REC is half cut again – TwinPeak 2S 72 Series
Touted as the “highest power 72-cell multicrystalline solar panel in the world”, REC has announced the start of production of its TwinPeak 2S 72 Series modules.
Weighing in at 22 kilograms, the new product line features 335 – 350 Wp nominal power. Dimensions of the panels are 2005 x 1001 x 30 mm.
According to the datasheet (PDF), panel efficiency ranges from 16.7% for the 335W model to 17.4% for the 350W. It’s important to note these values are at standard test conditions (STC); being airmass (AM) of 1.5, irradiance of 1000 W/m² and a cell temperature of 25°C.
While still not as efficient as Sunpower solar panels, not many modules are unless they are ones being shot into space as Ronald has previously pointed out. Not many panels used in terrestrial applications are as expensive as Sunpower either – although pricing of the new addition to REC’s stable isn’t clear.
Among the TwinPeak 2S 72 Series’ features are five bus bars for reduced cell resistance, half-cut cells, PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) technology and a split junction box that REC says offers improved performance in shaded conditions.
The idea behind half-cut cells is to reduce internal losses, leading to improved energy yield.
“With our new 72-cell panel, we have once again demonstrated our global leadership in multicrystalline technology,” said a very modest Cemil Seber, Vice President Global Marketing and Product Management at REC.
It appears the TwinPeak 2S 72 is being produced with the commercial/industrial (C&I) and utility-scale segments in mind.
This following video explains more about TwinPeak technology. Note that the video is geared toward the TwinPeak 60-cell series, which are currently available in Australia for home solar installations.
Founded in Norway in 1996, REC panels are produced in Singapore these days. By the end of last year, the company had manufactured more than 25 million solar modules over the course of its history, representing more than 6.3 GW of capacity. REC is a “Tier 1” module manufacturer.
REC solar panels have been a popular choice in Australia for residential and commercial solar installations since they were introduced here in 2010. You can read more about the company and what Australians have to say about the modules on our REC solar panels reviews page.
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Hi there, i just wondering which one better panel REC twinpeak 285 or 290.
Thanks
Julie
Hi Julie. The REC TwinPeak 285 watt and 290 watt panels are almost the same. The 290 watt panel will just produce about 2% more power.
Hi there,
My quote is for the REC 330 twin peak 72 cell. I can’t see them in your list ?
What do you think of them ? Any advice gratefully received.
Hello Michelle, Ronald here.
The REC 330 TwinPeak 2s 72 panels are tier one and have a 10 year product warranty. You should be very unlikely to have a problem with them. Because the top and bottom halves operate independently they are more resistant to shading and soiling than standard panels which gives them a slight advantage in output. They are also slightly better at handling heat than a standard solar panel and that means slightly lower losses. So, not a bad panel.
Which would you go trina honey or rec twin. We have been quoted on both. Around $8000 for both for a 7.5kw system. Sunpower is an extra $2000
Also tigo optimisers or microinverters
Many thanks
Jasmine
Hello Jamine
The Trina and REC panels will probably be quite similar in performance and durability as they are both tier one panels with 10 years product warranty. Because the two halves of the TwinPeak panel — according to REC — can operate independently of each other they should have just slightly better performance in most systems and may do considerably better if the panels suffer from a significant amount of shade. Both Trina Honey and REC TwinPeaks 2 have done well on tests with the REC TwinPeak 2 panel recently passing all 4 of DNV_GL’s Scorecard tests, which I find impressive.
So, all else equal I would take the REC panels, but if the Trina panels cost less they may be more economically effective.
SunPower are a premium brand and among the best panels you can get and come with a 25 year full replacement warranty. At the single panel level they are good at coping with shade and you can expect slightly more electricity generation per watt of capacity than with the other panels. However, as you’ve mentioned, you have to pay considerably more for that peace of mind.
Microinverters are probably more cost effective than optimizers for fairly small systems. Microinverters or optimizers are very useful for systems that suffer from shade. If you have a heavily shaded roof then REC TwinPeak panels plus either microinverters or optimizers may be the way to go. But if your roof doesn’t suffer from a lot of shade then you’d probably be better off using the money to install an extra panel or two as the benefit they provide to an unshaded system is only small.
Are you able to give me a cost per panel for
REC TwinPeak 2 Premium Solar Panels
and
Solaredge SE5000H Solar Panels?
Hi Rachel
We have a solar panel comparison page that gives prices:
https://www.solarquotes.com.au/panels/comparison/compare-solar-panels/
From the table I see REC TwinPeak panels are 87 cents per watt. The SolarEdge 5000H is an inverter. SolarEdge doesn’t make solar panels themselves so their panels will have been made by another company and the SolarEdge name put on them.
Are you able to give me a cost per panel for
REC TwinPeak 2 Premium Solar Panels
and
Solaredge SE5000H Solar Panels?
Thanks Ronald
I have 2 quotes from Solahart which I am attempting to compare
They have quoted $12794 for either
16 x Solahart 295 panels and SolarEdge SE5000H inverter OR
18 x REC TwinPeak 2 premium panels and SolarEdge HD Wave inverter
I am told that the 295 panels are a better panel but without more info on who makes them etc I am reasonably in the dark
Hi Rachel
Solarhart panels have a 12 year product warranty while REC just recently increased their product warranty to 20 years, so they do much better in that regard.
With the Solarhart panels you will be paying $2.71 per watt of solar panel capacity while with the REC panels you will be paying $2.58 per watt.
Both those prices are very expensive. Unless you are committed to using Solarhart I recommend getting more quotes to see what is available. If you haven’t done so already, we can provide you with quotes from installers who have been vetted by my boss, Finn, to ensure they are reliable and do good work. Just go to our homepage here:
https://www.solarquotes.com.au/
Enter your postcode in the space at the top right and answer the questions that come up as best you can.