CEC listed · May 22, 2023UL 61730

Power class

Power (STC)180 WCEC nameplate
Efficiency≈16.5%calculated from area
%/°C Pmax−0.317CEC listing test
PTC / STC90.7%PTC 163 W (CEC)

Power classes

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Cali-Graf calculation · 3 models

Model	Pmax	Voc, V	Isc, A	Vmp, V	Imp, A	Efficiency	PTC	CEC listed
RFP-F036W175S	175 W	24.38	9.15	20.22	8.67	≈16.1%	159 W	May 22, 2023
RFP-F036W180S	180 W	24.45	9.20	20.54	8.77	≈16.5%	163 W	May 22, 2023
RFP-F036W185S	185 W	24.52	9.25	20.86	8.87	≈17.0%	168 W	May 22, 2023

≈ efficiency = Pmax ÷ CEC-listed area 1.09 m².

Build & dimensions

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026)

Module area1.09 m² (11.7 ft²)CEC-listed area
Cells36 cellsPERC
Back coverWhite backsheet

Heat & cold behaviour

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

	CEC listing test
Pmax coefficient γ	−0.317 %/°C
Voc coefficient β	−0.262 %/°C
Isc coefficient α	+0.053 %/°C
Operating cell temperature	NOCT 53.7 °C

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

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
175 W	122.4 W	17.81 V × 6.87 A	32.8 W	94%
180 W	125.8 W	18.1 V × 6.95 A	33.7 W	94%
185 W	129.2 W	18.38 V × 7.03 A	34.6 W	93%

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

Independent reliability testing

RETC PV Module Index

Merlin Solar Technologies, 2023

This exact series is not listed in published PVEL Top Performer tables. Results below are for the manufacturer.

RETC PV Module Index — Merlin Solar Technologies

Year	Recognition
2023	High Achievement in Performance (Lid resistance)

Inverter compatibility & string sizing

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Cali-Graf calculation · NLR PVWatts v8

CityColdest air, °CHottest cell, °C

25.9 V

Voc when cold

per panel

16.8 V

Vmp when hot

per panel

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.

Microinverter tables are not shown for panels under 200 W.

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	302	9,050	6.08
Palmdale	1,835	330	9,909	6.69
Chula Vista	1,696	305	9,158	6.11
Huntington Beach	1,643	296	8,872	5.89
Riverside	1,696	305	9,158	6.21
Santa Clarita	1,724	310	9,310	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.

Questions & answers

How efficient is the Merlin Solar Technologies RFP-F036W180S?

Calculated from the panel area (1.09 m²): about 16.5% for the 180 W class. 180 W over 1.09 m² equals about 165 W per square meter.

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

PVWatts v8 with typical-year weather gives about 302 kWh per year per 180 W panel in Los Angeles and about 330 kWh in Palmdale (20° roof, facing south, 14% system losses).

How much power does it lose on a hot roof?

With γ = −0.317 %/°C, at a 77 °C cell temperature (hottest modeled hour in Palmdale) output is about 16.4% below the STC rating.

Sources

California Energy Commission — Solar Equipment Lists, PV Module List (snapshot Oct 7, 2026).
RETC — PV Module Index report.
NLR (formerly NREL) — PVWatts v8, NSRDB PSM v3 typical-year weather for Los Angeles, Palmdale, Chula Vista, Huntington Beach, Riverside, Santa Clarita.
Cali-Graf calculations — formulas and inputs are shown next to each calculated value (efficiency from area, temperature-corrected voltages, string sizing, energy estimates).