Siemens SM46 solar module: datasheet and specifications
46 Wrated power
14.6 VVmp
18 VVoc
4.6 kgweight
1083 × 329 mmoutline
Siemens SM46: product photograph restored from the original low-resolution picture.
The SM46 is a long narrow 46 W module (1083 × 329 mm, 4.6 kg) built from 30 cells that Siemens called PowerMax: square cells that fill the laminate with little wasted area. It is the smallest module in the range with both the 1000 V (EC) / 600 V (UL 1703) system-voltage rating and the 25-year, 80 % power tier of the warranty. Like the SM20 it has 30 cells and a Vmp near 14.6 V.
Electrical data
30 cells in series; single-crystal silicon.
Parameter
SM46 (12 V)
Rated power Pmax (W)
46
Minimum power Pmin (W)
41
Current at Pmax, Imp (A)
3.15
Voltage at Pmax, Vmp (V)
14.6
Short-circuit current, Isc (A)
3.35
Open-circuit voltage, Voc (V)
18
Derived figures
Quantity
Value
How it was obtained
Outer area
0.356 m²
calculated from length × width
Power per area
129 W/m²
calculated; Pmax ÷ area at STC
Module efficiency
12.9 %
calculated on outer dimensions (cell efficiency is higher)
Power per weight
10.0 W/kg
calculated
Voc at −20 °C (SM46 (12 V))
20.6 V
calculated with the datasheet Voc coefficient
Vmp with 60 °C cells (SM46 (12 V))
12.2 to 13.0 V
approximate range; see the note below the table
Rough daily energy
172 Wh
calculated: Pmax × 5 peak-sun-hours × 0.75 system efficiency; a planning figure, not a measurement
With 30 cells in series the Vmp is 14.6 V at 25 °C. With 60 °C cells it falls to about 12.2 to 13.0 V (the datasheet gives no Vmp coefficient: the lower figure assumes a typical −0.47 %/K, the upper scales the Voc coefficient), a margin of -2.2 to -1.4 V against 14.4 V. The margin is negative or marginal, so on hot days this module may not finish charging a lead-acid battery. In 5 peak-sun-hours the 12 V version adds roughly 11.8 Ah a day to a 12 V battery (Imp × 5 h × 0.75).
Full datasheet tables
Thermal
Parameter
Unit
Value
Nominal operating cell temperature (NOC)
°C
45
Change of Isc with temperature
+1.2 mA/°C (+0.04 %/K)
Change of Voc with temperature
-0.058 V/°C (−0.34 %/K)
Qualification tests
Parameter
Unit
Value
Temperature cycling range
°C
−40 to +85
Humidity, freeze, damp heat condition
% RH
85
Maximum system voltage
V
1000 per ISPRA (EC), 600 per UL 1703
Wind loading or surface pressure
N/m² (PSF)
2400 (50)
Maximum distortion (4)
degrees
1.2
Hailstone impact withstand (diameter @ velocity)
mm @ m/s (in @ mph)
25 @ 23 (1.0 @ 52)
Physical
Parameter
Unit
Value
Number of series cells
count
30
Length
mm (in)
1083 (42.7)
Width
mm (in)
329 (13.0)
Depth
mm (in)
34 (1.3)
Weight
kg (lb)
4.6 (10.2)
Warranty (5)
Parameter
Unit
Value
Power ≥ 90 % of minimum power
years
10
Power ≥ 80 % of minimum power
years
25
Notes from the datasheet. (1) Electrical values at standard test conditions: irradiance 1000 W/m², cell temperature 25 °C, spectrum per ASTM E892 (air mass 1.5). (2) Nominal operating conditions: 800 W/m², ambient 20 °C, wind 1 m/s. (3) Qualification tests per CEC 503. (4) Diagonal lifting of a module corner with three corners fixed. (5) Warranty applies to the original consumer purchaser; see the full limited warranty for conditions. The tier percentages refer to the minimum power rating (Pmin), not the rated power.
