--- title: "Rarlon PV Tech RL400HM-144 400W Solar Panel - Specs & Review | ComparePV" description: "Rarlon PV Tech RL400HM-144 400W solar panel. Specs: 20.00% efficiency, Monocrystalline cells, dimensions, warranty and temperature coefficient." source: "https://comparepv.com/panel/rarlon-pv-tech-rl400hm-144" updated: 2026-09-11 --- # Rarlon PV Tech RL400HM-144 Middle of its segment, weak in heat 954 panels in the segment PERC 400-450 W ## Identity - **Manufacturer:** Rarlon PV Tech - **Model:** RL400HM-144 - **Series:** RL400HM-420HM-144 - **Rated power:** 400 W - **Cell technology:** PERC ## How it compares Compared against segment PERC 400-450 W (954 panels). | Measure | This panel | Segment median | Standing | Rank | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Power (Wp) | 400 W | 410 W | Weak - bottom 9% | | | Module efficiency | 20.00% | 20.60% | Weak - bottom 13% | 12,214 | | Power density | 198.8 | 206.2 | Weak - bottom 10% | 12,348 | | Temperature coefficient | -0.390 | -0.350 | Weak - bottom 1% | 13,579 | | Weight (kg) | 22.5 kg | 22.0 kg | Typical | | | Performance warranty | - | 25 yrs | | | ### Full peer table | Measure | This panel | Segment median | Standing | Rank | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Module efficiency | 20.00% | 20.60% | Weak - bottom 13% | 12,214 | | Power density | 198.8 | 206.2 | Weak - bottom 10% | 12,348 | | Temperature coefficient | -0.390 | -0.350 | Weak - bottom 1% | 13,579 | | Weight per kWp | 56.2 | 53.0 | Typical | 10,518 | | Performance warranty | - | 25 yrs | | | ### Watch out for - **-0.390 %/°C temperature coefficient** - Bottom 1% of the PERC 400-450 W segment, against a median of -0.350. Ranked 13,579th in the whole database. - **198.8 watts per square metre** - Bottom 10% of the PERC 400-450 W segment, against a median of 206.2. - **20.00% module efficiency** - Bottom 13% of the PERC 400-450 W segment, against a median of 20.60%. - **Best for:** Residential, commercial and shaded-installations. - **Not ideal for:** Hot climates, roofs where every square metre has to count and tight roof space. ## Specification ### Electrical - **Rated power (Pmax):** 400 W - **Efficiency:** 20.00 % - **Voltage at Pmax (Vmp):** 39.90 V - **Current at Pmax (Imp):** 10.03 A - **Open-circuit voltage (Voc):** 47.50 V - **Short-circuit current (Isc):** 10.89 A - **Max system voltage:** 1500 V ### Temperature - **Temperature coefficient of Pmax:** -0.390 %/degC - **Temperature coefficient of Voc:** -0.290 %/degC - **Temperature coefficient of Isc:** 0.050 %/degC - **NOCT:** 45 degC ### Cell and construction - **Cell type:** Monocrystalline - **Cell technology:** PERC - **Cell count:** 144 ### Physical - **Length:** 2008 mm - **Width:** 1002 mm - **Thickness:** 35 mm - **Weight:** 22.5 kg - **Area:** 2.01 m2 - **Power density:** 198.8 Wp/m2 ### Warranty and degradation ## Rank in the whole catalogue | Measure | Position | | --- | --- | | Efficiency | 12214 of 14005 | | Power density | 12348 of 14005 | | Temperature coefficient | 13579 of 14005 | | Weight | 10518 of 14005 | | Warranty | 13880 of 14005 | ## Pros - **Half-cut cell architecture with PERC** - Splitting cells into halves reduces internal resistive losses and hot-spot effects, giving better partial-shading tolerance from chimneys, dormers, or soiling than full-cell modules of the same generation. - **Positive power tolerance** - Modules are guaranteed to deliver rated power or above, reducing the risk of underestimated energy yield at the design stage for EPCs and investors. - **High system voltage support** - The 144-cell format enables longer string design, reducing DC cabling and optimizer count in larger commercial installations and utility-scale PV farms. - **Tempered glass front construction** - Proven front-glass build improves resistance to