Light for its output, weak in heat
The Growatt EFSM series comprises modules designed for stable energy production under real installation conditions - even when partial shading, varying roof orientations, or higher operating temperatures occur. The use of modern cell architectures (including solutions to minimize losses at connections) results in more predictable yields and better performance under less sunlight, which is particularly important in Poland due to the climate.
In practice, EFSM stands out for its high resistance to degradation and improved shading tolerance, meaning that the installation loses parameters more slowly and is less affected by a single problematic module. Furthermore, the design focused on mechanical durability makes installation on roofs exposed to wind and snow easier, and stable operation at elevated temperatures helps maintain production during the summer.
This is a good choice for single-family homes, businesses, and prosumer installations, where reliability and predictable output are more important than just a parameter from the catalog.
Ranking
Signals from the data
Residential, commercial and shaded-installations.
Hot climates.
Top 1% of the PERC 150-200 W segment, against a median of 68.5. Ranked 54th in the whole database.
Top 16% of the PERC 150-200 W segment, against a median of 16.60%.
Bottom 3% of the PERC 150-200 W segment, against a median of -0.370. Ranked 13,796th in the whole database.
For systems built around Growatt inverters — a residential inverter market leader with ~4.7% global share per S&P Global 2025 — pairing the EFSM modules with the same manufacturer's inverter simplifies servicing, warranty management, and MPPT configuration, offering a tangible operational advantage for installers.
Mono PERC technology delivers better efficiency under diffuse irradiance and low solar incidence angles compared to standard mono-Si modules. With a typical temperature coefficient of −0.35 %/°C, PERC reduces thermal losses at the roof temperatures common in Polish summers (60–70°C).
The 150 W form factor enables installations where standard 400–500 Wp modules cannot fit geometrically: small roof sections, annexes, mobile applications, and off-grid supplemental power. Availability of efficient modules in this power class remains limited.
Compared to its direct counterpart, the Top Solar TS-EFS (18.6%), the EFSM module achieves identical efficiency while benefiting from the broader service infrastructure of a larger manufacturer (Growatt, founded 2010, present in over 180 countries).
Growatt does not appear on the BNEF Tier-1 bankable PV module list (tier_1_bankable: false in manufacturer data). For externally financed projects or those subject to bankability assessment, this may complicate securing project finance or result in higher insurance premiums for the installation.
The Isola New Energy 210M SPLIT CELL achieves 19.63% (+1.03 pp vs. EFSM) and the SunEvo Solar SE5-150M reaches 18.94% (+0.34 pp). At identical module area, a 1 pp efficiency gap translates in practice to approximately 5–6% less energy yield from the same number of panels.
According to BNEF and ITRPV reports (2025), TOPCon has surpassed 70% share of new global PV production, displacing PERC. PERC modules exhibit higher LID (Light-Induced Degradation) rates and a somewhat less favorable temperature coefficient than TOPCon (−0.29 %/°C), implying faster erosion of any remaining technology advantage over a 25-year service life.
Growatt has built its brand and service network on inverters — its presence in the PV module segment is considerably less established. The absence of publicly available independent test results (e.g., PVEL/Kiwa) for the EFSM series makes it difficult to independently verify the declared degradation rates and mechanical performance.
- At 18.6% efficiency, this panel is 0.8pp below the PERC 0-400W median of 19.4%
- At 153.3 W/m², this panel generates 41.1 W/m² less per unit area than PERC 0-400W median (194.4 W/m²)
- At -0.42%/°C, loses 0.06pp more power per degree than PERC 0-400W median (-0.36%/°C)
- 2.6 kg weight - 17.9 kg lighter than PERC 0-400W median (20.5 kg), reducing installation effort
- Ranked #13087 out of 14005 panels for efficiency in the database
Specifications
Simulations
Degradation from this panel's own datasheet figures. No inverter, soiling or shading losses.
Found 2 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±10 mm. See them here Found 43 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±25 mm. See them here Found 94 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±50 mm. See them here Found 129 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±100 mm. See them here