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REC Review 2026

REC manufactures 4 models across solar panels. Efficiency range 21.4%–22.6%.

Headquartered in Singapore · Manufacturing in Singapore

Founded 1996 by ScanWafer (predecessor) · Headquartered in Munich, Germany

Parent company: Reliance Industries Limited (India)

94
SolarSpec Score
A
Grade A
across 4 models
✓ 2/4 datasheet-verified (50%)
How we score →

REC at a glance

2.4 GW
Annual shipments
4.2%
US residential share
1.8%
Global market share
30+ yr
In business (since 1996)
Headquarters
Munich, Germany
Product Lines
1 category
Solar Panels
Manufacturing
Norway · Singapore
Primary Market
EU · US · Asia-Pacific

Certifications: IEC 61215 · IEC 61730 · UL 1703 · CEC Listed

Warranty: 25-yr product · 25-yr performance

Key milestones

  • 1996 Founded as ScanWafer in Norway
  • 2010 Launched first solar panel
  • 2015 Acquired by Bluestar Elkem (China)
  • 2021 Acquired by Reliance Industries Ltd. of India
  • 2022 Launched Alpha Pure-R series with HJT lead-free technology

Source: www.recgroup.com/en/about-rec · Last updated 2026-05-27

REC Pros & Cons (data-driven)

+ Pros

  • Average panel efficiency 22.1% exceeds industry baseline 21%
  • Average product warranty 23.8yr exceeds industry baseline 12yr
  • Strong heat tolerance (-0.27%/°C, better than industry -0.32%/°C)
  • Low annual degradation 0.36%/yr (industry average ~0.5%/yr)

Cons

  • Distributor and installer pricing varies — direct retail rarely available
  • Some 2026 models depend on regional distributor availability

Pros and cons calculated against industry baselines: 21% panel efficiency, 12yr panel warranty, -0.32%/°C temp coeff, 90% battery RTE.

Current REC Product List (4)

Solar Panels (4)

Model Wattage Efficiency Warranty Verified Score Details
Alpha Pure-RX 470W 470W 22.6% 25/25 yr 100 (A) View →
Alpha Pure R 430W 430W 22.3% 25/30 yr 100 (A) View →
Alpha Pure-R 460W 460W 22.2% 25/25 yr 94 (A) View →
TwinPeak 5 420W 420W 21.4% 20/25 yr 82 (B+) View →

Spec Sheet Downloads

2 manufacturer-published datasheets available for REC products. All links go to the official PDF on the manufacturer's website.

Where REC is Recommended

Our climate-adapted state guides recommend REC models in 9 states.

Recent REC News

SolarSpec does not republish third-party news. For the latest REC news — product launches, financial filings, recalls, supply-chain updates — search Google News directly.

Search REC news on Google News →

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SolarSpec Score for REC?

REC earns a SolarSpec Score of 94/100 (Grade A) based on the weighted average of all 4 models in their 2026 lineup. The score combines efficiency, warranty, temperature coefficient, and verification status. See our /methodology/ page for the full formula.

How many solar products does REC offer in 2026?

REC offers 4 products in their 2026 lineup: 4 solar panels.

What is the most efficient REC solar panel?

The most efficient REC solar panel is the Alpha Pure-RX 470W at 22.6% efficiency with 470W output. REC panels range from 21.4% to 22.6% efficiency across 4 models.

What warranty does REC offer on solar panels?

REC offers up to 25-year product warranty and up to 30-year performance warranty. Average annual degradation across the lineup is 0.36%.

Where are REC solar panels manufactured?

REC solar panels are manufactured in Singapore.

Where can I download REC datasheets?

We have direct manufacturer-published datasheet links for 2 of 4 REC products. See the Spec Sheet Downloads section below for direct PDF links.

How we score brands

Every REC model in our catalog is scored 0-100 using a transparent formula: efficiency (25 pts), product warranty (20 pts), performance warranty bonus (3 pts), temperature coefficient (12 pts), and datasheet verification (5 pts), on a 50-point baseline. The brand-level score is the simple average across all 4 models.

Read the full SolarSpec methodology →

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