REC Group to launch Alpha Series 380W solar panels in Australia

A new, high-yield solar panel is set to hit Australia’s market, with a 380W unit by Norwegian outfit REC Group to be launched at next week’s All-Energy event in Melbourne.

REC said this week that its Alpha Series 60-cell panels were the “world’s highest powered” of their kind, and promised to deliver over 20 per cent more power than their nearest competitors.

The new panels are also designed to have a low profile on Australian rooftops, with what REC describes as sleek black colouring and “near-invisible” cell connections.

The panels are backed by a 25-year product warranty (on installations by REC Solar professional, otherwise 20 years), and a 25-year power output warranty, guaranteeing 92 per cent of nameplate power after 25 years.

The company says the Alpha Series panels are also guaranteed to perform in both cold and hot climates, with a leading temperature coefficient of -0.26 %/°C.

The Australian launch follows the product’s arrival in both the European and American markets. In Australia, REC says orders for the panels have already been placed by BayWa r.e. Sol Disribution and RFI.

The company says cell and module production are already underway “on a mass scale” – targeting an annual capacity of 600MW – at its manufacturing facility in Singapore and REC’s new ‘Industry 4.0’ cell fab.

“At a time where global citizens are investing in clean energy more than ever before, we’re incredibly proud to be exceeding consumer demand with [this] revolutionary technology,” said REC Group CEO Steve O’Neil in comments this week.

“The urgent need for a global-scale energy transition can’t be stressed enough, and only through ground-breaking technological leaps will this be achieved.

“By offering such a high value solar panel, REC is again setting new trends, and creating a ‘win-win-win’ opportunity for REC, our partners and solar professionals, as well as home owners and business who want to make a difference for the next generation,” he said.