Know about REC solar panels in this detailed review

​REC is solar’s most trusted brand that produces quality solar panels.

This Norwegian company was founded in 1996.

And so far, has manufactured 40 million solar panels, 11 gigawatts produced and is enjoyed by over 17 million people.

Also, it goes with a vision that every person gets the benefit of electricity produced by the sun.
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You are right, we are going to review REC solar panels in this post.

REC in News

October 11, 2021: Recently, REC Solar is acquired by Reliance New Energy Solar, a wholly-owned subsidiary of RIL.

Both are strong brands.

Therefore, this deal will allow REC to accelerate its expansion plans.

The combination of innovative technology and economies of scale will allow REC to penetrate deep into the market and serve its customers better.

Solar Panels by REC

It has a good range of solar panels in its bouquet.

​REC solar panels start from 305 watts and go up to 405 watts.

It has a total of 9 brands for its users and these are as follows:

a) Alpha Series:

Under the Alpha series, REC has Alpha (360 watts to 380 watts), Alpha Pure (385 watts to 405 watts), and Alpha 72 (430 watts to 450 watts) solar panels.

b) Twin Peak

Its Twin Peak series has 2 brands TWIN PEAK 4 (360 watts to 375 watts) and TWIN PEAK 4 Black (355 watts to 370 watts) of solar panels.

c) N-Peak

REC has 4 brands under its N-peak series.

• 305 watts to 330 watts under N-Peak Series
• N-Peak Black Series: 305 watts to 325 watts
• 360 watts to 375 watts under N-Peak 2 Series
• N-Peak 2 Black Series: 355 watts to 370 watts

The technology of REC solar panels

The REC solar panels are based on the latest technologies that boost power, improve efficiencies, and reduce the losses in the solar panels.

• The Alpha series is based on half-cut solar cell technology and HJT cell technology.
• The TWIN PEAK series has half-cut, monocrystalline/P-type solar cell technology
• N-Peak series is based on half-cut, N-type silicon cells technology

The half-cut is common in all the series.

In short, REC employs HJT, half-cut, P-type, and N-type technologies in its solar panels.

Let us understand each of these technologies:

i) HJT technology (Heterojunction technology)

HJT (Heterojunction) is a unique PN junction that is made by sandwiching the crystalline silicon cell between the thin layers of amorphous Silicon (a non-crystalline form of silicon).

Using this technology, solar panels can harvest more energy and have improved efficiencies.

Also, the solar panels based on this technology have a lower temperature coefficient of power and perform better in high temperatures.

In addition, the HJT solar cell offers better bi-faciality than any other technology.

ii) Monocrystalline P-type

These solar cells have captured the largest market share for the last 4 to 5 decades of the solar industry.

This technology has the benefit of economies of scale and you can find them at a lower price compared to other equivalent technologies in the market.

iii) Half-cut technology

In this technology, the solar cells are cut into halves and joined. It boosts the performance of the solar cells and improves their durability by:

• reducing heat losses in the cell
• improving the structural strength of the cell
• minimizing the shading loss

iv) N-type technology

N-Type technology uses the N-type solar cell that is made by combining thin P-type silicon (Silicon combined with Boron) with the thick layer of N-type cell (Silicon cell doped with Phosphorous)

Phosphorous has one electron extra than silicon.

(It has 5 electrons in its outermost shell while silicon has 4 electrons in its outermost shell).
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The N-Type solar cell is more immune to LID (Light Induced degradation).

During the manufacturing of P-type boron-doped silicon cells, the oxygen gets trapped inside the silicon.

When this type of solar panel is exposed to the sunlight, the boron reacts with the oxygen to form a complex compound, making electrons unavailable for the photovoltaic effect.

Resulting in a power loss from 1-3% in the boron-based solar cells.

There is no complex compound formed in the making of N-type solar cells.

Therefore, they are more immune to these defects.

The efficiency of REC solar panels

The ability of the solar panel to convert sunlight into electricity is defined by the term efficiency.

