--- title: "Panasonic VBHN325SA17 325W Solar Panel - Specs & Review | ComparePV" description: "Panasonic VBHN325SA17 325W solar panel. Specs: 19.40% efficiency, Monocrystalline cells, dimensions, warranty and temperature coefficient." source: "https://comparepv.com/panel/panasonic-vbhn325sa17" updated: 2026-09-11 --- # Panasonic VBHN325SA17 Middle of its segment, modest efficiency 94 panels in the segment HJT 225-425 W ## Identity - **Manufacturer:** Panasonic - **Model:** VBHN325SA17 - **Series:** HIT. Photovoltaic Module N330/N325 - **Rated power:** 325 W - **Cell technology:** HJT - **Bifacial:** yes ## How it compares Compared against segment HJT 225-425 W (94 panels). | Measure | This panel | Segment median | Standing | Rank | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Power (Wp) | 325 W | 385 W | Weak - bottom 8% | | | Module efficiency | 19.40% | 20.70% | Weak - bottom 20% | 12,735 | | Power density | 194.1 | 206.8 | Weak - bottom 20% | 12,724 | | Temperature coefficient | -0.258 | -0.240 | Typical | 466 | | Weight (kg) | 18.5 kg | 22.8 kg | Typical | | | Performance warranty | 25 yrs | 30 yrs | Weak - bottom 21% | 9,798 | ### Full peer table | Measure | This panel | Segment median | Standing | Rank | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Module efficiency | 19.40% | 20.70% | Weak - bottom 20% | 12,735 | | Power density | 194.1 | 206.8 | Weak - bottom 20% | 12,724 | | Temperature coefficient | -0.258 | -0.240 | Typical | 466 | | Weight per kWp | 56.9 | 58.1 | Typical | 10,932 | | Performance warranty | 25 yrs | 30 yrs | Weak - bottom 21% | 9,798 | ### Watch out for - **19.40% module efficiency** - Bottom 20% of the HJT 225-425 W segment, against a median of 20.70%. - **194.1 watts per square metre** - Bottom 20% of the HJT 225-425 W segment, against a median of 206.8. - **25 year performance warranty** - Bottom 21% of the HJT 225-425 W segment, against a median of 30 yrs. - **Best for:** Residential and hot-climate. - **Not ideal for:** Tight roof space, roofs where every square metre has to count and owners who want a long output guarantee. ## Specification ### Electrical - **Rated power (Pmax):** 325 W - **Efficiency:** 19.40 % - **Voltage at Pmax (Vmp):** 57.60 V - **Current at Pmax (Imp):** 5.65 A - **Open-circuit voltage (Voc):** 69.60 V - **Short-circuit current (Isc):** 6.03 A - **Max system voltage:** 600 V ### Temperature - **Temperature coefficient of Pmax:** -0.258 %/degC - **Temperature coefficient of Voc:** -0.160 %/degC - **Temperature coefficient of Isc:** 0.003 %/degC - **NOCT:** 44 degC ### Cell and construction - **Cell type:** Monocrystalline - **Cell technology:** HJT - **Bifacial:** yes ### Physical - **Length:** 1590 mm - **Width:** 1053 mm - **Thickness:** 40 mm - **Weight:** 18.5 kg - **Area:** 1.67 m2 - **Power density:** 194.1 Wp/m2 ### Warranty and degradation - **Product warranty:** 25 years - **Performance warranty:** 25 years - **Output guaranteed at end of warranty:** 90.8 % - **First-year degradation:** 3.00 % - **Annual degradation:** 0.26 % - **Output after 30 years:** 291 W ## Rank in the whole catalogue | Measure | Position | | --- | --- | | Efficiency | 12735 of 14005 | | Power density | 12724 of 14005 | | Temperature coefficient | 466 of 14005 | | Weight | 10932 of 14005 | | Warranty | 9798 of 14005 | ## Pros - **Very low temperature coefficient** - The power temperature coefficient is -0.258%/°C, significantly better than the typical -0.35% to -0.45%/°C found in standard crystalline modules. Thanks to HJT technology, the panels lose less power on hot days, delivering higher real-world energy yield during summer. - **Matching 25-year product and power warranty** - Panasonic provides 25 years of both product and power output warranty - a rarity in the market, where most manufacturers (including several peer comparables) offer only 10-15 years of product warranty alongside a 25-year power warranty. - **Bifacial design boosts energy yield** - Bifacial cells capture light reflected off the rear side of the module, generating additional energy without increasing the installation footprint - a notable advantage over monofacial modules in the same power class. - **Corner water-drainage frame system** - An innovative frame design