--- title: "Panasonic VBHN340SA17 340W Solar Panel - Specs & Review | ComparePV" description: "Panasonic VBHN340SA17 340W solar panel. Specs: 20.30% efficiency, Monocrystalline cells, dimensions, warranty and temperature coefficient." source: "https://comparepv.com/panel/panasonic-vbhn340sa17" updated: 2026-09-11 --- # Panasonic VBHN340SA17 Middle of its segment, short guarantee 128 panels in the segment HJT 240-440 W ## Identity - **Manufacturer:** Panasonic - **Model:** VBHN340SA17 - **Series:** HIT.+ N340/N335 - **Rated power:** 340 W - **Cell technology:** HJT - **Bifacial:** yes ## How it compares Compared against segment HJT 240-440 W (128 panels). | Measure | This panel | Segment median | Standing | Rank | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Power (Wp) | 340 W | 400 W | Weak - bottom 13% | | | Module efficiency | 20.30% | 21.14% | Weak - bottom 23% | 11,769 | | Power density | 203.1 | 211.4 | Weak - bottom 23% | 11,773 | | 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 17% | 9,798 | ### Full peer table | Measure | This panel | Segment median | Standing | Rank | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Module efficiency | 20.30% | 21.14% | Weak - bottom 23% | 11,769 | | Power density | 203.1 | 211.4 | Weak - bottom 23% | 11,773 | | Temperature coefficient | -0.258 | -0.240 | Typical | 466 | | Weight per kWp | 54.4 | 56.0 | Typical | 8,754 | | Performance warranty | 25 yrs | 30 yrs | Weak - bottom 17% | 9,798 | ### Watch out for - **25 year performance warranty** - Bottom 17% of the HJT 240-440 W segment, against a median of 30 yrs. - **20.30% module efficiency** - Bottom 23% of the HJT 240-440 W segment, against a median of 21.14%. - **203.1 watts per square metre** - Bottom 23% of the HJT 240-440 W segment, against a median of 211.4. - **Best for:** Residential and hot-climate. - **Not ideal for:** Owners who want a long output guarantee, tight roof space and roofs where every square metre has to count. ## Specification ### Electrical - **Rated power (Pmax):** 340 W - **Efficiency:** 20.30 % - **Voltage at Pmax (Vmp):** 59.70 V - **Current at Pmax (Imp):** 5.70 A - **Open-circuit voltage (Voc):** 71.30 V - **Short-circuit current (Isc):** 6.13 A - **Max system voltage:** 600 V ### Temperature - **Temperature coefficient of Pmax:** -0.258 %/degC - **Temperature coefficient of Voc:** -0.238 %/degC - **Temperature coefficient of Isc:** 0.055 %/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:** 203.1 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:** 304 W ## Rank in the whole catalogue | Measure | Position | | --- | --- | | Efficiency | 11769 of 14005 | | Power density | 11773 of 14005 | | Temperature coefficient | 466 of 14005 | | Weight | 8754 of 14005 | | Warranty | 9798 of 14005 | ## Pros - **Industry-leading low temperature coefficient** - The power temperature coefficient is -0.258%/°C, well below the typical -0.35% to -0.40%/°C seen in mono PERC modules. On hot days (above 25°C), HIT panels lose materially less power than silicon competitors, translating into higher annual energy yield in high-irradiance climates. - **HJT heterojunction technology** - Combining monocrystalline silicon with thin amorphous layers reduces carrier recombination and enables 20-20.3% efficiency at relatively low process temperatures, which historically placed HIT at the forefront of PV technology before TOPCon became mainstream. - **Bifacial power generation** - The bifacial design captures additional energy from reflected light on the rear side of the module, particularly beneficial when mounted on light-colored roof surfaces or ground-mounted arrays with adequate clearance. - **25-year product and power warranty** - Panasonic guarantees both workmanship and power output for 25 years, with a guaranteed power level of approximately 86.2% at end of term - a full, symmetrical warranty package less common in the standard segment. - **Tier-1 manufacturer heritage** - Panasonic, founded in 1918 in Japan, was long regarded as a Tier-1 manufacturer with rigorous