- Editors choice 2022 (REC Solar range).
TOPCon. Get to know that acronym as it’s about to raise your expectations of REC’s latest solar module, the Alpha Series. An N-type monocrystalline TOPCon solar module that will shape the next decade of module designs. To be fair, Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact may not sound as exciting, however, when infused within the new REC Alpha Series design, an inspiring solar module with Elite Efficiency and Performance attributes is born.
Model:
REC Alpha Series.
Variants:
Alpha Series; 360 / 365 / 370 / 375 / 380 W.
Alpha Black Series; 355 / 360 / 365 / 370 / 375 W.
Alpha 72 Series; 430 / 435 / 440 / 445 / 450 W.
TLDR:
The following detailed product analysis for the REC Alpha Series 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 Series Solar module preview.
1. Design: 84/100
Sub-Category | Characteristic | Reference | Class. | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cell Type
| N-Type Mono / Heterojunction | Alpha Series data sheet section; General Data, Cell Type (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5)
| 100 |
Cell configuration | Standard split cell / half cell design | Alpha Series data sheet section; General Data, Cell Type (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat1) | 60 |
Contact | MBB Wire front contact | Alpha Series data sheet; (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat3) | 80 |
Enhanced | Heterojunction (HJT) technology | Alpha Series data sheet; (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Encapsulation | Solar glass with anti-reflection surface treatment, no manufacturer defined | Alpha Series data sheet section; General Data, Glass (reference documents). | Average | 50 |
Certifications | VDE certified | Alpha Series data sheet; (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Awards | Intersolar Award 2020 | Press release (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Design Overall | REC Alpha Series | Above Avg (Cat3) | 84/100 | |
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.
2. DURABILITY: 78/100
Sub-Category | Characteristic | Reference | Class. | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Positive loading | Test load – 7000Pa, 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 | PID 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). | Average | 40 |
Hail impact resistance | Diameter: 25mm ±5%, Mass: 7.3-grams ±5%, Speed: 23m/sec ±2%,. | IEC 61215-2 & 61646 (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat2) | 70 |
Durability Overall | REC Alpha Series | 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.
3. Efficiency: 85/100
Sub-Category | Characteristic | Reference | Class. | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Module efficiency (max) | 21.7% monofacial | REC Alpha Series data sheet section; Electrical Data, Panel Efficiency STC (%) (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat3) | 80 |
Temperature coefficient (Pmax) | -0.26%oC | REC Alpha Series data sheet section; Temperature Ratings, Temperature Coefficients of Pmax (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Power tolerance (max) | 0~+5W (0~+3% ) | REC Alpha Series data sheet section; Electrical Data, Watt Class Sorting (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat1) | 70 |
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 Series | 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% | Empowering Warranty (external link). | Above Avg (Cat3) | 80 |
Annual degradation (max after year-1) | 0.25% p.a | Empowering Warranty (external link). | Above Avg (Cat4) | 90 |
Performance guarantee period | 25-years | Empowering Warranty (external link). | Above Avg (Cat3) | 60 |
Performance guantee assurance | Parts and services. | Empowering Warranty (external link). | Above Avg (Cat2) | 70 |
Performance Overall | REC Alpha Series | 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
| 25-years (300-months). | Empowering Warranty (external link). | Above Avg (Cat3)
| 80 |
Guarantee assurance | Parts and services. | Empowering Warranty (external link). | Above Avg (Cat2) | 70 |
Manufacturer established | 1996 (26-years). | Company history (external link). | Above Avg (Cat3) | 80 |
Certified installer network | Yes, with additional end-user/ installer benefits. | Empowering Warranty (external link). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Manufacturer bankability | CCC, CC or BNEF listed. | PV Moduletech bankability ratings (external). | Above Avg (Cat1) | 60 |
Guarantee Overall | REC Alpha Series | 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.
Overall: 80/100
Category | Classification | Ranking Points | Detail | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Design
| Superior | Above Avg (Cat3) | 84 | Criteria >
|
Durability | Superior | Above Avg (Cat3) | 78 | 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 Series | Above Avg (Cat3) | 80/100 | ||
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 Series 360W – 380W data sheet.
- REC Alpha Black Series 355W – 375W data sheet.
- REC Alpha 72 Series 430W – 450W data sheet.
- Top Performer in the annual DNV-GL PV Module Reliability Scorecard.
external link. - 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.
- Company history external link.
- Empowering Warranty external link.
- 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 Alpha Pure, N-Peak 2 and TwinPeak 4 series in accordance with the SAAC V.2.1.1;
