--- title: "FuturaSun FU 380 M NEXT 380W Solar Panel - Specs & Review | ComparePV" description: "FuturaSun FU 380 M NEXT 380W solar panel. Specs: 19.16% efficiency, Monocrystalline cells, dimensions, warranty and temperature coefficient." source: "https://comparepv.com/panel/futurasun-fu-380-m-next" updated: 2026-09-11 --- # FuturaSun FU 380 M NEXT Middle of its segment, modest efficiency 579 panels in the segment PERC 350-400 W ## Identity - **Manufacturer:** FuturaSun - **Model:** FU 380 M NEXT - **Series:** NEXT - **Rated power:** 380 W - **Cell technology:** PERC ## How it compares Compared against segment PERC 350-400 W (579 panels). | Measure | This panel | Segment median | Standing | Rank | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Power (Wp) | 380 W | 380 W | Typical | | | Module efficiency | 19.16% | 19.90% | Weak - bottom 17% | 12,889 | | Power density | 191.6 | 199.0 | Weak - bottom 18% | 12,860 | | Temperature coefficient | -0.366 | -0.350 | Weak - bottom 22% | 13,076 | | Weight (kg) | 22.6 kg | 21.4 kg | Typical | | | Performance warranty | 25 yrs | 25 yrs | Typical | 9,798 | ### Full peer table | Measure | This panel | Segment median | Standing | Rank | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Module efficiency | 19.16% | 19.90% | Weak - bottom 17% | 12,889 | | Power density | 191.6 | 199.0 | Weak - bottom 18% | 12,860 | | Temperature coefficient | -0.366 | -0.350 | Weak - bottom 22% | 13,076 | | Weight per kWp | 59.5 | 55.8 | Typical | 12,160 | | Performance warranty | 25 yrs | 25 yrs | Typical | 9,798 | ### Watch out for - **19.16% module efficiency** - Bottom 17% of the PERC 350-400 W segment, against a median of 19.90%. - **191.6 watts per square metre** - Bottom 18% of the PERC 350-400 W segment, against a median of 199.0. - **-0.366 %/°C temperature coefficient** - Bottom 22% of the PERC 350-400 W segment, against a median of -0.350. - **Best for:** Residential and commercial. - **Not ideal for:** Tight roof space, roofs where every square metre has to count and hot climates. ## Specification ### Electrical - **Rated power (Pmax):** 380 W - **Efficiency:** 19.16 % - **Voltage at Pmax (Vmp):** 40.88 V - **Current at Pmax (Imp):** 9.30 A - **Open-circuit voltage (Voc):** 49.51 V - **Short-circuit current (Isc):** 9.59 A - **Max system voltage:** 1000 V ### Temperature - **Temperature coefficient of Pmax:** -0.366 %/degC - **Temperature coefficient of Voc:** -0.266 %/degC - **Temperature coefficient of Isc:** 0.037 %/degC - **NOCT:** 45 degC ### Cell and construction - **Cell type:** Monocrystalline - **Cell technology:** PERC - **Cell count:** 72 ### Physical - **Length:** 1979 mm - **Width:** 1002 mm - **Thickness:** 40 mm - **Weight:** 22.6 kg - **Area:** 1.98 m2 - **Power density:** 191.6 Wp/m2 ### Warranty and degradation - **Product warranty:** 15 years - **Performance warranty:** 25 years - **Output guaranteed at end of warranty:** 87.0 % - **First-year degradation:** 3.00 % - **Annual degradation:** 0.50 % - **Output after 30 years:** 314 W ## Rank in the whole catalogue | Measure | Position | | --- | --- | | Efficiency | 12889 of 14005 | | Power density | 12860 of 14005 | | Temperature coefficient | 13076 of 14005 | | Weight | 12160 of 14005 | | Warranty | 9798 of 14005 | ## Pros - **Efficiency up to 20.17%, top of peer group** - Maximum efficiency of 20.17% places the NEXT series above comparable models MWG Mono (20.12%) and significantly above DMEGC GH400M10T (15.48%), trailing only Heliene 108HC (20.5%). - **Full square PERC cells + 5 busbar** - The use of full square PERC cells combined with 5 busbar technology reduces ohmic losses and increases energy yield per unit area compared to older 3BB/4BB designs, as confirmed by the manufacturer's documentation. - **High hail resistance (83 km/h, 2.5 mm)** - Per the manufacturer's official datasheet, the modules passed hail resistance testing at an impact speed