quality control and a decades-long track record in the premium PV module segment. ## Cons - **Production discontinued, limited availability** - Panasonic ceased in-house HIT module production by March 2022, and in April 2025 fully exited the solar and battery storage business. This means identical modules are unavailable for system expansion, and there is uncertainty around fulfilling service and warranty claims over the remaining 25-year term. - **Warranty enforceability risk post market exit** - Despite a formal 25-year product and power warranty, Panasonic's complete withdrawal from the solar segment in 2025 creates risk for system owners regarding actual warranty enforceability in later years, particularly beyond 2030. - **Efficiency no longer stands out from peers** - The maximum 20.3% efficiency is comparable to, and in some cases slightly lower than, current competitors in the same 340 Wp power class, e.g. Bruk-Bet NIVO EXTREME (20.32%) or Resun Solar RS6K-M (20.15%) - HIT's 2019-era technological edge has largely eroded with the rise of TOPCon. ## About this series Photovoltaic panels from the Panasonic HIT N340 and N335 series utilize advanced **heterojunction technology (HIT)**, which combines the advantages of monocrystalline silicon with amorphous layers. This solution effectively eliminates energy losses typical of traditional modules, ensuring the highest efficiency even with very limited installation space. A key distinguishing feature of this series is the **low temperature coefficient**, thanks to which the panels maintain high power generation on hot days, when competing products drastically lose efficiency. The innovative, pyramidal cell structure allows for more effective capture of diffused light, which translates into stable operation in the morning, evening, and during heavy cloud cover. An additional design advantage is the **unique water drainage system** in the frame corners, which prevents dust accumulation and the formation of permanent streaks that limit energy yields. This solution is primarily dedicated to demanding individual investors with complex roof geometries, where maximizing the yield from every square meter of the installation is what matters most. By choosing the HIT series, you gain **exceptional resistance to degradation** and longevity, which places these modules at the very forefront of the premium segment. Thanks to record power density, these panels solve the problem of space deficits, offering parameters unattainable for most standard silicon cells available on the market. ## Notable figures - At 20.3% efficiency, this panel is on par with typical \*\*HJT 0-400W\*\* modules - Power density of 203.1 W/m² is 3.3 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 - Weight of 18.5 kg (3.0 kg below \*\*HJT 0-400W\*\* median of 21.5 kg) allows easier transport and roof mounting - Ranked #11769 out of 14005 panels for efficiency in the database ## Questions ### How does HJT technology in the Panasonic HIT+ N340 differ from standard PERC cells? HJT (heterojunction technology) sandwiches a monocrystalline silicon wafer between ultra-thin amorphous silicon layers on both sides. This structure dramatically reduces surface recombination losses, allowing the N340 to reach a module efficiency of 20.4% — well above typical PERC modules at 18–19.5%. The pyramidal cell surface texture further improves diffuse light absorption, delivering better output in overcast conditions and during early morning or late evening hours. ### How does the temperature coefficient of the Panasonic HIT N340 affect energy production during summer? At just -0.258%/°C, the HIT N340 has one of the lowest temperature coefficients among silicon-based modules on the market. When cell temperature reaches a typical 60°C on a hot day, the panel loses only about 10% of its rated power, versus 15–18% common in standard PERC modules. In practical terms, this translates to meaningfully higher energy yield during warm months at no additional system cost. ### What warranty comes with