This study examines the surface energy budgets of the Arctic tundra during the growing season, focusing on sites underlain by permafrost. The Maximum Entropy Production (MEP) model is tested as a parsimonious approach to simulate surface heat fluxes in data-sparse environments. The MEP model, which requires only net radiation, surface temperature, and a parameter characterizing thermal inertia, accurately estimates latent, sensible, and ground heat fluxes at five sites with detailed flux data. The MEP potential evapotranspiration (PET) model, which uses fewer input variables compared to the Penman-Monteith model, reproduces estimates of PET with high accuracy. The study highlights the importance of accurate measurements and constraints on ground heat flux in sparsely monitored Arctic regions. The MEP model's performance is validated through scatter plots and performance statistics, showing good agreement between modeled and observed surface energy budgets. The MEP model is particularly useful for regions with limited field observations, as it does not require temperature and humidity gradients, wind speed, or roughness data, which are often difficult to measure in harsh Arctic environments. The study also discusses the challenges and potential applications of the MEP model in permafrost regions, emphasizing the need for accurate thermal inertia estimates.This study examines the surface energy budgets of the Arctic tundra during the growing season, focusing on sites underlain by permafrost. The Maximum Entropy Production (MEP) model is tested as a parsimonious approach to simulate surface heat fluxes in data-sparse environments. The MEP model, which requires only net radiation, surface temperature, and a parameter characterizing thermal inertia, accurately estimates latent, sensible, and ground heat fluxes at five sites with detailed flux data. The MEP potential evapotranspiration (PET) model, which uses fewer input variables compared to the Penman-Monteith model, reproduces estimates of PET with high accuracy. The study highlights the importance of accurate measurements and constraints on ground heat flux in sparsely monitored Arctic regions. The MEP model's performance is validated through scatter plots and performance statistics, showing good agreement between modeled and observed surface energy budgets. The MEP model is particularly useful for regions with limited field observations, as it does not require temperature and humidity gradients, wind speed, or roughness data, which are often difficult to measure in harsh Arctic environments. The study also discusses the challenges and potential applications of the MEP model in permafrost regions, emphasizing the need for accurate thermal inertia estimates.