channels water away from the module corners, reducing dirt buildup and streaking. This lowers the need for frequent cleaning and helps maintain higher self-consumption throughout the module's lifetime. - **Pioneering HJT technology since 1997** - Panasonic (Japan, founded 1918) developed the world's first commercially available heterojunction (HJT) module in 1997. The legacy HIT line remains among the top-selling residential modules in the US market, underscoring the brand's lasting quality reputation. ## Cons - **Production discontinued - limited availability** - Panasonic ceased HIT module production at its Japanese and Malaysian plants by March 2022, and fully exited the solar business by 2025. This means limited access to warranty service, replacement parts, and matching modules for system expansion. - **Efficiency trails newer TOPCon modules** - Efficiency of 19.4-19.7% is clearly lower than newer TOPCon competitors - for example, JA Solar Monocrystalline80 reaches 23.15% at the same 330 Wp max power. This results in lower energy yield per roof area compared to current market offerings. - **Low unit power by today's standard** - At 1590 x 1053 mm with 330 Wp max power, the module reflects an older wafer format, while modern panels reach 400-600+ Wp from a similar or smaller footprint. New installations would need more panels to reach the target system capacity. ## About this series Panasonic HIT N330/N325 photovoltaic panels are based on unique **heterojunction technology (HIT)**, which effectively eliminates energy losses at the cell boundaries. By combining monocrystalline silicon layers with an ultra-thin amorphous layer, these modules offer significantly higher efficiency in real-world weather conditions than standard market solutions. Their key advantage is an **exceptionally low temperature coefficient**, which allows the panels to maintain high power generation even on hot summer days when traditional modules drastically lose their efficiency. This series solves the problem of limited roof space, allowing for the maximum amount of energy to be obtained from every available square meter of a prosumer installation. Additionally, the design features an **innovative water drainage system** at the frame corners, which prevents the accumulation of dirt and the formation of water stains, directly translating to higher self-consumption without the need for frequent surface cleaning. This is a premium-class solution dedicated to demanding investors who prioritize **maximum reliability and operational stability** for decades. By choosing the HIT series, the user invests in a product with a unique design that stands out from the competition with its excellent response to diffused light, guaranteeing efficient power production even under heavy cloud cover. ## Notable figures - Efficiency of 19.4% is 1.2pp below the \*\*HJT 0-400W\*\* median (20.6%) - Power density of 194.1 W/m² is 12.3 W/m² below \*\*HJT 0-400W\*\* median (206.4 W/m²) - needs more roof space - Temperature coefficient of -0.26%/°C matches the \*\*HJT 0-400W\*\* median - 18.5 kg weight - 3.0 kg lighter than \*\*HJT 0-400W\*\* median (21.5 kg), reducing installation effort - Ranked #12735 out of 14005 panels for efficiency in the database ## Questions ### What is HIT technology and how does it differ from standard PERC solar panels? HIT (Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin-layer) technology sandwiches a monocrystalline silicon cell between ultra-thin amorphous silicon layers on both sides. This eliminates carrier recombination at layer boundaries, allowing the N330/N325 modules to reach up to 19.7% module efficiency. Standard PERC panels lack this passivation layer, making them noticeably more sensitive to temperature rise and less responsive to diffuse light conditions. ### How do Panasonic HIT N330/N325 panels perform on hot summer days? The HIT N330/N325 series features a power temperature coefficient of approximately -0.258%/°C, one of the lowest in the industry. This means that for every degree Celsius above 25°C, the module loses only about 0.26% of its rated 330 Wp output. Typical PERC panels reach -0.35% to -0.40%/°C, so on hot days an HIT-based system generates noticeably more energy. ### Are the Panasonic