--- title: "Hiwatt Solar HW-M10/120H-450 450W Solar Panel - Specs & Review | ComparePV" description: "Hiwatt Solar HW-M10/120H-450 450W solar panel. Specs: 20.80% efficiency, Monocrystalline cells, dimensions, warranty and temperature coefficient." source: "https://comparepv.com/panel/hiwatt-solar-hw-m10-120h-450" updated: 2026-09-11 --- # Hiwatt Solar HW-M10/120H-450 Strong in heat, no clear weak spot 449 panels in the segment PERC 450-500 W ## Identity - **Manufacturer:** Hiwatt Solar - **Model:** HW-M10/120H-450 - **Series:** HW-M10/120H - **Rated power:** 450 W - **Cell technology:** PERC ## How it compares Compared against segment PERC 450-500 W (449 panels). | Measure | This panel | Segment median | Standing | Rank | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Power (Wp) | 450 W | 460 W | Weak - bottom 12% | | | Module efficiency | 20.80% | 20.82% | Typical | 10,457 | | Power density | 208.0 | 208.5 | Typical | 10,479 | | Temperature coefficient | -0.340 | -0.350 | Strong - top 19% | 8,778 | | Weight (kg) | 25.0 kg | 24.5 kg | Typical | | | Performance warranty | 25 yrs | 25 yrs | Typical | 9,798 | ### Full peer table | Measure | This panel | Segment median | Standing | Rank | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Module efficiency | 20.80% | 20.82% | Typical | 10,457 | | Power density | 208.0 | 208.5 | Typical | 10,479 | | Temperature coefficient | -0.340 | -0.350 | Strong - top 19% | 8,778 | | Weight per kWp | 55.6 | 53.1 | Typical | 9,909 | | Performance warranty | 25 yrs | 25 yrs | Typical | 9,798 | ### Strengths - **-0.340 %/°C temperature coefficient** - Top 19% of the PERC 450-500 W segment, against a median of -0.350. - **Best for:** Residential, commercial, shaded-installations and hot-climate. ## Specification ### Electrical - **Rated power (Pmax):** 450 W - **Efficiency:** 20.80 % - **Voltage at Pmax (Vmp):** 33.91 V - **Current at Pmax (Imp):** 13.27 A - **Open-circuit voltage (Voc):** 41.18 V - **Short-circuit current (Isc):** 13.85 A - **Max system voltage:** 1500 V ### Temperature - **Temperature coefficient of Pmax:** -0.340 %/degC - **Temperature coefficient of Voc:** -0.250 %/degC - **Temperature coefficient of Isc:** 0.040 %/degC - **NOCT:** 43 degC ### Cell and construction - **Cell type:** Monocrystalline - **Cell technology:** PERC - **Cell count:** 120 ### Physical - **Length:** 1908 mm - **Width:** 1134 mm - **Thickness:** 35 mm - **Weight:** 25.0 kg - **Area:** 2.16 m2 - **Power density:** 208.0 Wp/m2 ### Warranty and degradation - **Product warranty:** 12 years - **Performance warranty:** 25 years - **Output guaranteed at end of warranty:** 84.8 % - **First-year degradation:** 2.00 % - **Annual degradation:** 0.55 % - **Output after 30 years:** 369 W ## Rank in the whole catalogue | Measure | Position | | --- | --- | | Efficiency | 10457 of 14005 | | Power density | 10479 of 14005 | | Temperature coefficient | 8778 of 14005 | | Weight | 9909 of 14005 | | Warranty | 9798 of 14005 | ## Pros - **Half-cut cells + M10 wafer (182 mm)** - 120 half-cut cells on the standard M10 wafer (182×182 mm) shorten current paths and reduce resistive losses. Under partial shading, at most 50% of the string is deactivated rather than the entire string — a key advantage in densely built residential environments with chimneys or dormers. - **Multi-busbar (MBB) design** - The multi-busbar layout shortens carrier travel distances, reducing the risk of microcracks under mechanical load and stabilizing output parameters across the full 25-year linear power warranty period. - **Up to 21.2% efficiency — above Zonergy** - Peak module efficiency of 21.2% (460 Wp variant) positions this series above the directly comparable Zonergy ZPM MH3-72 (21.16% at 460 Wp) within the same price segment and at an identical power ceiling. - **25-year linear power warranty** - The standard 25-year linear power warranty covers the full typical payback period of a prosumer installation (15–20 years) and meets the minimum requirements of most PV project financing agreements with banking institutions. ## Cons - **PERC vs. N-type TOPCon — ~1.8 pp