- Editors choice 2022 (REC Solar range).
Pure by name, pure by nature. The REC Alpha Pure is the next-generation solar module derived from the Intersolar award-winning REC Alpha series. More refined, improved power density, outstanding temperature coefficient and most interestingly, the absence of toxic lead componentry influencing the name “Pure”.
Model:
REC Alpha Pure.
Variants:
Alpha Pure; 385 / 390 / 395 / 400 / 405 / 410 W.
TLDR:
Not the first HJT solar module created. However, the REC Alpha Pure (descended from the REC Alpha series 2019) is potentially the most influential. Refining an already impeccable design that further enhances Efficiency characteristics, the REC Alpha Pure series earns a Solar Analytica Editors Choice Award for 2022 as a superior product within the industry.
Features:
HJT (Heterojunction Technology), Extreme positive & negative loading, Outstanding temperature coefficient.
The following detailed product analysis for the REC Alpha Pure should be used as a guide only. Individual circumstances and compatibilities must always be taken into account when selecting the ideal solar module. This content comprises the Solar Analytica Assessment Criteria (solar modules) based on available product specifications at compilation (refer to post date).
Video; REC Alpha Pure solar module advantages.
1. Design: 93/100
Sub-Category | Characteristic | Reference | Class. | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cell Type
| N-Type monocrystalline/ Amorphous silicon (Heterojunction). | Alpha Pure data sheet section; General Data, Cell Type (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5)
| 100 |
Cell Configuration | 132 layered half-cell. | Alpha Pure data sheet section; General Data, Cell Type (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat3) | 80 |
Contact | Advanced multi-busbar (lead free). | Alpha Pure data sheet (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat4) | 90 |
Enhanced | Heterojunction (HJT) technology. | Alpha Pure data sheet (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Encapsulation | 3.2mm Tempered Glass with AR coating WITH manufacturer specified polymer (black) substrate. | Alpha Pure data sheet section; General Data (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat3) | 80 |
Certifications | VDE. | Reference documents. | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Awards | Specific Recognition; Intersolar Award 2020 winner (photovoltaics); REC Alpha series. | Press release (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Design Overall | REC Alpha Pure | Above Avg (Cat4) | 93/100 | |
Sub-Category: Product asset which compiles the category. Characteristic: Scoring characteristic/gauge of the Sub-Category. Reference: Reference material from which the sub-category Characteristic has been derived. Class.: Solar Analytica classification of the nominated score range. Rank: Solar Analytica ranking points nominated per solar module property attributing toward an individual sub-category (excluding overall row). Overall (row): combined average of each Sub-Category.
Video; REC Alpha HJT solar cells under load vs standard P-Type mono cells.
2. DURABILITY: 75/100
Sub-Category | Characteristic | Reference | Class. | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Positive loading | Test load – 7000 Pa, min10% coverage ratio, temp. 25 ±5°C, max humidity 75 %, ±5 % load uniformity, 3 cycles of 1 hr applied load. | IEC 61215-2 MQT16 (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat4) | 90 |
Negative loading | Test load – 4000 Pa, min10% coverage ratio, temp. 25 ±5°C, max humidity 75 %, ±5 % load uniformity, 3 cycles of 1 hr applied load. | IEC 61215-2 MQT16 (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5 | 100 |
Damp heat test | 1000 Hrs – Test Temp: (85 ± 2)°C, Relative humidity: (85 ± 5)%. | IEC 61215-2 MQT13 (reference documents). | Average | 50 |
Thermal cycle test | 200 – 299 Cycles – Temp range: (-40 ± 2) to (+85 ± 2) °C. | IEC 61215-2 MQT11 (reference documents). | Average | 50 |
Potential induced degredation | Resistant. | (IEC TS 62804) PID determined by MQT 13, MQT 15 & MQT 01 of IEC 61215-2 & Clause 5.5 Voltage stress test (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Salt mist resistance | Severity 6 – CX Offshore, ToW (N/A). | IEC 61701 (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Amonia resistance | 1 cycle = test section 1 + test section 2 = 24 h, Total test duration = 20 cycles (480 h). | IEC 62716 (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Sand and dust resistance | Not Listed | IEC 60068-2-68 (reference documents). | Below Average (Cat4) | 10 |
Hail impact resistance | Diameter: 35mm ±5%, Mass: 20.7 grams ±5%, Speed: 27.2m/sec ±2%. | IEC 61215-2 & 61646 (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat2) | 70 |
Durability Overall | REC Alpha Pure | Above Avg (Cat3) | 75/100 | |
Sub-Category: Product asset which compiles the category. Characteristic: Scoring characteristic/gauge of the Sub-Category. Reference: Reference material from which the sub-category Characteristic has been derived. Class.: Solar Analytica classification of the nominated score range. Rank: Solar Analytica ranking points nominated per solar module property attributing toward an individual sub-category (excluding overall row). Overall (row): combined average of each Sub-Category.
