--- title: "Maxeon SPR-MAX3-400-COM 400W Solar Panel - Specs & Review | ComparePV" description: "Maxeon SPR-MAX3-400-COM 400W solar panel. Specs: 22.60% efficiency, Monocrystalline cells, dimensions, warranty and temperature coefficient." source: "https://comparepv.com/panel/maxeon-spr-max3-400-com" updated: 2026-09-11 --- # Maxeon SPR-MAX3-400-COM Warranty pick, no clear weak spot 52 panels in the segment Back Contact 400-450 W ## Identity - **Manufacturer:** Maxeon - **Model:** SPR-MAX3-400-COM - **Series:** Maxeon 3 - **Rated power:** 400 W - **Cell technology:** Back Contact ## How it compares Compared against segment Back Contact 400-450 W (52 panels). | Measure | This panel | Segment median | Standing | Rank | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Power (Wp) | 400 W | 435 W | Weak - bottom 4% | | | Module efficiency | 22.60% | 22.30% | Strong - top 13% | 3,658 | | Power density | 226.3 | 222.7 | Strong - top 13% | 3,671 | | Temperature coefficient | -0.270 | -0.290 | Strong - top 21% | 1,280 | | Weight (kg) | 19.0 kg | 20.8 kg | Typical | | | Performance warranty | 40 yrs | 25 yrs | Strong - top 7% | 1 | ### Full peer table | Measure | This panel | Segment median | Standing | Rank | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Module efficiency | 22.60% | 22.30% | Strong - top 13% | 3,658 | | Power density | 226.3 | 222.7 | Strong - top 13% | 3,671 | | Temperature coefficient | -0.270 | -0.290 | Strong - top 21% | 1,280 | | Weight per kWp | 47.5 | 48.2 | Typical | 1,726 | | Performance warranty | 40 yrs | 25 yrs | Strong - top 7% | 1 | ### Strengths - **40 year performance warranty** - Top 7% of the Back Contact 400-450 W segment, against a median of 25 yrs. Ranked 1st in the whole database. - **22.60% module efficiency** - Top 13% of the Back Contact 400-450 W segment, against a median of 22.30%. - **226.3 watts per square metre** - Top 13% of the Back Contact 400-450 W segment, against a median of 222.7. - **Best for:** Residential, commercial and hot-climate. ## Specification ### Electrical - **Rated power (Pmax):** 400 W - **Efficiency:** 22.60 % - **Voltage at Pmax (Vmp):** 66.00 V - **Current at Pmax (Imp):** 6.07 A - **Open-circuit voltage (Voc):** 75.40 V - **Short-circuit current (Isc):** 6.57 A - **Max system voltage:** 1000 V ### Temperature - **Temperature coefficient of Pmax:** -0.270 %/degC - **Temperature coefficient of Voc:** -0.236 %/degC - **Temperature coefficient of Isc:** 0.058 %/degC ### Cell and construction - **Cell type:** Monocrystalline - **Cell technology:** Back Contact - **Cell count:** 104 ### Physical - **Length:** 1690 mm - **Width:** 1046 mm - **Thickness:** 40 mm - **Weight:** 19.0 kg - **Area:** 1.77 m2 - **Power density:** 226.3 Wp/m2 ### Warranty and degradation - **Product warranty:** 40 years - **Performance warranty:** 40 years - **Output guaranteed at end of warranty:** 88.2 % - **First-year degradation:** 2.00 % - **Annual degradation:** 0.25 % - **Output after 30 years:** 363 W ## Rank in the whole catalogue | Measure | Position | | --- | --- | | Efficiency | 3658 of 14005 | | Power density | 3671 of 14005 | | Temperature coefficient | 1280 of 14005 | | Weight | 1726 of 14005 | | Warranty | 1 of 14005 | ## Pros - **Back Contact cells without busbars** - IBC technology (rear-side metallization) eliminates losses from front conducting ribbons, delivering up to 22.7% efficiency - clearly above peers: Silfab Elite (21.9%), EGing STAR Pro (22.02%) and Boviet GAMMA (19.8%). - **Industry-leading low power degradation** - Maximum annual degradation is just 0.25% (min. 98% output in year 1), meaning approximately 90% of original power output is retained after 40 years - substantially better than the typical 0.4-0.5%/year seen in PERC panels. - **40-year product and power warranty** - Both product and power warranties run for 40 years, well beyond the industry-standard 25-30 years offered by most Tier-1 manufacturers, including the listed peer comparables. - **Robust mechanical construction** - The metal foundation supporting each cell reduces the risk of microcracks and associated output degradation, improving durability under harsh conditions such as snow load, wind, and thermal cycling. - **Premium aesthetics with