Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W vs Hyundai HiE-S485VG
The Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W wins this comparison by a narrow margin. It leads in efficiency (22.2% vs 22%) and matches or exceeds on warranty (25 vs 25 years). For most residential installations, the Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W is the stronger choice.
Key Differences
- • Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W is rated at 430W while Hyundai HiE-S485VG is rated at 485W, a 55W difference.
- • Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W achieves 22.2% efficiency vs 22% for the other, a 0.2 percentage point gap.
- • Both carry matching 25-year product warranties.
- • Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W has a superior temperature coefficient of -0.26%/°C vs -0.3%/°C, retaining more power in hot climates.
- • Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W uses HJT (Heterojunction) cells while Hyundai HiE-S485VG uses TOPCon N-type cells, representing different technology generations.
Specifications Breakdown
Module Efficiency
The Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W achieves 22.2% module efficiency compared to Hyundai HiE-S485VG's 22%, meaning Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W converts 0.2 percentage points more sunlight into electricity per square meter. In practical terms, the Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W produces 220.2 watts per square meter of panel area while the Hyundai HiE-S485VG produces 222.9 W/m². For rooftop installations where space is limited, this efficiency gap determines how many kilowatts you can fit on your available roof area. Over a 25-year system life, even a small efficiency advantage compounds into meaningful additional energy production.
Power Output
The Hyundai HiE-S485VG delivers 485W per panel versus 430W for the Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W, a 55W difference per module. To build an 8 kW residential system, you would need 19 Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W panels or 17 Hyundai HiE-S485VG panels. Choosing the higher-wattage option saves 2 panels, reducing total racking hardware, wiring, and installation labor costs. Higher wattage per panel is particularly valuable for commercial-scale installations where panel count directly impacts balance-of-system costs.
Temperature Coefficient
The Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W has a temperature coefficient of -0.26%/°C versus -0.3%/°C for the Hyundai HiE-S485VG. On a hot summer day when cell temperature reaches 65°C (40°C above the 25°C STC baseline), the Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W retains 94.8% of its rated power while the other retains 94.0%. While the numerical gap is modest, it still accumulates over decades of summer production, especially in southern latitudes with prolonged peak heat hours.
Warranty Coverage
The Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W is backed by a 25-year product warranty and 25-year performance guarantee, while the Hyundai HiE-S485VG offers 25-year product and 25-year performance coverage. Both offer identical product warranty duration. Based on their published degradation rates (0.5% first year then 0.35%/year for Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W; 1% first year then 0.4%/year for Hyundai HiE-S485VG), after 25 years the Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W should retain approximately 91.1% of original output versus 89.4% for the Hyundai HiE-S485VG. This 1.7 percentage point gap in end-of-life output meaningfully impacts lifetime energy economics.
Physical Dimensions & Weight
The Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W measures 1722×1134×30mm and weighs 22.5 kg, while the Hyundai HiE-S485VG measures 2094×1039×35mm at 24.5 kg. 1.95 m² of panel area for the Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W versus 2.18 m² for the Hyundai HiE-S485VG. The Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W is 2.0 kg lighter per panel, which reduces structural load requirements on the roof and makes handling easier during installation. For a 20-panel system, that is a total weight difference of 40 kg. The more compact Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W may be easier to fit on irregularly shaped or space-limited rooftops.
Specification Comparison
| Specification | Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W | Hyundai HiE-S485VG |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 430W | 485W |
| Efficiency | 22.2% | 22% |
| Power Density | 20.5 W/sq ft | 20.7 W/sq ft |
| Cell Type | HJT (Heterojunction) | TOPCon N-type |
| Bifacial | Yes | No |
| Weight | 22.5 kg | 24.5 kg |
| Temp Coefficient | -0.26%/°C | -0.3%/°C |
| Snow Load | 5400 Pa | 5400 Pa |
| Wind Load | 2400 Pa | 2400 Pa |
| Product Warranty | 25 years | 25 years |
| Performance Warranty | 25 years | 25 years |
| Degradation (Year 1) | 0.5% | 1% |
| Annual Degradation | 0.35% | 0.4% |
| Country | Japan | South Korea |
5-Dimension Head-to-Head Analysis
1. Efficiency & Power Density
Winner: Panasonic EverVolt HK 430WThe Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W achieves 22.2% efficiency versus 22% — a 0.2 percentage point advantage. On a typical 30-panel residential roof, this translates to approximately 1.6 kW more total system capacity, or 8 kWh more annual production in an average US location.
2. Hot Climate Performance
Winner: Panasonic EverVolt HK 430WThe Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W has a better temperature coefficient of -0.26%/°C versus -0.3%/°C. On a 45°C summer day (20°C above STC), the winner retains 94.8% of rated power versus 94.0%. The difference is modest but accumulates over 25 years of summer production.
3. Durability & Warranty
Winner: Panasonic EverVolt HK 430WPanasonic EverVolt HK 430W degrades more slowly at 0.35% per year versus 0.4%. After 25 years, expect 91.1% vs 89.4% of original output for Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W and Hyundai HiE-S485VG respectively.
