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Illustration · 72 cells
Solar panelSunSpark Technology

SunSpark Technology SST-385M3-72

72 cells. Power classes 375–400 W in the CEC list.

CEC listed · Oct 21, 2020UL 61730
Power class
  • Power (STC)385 WCEC nameplate
  • Efficiency≈19.5%calculated from area
  • %/°C Pmax−0.330CEC listing test
  • PTC / STC93.2%PTC 359 W (CEC)

Power classes

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Cali-Graf calculation · 6 models
ModelPmaxVoc, VIsc, AVmp, VImp, AEfficiencyPTCCEC listed
SST-375M3-72375 W48.449.9939.749.45≈19.0%349 WOct 21, 2020
SST-380M3-72380 W48.7010.0640.029.51≈19.3%354 WOct 21, 2020
SST-385M3-72385 W48.9710.1240.289.57≈19.5%359 WOct 21, 2020
SST-390M3-72390 W49.2710.1740.609.62≈19.8%364 WOct 21, 2020
SST-395M3-72395 W49.5610.2340.899.67≈20.1%368 WOct 21, 2020
SST-400M3-72400 W49.8610.2941.189.73≈20.3%373 WOct 21, 2020
≈ efficiency = Pmax ÷ CEC-listed area 1.97 m².

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−0.330 %/°C
Voc coefficient β−0.232 %/°C
Isc coefficient α+0.013 %/°C
Operating cell temperatureNOCT 46.2 °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
375 W214.1 W28.49 V × 7.51 A73.6 W98%
380 W217 W28.69 V × 7.56 A74.6 W98%
385 W219.8 W28.88 V × 7.61 A75.6 W98%
390 W222.7 W29.11 V × 7.65 A76.6 W98%
395 W225.4 W29.32 V × 7.69 A77.5 W98%
400 W228.5 W29.53 V × 7.74 A78.6 W98%
Pmax = Vmp × Imp from the CEC listing; low-light efficiency = Pmax at 200 W/m² ÷ (20% of STC Pmax).

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)
51.6 V
Voc when cold
per panel
33.5 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 Vdatasheet3–11
Qcells Q.VOLT H7.6SX498 V234–498 VCEC test window7–9

Microinverters (one per panel)

MicroinverterRecommended module powerMax DC inputMPPTVoc cold / Vmp hotCheckDC/AC
Enphase IQ8PLUS-72-2-US235–440 W60 V29–45 V51.6 / 33.5 V✓ Within range1.33
Enphase IQ8X-80-M-US320–540 W79.5 V43–60 V51.6 / 33.5 V✗ Not a match: module voltage below MPPT range1.01
APsystems (Alt Power System) DS3-L265–570 W60 V28–45 V51.6 / 33.5 V✓ Within range0.49
Enphase IQ8M-72-2-US260–460 W60 V30–45 V51.6 / 33.5 V✓ Within range1.18
Enphase IQ8A-72-2-US295–500 W60 V32–45 V51.6 / 33.5 V✓ Within range1.1
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 Angeles1,67664511,6156.08
Palmdale1,83570612,7176.69
Chula Vista1,69665311,7536.11
Huntington Beach1,64363311,3865.89
Riverside1,69665311,7536.21
Santa Clarita1,72466411,9476.28
758Jan759Feb974Mar1,076Apr1,062May1,129Jun1,189Jul1,203Aug1,052Sep928Oct798Nov690DeckWh 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 385 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)
SunSpark Technology SST-385M3-72385 W≈19.5%−0.33048.9710.12——
Qcells Q.PEAK DUO BLK ML-G10+ 385385 W≥19.6%−0.36245.1911.04product 2022, 2023221
JA Solar JAM54S31-385/MR385 W≈20.3%−0.32936.7113.52product 2023, 2024152
REC Group REC385AA Pure385 W≈21.5%−0.25648.510.1brand 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.

Questions & answers

How efficient is the SunSpark Technology SST-385M3-72?

Calculated from the panel area (1.97 m²): about 19.5% for the 385 W class. 385 W over 1.97 m² equals about 195 W per square meter.

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

PVWatts v8 with typical-year weather gives about 645 kWh per year per 385 W panel in Los Angeles and about 706 kWh in Palmdale (20° roof, facing south, 14% system losses).

How much power does it lose on a hot roof?

With γ = −0.330 %/°C, at a 77 °C cell temperature (hottest modeled hour in Palmdale) output is about 17.1% 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 = 51.6 V, Vmp at 74 °C cell = 33.5 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 51.6 V vs max input 60 V; Vmp when hot 33.5 V vs MPPT low 29 V; recommended module power 235–440 W. Confirm on the microinverter maker’s compatibility list.

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.
  4. NLR (formerly NREL) — System Advisor Model CEC inverter library (version 2026.7.3).
  5. NLR (formerly NREL) — PVWatts v8, NSRDB PSM v3 typical-year weather for Los Angeles, Palmdale, Chula Vista, Huntington Beach, Riverside, Santa Clarita.
  6. Inverter datasheets — APsystems (Alt Power System), Enphase, Solis (Ginlong), Tesla (manufacturer documents).
  7. Building permits — Southern California permit portals. Equipment matched from permit descriptions.
  8. Cali-Graf calculations — formulas and inputs are shown next to each calculated value (efficiency from area, temperature-corrected voltages, string sizing, energy estimates).