REC doubles down for 470 W of power

Have you seen a single residential rooftop module that approaches 500 W of power output? Well, there was one on display at an industry event last month. And even as a prototype product that’s hitting 470 W, the latest generation of REC’s powerful and environmentally friendly Alpha Pure module series are close in on the 500 W milestone.

It is not hard to be impressed by some of the power outputs achieved by modern PV modules. In recent years, the adoption of large-format modules has been a key driver in improving efficiencies. These modules are significantly larger and heavier than what a single installer can handle, and are usually for utility-scale solar farms, and the larger dimensions pushed power output up to around 500 W and beyond.

However, in 2023, the latest generation of smaller modules designed for residential rooftops are surpassing 400 W of power. Manufacturers are pushing the boundaries to achieve even higher power outputs.

The trend was very much on display last month at the Intersolar Europe solar conference. With over 100,000 attendees, it was the biggest one ever, and the halls were packed. The BayWa r.e. team was in full force, and our pretty famous (some would say infamous) party on the second night of the event saw crowds of revelers spilling out of the booth and into the Bavarian twilight. And my spies on the ground reported back on a REC protype rooftop module was on display, brimming with innovation.

Inside the REC Alpha Pure

At this point, it’s worth noting that BayWa r.e. and REC have a long-standing partnership. BayWa r.e. teams in Europe, North America, and here in Australia have long supplied REC modules to our customers.

And, so it should come as no surprise that the first installation with the REC Alpha modules on a home was carried out by a customer of BayWa r.e. Italy. The installation was completed in October 2019, at a home near Venice, Italy.

Enrico Marin, the managing director of BayWa r.e.’s Italian distribution business said that the Alpha module was an important part of the company’s offering. “As a leading quality distributor of solar components and a REC Platinum Partner, we are proud to be part of the world’s first installation of the REC Alpha Series.”

So, what’s different in the Alpha – and why did the latest version of the module series catch my eye?

The initial generation of Alpha had power classes of up to 380 W. This was achieved by the adoption of heterojunction technology, which I’ve addressed in some detail in a previous blog post. On the module level, the Alpha also employed “busbarless” cell interconnection – which is not only more effective at collecting electrons than traditional busbars, but also does away with soldering, which can often be a cause of module degradation and failure.

REC also continued along its development pathway of the split junction box and module design, which is now commonplace and significantly reduces the impact of partial shading. The design was pioneered in the REC TwinPeak series, way back in 2015, and developed further in the Alpha Pure – where three junction boxes/bypass diodes were deployed, segmenting the module further.

The next-generation Alpha Pure-R is divided into four sections, with a four-part junction box. The half-cut G12 cells are in a vertical orientation, and aligned horizontally, with strings running across the module.

The G12 cell format is the biggest one used in mass production today. REC appears convinced that powerful HJT technology on this “big daddy” of a silicon wafer is the best outcome in terms of performance. The company’s engineers have had to work hard to fit the big wafers into a residential-rooftop format module – roughly 1.73m x 1.12m in dimensions. Hence, they rotated the cells 90° from horizontal to vertical.

And the outcome of the big powerful HJT cells, four-section design, four-part junction box, horizontal current flow, and busbarless interconnection? It’s a module that is pushing well into 400 W+ territory.

The REC Alpha Pure-R hits a power output of up to 430 W. And in Munich last month, REC had the Alpha Pure-RX on display, a prototype that can reach up to 470 W.

REC describes its Alpha Pure series as delivering high power, resistance to shading losses, and a practical format for installers. The module’s current is also limited to nine amps – making it compatible with MLPE products, which would not otherwise be possible with G12 cells.

The module hits “the sweet spot between high power in a full-black design for homeowners, and easy handling for installers,” in the REC team’s words.

Environmental credentials

It seems like we’re not quite at the point yet where every or even most homeowners are asking about the environmental credentials of the components that are a part of their solar system. But we are seeing the beginning of this trend.

And REC is getting ahead of the development with the Alpha Pure series – and it’s where the “Pure” branding comes in. The module series was genuinely one of the first mass produced modules that does completely away with lead, making it entirely non-toxic and far easier to recycle.

REC also claims that by virtue of its HJT technology and cell interconnection that it can use thinner wafers, which means a lower C02 footprint. It also has developed a recycling process for the “kerf”, or excess polysilicon lost in the wafering process, where it is fed back into the manufacturing flow.

The Alpha Pure-R is also a long-lived module – like all quality solar panels should be – and is covered by a 25-year power warranty, guaranteeing 92% of nameplate output over that period.

All-in-all, it’s a powerful product that I believe is packed with a lot of technology. These are reasons for your customers to take a closer look at a higher quality product – and one that packs a punch, with power classes on their way to 500 W.