environmental loads (hail, snow, wind) in typical rooftop and ground-mount conditions. - **Universal 144-cell format** - A standard widely adopted in commercial projects, ensuring compatibility with existing mounting structures and string optimizers on the market. ## Cons - **Efficiency below peer segment** - The 20.0-20.9% range trails comparable 144-cell PERC series: GCL-M10/54H (21.5%), RedSolar P series (21.52%), and Jinko JS-PERC (21.7%) at the same 420 Wp max power. This means a larger installed area for the same installed capacity. - **No confirmed BNEF Tier 1 status** - Rarlon PV Tech (Ningbo Rarlon Photovoltaic Technology) does not appear on public BNEF Tier 1 lists, which can complicate bank financing and is often a bidding requirement in commercial tenders where competitors like Jinko Solar typically hold this status. - **No bifacial technology** - The series is monofacial only (is\_bifacial: false), while some competitors in the 144-cell PERC segment offer bifacial variants that boost yield by several percent in ground-mount installations with reflective ground cover. ## About this series The Rarlon PV Tech RL400HM-420HM-144 series consists of monocrystalline modules with a 144-cell design, specifically engineered for high power density and stable operation in typical rooftop and larger installations. The use of half-cut architecture and PERC technology results in better tolerance to partial shading and lower internal losses - which effectively helps maintain energy production even when chimneys, skylights, trees, or dirt accumulate. The series also features a **positive power tolerance**, which allows installers and investors to minimize the risk of underestimating energy yields from the outset. The modules support **high system voltage**, making it easier to design longer strings and optimize cabling in PV farms. Finally, the **universal 144-cell format** is popular in commercial projects, along with a **proven front design made of tempered glass**, which improves resistance to environmental loads. This series is ideal for EPC companies, installers, and conscious consumers who want predictable energy yields without paying extra for marketing "innovations". ## Notable figures - Module efficiency of 20.0% is 0.6pp below average for \*\*PERC 400-450W\*\* panels (median: 20.6%) - 198.8 W/m² power density is 7.4 W/m² below \*\*PERC 400-450W\*\* median (206.2 W/m²) - requires larger installation area - Temperature coefficient of -0.39%/°C is 0.04pp worse than \*\*PERC 400-450W\*\* median (-0.35%/°C) - higher losses in summer heat - In the top 87% for efficiency among all PERC panels ## Questions ### Are Rarlon PV Tech RL400HM-420HM-144 panels suitable for a sloped roof with chimneys or dormers? Yes. The RL400HM-420HM-144 series is a solid choice for sloped roofs with obstructions because it combines half-cut cell architecture with PERC technology. Half-cut cells split each cell in two, so shading of one section — by a chimney or dormer — causes significantly lower output losses than in a conventional full-cell module. The positive power tolerance further ensures the module delivers at least its rated power from day one. ### What is the PERC and half-cut technology used in the Rarlon RL400HM-420HM-144 series, and does it actually improve energy yield? PERC (Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell) adds a passivation layer to the rear of each cell, reflecting photons back into the silicon instead of losing them as heat. Half-cut technology slices cells in half, reducing resistive losses and minimizing hot-spot risk. In a real rooftop installation, the combination typically delivers a few percentage points higher annual energy yield compared to older standard mono modules without PERC. ### What is the maximum power output of a single Rarlon PV