Efficiency (%) = Power output/Power Input x 100%
               = [Pmax of solar panel/(Solar panel area x Sunlight at STC)] x 100%
               = (Pmax/m²)/(1000 w/m²) x 100%

The REC solar panels are very efficient with an efficiency of 18.3% to 21.9%.

Read: Know 7 most efficient solar panels in the world

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The REC Alpha Pure series panels have the highest efficiency of 21.9%.

How well do REC solar panels perform at high temperatures?

We know solar panels lose power when their cell temperature increases beyond 25 °C.

The rise in cell temperature increases the cell resistance, and as result, we get less current.

The loss in the power with the rise in the temperature is represented by the term temperature coefficient of power.

It is written in %/°C and has a negative value, showing the loss in the power.

Hence the lower value implies power loss would be less with the rise in the temperature.

For example, a solar panel with a temperature coefficient of power -0.40 %/°C, means that it will lose 0.4% of its Pmax with every degree rise in the temperature above 25 °C.

• The REC Alpha Series (Alpha, Alpha Pure, and Alpha 72) has the lowest temperature coefficient of power of -0.26%/°C among all the series.
• The TWIN PEAK series has -0.34 %/ °C as its temperature coefficient of power.
• The N-Peak Series has two values of the temperature coefficient of power. The N-Peak and N-Peak Black have a value of -0.35%/°C while N-Peak 2 and N-Peak 2 Black have a value of -0.34%/ °C.

The formula for temperature coefficient of power

The power loss using this term can be calculated as follows:

Power loss (%) = (Cell temperature - 25°C) x Temperature coefficient of power

Assuming the cell temperature of 45 °C,

The power loss in Alpha Series would be:
(45 °C – 25 °C) x -0.26%/°C
= 20 °C x -0.26 %/°C
= -5.2%

It means the Alpha series solar panel will lose 5.2% of its Pmax when its cells are operating at 45 °C.

After doing the similar math with the N-Peak series (keeping the cell temperature the same at 45 °C).

If the temperature coefficient of power of -0.35%/°C, the power loss would be 7% of the Pmax.

In short, we can say that REC solar panels lose power by 5.2% to 7% when their cells are operating at 45 °C

(Remember, the cell temperature is higher than the ambient temperature. And this difference can go up from 30 °C to 40 °C).

How strong are REC solar panels?

The REC solar panels are one of the strongest solar panels in the market.

The strength of the solar panels is defined in two ways, one is its capability of withstanding the snow load and another is its durability in handling the wind pressure.

The snow load rating is also called the front load and the wind load rating is known as the rear load rating.

Let us look at the strength of its panels:

Its snow load rating is one of the highest in the market.

REC is a Norwegian company where snowfall and hail are normal.

Therefore, it has designed the panels considering the people living in a similar type of climate.

REC solar panels warranties

You cannot have peace of mind after buying the solar panels if you don’t have a good warranty from the manufacturer.

The solar panel warranty includes (i) Product warranty and (ii) Performance warranty.

The product warranty protects the buyer from any manufacturing defect, premature wear and tear, and other environmental issues that arise in the panel.

While on the other hand, the Performance warranty ensures that the solar panel is going to produce a certain level of power after 25 years.

Longer warranties (in years) are preferred.

REC offers an excellent warranty to its buyers.

It offers 20 years product warranty on its solar panels.

Also, if you are going solar with their certified installer you get a 5-years extra warranty, making it a total of 25 years.

That’s great!

Pro tip: Go solar with their certified installers near to you. You will get a 5-year extra product warranty making it a total of 25 years.

You get 25 years performance warranty.

In which the REC solar panel will produce 98% of its Pmax in the first year.

And thereafter the power will degrade by 0.25% every year till the 25th year (in Alpha Series and N-Peak 2 Series).

whereas

In an N-Peak series and Twin Peak Series, it is 0.5% from the second year onwards till the 25th year.

