REC Group solar panel review: Above-average performance, below-average price
It looks and performs like a premium solar panel but costs about 25% less than SunPower.
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REC Group solar panels compete with the best of the best at a fraction of the price. The European company boasts the top temperature coefficient, offers the same degradation rates as the industry’s best power warranty, and produces one of the most efficient solar panels on EnergySage. But it costs about 25% less per watt than SunPower.
Market dynamics captured by EnergySage data signify that REC Group solar panels offer the most value to homeowners. The balance they’ve managed to strike between power and price is impressive: These panels’ performance is right up there with Maxeon, yet cost 3% less than the average price per watt on EnergySage. That said, cheaper options do exist. If you’re looking to keep upfront costs as low as possible, you may consider other options.
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IN A NUTSHELL
Prices
$2.68 per watt on average, based on more than 10,000 real-world quotes on the EnergySage Marketplace in the second half of 2023.
Federal tax credits and state, local, or utility incentives should further reduce the price. The federal solar tax credit alone reduces the cost by 30%.
Pros
The best performance per penny: REC Group solar panels offer the best value on the market.
Powerful specs: REC Group has the best temperature coefficient and is one of the most efficient solar panels on EnergySage.
#1 rated solar panel on EnergySage: REC Group’s Alpha Pure 410-watt solar panel received a 100/100 score on EnergySage.
Cons
You can find cheaper solar panels: REC Group has an affordable price per watt, but if budget is your top priority, there are cheaper options.
REC Group is a Norwegian company with almost 30 years of experience under its belt. Known for pioneering half-cut cell technology, REC now produces lead-free solar panels through its various Alpha Pure series.
REC Group’s Alpha Pure panels use heterojunction (HJT) solar cell technology to offer better power density, efficiency, performance, and longer lifespans. The brand currently claims the top four highest-rated solar panel models on EnergySage based on performance, warranty, durability, and manufacturing.
REC Group solar panels
Alpha Pure-RX | Alpha Pure-R | Alpha Pure 2 | Alpha Pure | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EnergySage score | 90/100 | 92/100 | 90/100 | 100/100 |
| Cell type | Heterojunction | Heterojunction | Heterojunction | Heterojunction |
| Power output | 450–470 W | 400–430 W | 400–430 W | 390-410 W |
| Efficiency | 21.6–22.6% | 20.7–22.3% | 20.6–22.2% | 21.1–22.2% |
| Temperature coefficient | -0.24% / °C | -0.24% / °C | -0.24% / °C | -0.26% / °C |
| Product warranty | 20 years (standard) or 25 years (REC ProTrust) | 20 years (standard) or 25 years (REC ProTrust) | 20 years (standard) or 25 years (REC ProTrust) | 20 years (standard) or 25 years (REC ProTrust) |
| Power warranty | 25 years | 25 years | 25 years | 25 years |
| Warranted degradation | 98% of output in year 1, at least 92% in year 25 (0.25% degradation rate) | 98% of output in year 1, at least 92% in year 25 (0.25% degradation rate) | 98% of output in year 1, at least 92% in year 25 (0.25% degradation rate) | 98% of output in year 1, at least 92% in year 25 (0.25% degradation rate) |
| Weight | 50 lbs | 47.4 lbs | 47.8 lb | 45.2 lbs |
| Size | 68 x 47.4 x 1.2 in | 68.1 x 44.0 x 1.2 in | 73.4 x 40.9 x 1.2 in | 71.7 x 40 x 1.2 in |
For solar panels, the most important specs to watch are:
Efficiency: How well a solar panel captures sunlight and converts it into electricity for your home, expressed as a percentage (i.e., 22.2%). The higher, the better.
Temperature coefficient: How well your solar panels perform in less-than-ideal conditions, expressed as a percentage per degree (i.e., 0.34% / °C). The lower, the better.
Warranty: Guarantees that the company will replace your panel if it fails due to manufacturing defects or environmental issues. Warranties also guarantee a certain amount of production throughout the 25+ year term.
REC Group vs. other popular brands
REC Group Alpha Pure | Maxeon Solar Technologies Maxeon 3 | Q CELLS Q.TRON BLK
M-G2+ | Silfab Solar Prime | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EnergySage Score | 100/100 | 90/100 | 66/100 | 65/100 |
| Price per watt* | $2.68 | $3.35 | $2.86 | $2.91 |
| Power output | 410 W | 410 W | 410 W | 410 W |
| Power output per square foot | 20.9 W/sq. ft. | 20.1 W/sq. ft. | 19.5 W/sq. ft. | 19.2 W/sq. ft. |
| Efficiency | 22.2% | 21.6% | 21.0% | 20.7% |
| Temperature coefficient | -0.26% / °C | -0.27 / °C | -0.30% / °C | -0.36% / °C |
| Power warranty | 98% of output in year 1, at least 92% in year 25 (0.25% degradation rate) | 98% of output in year 1, at least 92% in year 25 (0.25% degradation rate) | 98.5% of output in year 1, at least 90.58% in year 25 (0.33% degradation rate) | 97.1% of output in year 1, at least 85.1% in year 25 (0.5% degradation rate) |
| Warranty term | 25 years | 40 years | 25 years | 30 years |
| Size | 71.7 x 40 x 1.2 in | 71.34 x 41.18 x 1.6 in | 67.8 x 44.6 x 1.18 in | 75.35 x 40.79 x 1.4 in |
*Prices reflect the average quoted price for each solar panel brand based on EnergySage Marketplace data. Prices may differ for the specific model listed.
The performance per penny is hard to beat
Our analysis of hundreds of solar quotes and solar panel models shows that REC Group offers the most value on the market. It has the cheapest cost per watt compared to its peers, yet it boasts the best temperature coefficient, one of the best power warranties, and is one of the most efficient brands on EnergySage.
It has one of the best degradation rates on the market
SunPower and its former manufacturing arm, Maxeon Solar Technologies, are known for their comprehensive warranties, largely deemed the best on the market. While REC Group’s 25-year warranty term is no match for Maxeon’s 40-year coverage, the warrantied degradation rates are identical for many models.
REC Group promises one of the lowest degradation rates available, meaning you’ll maintain higher outputs throughout your system’s 25-year useful life. The more solar energy your system produces, the more valuable your investment becomes.
You live in a warmer climate
REC Group offers the best temperature coefficient on EnergySage, making them especially beneficial if you live in a consistently hot area. Despite solar panels’ need for direct sunlight, energy production actually decreases in warmer temperatures. The temperature coefficient measures how well a solar panel performs in less-than-ideal conditions.
REC Group’s low temperature coefficient means you’ll maintain a higher production level when it’s hot out than other solar panels.
There are cheaper options available
We’ve been talking about how affordable REC is (and it is), but in terms of sticker price, there are cheaper panels available. REC Group offers the most value, but if you’re strictly looking to keep upfront costs as low as possible, REC Group might not be for you. Brands like Mitrex, Mission Solar Energy, and Boviet have the lowest price per watt on EnergySage.
Still, while you may pay less upfront for another solar panel brand, you’ll likely save more money in the long run with REC Group panels. Those top-notch specs mean REC panels produce more electricity than cheaper panels, which means you’ll spend less money on utility-generated electricity.
As your unbiased advisor, we’ve reviewed hundreds of solar panels and deemed REC Group the most valuable. REC Group’s price tag is surprisingly affordable, given that it employs some of the best solar cell technology. Still, the best way to determine whether REC Group solar panels are the best solution for your home is to review multiple quotes before deciding.
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- Access the lowest prices from installers near you
- Unbiased Energy Advisors ready to help
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