Tech RL400HM-420HM-144 panel, and how many panels do I need for a 10 kWp system? The top model in the series is the RL420HM-144 at 420 Wp. For a 10 kWp system, 24 panels (totaling 10.08 kWp) are sufficient. Because the manufacturer specifies a positive power tolerance, each module is guaranteed to meet or exceed its nameplate rating — you will not receive an underperforming unit. ### What warranty does the Rarlon PV Tech RL400HM-420HM-144 series come with? Rarlon PV Tech provides a product warranty covering manufacturing defects and a long-term linear performance warranty guaranteeing at least 80% of nominal power after 25 years — terms standard for this segment. Exact thresholds and annual degradation rates should be confirmed in the warranty card from an authorized distributor, as conditions may vary by market. ### Is the Rarlon RL400HM-420HM-144 a bifacial panel? Can I mount it on a white membrane to gain extra reflected light? No, the RL400HM-420HM-144 series is not bifacial — it has an opaque rear backsheet and collects energy from the front side only. Mounting it on a white membrane will not yield any bifacial gain. If bifacial output is a priority, consider a different Rarlon series or another manufacturer's dual-glass bifacial module. ### Is the Rarlon RL400HM-420HM-144 series suitable for larger commercial installations or ground-mounted PV farms, or is it primarily a residential product? The series is designed for both use cases. The 144-cell format and support for high system voltage allow longer string configurations, which reduces BoS cabling costs in commercial and utility-scale projects. At the same time, the module dimensions and performance profile are versatile enough for installers serving prosumers with large industrial or agricultural rooftops. ## Datasheet [Manufacturer datasheet (PDF)](https://comparepv.com/datasheets/420m-22f5782b1030.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, cooler, +3.1 pp | | [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, cooler, +3.1 pp | | [Q-SUN Solar QNN182-HG450-54](https://comparepv.com/panel/qn-solar-pv-limited-qnn182-hg450-54) | 450 W | +50 W, cooler, +3.0 pp | | [Huayao HY440-N108BDD](https://comparepv.com/panel/huayao-hy440-n108bdd) | 450 W | +50 W, cooler, +3.0 pp | | [BYD NLBK-27-450](https://comparepv.com/panel/byd-nlbk-27-450) | 450 W | +50 W, cooler, +3.0 pp | | [Renesola RS41-450NBG-E3](https://comparepv.com/panel/renesola-rs41-450nbg-e3) | 450 W | +50 W, cooler, +3.0 pp | | [Rarlon PV Tech RL340HP-144](https://comparepv.com/panel/rarlon-pv-tech-rl340hp-144) | 340 W | -60 W, -3.1 pp | | [Rarlon PV Tech RL345HP-144](https://comparepv.com/panel/rarlon-pv-tech-rl345hp-144) | 345 W | -55 W, -2.9 pp | | [Rarlon PV Tech RL350HP-144](https://comparepv.com/panel/rarlon-pv-tech-rl350hp-144) | 350 W | -50 W, -2.6 pp | | [Rarlon PV Tech RL355HP-144](https://comparepv.com/panel/rarlon-pv-tech-rl355hp-144) | 355 W | -45 W, -2.4 pp | | [Rarlon PV Tech RL360HP-144](https://comparepv.com/panel/rarlon-pv-tech-rl360hp-144) | 360 W | -40 W, -2.1 pp | | [Rarlon PV Tech RL405HM-144](https://comparepv.com/panel/rarlon-pv-tech-rl405hm-144) | 405 W | Very close match | | [Rarlon PV Tech RL410HM-144](https://comparepv.com/panel/rarlon-pv-tech-rl410hm-144) | 410 W | +10 W, +0.4 pp | | [Rarlon PV Tech RL415HM-144](https://comparepv.com/panel/rarlon-pv-tech-rl415hm-144) | 415 W | +15 W, +0.6 pp | | [Rarlon PV Tech RL420HM-144](https://comparepv.com/panel/rarlon-pv-tech-rl420hm-144) | 420 W | +20 W, +0.9 pp | | [Maxeon SPR-MAX7-475](https://comparepv.com/panel/maxeon-spr-max7-475) | 475 W | +75 W, cooler, +4.0 pp | --- Source: https://comparepv.com/panel/rarlon-pv-tech-rl400hm-144 Not in this file, on the page: a thirty-year output simulator and alternatives filtered by how closely they match these dimensions.