Certifications of REC solar panels

REC produces the highest quality standard solar panels that are certified by the reputed certification authorities.

REC solar panels have the following certifications:

i) Quality manufacturing, environment, and safety

IEC 62941 Certification of the quality system for PV module manufacturing

REC ensures that its production process is safe for its employees and the product is safe for its users and environment friendly.

REC solar panels are ISO 14001: 2015 certified for Environmental Management Systems.

and

OHSAS: 18001: 2007 certified for Occupational Health and Safety Management.

ii) Salt and Mist resistance

Solar panels installed in locations near the sea and other water bodies tend to degrade faster due to salt and wet weather.

They together corrode the solar panels and affect their output.

REC solar panels are certified for IEC 61701 with a severity level of 6.

Hence, the REC solar panels are Salt and mist resistant to the highest degree.

iii) PID resistance

The Potential Induced Degradation is a power loss in the solar panels.

The PID effect creates a potential difference between solar cells and the panel frame.

This creates leakage currents to flow from the solar cell to the frame, resulting in power loss.

Also, this effect is accelerated by high system voltage, temperature, and humidity.

You may not detect it in the initial years of installation but it becomes significant in the later life of the solar panels.

REC solar panels are IEC 62804 certified, ensuring the highest level of PID resistance.

iv) Fire resistance

There could be a chance of short-circuiting in the wires due to loose connections or poor installation practices, resulting in fire.

The REC solar panels are fire-resistant with various national and international certifications such as:

• UL 790 (modified to acc. UL 61730)
• ISO 11925-2
• UNI 8547 & UNI 9174 (UNI 9177)

v) Cyclic and wind loads

Cyclones can not only uplift common objects but also throw them anywhere at high speed.

And

Where they are hit can cause heavy damage.

REC solar panels are certified to AS 40404.2 and NCC 2016 LHL.

That ensures the solar panels can withstand these tough situations.

vi) Ammonia resistance

Ammonia (NH₃) is a corrosive gas found in the places where farm animals are kept.

This is common in rural areas and villages.

The high ammonia concentration causes a chemical reaction and can corrode solar panels.

Hence, affecting their output and useful life.

Therefore, the solar panels must be ammonia resistant when you are using them in such places.

REC solar panels are IEC 62716 certified, ensuring that their solar panels can offer the highest protection against chemical reactions caused by the high concentration of ammonia.

vii) 35 mm Hail resistance

In cold regions and high altitudes, the frozen water droplets (hail) can break the glass, causing significant damage to the solar panels, and resulting in power loss.

REC solar panels are strong enough to withstand the impact of hailstone up to 35 mm in diameter and 20.7 g mass.

They are certified to IEC 61215.

viii) Dynamic mechanical load and non-uniform load

Dynamic mechanical load: REC solar panels are strong enough to withstand heavy wind pressure and their strength is certified through IEC 62782 which verifies their toughness under real-life weather conditions.

Non-uniform loads: The solar panels are installed at some angle with the ground and any load that rests on the panel surface creates non-uniform and uneven pressure.

​The REC solar panels are certified to IEC 62938, ensuring that panels are designed to withstand uneven pressure. 

Price of REC solar panels

Although, the REC solar panels cost you above the average market price.

But their quality, durability, and warranties justify this price.

The REC solar panels come from $ 0.89/watt to $ 1.00/watt.

How to buy REC solar panels?

You can buy solar panels from their distribution partners that have a presence around the world.

Select your region and location, it will show you the addresses and the contact numbers of the distribution partners near you.

Contact them and get customized solar solutions. This facility is available in the following locations:

• Americas: USA, Canada, Caribbean Islands, Mexico, South America
• Asia Pacific: Australia, India, Indonesia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand
• Europe: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Wales
• Japan
• Middle East & Africa: Egypt and Morocco 

Units produced by 5-kW solar panels

Although the units produced by the solar power system depend on many variables, I am taking the important ones.

