Canadian Solar CS3U-400MB-AG vs Canadian Solar CS3U-385MB-AG
VS
The verdict
400MB-AG leads on the differences that matter
The largest is module efficiency: 0.70 pp more efficient. 14 of 18 comparable parameters are identical, with 1 more left out because at least one datasheet does not publish it.
See all 4 differencesHow alike are they
14
of 18 comparable
parameters are identical
parameters are identical
identical
differs
not published
01
4 of 18 parameters
What actually differs
Parameter
400MB-AG
385MB-AG
Difference
Module efficiency
19.90 %
19.20 %
0.70 pp more efficient
Power density
199.4 Wp/m²
191.9 Wp/m²
7.5 Wp/m² higher
Rated power
400 Wp
385 Wp
15 W more power
Weight per kWp
64.7 kg/kWp
67.3 kg/kWp
2.5 kg/kWp lighter
02
What it means on a roof
Thirty years of production
A 1.0% first-year loss then 0.40% a year, assumed for both panels, at 1,200 kWh/kWp a year
Same temp coeff. for both panels (-0.360 %/°C), so a warmer roof scales both curves by the same factor: the totals fall together and neither panel gains on the other.
400MB-AG
13,421 kWh
385MB-AG
12,918 kWh
Lifetime gap
503 kWh
Output when it is hot
Rated power carried across the range a module actually sees
Scenario
400MB-AG
385MB-AG
Standard test conditions
25 °C
100.0% of rated power
400 W
385 W
Cool, bright day
40 °C
94.6% of rated power
378 W
364 W
Typical summer roof
55 °C
89.2% of rated power
357 W
343 W
Hot roof
70 °C
83.8% of rated power
335 W
323 W
03
Full specification
Parameter
400MB-AG
385MB-AG
Difference
Power and efficiency
Rated power
400 Wp
385 Wp
+15 W for 400MB-AG
Module efficiency
19.90 %
19.20 %
+0.70 pp for 400MB-AG
Power density
199.4 Wp/m²
191.9 Wp/m²
+7.5 Wp/m² for 400MB-AG
Open-circuit voltage
48.60 V
48.00 V
Effectively the same
Voltage at max power
40.80 V
40.20 V
Effectively the same
Short-circuit current
10.33 A
10.09 A
Effectively the same
Current at max power
9.81 A
9.58 A
Effectively the same
Temperature
Temperature coefficient
-0.360 %/°C
-0.360 %/°C
Same
Mechanical
Dimensions
2022x992x30 mm
2022x992x30 mm
Same
Module area
2.006 m²
2.006 m²
Same
Weight
25.9 kg
25.9 kg
Same
Weight per kWp
64.7 kg/kWp
67.3 kg/kWp
-2.5 kg/kWp for 400MB-AG
Warranty and degradation
Product warranty
12 yrs
12 yrs
Same
Performance warranty
30 yrs
30 yrs
Same
Annual degradation
-
-
Neither datasheet publishes this
Technology
Cell technology
PERC
PERC
Same
Cell type
Monocrystalline
Monocrystalline
Same
Cell count
144
144
Same
Bifacial
Yes
Yes
Same
04
14,129 panels
Against the whole database
Efficiency
#12,416
vs
#12,946
400MB-AG leads by 530 places
Power density
#12,380
vs
#12,936
400MB-AG leads by 556 places
Heat behaviour
#12,425
vs
#12,425
Tied - the same position in the database
Weight
#13,130
vs
#13,342
400MB-AG leads by 212 places
Warranty
#21
vs
#21
Tied - the same position in the database
Overall
#12,125
vs
#12,578
400MB-AG leads by 453 places
05
Open the full database
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06
Written summary
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07
Questions about this pairing
Which panel is better: Canadian Solar CS3U-400MB-AG or Canadian Solar CS3U-385MB-AG?
According to our database: Canadian Solar CS3U-400MB-AG has higher module efficiency (19.90% vs 19.20%). See the full spec comparison and 30-year energy simulation above for a complete picture.
What is the efficiency of Canadian Solar CS3U-400MB-AG and Canadian Solar CS3U-385MB-AG?
Canadian Solar CS3U-400MB-AG has a module efficiency of 19.90%, while Canadian Solar CS3U-385MB-AG is 19.20%. Higher efficiency means more electricity from the same roof area - useful when space is limited.
What cell technology does Canadian Solar CS3U-400MB-AG use vs Canadian Solar CS3U-385MB-AG?
Canadian Solar CS3U-400MB-AG uses PERC cells; Canadian Solar CS3U-385MB-AG uses PERC. Modern n-type technologies (TOPCon, HJT, BC) typically deliver higher efficiency and lower degradation compared to older PERC (p-type) cells.
What is the warranty on Canadian Solar CS3U-400MB-AG and Canadian Solar CS3U-385MB-AG?
Canadian Solar CS3U-400MB-AG has a 30 years power warranty; Canadian Solar CS3U-385MB-AG has a 30 years power warranty. The power warranty guarantees a minimum percentage of rated output at the end of the warranty period (typically 80-87%). Product (materials) warranties are usually shorter.
Are Canadian Solar CS3U-400MB-AG and Canadian Solar CS3U-385MB-AG bifacial panels?
Both Canadian Solar CS3U-400MB-AG and Canadian Solar CS3U-385MB-AG are bifacial - they capture reflected light from the ground, which can add 5-15% more annual energy on ground-mount or elevated rooftop installations with a light surface beneath.
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Every figure here is from the manufacturers' own datasheets - a dash means the value is not published, never an estimate. The thirty-year projection and the temperature scenarios are calculations from those figures, and each states its assumption above.