--- title: "Sunman SMF430F-12X12UW 430W Solar Panel - Specs & Review | ComparePV" description: "Sunman SMF430F-12X12UW 430W solar panel. Specs: 19.40% efficiency, Monocrystalline cells, dimensions, warranty and temperature coefficient." source: "https://comparepv.com/panel/sunman-smf430f-12x12uw" updated: 2026-09-11 --- # Sunman SMF430F-12X12UW Light for its output, weak in heat 954 panels in the segment PERC 400-450 W ## Identity - **Manufacturer:** Sunman - **Model:** SMF430F-12X12UW - **Series:** eArc - **Rated power:** 430 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) | 430 W | 410 W | Typical | | | Module efficiency | 19.40% | 20.60% | Weak - bottom 3% | 12,735 | | Power density | 193.8 | 206.2 | Weak - bottom 4% | 12,737 | | Temperature coefficient | -0.380 | -0.350 | Weak - bottom 2% | 13,397 | | Weight (kg) | 7.3 kg | 22.0 kg | Strong - top 2% | | | Performance warranty | 25 yrs | 25 yrs | Typical | 9,798 | ### Full peer table | Measure | This panel | Segment median | Standing | Rank | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Module efficiency | 19.40% | 20.60% | Weak - bottom 3% | 12,735 | | Power density | 193.8 | 206.2 | Weak - bottom 4% | 12,737 | | Temperature coefficient | -0.380 | -0.350 | Weak - bottom 2% | 13,397 | | Weight per kWp | 17.0 | 53.0 | Strong - top 2% | 52 | | Performance warranty | 25 yrs | 25 yrs | Typical | 9,798 | ### Strengths - **17.0 kg per kWp** - Top 2% of the PERC 400-450 W segment, against a median of 53.0. Ranked 52nd in the whole database. ### Watch out for - **-0.380 %/°C temperature coefficient** - Bottom 2% of the PERC 400-450 W segment, against a median of -0.350. Ranked 13,397th in the whole database. - **19.40% module efficiency** - Bottom 3% of the PERC 400-450 W segment, against a median of 20.60%. Ranked 12,735th in the whole database. - **193.8 watts per square metre** - Bottom 4% of the PERC 400-450 W segment, against a median of 206.2. Ranked 12,737th in the whole database. - **Best for:** BIPV, commercial and off-grid. - **Not ideal for:** Hot climates, tight roof space and roofs where every square metre has to count. ## Specification ### Electrical - **Rated power (Pmax):** 430 W - **Efficiency:** 19.40 % - **Voltage at Pmax (Vmp):** 42.00 V - **Current at Pmax (Imp):** 10.24 A - **Open-circuit voltage (Voc):** 49.80 V - **Short-circuit current (Isc):** 10.74 A - **Max system voltage:** 1000 V ### Temperature - **Temperature coefficient of Pmax:** -0.380 %/degC - **Temperature coefficient of Voc:** -0.280 %/degC - **Temperature coefficient of Isc:** 0.020 %/degC - **NOCT:** 41 degC ### Cell and construction - **Cell type:** Monocrystalline - **Cell technology:** PERC - **Cell count:** 144 ### Physical - **Length:** 2054 mm - **Width:** 1080 mm - **Thickness:** 2 mm - **Weight:** 7.3 kg - **Area:** 2.22 m2 - **Power density:** 193.8 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:** 353 W ## Rank in the whole catalogue | Measure | Position | | --- | --- | | Efficiency | 12735 of 14005 | | Power density | 12737 of 14005 | | Temperature coefficient | 13397 of 14005 | | Weight | 52 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 - Efficiency of 19.4% is 1.2pp below the \*\*PERC 400-450W\*\* median (20.6%) - 193.8 W/m² power density is 12.4 W/m² below \*\*PERC 400-450W\*\* median (206.2 W/m²) - requires larger installation area - At -0.38%/°C, loses 0.03pp more power per degree than \*\*PERC 400-450W\*\* median (-0.35%/°C) - At 7.3 kg, this panel is 14.7 kg lighter than \*\*PERC 400-450W\*\* median (22.0 kg) - easier handling during installation - Ranked #12735 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/panel_datasheet_SMF430F-12X12UW_Datasheet-ea631a54ccda.pdf) ## Alternatives | Panel | Power | How it differs | | --- | --- | --- | | [AIKO AIKO-A480-MAH54Mw](https://comparepv.com/panel/aiko-aiko-a480-mah54mw) | 480 W | Cooler, heavier, +4.7 pp | | [Gokin GK-5-54HG-480M](https://comparepv.com/panel/gokin-gk-5-54hg-480m) | 480 W | Cooler, heavier, +4.7 pp | | [Jinko Solar JKM480N-48QL6-DB-F2-EU](https://comparepv.com/panel/jinko-solar-jkm480n-48ql6-db-f2-eu) | 480 W | Cooler, 17 kg heavier, +4.6 pp | | [Gamko New Energy GKA96N-PRO-480W](https://comparepv.com/panel/gamko-new-energy-gka96n-pro-480w) | 480 W | Cooler, heavier, +4.6 pp | | [Sunman SMF425F-12X12UW](https://comparepv.com/panel/sunman-smf425f-12x12uw) | 425 W | Very close match | | [Longi Solar LR7-60HVH-560M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-60hvh-560m) | 560 W | +130 W, 18 kg heavier, +5.4 pp | | [Longi Solar LR7-60HVH-555M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-60hvh-555m) | 555 W | +125 W, 18 kg heavier, +5.2 pp | | [Longi Solar LR7-60HVHL-550M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-60hvhl-550m) | 550 W | +120 W, cooler, +5.0 pp | | [Gokin GK-5-60HG-540M](https://comparepv.com/panel/gokin-gk-5-60hg-540m) | 540 W | Cooler, 16 kg heavier, +5.0 pp | | [Jinko Solar JKM545-54QL6-DV-F1-EU](https://comparepv.com/panel/jinko-solar-jkm545-54ql6-dv-f1-eu) | 545 W | Cooler, 20 kg heavier, +4.9 pp | | [Longi Solar LR7-60HVH-545M](https://comparepv.com/panel/longi-lr7-60hvh-545m) | 545 W | Cooler, 18 kg heavier, +4.8 pp | --- Source: https://comparepv.com/panel/sunman-smf430f-12x12uw Not in this file, on the page: a thirty-year output simulator and alternatives filtered by how closely they match these dimensions.