efficiency gap** - Peer Risen RSM96-11-440-460BNDG (N-type TOPCon) achieves 23% efficiency at the same 460 Wp; SunKean SKT440–460M12 reaches 23.02%. Hiwatt's PERC cells top out at 21.2%, requiring approximately 8.5% more roof area for equivalent energy yield. PERC also exhibits higher LID degradation rates than N-type technology, resulting in lower annual yield after 5–10 years of operation. - **Non-bankable — absent from BNEF Tier-1 list** - Hiwatt Solar does not appear on the BNEF Tier-1 module manufacturer list (verified against BNEF methodology published March 2026). Banks structuring non-recourse PV project finance standardly require Tier-1 modules, effectively excluding this series from most commercial and utility-scale projects above ~100 kWp seeking third-party debt financing. - **12-year product warranty — below current market standard** - Jinko Solar (Tier-1) offers a 25-year product warranty; Risen Energy provides 15 years on comparable TOPCon models. Hiwatt's 12-year workmanship and materials warranty leaves over half of the typical 25-year operational lifecycle without manufacturer defect coverage. - **Monofacial only — no bifacial yield gain** - Peer Risen RSM96-11-440-460BNDG is a bifacial dual-glass module delivering 5–15% additional yield from ground-reflected irradiance. The Hiwatt HW-M10/120H is strictly monofacial, limiting generation potential — most notably for ground-mounted arrays and flat rooftops with high-reflectivity membranes. ## About this series The Hiwatt Solar HW-M10/120H series utilizes advanced monocrystalline cells based on the M10 silicon wafer, which directly translates into **higher power density** while maintaining optimal module dimensions. The use of **Half-Cut technology** effectively reduces resistive losses and minimizes the negative impact of partial shading on system efficiency, which is crucial in the Polish conditions of dense development. The module design is based on a multi-busbar layout that shortens the current flow path, thereby increasing **resistance to micro-cracks** and ensuring parameter stability over a long-term horizon. These panels are characterized by a low temperature coefficient, allowing them to operate more efficiently on hot days when standard panels lose their rated power. The HW-M10/120H is a solution dedicated to investors seeking an **optimal balance between costs and energy yield**, performing perfectly on both single-family house roofs and in commercial installations. A robust frame and high resistance to mechanical loads make this series a secure foundation for projects designed for decades of operation, effectively distancing itself from budget competition in terms of cell manufacturing quality. ## Notable figures - At 20.8% efficiency, this panel is on par with typical \*\*PERC 450-500W\*\* modules - Power density of 208.0 W/m² matches the \*\*PERC 450-500W\*\* median - At -0.34%/°C, hot weather performance is typical for \*\*PERC 450-500W\*\* panels - In the top 75% for efficiency among all PERC panels ## Questions ### What warranty does the Hiwatt Solar HW-M10/120H series come with? The HW-M10/120H series includes a 12-year product warranty covering material defects and workmanship, plus a 25-year linear power output warranty. This means the manufacturer guarantees a defined minimum energy yield for a quarter century. When choosing rooftop panels for a residential system, these figures are a key indicator of long-term reliability and investment security. ### What does the half-cut cell technology in the HW-M10/120H mean for shading from a chimney or dormer? Half-cut technology splits each PERC cell in half, shortening the current path and reducing resistive losses. The critical shading benefit: the top and bottom halves of each module operate independently, so a shadow cast by a chimney or dormer only reduces output from part of the panel rather than the whole string. This is a meaningful advantage in densely built Polish neighborhoods. ### What is the peak power of the HW-M10/120H and how many panels does a typical home need? Each HW-M10/120H module delivers 460 Wp under STC