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Canadian Solar Brand review

CS3K-315MS

315 Wp PERC
ComparePV verdict

Solid all-round for its segment

Rank 13,237 of 14,129
Compare panels Datasheet PDF
Power (Wp)
315
Typical for its class
Efficiency (%)
19.00
Typical · median 19.00%
Density (Wp/m²)
189.6
Typical · median 190.0
Temp (%/°C)
-0.360
Typical · median -0.360
Weight (kg)
18.5
Typical · median 19.0 kg
Warranty (yrs)
25
Typical · median 25 yrs

The KuPower CS3K-MS series consists of photovoltaic modules built on half-cut Mono PERC technology, where monocrystalline cells split in half reduce current losses and improve panel performance under partial shading. This cell configuration allows the module to maintain higher efficiency even when part of its surface is shaded by leaves, a chimney, or a neighboring building - a solution especially valued by installers working with roofs of complex geometry. The panels stand out with a low cell operating temperature (NMOT) and a favorable power temperature coefficient, translating into more stable energy yield on hot days. The construction, featuring an anodized aluminum frame and tempered front glass, delivers high resistance to snow and wind loads, making the modules suitable for both rooftop and ground-mounted installations in demanding climate conditions. Compatibility with both 1000V and 1500V systems simplifies the design of installations of varying scale - from residential micro-systems to larger solar farms. An additional advantage is reduced risk of cell micro-cracking, which contributes to greater long-term durability, backed by the manufacturer's extended materials warranty and linear power output warranty.

Ranking

291 panels in the segment PERC 300-350 W
Metric This panel Median Position in segment Overall rank
Module efficiency 19.00% 19.00% Typical 13,037
Power density 189.6 190.0 Typical 13,051
Temperature coefficient -0.360 -0.360 Typical 12,425
Weight per kWp 58.7 60.3 Typical 11,956
Performance warranty 25 yrs 25 yrs Typical 9,912
Colour key Strong - top 25% Typical - middle 50% Weak - bottom 25%

Signals from the data

5 positive · 2 caution
Best for

Residential and commercial.

What owners get
Half-cut Mono PERC reduces losses

Splitting 120 monocrystalline cells in half reduces resistive losses and improves module behavior under partial shading (leaves, chimneys, adjacent buildings) - a key advantage for installations on roofs with complex geometry.

High mechanical durability: 6000 Pa / 4000 Pa

The anodized aluminum frame and tempered front glass provide snow load resistance up to 6000 Pa and wind load up to 4000 Pa, placing the series above typical segment standards (5400 Pa/2400 Pa) and enabling use in harsher climatic conditions.

Compatible with 1000 V and 1500 V systems

Availability of IEC/UL 1000V and 1500V variants simplifies design for both residential microinstallations and larger PV farms without needing to switch module series.

Reputable Tier-1 manufacturer, long-term warranty

Canadian Solar (founded 2001) is a bankable Tier-1 manufacturer, offering a 12-year product warranty and 25-year linear power warranty - a standard matching peer comparables (Selfa, SunLink).

Competitive efficiency within its generation

Efficiency of 19-20.2% is comparable to SunLink LUXMAX (20.16%) and Selfa SV120M.5(3) (19.8%), and clearly higher than the HJT-based Huasun HSN-210R-B72 (15.1%) in this specific spec, confirming the competitiveness of PERC technology from 2018.

Trade-offs
Production discontinued - limited service support

The KuPower CS3K-MS series (launched in 2018) has been officially discontinued, meaning limited availability of identical replacement modules for future warranty claims or system expansion.

PERC technology trails newer N-type modules

Maximum efficiency of 20.2% falls short of current N-type TOPCon/HJT modules (22-23%+), and the older PERC generation shows higher LID/LeTID degradation compared to newer technologies available since 2022-2023.

Notes from the database
  • At 19.0% efficiency, this panel is on par with typical PERC 0-400W modules
  • At 189.6 W/m², this panel generates 4.6 W/m² less per unit area than PERC 0-400W median (194.2 W/m²)
  • At -0.36%/°C, hot weather performance is typical for PERC 0-400W panels
  • 18.5 kg weight - 2.0 kg lighter than PERC 0-400W median (20.5 kg), reducing installation effort
  • #13037 for efficiency, #12425 for temperature performance out of 14129 panels

Specifications

Open datasheet PDF
Nominal power (Pmax) 315 Wp Nameplate at 1000 W/m², 25 °C
Module efficiency 19.00 % Typical Segment median 19.00%
Vmpp · Impp 33.10 V · 9.52 A Operating point at max power
Voc · Isc 39.90 V · 10.06 A Sizes the string length
Max system voltage 1500 V Longer strings than 1000 V modules
Dimensions 1675×992×35 mm · 1.66 m² of roof
Weight 18.5 kg Typical Typical · median 19.0 kg
Cells 120 · PERC Monocrystalline
Coefficient Pmax -0.360 %/°C Typical median -0.360 of its segment
Coefficient Voc · Isc -0.290 · 0.050 %/°C
NOCT 42 °C At 800 W/m², 20 °C ambient
Product warranty 12 years Hardware defects only
Performance warranty 25 years Typical median 25 yrs · median 25 yrs

Simulations

Live - change any input
Lifetime output & value
30 years at 1200 kWh/kWp/year and €0.50 per kWh
Power in year 30
-
Lifetime energy
-
Energy value
-

Degradation from this panel's own datasheet figures. No inverter, soiling or shading losses.

