Discover N-Type TOPCon technology before it was cool. Similar to HJT (REC Alpha), you’re about to see a wave of N-Type TOPCon solar modules flood the market over the next decade. Once again ahead of the curve, the REC N-Peak 2 solar module is an industry influencer towards successful module technology evolution. Take comfort in knowing alternative mass-market N-Type TOPCon module designs are now playing catch-up to where the REC N-Peak 2 was years ago.
Model:
REC N-Peak 2
Variants:
N-Peak 2 ; 350 / 355 / 360 /365 / 370 / 375 W.
N-Peak 2 Black ; 350 / 355 / 360 /365 / 370 W.
TLDR:
The REC N-Peak 2 provides the latest N-Type monocrystalline cell technology advancements in TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact), the new rising star in high-performance module design. Leveraging from the companies rich history of influential design, the REC N-Peak 2 offers a well rounded overall superior solar module for the perceptive investor.
Features:
N-Type TOPCon, Extreme positive & negative loading, ProTrust guarantee.
The following detailed product analysis for the REC N-Peak 2 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 Module Assessment Criteria based on available product specifications at compilation (refer to post date).
Video; REC N-Peak solar module preview.
1. Design: 83/100
Sub-Category | Characteristic | Reference | Class. | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cell Type
| N-Type monocrystalline. | N-PEAK 2 data sheet section; GENERAL DATA, Cell type (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5)
| 100 |
Cell Configuration | 120 half-cell. | N-PEAK 2 data sheet section; GENERAL DATA, Cell type (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat1) | 60 |
Contact | 9 wire busbar. | N-PEAK 2 data sheet (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat3) | 80 |
Enhanced | TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact). | N-PEAK 2 datasheet (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Encapsulation | 3.2mm Tempered Glass with AR coating WITH manufacturer specified polymer substrate. | N-PEAK 2 data sheet section; GENERAL DATA, Glass, Backsheet (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat3) | 80 |
Certifications | VDE Certified. | N-PEAK 2 data sheet section; CERTIFICATIONS (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Awards | General Recognition; Top Performer in the Annual DNV-GL PV Module Reliability Scorecard. | REC group awards (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat1) | 60 |
Design Overall | REC N-Peak 2 | Above Avg (Cat3) | 83/100 | |
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: 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+ 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 ToWn (N/A). | IEC 61701 (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat5) | 100 |
Ammonia 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 Avg (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 N-Peak 2 | 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: 68/100
Sub-Category | Characteristic | Reference | Class. | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Module efficiency (max) | 20.5% | N-PEAK 2 data sheet section; ElECTRICAL DATA @ STC, Panel Efficiency (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat2) | 70 |
Temperature coefficient (Pmax) | -0.34%oC | N-PEAK 2 data sheet section; TEMPERATURE RATINGS, Pmax. (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat2) | 70 |
Positive power tolerance (max) | -0 / +5W | N-PEAK 2 data sheet section; ELECTRICAL DATA @ STC, Watt Class Sorting (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat1) | 60 |
NOCT power density (max) | 154 W/m2 | Calculated, input source; N-PEAK 2 data sheet; Module Power STC, NOCT, Temp Coefficient, Dimensions (LxW) (internal post). | Above Avg (Cat2) | 70 |
Efficiency Overall | REC N-Peak 2 | Above Avg (Cat2) | 68/100 | |
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 N-Peak 2 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 N-Peak 2 modules, global, section; 2. Performance Warranty (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat4) | 90 |
Performance guarantee period | 20-years. ProTrust; 25-years. | REC limited warranty certificate for N-Peak 2 modules, global, section; 2. Performance Warranty (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat1) | 60 |
Performance guarantee assurance | Parts only. ProTrust; Parts & service. | REC limited warranty certificate for N-Peak 2 modules, global, section; 3. Warranty Conditions, Limitations and Exclusions, section 3 (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat2) | 70 |
Performance Overall | REC N-Peak 2 | 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 N-Peak 2 modules, global, section; 1. Product Warranty (reference documents). | Above Avg (Cat3)
| 80 |
Guarantee assurance | Parts only. ProTrust; Parts & service. | REC limited warranty certificate for N-Peak 2 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 N-Peak 2 | 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: 76/100
Category | Classification | Ranking Points | Detail | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Design
| Superior | Above Avg (Cat3) | 83 | Criteria >
|
Durability | Superior | Above Avg (Cat3) | 74 | Criteria > |
Efficiency | Very Good | Above Avg (Cat2) | 68 | Criteria > |
Performance | Superior | Above Avg (Cat3) | 75 | Criteria > |
Guarantee | Superior | Above Avg (Cat3) | 78 | Criteria > |
Overall: REC N-Peak 2 | Above Avg (Cat3) | 76/100 | ||
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 score for the REC N-Peak 2 solar module has been calculated using the Solar Analytica Assessment Criteria (solar modules) 2.1.1 >
- REC N-Peak 2 datasheet.
- REC N-Peak 2 BLACK datasheet.
- REC N-Peak 2 warranty document.
- REC, DNV GL Top Performer Award Press release.
- 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 scored alongside the REC N-Peak 2 series in accordance with the SAAC V.2.1.1;
- REC Alpha Pure series.
- REC TwinPeak 4.
