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Report: REC Alpha Series

Collaborative by Collaborative
May 6, 2023
in Modules, Featured, Reports
0
Home Modules
  • 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: 

Related: 

REC SOLAR PANELS YOU NEED TO CONSIDER IN 2022.

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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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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
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Accuracy matters.

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). 

How was this score calculated >

The REC range of solar modules has been calculated using the Solar Analytica Assessment Criteria (solar modules) 2.1.1 >

Reference documents >
  • 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 >
REC Solar panels overall >

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;

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