Heat losses
-0.360 %/°C against a segment median of -0.360
-
Filter these
Size
Panel Power Eff. Temp. Weight Difference
Canadian Solar CS3K-315MS 315 W 19.00% -0.360 18.5 kg You are here
NS-300MH-72 300 W 23.32% -0.290 12.5 kg Cooler, lighter, +4.3 pp
NS-300MH-72 300 W 23.32% -0.290 12.5 kg Cooler, lighter, +4.3 pp
ZEUS 1.2 FullBlack 280W 280 W 23.31% -0.260 14.3 kg Cooler, +4.3 pp, +5 yr warranty
NS-330MH-80 330 W 23.15% -0.290 15.0 kg Cooler, lighter, +4.1 pp
NS-330MH-80 330 W 23.15% -0.290 15.0 kg Cooler, lighter, +4.1 pp
ZEUS 3.2 285WP FullBlack 285 W 23.14% -0.260 15.6 kg Cooler, +4.1 pp, +5 yr warranty
GKA182M285W 285 W 23.00% - 10.8 kg Lighter, +4.0 pp, +5 yr warranty
GKA182M270W 270 W 23.00% - 10.8 kg Lighter, +4.0 pp, +5 yr warranty
GKA182M300W 300 W 23.00% - 16.2 kg Lighter, +4.0 pp, +5 yr warranty
CS3K-295P-AG 295 W 17.80% -0.360 22.5 kg Heavier, -1.2 pp, +5 yr warranty
CS3K-300MS 300 W 18.10% -0.360 18.5 kg -15 W, -0.9 pp
CS3K-305MS 305 W 18.40% -0.360 18.5 kg -10 W, -0.6 pp
CS3K-310MS 310 W 18.70% -0.360 18.5 kg -0.3 pp
SPR-MAX3-400-COM 400 W 22.60% -0.270 19.0 kg Cooler, +3.6 pp, +15 yr warranty
LEPV 400 400 W 22.31% -0.290 20.0 kg +85 W, cooler, +3.3 pp
NS-360MH-60 360 W 22.12% -0.290 17.0 kg +45 W, cooler, +3.1 pp

Found 140 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±10 mm. See them here Found 237 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±25 mm. See them here Found 457 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±50 mm. See them here Found 739 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±100 mm. See them here

About the KuPower CS3K-MS series

6 answered

These answers cover the whole series. Where a figure differs, the specification above is this module's own.

Is the Canadian Solar KuPower CS3K-MS series still available for purchase?
No, Canadian Solar has discontinued production of the KuPower CS3K-MS series, and this model now belongs to a legacy product line. Units can still occasionally be found in the secondary market or in distributor clearance stock, but no new batches are being manufactured. This is worth considering when planning to expand an existing installation, since sourcing an identical model for a matching addition may be difficult.
What warranty comes with the Canadian Solar KuPower CS3K-MS 335W panels?
The manufacturer provides a 12-year product warranty covering material and workmanship defects, along with a 25-year linear power output warranty. This means the panel should still deliver a significant share of its original rated power after 25 years of operation, following the degradation curve specified by Canadian Solar. This is a standard warranty level for a Tier 1 manufacturer.
How does the half-cut Mono PERC technology in the KuPower CS3K-MS differ from standard panels?
In half-cut technology, monocrystalline PERC cells are cut in half, reducing current losses and internal resistance within the module. This allows the panel to operate more efficiently and lose less power under partial shading, such as from leaves or a chimney, compared to a full-cell panel. This design is especially useful on roofs with complex geometry where minor shading is unavoidable.
Do the KuPower CS3K-MS panels perform well on hot days?
Yes, the series features a low power temperature coefficient and reduced cell operating temperature (NMOT), which limits performance drop at high ambient temperatures. In practice, this means a more stable energy yield during summer compared to older-generation panels, which is important in regions with high solar irradiance and high roof temperatures.
Are the KuPower CS3K-MS 335W panels suitable for both rooftop and ground-mounted installations?
Yes, the anodized aluminum frame and tempered front glass construction provide high resistance to snow and wind loads, making these modules suitable for both pitched roofs and larger ground-mounted systems or PV farms. Compatibility with both 1000V and 1500V systems simplifies designing installations of varying scale, from a residential microinstallation to a commercial solar farm.
What is the maximum power and efficiency of the Canadian Solar KuPower CS3K-335MS panel?
This model reaches a maximum power of 335Wp with a module efficiency of around 20.2 percent, which was a competitive result for PERC technology from 2020. The panel is not bifacial, so it only harvests energy from its front side, which is worth noting when comparing it to newer bifacial modules from the same manufacturer.
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