of 83 km/h and 2.5 mm diameter, relevant for installations in regions with variable weather conditions. - **100% electroluminescence (EL) testing** - Every module undergoes EL testing during production, eliminating hidden cell micro-cracks before shipment - a practice not always standard among budget manufacturers. - **European manufacturer founded in 2008** - FuturaSun is an Italian manufacturer operating since 2008, combined with a 15-year product warranty and 25-year power warranty, offering investors greater predictability than lesser-known Asian brands. ## Cons - **Production discontinued** - The NEXT series launched in 2019 and has since been discontinued, meaning limited availability of warranty service, replacement parts, and no possibility of expanding an installation with identical modules in the future. - **Fire class C, not A** - The official datasheet lists fire resistance class C under IEC 61730, which may be a limitation for certain roof mounting types requiring class A (e.g., pitched roofs in close proximity to other buildings). - **PERC technology trails newer N-type solutions** - PERC (P-type) cells exhibit higher LID/LeTID degradation and lower high-temperature performance than newer TOPCon or HJT technologies, which now dominate new tier-1 series. ## About this series The FuturaSun NEXT series consists of monocrystalline PV modules designed for investors who expect stable energy output even on cloudy days and under low irradiance conditions. Thanks to **full square PERC cells** and **5 busbar** technology, the panels reduce ohmic losses and deliver higher energy yield per unit of surface area compared to older cell designs. This solution works well both for rooftop installations on single-family homes and for larger commercial systems, where every percentage point of efficiency matters. The manufacturer places strong emphasis on durability - each module undergoes **electroluminescence (EL) testing** during production, allowing hidden cell microcracks to be identified before shipment. The design also provides **high resistance to hail**, which matters in regions with variable weather conditions. The whole series is backed by a **15-year product warranty** along with a power output guarantee extending up to 25 years, giving investors predictability on their return on investment. The NEXT series is a solid choice for those who want proven, European-engineered technology without taking on the risk of lesser-known brands. ## Notable figures - At 19.2% efficiency, this panel is on par with typical \*\*PERC 0-400W\*\* modules - Power density of 191.6 W/m² matches the \*\*PERC 0-400W\*\* median - At -0.37%/°C, hot weather performance is typical for \*\*PERC 0-400W\*\* panels - At 22.6 kg, this panel is 2.1 kg heavier than the \*\*PERC 0-400W\*\* median (20.5 kg) - more demanding for installation crews - Ranked #12889 out of 14005 panels for efficiency in the database ## Questions ### Is the FuturaSun NEXT series still available for purchase? The FuturaSun NEXT series has been discontinued from current production and replaced by newer manufacturer models. Modules may still be available from distributors as remaining stock, so it's worth checking availability with a local seller beforehand. The manufacturer's warranty remains valid regardless of discontinuation, so panels purchased earlier are still fully covered. ### What warranty comes with FuturaSun NEXT panels? The manufacturer provides a 15-year product warranty and a 25-year power output warranty. This means protection against material and manufacturing defects for a decade and a half, plus a guaranteed minimum performance level over a quarter century of operation, which is standard for modern monocrystalline panels. ### What are full square PERC cells and is this better technology? Full square PERC cells are rectangular silicon wafer cells that fully utilize the wafer surface, with an