These are:

• Average Peak Sun Hours
• Cell temperature
• Temperature coefficient of power
• Panel degradation
• Shading loss
• Heating loss, and other losses

After considering all the losses, units produced by the 5-kW solar power system using REC solar panels are:

• 12 to 13 units per day in Oslo (Norway)
• 19 to 20 units per day in New Delhi (India)

This difference is due to the variation in the sunlight in the above two places.

Oslo receives 2.78 PSH (Peak Sun Hours) while New Delhi gets 5.5 PSH per day.

Pros of REC solar panels

REC solar panels are going to offer you the following advantages:

a) Reputed Brand

REC was established in 1996, it is a 25+ years old brand that is growing. It shows its solid foundation.

It has set up the benchmark for quality through stringent testing and reputed third-party certifications.

REC is a very reliable company and is committed to environmental sustainability.

Therefore, choosing REC solar panels for your solar installation is the right decision.

b) Latest Technology

REC uses a combination of the latest technologies such as:

• Heterojunction cell technology
• Half cut solar cell technology
• Monocrystalline/N-type
• Monocrystalline/P-type

to boost the power output, reducing heat losses and other losses.

c) Lowest temperature coefficient of power

REC solar panels perform very well even in high temperatures.

It’s Alpha Series has one of the lowest temperature coefficients (-0.26%/°C) in the market.

d) Very Strong

REC solar panels have a snow load rating of 7000 Pa and it is the highest value amongst all the solar panels I have reviewed so far.

This value of snow load rating corresponds to the pressure of 146 pounds per square foot (PSF).

No more worries about hail storm-breaking solar panels.

Get REC solar panels on the roof.

e) Highly Efficient

The REC solar panels are very efficient with the highest efficiency of 21.9% (Alpha Pure Series).

f) Longest Product warranty

REC offers one of the longest product warranties on its solar panels.

You will find a standard product warranty of 20 years and it is extended to another 5 years when you choose solar installation from REC certified installers.

g) Great Performance warranty

REC solar panels have low degradation and produce more power in 25 years.

The Alpha series and N-Peak 2 Series solar panels will produce 92% in the 25th year.

That is way above many solar panels available in the market.

h) Certifications

REC conducts stringent in-house tests and has many certifications for its quality and durability.

Such as quality manufacturing, safe and environment friendly, PID resistant, Ammonia resistant, Hail resistance, fire resistant, and many more.

All these certifications show the strong reliability of the REC solar panels. 

i) Wide Network

REC has a wide network of distributors, specifically in Europe, making it easy for the users to get prompt service.

Cons of REC solar panels

• Price: REC solar panels will cost you more than the average price in the market.

Although I have put it under the cons category.

It is not costly when you consider the quality, durability, strength, and trust the REC solar panels offer to their users.

• REC 72 Series solar panels have a snow load rating of 5400 and the wind load rating of 2400 Pa.

​These values are still better than the averages that we see in the solar panel market.

But from the company of this repute, I was expecting better.

Final verdict

After reviewing all the aspects of REC solar panels, we can say:

• REC is a reliable European brand that is serving customers for over 25 years.
• It is best for people looking for trusted and quality solar panels.
• The REC solar panels are highly efficient. Hence you will get more power even in the limited space. Therefore, they are best for people looking for solar solutions with space constraints.
• Their low-temperature coefficient of power will limit the power loss due to the increase in the cell temperature.
• REC solar panels are best for people living in an extreme climate where hail storms are common.
• Its long warranties (both Product and performance) will keep you tension-free and lets you enjoy smooth electricity for decades.

Profitability with REC solar panels

The Solar feasibility spreadsheet not only designs the complete solar power system but also lets you know the profitability beforehand.

In case you are planning to install the solar power system on the roof, designing it with this amazing tool would be a good idea.

I hope you find this post interesting.

Please share your experience of going solar with REC solar panels in the comment section.

Thank you

Yash 🙂