REC SOLAR PANELS REVIEW
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REC Key Facts:
Headquarters | Oslo, Norway. Operational headquarters in Singapore. |
Where are REC solar panels made? | Singapore |
What year was REC founded? | 1996 |
What year did REC enter the Australian market? | 2010 |
Does REC have an Australian presence? | Head office is located in Melbourne. |
REC fact: | REC solar panels have an industry-leading low claims rate, with only 0.01% of panels manufactured each year being returned as product claims. |
REC Solar Panels Range Review
REC is Norwegian and known for making premium solar panels. If you’re after great quality components for your system, then REC solar panels are worthy of your attention.
The Alpha Pure Series, Alpha Pure-R Series and the TwinPeak Series are the three core residential solar panel offerings from REC.
Let’s learn why REC solar panels command a higher price tag.
Alpha Pure Series
First up, it’s worth noting that REC solar’s Alpha Pure panels use N-type, heterojunction cells. This is a clever hybrid cell that layers a standard monocrystalline silicon cell between 2 layers of thin film silicon to boost production efficiency.
This helps the Alpha Pure module reach efficiencies as high as 22.2%. That’s BIG.
The panel is also half cut, improving its output if you have shaded areas across your roof.
The Alpha Pure nabbed REC an Intersolar Award in May 2022 with judges deeming its power output as ‘outstanding’.
Gapless cells and an all-black design also mean these panels look great.
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REC Solar Panels: Review and Specs
Range name | Alpha Pure Series |
Power rating* | 390 – 410W* |
Efficiency | Up to 22.2%* |
Product warranty | 20 years ** |
Performance warranty | 25 years |
Labour Warranty | 25 year labour warranty*** |
Type | N-Type |
Price range: | Top Quality |
*depending on panel dimensions
**product warranty extended to 25 years when installed by an REC Certified Solar Professional
***only available when installed by an REC Certified Solar Professional
Alpha Pure-R Series
The Alpha Pure-R series takes what makes the Alpha Pure series a stand out solar panel and dials it up another notch.
The Apha Pure-R features an N-Type cell with improved surface area that helps push the max production efficiency of this panel to 22.3%.
They also double down on the half-cut design of the Alpha Pure, and split their cells into 4 sections giving them even greater shade tolerance.
Did we mention they still come in black?
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REC Solar Panels: Review and Specs
Range name | Alpha Pure-R Series |
Power rating* | 400 – 430W* |
Efficiency | Up to 22.3%* |
Product warranty | 20 years** |
Performance warranty | 25 year performance warranty |
Labour warranty | 25 year labour warranty*** |
Type | N-Type |
Price range: | Top Quality |
*depending on panel dimensions
**product warranty extended to 25 years when installed by an REC Certified Solar Professional
***only available when installed by an REC Certified Solar Professional
TwinPeak Series
The TwinPeak 4, and slightly updated TwinPeak 5, use more standard monocrystalline cells to still deliver impressive performance, boasting efficiencies as high as 20.8% and are also half-cut.
It’s worth noting that both the Twin Peak series comes with a 20 year product warranty as standard, an already great warranty and better than what many brands offer.
That becomes a 25 year warranty if you choose to install with an REC Certified Solar Professional as part of the REC ProTrust warranty offer.
This also applies to the Alpha Pure and the Alpha Pure-R series.
Finally, you guessed it: it also comes in black.
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REC Solar Panels: Review and Specs
Range name | TwinPeak Series |
Power rating* | 350 – 410W* |
Efficiency | Up to 20.8%* |
Product warranty | 20 years** |
Performance warranty | 25 years |
Labour Warranty | 25 year labour warranty*** |
Type | Monocrystalline |
Price / Quality range: | High |
*depending on panel dimensions
**product warranty extended to 25 years when installed by an REC Certified Solar Professional
***only available when installed by an REC Certified Solar Professional
How much do Risen Solar Panels Cost?
REC Solar panels are pricey. They’re a premium product with premium power efficiency. But look… if you’re after quality, they’re worth it.
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Solar System Pricing
ESTIMATED AS OF MARCH 2023
| Budget combo | Mid-range combo | Top-end combo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per watt | $0.65 | $0.85 | $1.20 |
| Price for a 6.6kW solar system* | $4,290 | $5,610 | $7,920 |
| Panel examples | Jinko JA Solar Risen Suntech | Canadian Trina Solar LONGi | Sunpower QCells REC |
| Inverter examples | Growatt | Sungrow | Fronius |
*Approximate price only, AUD retail incl. GST. Assumes pairing with a comparable quality inverter. Quoted price will vary depending on multiple factors, including your location, your home and its roof, available supply, installers etc. We recommend comparing quotes form 3 installers to get an accurate price for your individual situation.
You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who wasn’t satisfied with their REC panels. Aussie homeowners who’ve made the REC choice seem to be thrilled with the look, and the energy output. REC solar panel reviews speak for themselves.
REC solar panels have an excellent warranty and a network of installers they can deploy if you’re in need, so they’re a safe bet overall.
Request 3 free quotes from Solar Market and we’ll put you in touch with A1 installers offering REC and many other brands of panels to compare.
Make your solar installation as easy as possible; get your pricing and plan from the experts.
Want to get a better idea of what your panels will cost? Check out our Solar Panel Calculator. Doesn’t take long, just answer a few questions and we’ll let you know what you can expect to be forking out.
REC Solar Panel Warranty
When thinking about warranties, keep a few things in mind.
Can I trust my solar installer will resolve my claim?
First and foremost, you must have confidence in the solar company you choose. Both the installer who puts the panels on your roof and the company that sells you the system, if they are different.
Sometimes solar retailers have their own in hour installation teams, sometimes they subcontract to an installer. Either is fine. The main thing is a solid track record of post-sale support and customer service.
Investigate the possibilities of additional warranties, such as workmanship guarantees, and ensure that your installer has Australian based customer service staff. Their claims procedure should be clear and simple as well. The customer service crew will be the ones you speak with if something goes wrong, so it’s best to make your first choice the right choice.
Next, check to see if the maker of your solar inverter and solar panels, such as REC, has a physical presence in Australia. That includes an office with customer service people and technical support. Again, you’ll want to be able to contact someone in Australia if something goes wrong (especially if your installer isn’t in business anymore or unavailable to assist for any reason). The longer they’ve been operating in Australia, the better.
You should get at least 3 solar quotes to compare before you decide who to go with. At Solar Market we’ve done the hard work and work with solar installers across the country. We match you with 3 solar suppliers who are qualified and operating in your local area.
REC Solar panels warranty review. Yay or nay?
All of REC’s solar panels come with a 25 year performance warranty and a 20 year product warranty (25 years if an REC-accredited installer puts it on your roof!).
It’s worth noting that while all REC panels come with a 25 year performance warranty, TwinPeak panels are only guaranteed for 86% of their original starting power by the end of that period (still good), while the Alpha series is guaranteed to perform at 92% (crazy good).
And, if you install your system through an approved REC Solar Professional Installer, you’ll receive a unique bonus 25 year labour warranty that pays out a fixed fee to help cover the cost of any unexpected servicing. This additional warranty sets REC apart from the rest of the pack.
REC also has a Melbourne office to help you with the claims process should you need.
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REC solar panel warranty review:
| Product Warranty | 20 – 25 years |  |
| Performance Warranty | 25 years | |
| Labour Warranty | 0 – 25 years | |
| Australian Presence | Melbourne Office | |
With all this considered Aussies should feel comfortable when buying REC Solar panels.
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