added rear passivation layer that reflects unused light back into the cell. Combined with 5 busbar technology, this reduces resistive losses and improves energy yield, especially in low-light and cloudy conditions, compared to older full-cell constructions. ### What is the maximum power output of a FuturaSun NEXT panel? NEXT series panels reach a maximum power of up to 400 Wp. This places them in the standard, proven efficiency segment for both residential and commercial installations, though newer technologies on the market now offer higher power ratings at similar dimensions. ### Are FuturaSun NEXT panels bifacial and can they generate power from both sides? No, the NEXT series uses standard monofacial modules rather than bifacial technology. These panels generate energy only from the front side, making them a simpler and more universally mountable solution than bifacial modules, which require specific installation conditions, such as elevated mounting, to capture light reflected off the ground. ### Does electroluminescence (EL) testing matter when buying NEXT panels? Yes, EL testing performed during production detects hidden cell microcracks invisible to the naked eye before the panel leaves the factory. This reduces the risk of premature degradation and post-installation failures. It's an additional quality control step the Italian manufacturer applies alongside hail resistance testing, reinforcing confidence in product durability. ## Datasheet [Manufacturer datasheet (PDF)](https://comparepv.com/datasheets/2020_FuturaSun_72m-360-400_5busbar_en-9e6a69eafa18.pdf) ## Alternatives | Panel | Power | How it differs | | --- | --- | --- | | [JA Solar NS-330MH-80](https://comparepv.com/panel/ja-solar-ns-330mh-80) | 330 W | Cooler, lighter, +4.0 pp | | [PolyCrown Solar Tech NS-330MH-80](https://comparepv.com/panel/polycrown-solar-tech-ns-330mh-80) | 330 W | Cooler, lighter, +4.0 pp | | [Gamko New Energy GKA210M340W](https://comparepv.com/panel/gamko-new-energy-gka210m340w) | 340 W | Lighter, +3.8 pp, +5 yr warranty | | [Gamko New Energy GKA210M360W](https://comparepv.com/panel/gamko-new-energy-gka210m360w) | 360 W | Lighter, +3.8 pp, +5 yr warranty | | [Gamko New Energy GKA210M380W (1/4\*4\*38)](https://comparepv.com/panel/gamko-new-energy-gka210m380w-1-4-4-38) | 380 W | Lighter, +3.8 pp, +5 yr warranty | | [Gamko New Energy GKA210M400W (1/2\*4\*20)](https://comparepv.com/panel/gamko-new-energy-gka210m400w-1-2-4-20) | 400 W | Lighter, +3.8 pp, +5 yr warranty | | [Gamko New Energy GKA210M400W (1/4\*4\*40)](https://comparepv.com/panel/gamko-new-energy-gka210m400w-1-4-4-40) | 400 W | Lighter, +3.8 pp, +5 yr warranty | | [Gamko New Energy GKA210M380W (1/2\*4\*19)](https://comparepv.com/panel/gamko-new-energy-gka210m380w-1-2-4-19) | 380 W | Lighter, +3.8 pp, +5 yr warranty | | [Maxeon SPR-MAX3-430-R](https://comparepv.com/panel/maxeon-spr-max3-430-r) | 430 W | Cooler, +3.5 pp, +15 yr warranty | | [Maxeon SPR-MAX3-400-COM](https://comparepv.com/panel/maxeon-spr-max3-400-com) | 400 W | Cooler, +3.4 pp, +15 yr warranty | | [FuturaSun FU 360 M NEXT](https://comparepv.com/panel/futurasun-fu-360-m-next) | 360 W | -20 W, -1.0 pp | | [FuturaSun FU 370 M NEXT](https://comparepv.com/panel/futurasun-fu-370-m-next) | 370 W | -10 W, -0.5 pp | | [FuturaSun FU 390 M NEXT](https://comparepv.com/panel/futurasun-fu-390-m-next) | 390 W | +10 W, +0.5 pp | | [FuturaSun FU 400 M NEXT](https://comparepv.com/panel/futurasun-fu-400-m-next) | 400 W | +20 W, +1.0 pp | | [Maxeon SPR-MAX7-475](https://comparepv.com/panel/maxeon-spr-max7-475) | 475 W | Cooler, +4.8 pp, +15 yr warranty | | [Maxeon SPR-MAX7-470](https://comparepv.com/panel/maxeon-spr-max7-470) | 470 W | Cooler, +4.5 pp, +15 yr warranty | --- Source: https://comparepv.com/panel/futurasun-fu-380-m-next Not in this file, on the page: a thirty-year output simulator and alternatives filtered by how closely they match these dimensions.