no visible busbars** - The uniform black appearance with no front conducting ribbons makes the series an attractive choice for residential and commercial installations where roof aesthetics matter. ## Cons - **Significant manufacturer financial risk** - In April 2026, Maxeon Solar Technologies filed for judicial management (restructuring) in a Singapore court, and the company stopped reporting quarterly earnings as of Q1 2025. Independent models estimate bankruptcy probability above 80%, raising real questions about the long-term enforceability of the 40-year warranty. - **No bifacial technology** - The series does not offer bifacial modules (is\_bifacial: false), forgoing a potential 5-15% additional yield from albedo gain available in competing premium products, particularly relevant for elevated or ground-mount installations. - **Pricing at the top of the market** - Maxeon is positioned among the most expensive manufacturers on the market, with panel prices around $1.5-$3/W versus an average of $1.05-$1.75/W - a premium that is hard to fully justify economically given peers with comparable efficiency, such as Silfab Elite (21.9%). ## About this series The Maxeon 3 series was designed to maximize energy generation from the same roof area - especially when space is limited or the investor wants to minimize the number of modules. A key advantage is the use of IBC (Interdigitated Back Contact) cells, where the metallization is located on the back, allowing the front of the cell to better capture light and eliminating typical losses caused by front conductive strips. In practice, this means **high operational efficiency under real-world conditions** and more stable production, even in less sunny conditions. The Maxeon 3 stands out with **very low power degradation over time**, which translates to longer-lasting savings and greater predictability of the investment's profitability. The robust, metal-based support structure helps to minimize the effects of micro-cracks, resulting in **above-average mechanical strength** and a lower risk of yield reduction over time. This makes it a good choice for homes, small businesses, and premium installations where **longevity** and aesthetics without visible busbars are important. ## Notable figures - Efficiency of 22.6% matches the \*\*Back Contact 400-450W\*\* median - At 226.3 W/m² power density, this panel generates 3.6 W/m² more per unit area than \*\*Back Contact 400-450W\*\* median (222.7 W/m²) - Temperature coefficient of -0.27%/°C matches the \*\*Back Contact 400-450W\*\* median - Weight of 19.0 kg (1.8 kg below \*\*Back Contact 400-450W\*\* median of 20.8 kg) allows easier transport and roof mounting - In the top 26% for efficiency among all Back Contact panels ## Questions ### What does the Maxeon 3 warranty cover and how long does it last? The Maxeon 3 comes with a 40-year comprehensive warranty — one of the longest in the solar industry. It covers both product defects and power output: minimum warranted output in year one is 98% of rated power, with a maximum annual degradation of just 0.25%. After 40 years, the panel should still deliver approximately 90% of its original 430 Wp rating. The full 40-year warranty requires product registration with Maxeon. ### What is IBC cell technology in the Maxeon 3 and is it worth the premium price? In IBC (Interdigitated Back Contact) cells, all metal contacts are moved to the rear of the module, leaving the front surface fully exposed to sunlight without any busbar shading losses. The result is module efficiency up to 22.7% — significantly higher than typical PERC or TOPCon panels in the same power class. For rooftop installations with limited area, this means more kWh per square meter without adding extra modules. The absence of visible busbars on the front also gives the panel a clean, premium aesthetic. ### Is the Maxeon 3 430 Wp a good choice for a small roof with limited space? Yes, this is one of the main reasons installers and homeowners choose this series. With 22.7% efficiency, the Maxeon 3 430 Wp achieves the same system output with fewer modules compared to standard 20–21% panels. The module weighs 21.2 kg and has compact dimensions, making it manageable on pitched roofs with