Only five years ago, the largest solar panels were only 300 watts. In 2022, we have seen the arrival of 400-watt or larger residential solar panels.
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What is a 400-watt solar panel?
A 400W solar panel generates 400 watts of power and can be utilised for commercial and domestic solar projects. 400W solar panels will generate between 1.2 and 3 kilowatt hours (kWh) per day, depending on their exposure to sunlight and other parameters such as geographic location and tilt.
400W solar panels cost
400W solar panels are more expensive than their smaller counterparts due to their bigger size and output. They are often more costly overall and more expensive per watt. The technology utilised to manufacture this panel is still very new. Expect to spend a 5-10% premium per watt if you create your solar energy system with 400 W solar modules or panels rather than the more common 300-350 W panels.
Uses of 400-watt solar panels
Remember that a solar panel’s energy is determined by various parameters, including its size, degree of tilt, and weather conditions. Installing your solar panel in a location that receives lots of sunlight allows you to improve its efficiency and ensure that it operates at peak performance.
400 watt solar panels for my home
400W solar panels are among the largest on the market, but they are still unusual for residential applications.
You can link numerous separate 400-watt panels together to create the required solar system size. A typical 6 kW home solar system, for example, would consist of fifteen (15) 400-watt solar panels installed on the roof.
However, 400-watt solar panels are still uncommon in residential solar power installations as of 2022, with most users choosing panels in the 300-350 watt range. The majority of household solar systems make use of 300W solar panels.
RVs or boats
If you’re feeling adventurous, a 400-watt solar panel could power an average-sized RV on a camping trip.
400W panels are ideal for powering RVs, boats, and other off-grid devices. A 400W panel could power an RV or boat for an extended period.
RV solar panels function similarly to a standard home solar system by converting sunlight into electricity. Instead of powering your home, the solar panels charge your RV batteries.
Check out our page to learn more about RVs having solar panels.
The size or dimensions of the solar panels, measured in height by width, will determine the number of solar panels that will fit on your roof. And the power produced or wattage (measured in Watts or W) by the solar PV system depends on the number of solar panels installed.
- The solar panel dimensions are measured through height x width in metres or centimetres.
- The maximum power output of the panel – measured in wattage, or ‘W.’
Roof space and the number of 400-watt panels necessary
Due to a limitation of roof space, people may opt for the 400W solar panel because 400W solar panels produce power more efficiently than many lower-wattage solar panels, given the space they take up. The table below displays the panels and roof space required for various system sizes.
In some cases, the number of 400W panels is rounded to the nearest panel.
Most homeowners installing a solar energy system on their roof will need between 15 and 30 400-watt solar panels, assuming systems ranging in size from 6 kW to 12 kW.
It would require between 100 and 200 square metres of roof space, not including access and setback requirements, which vary by state.
Reasons to get 400-watt solar panels
There are key reasons to acquire 400-watt solar panels rather than the more frequent 280 to 350-watt solar panels: if you have a tiny roof and to ensure your panel has fewer points of failure.
Although 400W solar panels are higher than the average wattage of panels used in most solar installations, they may still make sense for some property owners. While 400W panels are more expensive per panel than lower wattage options, the space they save on your roof and the lower number of panels you will need to purchase to cover your electricity needs more than compensate for the price premium.
If you use 400-watt solar panels, your system is less likely to have problems over the life of the panels.
Because utilising 400-watt solar panels reduces the number of modules required. A 6 kW solar system can construct with fifteen (15) 400-watt panels rather than twenty (20) 300-watt panels.
The 400-watt solar panel manufacturers
Several major solar panel manufacturers are now selling up to 400 Watts or slightly higher solar panels for residential and commercial use. It is listed alphabetically.
JinkoSolar Cheetah HC 72M
With power up to 410 Wp, the JinkoSolar Cheetah will maximise your PV system capacity, generating more energy over 25 years and maximising the customer’s economic returns. Half-Cell design ensures an improved shading response, resulting in higher yields when the module is partially shaded. Shading loss experienced by half-cell modules is much better than by conventional modules in certain shading conditions.
LONGi Hi-MO X LR6-72OPH /Hi-MO 4m LR4-72HPH
Longi Hi-MO X is a mono PERC solar panel with a shingled design. “Shingle” solar panels are modules of thinly overlapping solar cells.
- Hi-MO X LR6-72OPH 385-405W (72-cell)
- Hi-MO X LR4-72HPH 435-450W (72-cell)
The Hi-MO 4 series employs gallium-doped silicon cells, which improves the solar panel’s LID resistance. Simply put, the power produced by the panel will remain higher over time than that of most other panels, with an annual degradation rate of 0.55% per year (typically 0.7%). These solar panels also come with a 12-year product warranty comparable to most other options on the market.
REC Alpha Pure Series
The world’s most powerful 66-cell solar panel allows you to utilise solar energy fully. With 385 – 405 Wp output, REC Alpha provides more than 20% more power, making it the panel of choice for rooftop owners looking for the finest.
- Industry-leading warranty: a 25-year product warranty on installations by REC Solar Professionals (otherwise 20 years) and a 25-year power output warranty.
- The REC Alpha uses marketed half-cut cell technology, with high-efficiency n-type mono wafers sandwiched between thin layers of amorphous silicon.
- The REC Alpha’s unique frame design allows for more panels per pallet, quick installation, and the ability to sustain snow loads of 7000Pa.
SunPower Maxeon
While SunPower‘s famed Maxeon series panels are among the best-performing in the world, the new Maxeon 3 series panel superseded the preceding E and X series, which competed in the premium end of the market with the same high-efficiency IBC cells. Many Maxeon 5 panels are also available from Enphase Energy as AC panels with integrated micro-inverters.
- Maxeon 3 – 400W
- Maxeon 5 Series – 390W to 415W
- Maxeon 5 AC Series – 400W to 420W
- Maxeon 6 AC Series – 420W to 440W
- Maxeon 6 Commercial – 450W to 475W
Energy Matters has over 17 years of experience in the solar industry and has helped over 40,000 Australian households in their journey to energy independence.
Contact us and we can connect you with our trusted local installers, who will provide up to 3 FREE solar quotes for your home and business solar energy system. Complete our quick quiz and begin your solar journey today!