the Panasonic HIT+ N340/N335 series and what does it cover? Panasonic provides a 25-year product warranty covering manufacturing defects and a 25-year power output warranty guaranteeing at least 80.7% of initial rated power after 25 years of operation. Having both warranties aligned at the same 25-year horizon is a premium-tier differentiator and sets the HIT series apart from many competitors that offer shorter or mismatched warranty terms. ### Are Panasonic HIT N340/N335 panels a good fit for small or geometrically complex roofs? Yes — high power density is one of the strongest arguments for this series. A module efficiency of 20.4% means more watts per square meter compared to standard PERC panels, so fewer modules are needed to reach the target system size. For roofs with dormers, chimneys, or limited unobstructed area, this translates directly into a smaller footprint and fewer racking components without sacrificing system output. ### Are the Panasonic HIT+ N340/N335 panels bifacial, and what yield gain does that provide? Yes, these modules feature bifacial technology, generating power from both direct front-side irradiance and albedo light reflected onto the rear surface. On rooftops with light-colored membranes or gravel ballast, the bifacial gain can add several percentage points to annual energy yield compared to a same-wattage monofacial module, without any changes to the inverter or BoS components. ### Is the Panasonic HIT+ N340/N335 series still available for purchase? No, the HIT+ N340/N335 series has been discontinued. Panasonic exited the solar module manufacturing business and transferred the division to Eneos Holdings. New units are no longer available through regular distribution channels — only remaining dealer stock may occasionally surface. Before purchasing second-hand or old stock, verify whether warranty claims can still be honored and through which entity. ## Datasheet [Manufacturer datasheet (PDF)](https://comparepv.com/datasheets/PanasonicHIT-0f5af4bf24ce.pdf) ## Alternatives | Panel | Power | How it differs | | --- | --- | --- | | [JA Solar NS-300MH-72](https://comparepv.com/panel/ja-solar-ns-300mh-72) | 300 W | -40 W, lighter, +3.0 pp | | [PolyCrown Solar Tech NS-300MH-72](https://comparepv.com/panel/polycrown-solar-tech-ns-300mh-72) | 300 W | -40 W, lighter, +3.0 pp | | [JA Solar NS-330MH-80](https://comparepv.com/panel/ja-solar-ns-330mh-80) | 330 W | Hotter, lighter, +2.8 pp | | [PolyCrown Solar Tech NS-330MH-80](https://comparepv.com/panel/polycrown-solar-tech-ns-330mh-80) | 330 W | Hotter, lighter, +2.8 pp | | [Gamko New Energy GKA182M300W](https://comparepv.com/panel/gamko-new-energy-gka182m300w) | 300 W | -40 W, +2.7 pp, +5 yr warranty | | [Gamko New Energy GKA210M320W](https://comparepv.com/panel/gamko-new-energy-gka210m320w) | 320 W | Lighter, +2.7 pp, +5 yr warranty | | [Gamko New Energy GKA210M340W](https://comparepv.com/panel/gamko-new-energy-gka210m340w) | 340 W | Lighter, +2.7 pp, +5 yr warranty | | [Gamko New Energy GKA210M360W](https://comparepv.com/panel/gamko-new-energy-gka210m360w) | 360 W | Lighter, +2.7 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 | +40 W, +2.7 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 | +40 W, +2.7 pp, +5 yr warranty | | [Panasonic VBHN325SJ53](https://comparepv.com/panel/panasonic-vbhn325sj53) | 325 W | -15 W, -0.9 pp | | [Panasonic VBHN330SJ53](https://comparepv.com/panel/panasonic-vbhn330sj53) | 330 W | -10 W, -0.6 pp | | [Panasonic VBHN335SJ53](https://comparepv.com/panel/panasonic-vbhn335sj53) | 335 W | -0.3 pp | | [Maxeon SPR-MAX3-400-COM](https://comparepv.com/panel/maxeon-spr-max3-400-com) | 400 W | +60 W, +2.3 pp, +15 yr warranty | | [Phono Solar NS-360MH-60](https://comparepv.com/panel/phono-solar-ns-360mh-60) | 360 W | +20 W, hotter, +1.8 pp | | [PolyCrown Solar Tech NS-360MH-60](https://comparepv.com/panel/polycrown-solar-tech-ns-360mh-60) | 360 W | +20 W, hotter, +1.8 pp | --- Source: https://comparepv.com/panel/panasonic-vbhn340sa17 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.