conditions. A typical single-family home consuming around 4,000–5,000 kWh per year generally needs 8–12 panels, resulting in a system of roughly 3.7–5.5 kWp. The exact count depends on roof orientation, tilt angle, local irradiance, and the household's individual consumption profile. ### Is the HW-M10/120H a bifacial panel, and does the lack of bifaciality matter for a rooftop installation? The HW-M10/120H is not bifacial — it captures sunlight from the front face only. On typical rooftop installations with dark underlayment or dark tiles, bifacial gain from reflected albedo is negligible anyway. The absence of bifaciality is therefore not a practical drawback for residential prosumer systems, where front-side efficiency, cost, and ease of installation matter most. ### Is Hiwatt Solar a Tier 1 manufacturer, and does that affect financing my solar installation? Hiwatt Solar is not listed on Bloomberg NEF Tier 1 rankings. That classification reflects a manufacturer's creditworthiness and production scale rather than panel quality directly. However, some banks and leasing companies require Tier 1 panels as a loan condition. If you plan to finance your system through a bank loan or leasing product, verify the lender's panel eligibility requirements before purchasing. ### Do the Hiwatt Solar HW-M10/120H panels perform well in summer when rooftop temperatures exceed 50°C? The PERC cells on an M10 wafer used in the HW-M10/120H series feature a low temperature coefficient, meaning power output drops less per degree Celsius above the 25°C STC reference than many budget alternatives. On hot summer days the modules retain a higher share of their rated wattage, translating into a better annual energy yield under the continental climate typical of Poland. ## Datasheet [Manufacturer datasheet (PDF)](https://comparepv.com/datasheets/HW-M10120H-440-460-3f407c1186a6.pdf) ## Alternatives | Panel | Power | How it differs | | --- | --- | --- | | [AIKO AIKO-A495-MCE54Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a495-mce54mw) | 495 W | Cooler, +4.0 pp, +5 yr warranty | | [AIKO AIKO-A490-MCE54Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a490-mce54mw) | 490 W | Cooler, +3.7 pp, +5 yr warranty | | [Longi Solar LR7-54HJD-500M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-54hjd-500m) | 500 W | +50 W, cooler, +3.7 pp | | [Talesun CIPRO-TN9C54M-500W](https://comparepv.com/panel/talesun-cipro-tn9c54m-500w) | 500 W | +50 W, cooler, +3.7 pp | | [Gokin GK-3-54HGb-500M](https://comparepv.com/panel/gokin-gk-3-54hgb-500m) | 500 W | +50 W, cooler, +3.7 pp | | [GCL GCL-NR10R/54BGDF](https://comparepv.com/panel/gcl-gcl-nr10r-54bgdf) | 500 W | +50 W, cooler, +3.7 pp | | [Hiwatt Solar HW-M10/120H-440](https://comparepv.com/panel/hiwatt-solar-hw-m10-120h-440) | 440 W | -10 W, -0.5 pp | | [Hiwatt Solar HW-M10/120H-445](https://comparepv.com/panel/hiwatt-solar-hw-m10-120h-445) | 445 W | -0.3 pp | | [Hiwatt Solar HW-M10/120H-455](https://comparepv.com/panel/hiwatt-solar-hw-m10-120h-455) | 455 W | Very close match | | [Hiwatt Solar HW-M10/120H-460](https://comparepv.com/panel/hiwatt-solar-hw-m10-120h-460) | 460 W | +10 W, +0.4 pp | | [Longi Solar LR7-60HVH-560M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-60hvh-560m) | 560 W | +110 W, cooler, +4.0 pp | | [Longi Solar LR7-60HVH-555M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-60hvh-555m) | 555 W | +105 W, cooler, +3.8 pp | | [Longi Solar LR7-60HVHL-550M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-60hvhl-550m) | 550 W | +100 W, lighter, +3.6 pp | | [JA Solar JAT60S40-540/LR](https://comparepv.com/panel/ja-solar-jat60s40-540-lr) | 540 W | +90 W, cooler, +3.6 pp | | [Gokin GK-5-60HG-540M](https://comparepv.com/panel/gokin-gk-5-60hg-540m) | 540 W | +90 W, cooler, +3.6 pp | | [Jinko Solar JKM545-54QL6-DV-F1-EU](https://comparepv.com/panel/jinko-solar-jkm545-54ql6-dv-f1-eu) | 545 W | +95 W, cooler, +3.5 pp | --- Source: https://comparepv.com/panel/hiwatt-solar-hw-m10-120h-450 Not in this file, on the page: a thirty-year output simulator and alternatives filtered by how closely they match these dimensions.