--- title: "Sunman SMF520J-12X12UW 520W Solar Panel - Specs & Review | ComparePV" description: "Sunman SMF520J-12X12UW 520W solar panel: 1 shop offer from 187 €. Specs: 19.30% efficiency, Monocrystalline cells." source: "https://comparepv.com/panel/sunkean-smf520j-12x12uw" updated: 2026-10-06 --- # Sunman SMF520J-12X12UW Light for its output, modest efficiency 706 panels in the segment PERC 500-550 W ## Identity - **Manufacturer:** Sunman - **Model:** SMF520J-12X12UW - **Series:** eArc - **Rated power:** 520 W - **Cell technology:** PERC ## Price offers Prices are the figure each shop printed, on that shop's side of VAT. | Shop | Market | Price | Per kWp | Availability | Last read | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [EsunShop](https://comparepv.com/go/4171) | Italy | 187 € incl. VAT | 359.62 €/kWp | In stock | Last read 6 Oct 03:18 | ## How it compares Compared against segment PERC 500-550 W (706 panels). | Measure | This panel | Segment median | Standing | Rank | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Power (Wp) | 520 W | 535 W | Weak - bottom 18% | | | Module efficiency | 19.30% | 20.90% | Weak - bottom 1% | 12,799 | | Power density | 193.4 | 209.0 | Weak - bottom 1% | 12,763 | | Temperature coefficient | -0.340 | -0.350 | Strong - top 23% | 8,778 | | Weight (kg) | 7.7 kg | 28.4 kg | Strong - top 1% | | | Performance warranty | 25 yrs | 30 yrs | Weak - bottom 23% | 9,798 | ### Full peer table | Measure | This panel | Segment median | Standing | Rank | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Module efficiency | 19.30% | 20.90% | Weak - bottom 1% | 12,799 | | Power density | 193.4 | 209.0 | Weak - bottom 1% | 12,763 | | Temperature coefficient | -0.340 | -0.350 | Strong - top 23% | 8,778 | | Weight per kWp | 14.8 | 53.0 | Strong - top 1% | 8 | | Performance warranty | 25 yrs | 30 yrs | Weak - bottom 23% | 9,798 | ### Strengths - **14.8 kg per kWp** - Top 1% of the PERC 500-550 W segment, against a median of 53.0. Ranked 8th in the whole database. - **-0.340 %/°C temperature coefficient** - Top 23% of the PERC 500-550 W segment, against a median of -0.350. ### Watch out for - **19.30% module efficiency** - Bottom 1% of the PERC 500-550 W segment, against a median of 20.90%. Ranked 12,799th in the whole database. - **193.4 watts per square metre** - Bottom 1% of the PERC 500-550 W segment, against a median of 209.0. Ranked 12,763rd in the whole database. - **25 year performance warranty** - Bottom 23% of the PERC 500-550 W segment, against a median of 30 yrs. - **Best for:** BIPV, commercial and off-grid. - **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):** 520 W - **Efficiency:** 19.30 % - **Voltage at Pmax (Vmp):** 42.30 V - **Current at Pmax (Imp):** 12.31 A - **Open-circuit voltage (Voc):** 49.50 V - **Short-circuit current (Isc):** 13.56 A - **Max system voltage:** 1500 V ### Temperature - **Temperature coefficient of Pmax:** -0.340 %/degC - **Temperature coefficient of Voc:** -0.260 %/degC - **Temperature coefficient of Isc:** 0.033 %/degC - **NOCT:** 41 degC ### Cell and construction - **Cell type:** Monocrystalline - **Cell technology:** PERC - **Cell count:** 144 ### Physical - **Length:** 2246 mm - **Width:** 1197 mm - **Thickness:** 2 mm - **Weight:** 7.7 kg - **Area:** 2.69 m2 - **Power density:** 193.4 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:** 427 W ## Rank in the whole catalogue | Measure | Position | | --- | --- | | Efficiency | 12799 of 14005 | | Power density | 12763 of 14005 | | Temperature coefficient | 8778 of 14005 | | Weight | 8 of 14005 | | Warranty | 9798 of 14005 | ## About this series The **Sunman eArc** series is the first fully transparent crystalline silicon photovoltaic module in the world, which completely redefines the approach to solar panel installation. Instead of traditional glass, it uses a patented composite material, making the panel behave like a flexible "solar skin" - 70% lighter and up to 95% thinner than standard modules. This is a breakthrough for all low-load roofs, where the installation of traditional panels was previously impossible or too risky. Thanks to the **frameless, flexible design** of eArc, it adapts to curved surfaces, and installation does not require any drilling or traditional sub-structure systems - installation time is reduced by up to 40%. **Mono-PERC** cells guarantee high performance with extremely low weight - just 3.3 kg/m², making this series unique compared to the competition. The series has undergone the same rigorous safety tests as standard glass modules (IEC 61215, IEC 61730), confirming durability despite its lightweight construction. eArc is the ideal solution for **building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV)**, corrugated metal industrial roofs, electric vehicles, boats, and mobile camping installations - anywhere where minimal weight and form flexibility are important. ## Notable figures - At 19.3% efficiency, this panel is 1.6pp below the \*\*PERC 500-550W\*\* median