3. Efficiency: 85/100
Sub-Category | Characteristic | Reference | Class. | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Module efficiency (max) | 22.2%. | REC Alpha Pure data sheet section; SPECIFICATIONS, Module Efficiency STC (%) (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat4) | 90 |
Temperature coefficient (Pmax) | -0.26%oC | REC Alpha Pure data sheet section; SPECIFICATIONS, Temperature Coefficients of Pmax (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Power tolerance (max) | 0~+5W | REC Alpha Pure data sheet section; SPECIFICATIONS, Power Tolerance (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat1) | 60 |
NOCT power density (max) | 165 W/m2 | Calculated, input source; Alpha Series data sheet; Module Power STC, NOCT, Temp Coefficient, Dimensions (LxW) (internal post). | Above Avg (Cat4) | 90 |
Efficiency Overall | REC Alpha Pure | Above Avg (Cat4) | 85/100 | |
Sub-Category: Product asset which compiles the category. Characteristic: Scoring characteristic/gauge of the Sub-Category. Reference: Reference material from which the sub-category Characteristic has been derived. Class.: Solar Analytica classification of the nominated score range. Rank: Solar Analytica ranking points nominated per solar module property attributing toward an individual sub-category (excluding overall row). Overall (row): combined average of each Sub-Category.
4. PERFORMANCE: 75/100
Sub-Category | Characteristic | Reference | Class. | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1st-year degradation (max) | 2.0% | REC limited warranty certificate for Alpha series modules, global, section; 2. Performance Warranty (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat3) | 80 |
Annual degradation (max after year-1) | 0.25% p.a | REC limited warranty certificate for Alpha series modules, global, section; 2. Performance Warranty (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat4) | 90 |
Performance guarantee period | 25-years – Actual Power Output shall be not less than
92% of the Nominal Power Output. | REC limited warranty certificate for Alpha series modules, global, section; 2. Performance Warranty (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat3) | 60 |
Performance guantee assurance | Parts only. ProTrust; Parts & service. | REC limited warranty certificate for Alpha series modules, global, section; 3. Warranty Conditions, Limitations and Exclusions, section 3 (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat2). | 70 |
Performance Overall | REC Alpha Pure | Above Avg (Cat3) | 75/100 | |
Sub-Category: Product asset which compiles the category. Characteristic: Scoring characteristic/gauge of the Sub-Category. Reference: Reference material from which the sub-category Characteristic has been derived. Class.: Solar Analytica classification of the nominated score range. Rank: Solar Analytica ranking points nominated per solar module property attributing toward an individual sub-category (excluding overall row). Overall (row): combined average of each Sub-Category.
5. Guarantee: 78/100
Sub-Category | Characteristic | Reference | Class. | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Guarantee period
| 20-years. ProTrust; 25-years. | REC limited warranty certificate for Alpha series modules, global, section; 1. Product Warranty (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat3)
| 80 |
Guarantee assurance | Parts only. ProTrust; Parts & service. | REC limited warranty certificate for Alpha series modules, global, section; 3. Warranty Conditions, Limitations and Exclusions, section 3 (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat2) | 70 |
Manufacturer established | 1996 (26-years). | Wikipedia: REC Solar (external). | Above Avg (Cat3) | 80 |
Certified installer network | Yes (ProTrust), with additional end-user/ installer benefits. | REC Empowering warranty (external). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Manufacturer bankability | CCC, PV Moduletech, Feb 2022. | Bankability ratings (internal). | Above Avg (Cat1) | 60 |
Guarantee Overall | REC Alpha Pure | Above Avg (Cat3) | 78/100 | |
Sub-Category: Product asset which compiles the category. Characteristic: Scoring characteristic/gauge of the Sub-Category. Reference: Reference material from which the sub-category Characteristic has been derived. Class.: Solar Analytica classification of the nominated score range. Rank: Solar Analytica ranking points nominated per solar module property attributing toward an individual sub-category (excluding overall row). Overall (row): combined average of each Sub-Category.
Video; REC Alpha Pure solar module preview.
Overall: 81/100
Category | Classification | Ranking Points | Detail | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Design
| Elite | Above Avg (Cat4) | 93 | Criteria >
|
Durability | Superior | Above Avg (Cat3) | 75 | Criteria > |
Efficiency | Elite | Above Avg (Cat4) | 85 | Criteria > |
Performance | Superior | Above Avg (Cat3) | 75 | Criteria > |
Guarantee | Superior | Above Avg (Cat3) | 78 | Criteria > |
Overall: REC Alpha Pure | Above Avg (Cat3) | 81/100 | ||
Is there a sub-category value that requires an amendment? Submit an amendment request using this Amendment request form.
General product questions should be made using the comments section at the bottom of this post (keep scrolling).
The REC range of solar modules has been calculated using the Solar Analytica Assessment Criteria (solar modules) 2.1.1 >
- REC Alpha Pure Series 385W – 410W datasheet.
- REC Alpha Pure international warranty document.
- REC Alpha series Intersolar award-winner 2020 document.
- REC Solar certification overview document.
- REC Solar, VDE, IEC61215/61730 DHT & Thermal cycle certificate.
- REC Solar, VDE, IEC61701 Salt Mist corrosion certificate.
- REC Solar, VDE, IEC61215-2 Hail test certificate.
- REC Solar, VDE, IEC TS 62804-1:2015 Potential Induced Degradation certificate.
- REC Solar, VDE, IEC 62716:2013 Ammonia corrosion test certificate.
- REC Solar, VDE, IEC 62782 Mechanical load test certificate.
- REC Solar IEC referenced installation manual.
- IEC 61215-2 External site >
- IEC 61701 External site >
- IEC 62716 External site >
- IEC TS 62804-1-1 External site >
- IEC 60068-2-68 External site >
How does the current range of REC solar panels compare against each other?
At the time of writing the following REC solar panels were ranked alongside the REC Alpha Pure series in accordance with the SAAC V.2.1.1;
- REC TwinPeak 4 series.
- REC N-Peak 2.