restricted space. For the end customer, fewer modules means lower balance-of-system (BoS) costs and simpler installation logistics. ### How does the Maxeon 3 perform in low-light or overcast conditions? IBC cells deliver strong performance at low irradiance levels due to the elimination of front-contact shading losses, which allows more diffuse light to reach the active cell area. This is particularly relevant in Central European climates with frequent cloud cover in autumn and winter. Maxeon highlights consistent annual energy yield as a key advantage of the series, meaning real-world production holds closer to STC-rated values than many competing modules. ### How does the low degradation rate of the Maxeon 3 affect long-term savings? The Maxeon 3 degrades at a maximum of 0.25% per year — two to three times lower than standard PERC modules at 0.5–0.7% annually. For a 10 kWp system, this translates to hundreds of additional kWh per year after 25 years, and thousands of dollars in extra savings over the full 40-year warranty period. Lower degradation also means more predictable LCOE calculations and a stronger ROI case for premium residential and commercial installations. ### Is the Maxeon 3 a bifacial panel and does it benefit from a white backsheet or elevated mounting? No, the Maxeon 3 is a monofacial panel — it does not feature bifacial cell technology. The rear surface is opaque and does not collect reflected albedo light from the ground or roof membrane. There is no benefit from using a white backsheet or tilt-optimized mounting to exploit bifacial gain. The panel is designed to deliver class-leading efficiency from its front surface alone, making it ideal for standard pitched-roof and ground-mount installations where single-sided performance is the priority. ## Datasheet [Manufacturer datasheet (PDF)](https://comparepv.com/datasheets/sp-max3-104c-com-380-400-dc-ds-en-a4-544454-a37ec22cd5d4.pdf) ## Alternatives | Panel | Power | How it differs | | --- | --- | --- | | [Luxor Solar LX-440M/182-108+GG](https://comparepv.com/panel/luxor-solar-lx-440m-182-108-gg) | 440 W | +40 W, heavier, -10 yr warranty | | [Just Solar JST-EDMH-(445-465)W-TD (450W class)](https://comparepv.com/panel/just-solar-jst-edmh-445-465-w-td-450w-class) | 450 W | +50 W, hotter, -10 yr warranty | | [Q-SUN Solar QNN182-HG450-54](https://comparepv.com/panel/qn-solar-pv-limited-qnn182-hg450-54) | 450 W | +50 W, heavier, -10 yr warranty | | [Huayao HY440-N108BDD](https://comparepv.com/panel/huayao-hy440-n108bdd) | 450 W | +50 W, heavier, -10 yr warranty | | [BYD NLBK-27-450](https://comparepv.com/panel/byd-nlbk-27-450) | 450 W | +50 W, heavier, -10 yr warranty | | [Renesola RS41-450NBG-E3](https://comparepv.com/panel/renesola-rs41-450nbg-e3) | 450 W | +50 W, heavier, -10 yr warranty | | [Maxeon SPR-MAX3-355-BLK](https://comparepv.com/panel/maxeon-spr-max3-355-blk) | 355 W | -45 W, -2.5 pp | | [Maxeon SPR-MAX3-370-COM](https://comparepv.com/panel/maxeon-spr-max3-370-com) | 370 W | -30 W, -1.7 pp, -15 yr warranty | | [Maxeon SPR-MAX3-375-BLK](https://comparepv.com/panel/maxeon-spr-max3-375-blk) | 375 W | -25 W, -1.4 pp | | [Maxeon SPR-MAX3-380-COM](https://comparepv.com/panel/maxeon-spr-max3-380-com) | 380 W | -20 W, -1.1 pp | | [Maxeon SPR-MAX3-390-COM](https://comparepv.com/panel/maxeon-spr-max3-390-com) | 390 W | -10 W, -0.5 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A495-MCE54Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a495-mce54mw) | 495 W | +95 W, +2.2 pp, -10 yr warranty | | [AIKO AIKO-A490-MCE54Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a490-mce54mw) | 490 W | +90 W, +1.9 pp, -10 yr warranty | | [Suntech STP-NT11/48QGSF-490](https://comparepv.com/panel/suntech-stp-nt11-48qgsf-490) | 490 W | +90 W, +1.9 pp, -10 yr warranty | | [JA Solar JAT54S40-485/LR](https://comparepv.com/panel/ja-solar-jat54s40-485-lr) | 485 W | +85 W, +1.7 pp, -10 yr warranty | | [AIKO AIKO-A485-MCE54Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a485-mce54mw) | 485 W | +85 W, +1.7 pp, -10 yr warranty | --- Source: https://comparepv.com/panel/maxeon-spr-max3-400-com Not in this file, on the page: a thirty-year output simulator and alternatives filtered by how closely they match these dimensions.