of 20.9% - At 193.4 W/m², this panel generates 15.6 W/m² less per unit area than \*\*PERC 500-550W\*\* median (209.0 W/m²) - Temperature coefficient of -0.34%/°C matches the \*\*PERC 500-550W\*\* median - At 7.7 kg, this panel is 20.7 kg lighter than \*\*PERC 500-550W\*\* median (28.4 kg) - easier handling during installation - Ranked #12799 out of 14005 panels for efficiency in the database ## Questions ### How is the Sunman eArc panel different from a conventional glass solar panel? The Sunman eArc has no glass cover or rigid aluminum frame - instead it uses a patented composite laminate, making the module roughly 70% lighter and up to 95% thinner than standard glass panels. At just 2 mm thick and about 3.3 kg/m2, the panel can be curved around gently arched surfaces, something a framed glass module can never do. ### Is the Sunman eArc 520 Wp panel suitable for low load-bearing roofs or corrugated metal roofing? Yes, this is the main use case for this series. At around 3.3 kg/m2, eArc loads the roof structure far less than a framed glass module, making it suitable for industrial roofs with trapezoidal or corrugated sheet metal, warehouses, and older structures where a conventional installation would be too risky or require reinforcement. ### How is the eArc panel mounted - do I need a mounting structure or drilling? No, eArc is installed without a traditional aluminum mounting structure and without drilling mounting holes - the panel is bonded directly to the surface using adhesive or mounting tape recommended by the manufacturer. This system shortens installation time by up to 40% compared to conventional glass modules on rails. ### What warranty comes with Sunman eArc panels, and does it cover power output degradation? The manufacturer provides a 12-year product warranty and a 25-year linear power output warranty. This means that after 25 years of operation the panel should still deliver an appropriately high percentage of its initial rated power, in line with the degradation curve stated in the datasheet. ### What is the maximum power of the eArc panel and what cell technology does it use? The eArc series reaches up to 520 Wp thanks to 144 half-cut mono-PERC cells. This combines the high efficiency of crystalline silicon with significantly lower weight than classic modules, making eArc a unique blend of performance and lightness in the flexible PV market. ### Are Sunman eArc panels bifacial, and can they be mounted on a boat or camper van? No, the eArc series uses monofacial cells only (not bifacial) - the glass-free, frameless construction does not allow rear-side energy generation. However, its flexible, frameless form and minimal weight make it an excellent fit for curved roofs on yachts, boats, camper vans, and caravans, where every kilogram matters. ## Datasheet [Manufacturer datasheet (PDF)](https://comparepv.com/datasheets/SUNMAN-520-CI-SERIES-e745454c753c.pdf) ## Alternatives | Panel | Power | How it differs | | --- | --- | --- | | [Longi Solar LR7-54HJD-510M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-54hjd-510m) | 510 W | Cooler, 16 kg heavier, +5.7 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A495-MCE54Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a495-mce54mw) | 495 W | Cooler, heavier, +5.5 pp | | [Longi Solar LR7-60HVH-560M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-60hvh-560m) | 560 W | Cooler, 17 kg heavier, +5.5 pp | | [Longi Solar LR7-54HJD-505M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-54hjd-505m) | 505 W | Cooler, 16 kg heavier, +5.4 pp | | [Longi Solar LR7-60HVH-555M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-60hvh-555m) | 555 W | Cooler, 17 kg heavier, +5.3 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A490-MCE54Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a490-mce54mw) | 490 W | Cooler, heavier, +5.2 pp | | [Longi Solar LR7-54HJD-500M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-54hjd-500m) | 500 W | Cooler, 16 kg heavier, +5.2 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A650-MAE72Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a650-mae72mw) | 650 W | +130 W, 19 kg heavier, +5.9 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A645-MAE72Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a645-mae72mw) | 645 W | +125 W, 19 kg heavier, +5.7 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A640-MAE72Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a640-mae72mw) | 640 W | +120 W, 19 kg heavier, +5.5 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A635-MAE72Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a635-mae72mw) | 635 W | +115 W, 19 kg heavier, +5.3 pp | | [AIKO AIKO-A630-MAH72Dw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a630-mah72dw) | 630 W | +110 W, 25 kg heavier, +5.1 pp | --- Source: https://comparepv.com/panel/sunkean-smf520j-12x12uw Not in this file, on the page: a thirty-year output simulator and alternatives filtered by how closely they match these dimensions.