4. Power Output
Winner: Hyundai HiE-S485VGThe Hyundai HiE-S485VG delivers 485W versus 430W per panel — 55W more. For an 8 kW system, you need 17 panels with the higher-wattage option versus 19 panels, saving 2 panels and the associated racking and labor costs.
5. Cell Technology
Winner: Panasonic EverVolt HK 430WThe Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W uses HJT (Heterojunction): HJT (Heterojunction) combines crystalline silicon with amorphous silicon layers, delivering the best temperature coefficient and bifacial gains, but at higher manufacturing cost. The Hyundai HiE-S485VG uses TOPCon N-type: TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) adds a thin tunnel oxide layer to reduce recombination losses, achieving higher efficiency than PERC while being manufacturable on existing production lines. HJT (Heterojunction) represents a newer generation technology with a longer performance runway as manufacturing matures.
Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W
DISCONTINUED: Panasonic exited solar manufacturing in 2023. The EverVolt HK delivered 430W using HJT technology with Panasonic's renowned build quality and 25-year warranty.
Pros
- + Japanese engineering quality
- + Excellent HJT temperature coefficient
- + 25-year warranty
- + Strong brand trust
Cons
- - DISCONTINUED - no longer manufactured
- - No new units available
- - No ongoing product support
Hyundai HiE-S485VG
The Hyundai HiE-S485VG is a 485W TOPCon N-type panel manufactured in South Korea by Hyundai Energy Solutions, a division of the Hyundai conglomerate. The N-type TOPCon cell technology delivers 22.0% module efficiency with a -0.30%/°C temperature coefficient — significantly better than PERC alternatives in hot climates. Hyundai's Korean manufacturing offers non-Chinese supply chain diversification for buyers concerned about tariffs or UFLPA compliance. The 25+25 year warranty is backed by the Hyundai corporate group's financial stability.
Pros
- + South Korean manufacturing — non-Chinese supply chain diversification
- + TOPCon N-type with 22.0% efficiency and -0.30%/°C temp coefficient
- + Backed by Hyundai conglomerate's financial strength for warranty assurance
- + 25-year product and performance warranties
- + Lower degradation than PERC — 1.0% first year, 0.4% annual
- + Competitively priced for a non-Chinese Tier-1 panel
Cons
- - Lower brand recognition in US solar market than LONGi or JinkoSolar
- - 132-cell format slightly larger than standard 108/120-cell residential panels
- - US dealer network smaller than mainstream brands
- - 485W is mid-range — competitors offer 500W+ in similar sizes
Choose Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W If...
- ✓ Your roof space is limited and you need maximum power per panel
- ✓ You live in a hot climate (Arizona, Texas, Florida) where heat performance matters
- ✓ You want maximum output retention over the system's 25-30 year lifespan
- ✓ You prefer newer cell technology with a longer performance improvement runway
- ✓ No longer available for new installations.
Choose Hyundai HiE-S485VG If...
- ✓ You want fewer panels to reach your target system size, reducing racking and labor costs
- ✓ You prefer newer cell technology with a longer performance improvement runway
- ✓ Homeowners and commercial buyers seeking Tier-1 Korean-manufactured TOPCon panels with strong corporate warranty backing and non-Chinese supply chain.
Our Recommendation
Both the Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W and Hyundai HiE-S485VG are excellent solar panel options, and the margin between them is narrow. The Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W wins 4 of 5 comparison dimensions by a slim margin. Your decision may come down to local pricing, installer availability, and which specific performance metrics matter most for your project. Either product is a solid investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W or Hyundai HiE-S485VG?
The Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W wins this comparison by a narrow margin. It leads in efficiency (22.2% vs 22%) and matches or exceeds on warranty (25 vs 25 years). For most residential installations, the Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W is the stronger choice.
Which panel is more efficient, Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W or Hyundai HiE-S485VG?
The Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W at 22.2% module efficiency. Higher efficiency means more watts per square foot of roof space, which is critical for space-constrained installations. The difference of 0.2 percentage points translates to approximately 55W per panel under standard test conditions.
Which has a better warranty, Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W or Hyundai HiE-S485VG?
The Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W comes with a 25-year product warranty and 25-year performance guarantee. The Hyundai HiE-S485VG offers 25-year product and 25-year performance warranties. Both offer identical warranty terms.
Which panel performs better in hot weather?
The Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W has a temperature coefficient of -0.26%/°C and the Hyundai HiE-S485VG is -0.3%/°C. Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W retains more power in heat — important in states like Arizona, Texas, and Florida. A lower (less negative) temperature coefficient is better.
How many Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W vs Hyundai HiE-S485VG panels do I need for an 8 kW system?
For an 8 kW system: you need 19 Panasonic EverVolt HK 430W panels (430W each) or 17 Hyundai HiE-S485VG panels (485W each). The Hyundai HiE-S485VG requires fewer panels, saving on racking hardware and installation labor.
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Last updated: February 2026