HIT N330/N325 modules bifacial? Yes, the HIT N330/N325 modules have a bifacial design and can absorb reflected irradiance (albedo) through the rear side. Under favorable conditions — such as a light-colored roof surface or a ground-mount installation over bright ground cover — energy yield can be several to over ten percent higher compared to a conventional monofacial module. ### What warranty does the Panasonic HIT N330/N325 series come with? Panasonic provides a 25-year product warranty covering manufacturing defects and a 25-year linear power output warranty for the HIT N330/N325 series. This is among the longest warranty standards in the photovoltaic industry, reflecting the manufacturer's confidence in the durability of the HJT cell structure and long-term output stability. ### Are Panasonic HIT N330/N325 panels still available for purchase? No. The HIT N330/N325 series has been officially discontinued by Panasonic and is listed as an end-of-life product on the Panasonic North America website and by European distributors. New units may still be found in limited quantities from remaining dealer stock. For new installations, it is advisable to consider current HJT modules from other manufacturers with comparable specifications. ### Do the HIT N330/N325 panels perform well in overcast conditions or under partial shading? Yes. HJT cell technology delivers excellent response to diffuse light, enabling effective power generation even under significant cloud cover. The bifacial design also captures irradiance reflected from surrounding surfaces. For installations with partial shading, however, the addition of power optimizers or microinverters is recommended, since the N330/N325 series does not incorporate half-cut cell architecture as a built-in hot-spot mitigation feature. ## Datasheet [Manufacturer datasheet (PDF)](https://comparepv.com/datasheets/Panasonic-VBHN330SA17-330-325-datasheet-a9f5ebf65eee.pdf) ## Alternatives | Panel | Power | How it differs | | --- | --- | --- | | [JA Solar NS-300MH-72](https://comparepv.com/panel/ja-solar-ns-300mh-72) | 300 W | Hotter, lighter, +3.9 pp | | [PolyCrown Solar Tech NS-300MH-72](https://comparepv.com/panel/polycrown-solar-tech-ns-300mh-72) | 300 W | Hotter, lighter, +3.9 pp | | [Heckert Solar ZEUS 1.2 FullBlack 280W](https://comparepv.com/panel/heckert-solar-zeus-1-2-fullblack-280w) | 280 W | -45 W, +3.9 pp, +5 yr warranty | | [JA Solar NS-330MH-80](https://comparepv.com/panel/ja-solar-ns-330mh-80) | 330 W | Hotter, lighter, +3.8 pp | | [PolyCrown Solar Tech NS-330MH-80](https://comparepv.com/panel/polycrown-solar-tech-ns-330mh-80) | 330 W | Hotter, lighter, +3.8 pp | | [Gamko New Energy GKA182M285W](https://comparepv.com/panel/gamko-new-energy-gka182m285w) | 285 W | Lighter, +3.6 pp, +5 yr warranty | | [Gamko New Energy GKA182M300W](https://comparepv.com/panel/gamko-new-energy-gka182m300w) | 300 W | -25 W, +3.6 pp, +5 yr warranty | | [Gamko New Energy GKA210M320W](https://comparepv.com/panel/gamko-new-energy-gka210m320w) | 320 W | Lighter, +3.6 pp, +5 yr warranty | | [Gamko New Energy GKA210M340W](https://comparepv.com/panel/gamko-new-energy-gka210m340w) | 340 W | Lighter, +3.6 pp, +5 yr warranty | | [Panasonic VBHN330SJ53](https://comparepv.com/panel/panasonic-vbhn330sj53) | 330 W | +0.3 pp | | [Panasonic VBHN335SJ53](https://comparepv.com/panel/panasonic-vbhn335sj53) | 335 W | +10 W, +0.6 pp | | [Panasonic VBHN340SJ53](https://comparepv.com/panel/panasonic-vbhn340sj53) | 340 W | +15 W, +1.0 pp | | [Maxeon SPR-MAX3-400-COM](https://comparepv.com/panel/maxeon-spr-max3-400-com) | 400 W | +75 W, +3.2 pp, +15 yr warranty | | [Phono Solar NS-360MH-60](https://comparepv.com/panel/phono-solar-ns-360mh-60) | 360 W | +35 W, hotter, +2.7 pp | | [PolyCrown Solar Tech NS-360MH-60](https://comparepv.com/panel/polycrown-solar-tech-ns-360mh-60) | 360 W | +35 W, hotter, +2.7 pp | | [Maxeon SPR-MAX3-390-COM](https://comparepv.com/panel/maxeon-spr-max3-390-com) | 390 W | +65 W, +2.7 pp, +15 yr warranty | --- Source: https://comparepv.com/panel/panasonic-vbhn325sa17 Not in this file, on the page: the I-V and temperature curves lifted from the manufacturer's datasheet, a thirty-year output simulator and alternatives filtered by how closely they match these dimensions.