The most plentiful and renewable form of energy on the earth is solar energy. However, to harness sunlight, you need to install solar panels, and can choose from various available brands. In this REC vs Panasonic Solar Panels comparison, we will review two of the most popular and trusted brands to help you understand the differences and similarities between them.

REC Vs Panasonic Solar Panels

Solar panels are made of solar cells, which are the basic units that convert sunlight into electricity. There are different types of solar cells, such as

  • Monocrystalline
  • Polycrystalline
  • Thin-film

The type of solar cell affects the efficiency, durability, and cost of the solar panel. REC and Panasonic both produce high-quality monocrystalline solar panels, which are composed of cells made from a single silicon crystal. This makes them more efficient and durable than polycrystalline or thin-film panels. However, they also have some differences in their technologies and designs.

REC Solar Panels

REC solar panel
Pic Credit: REC

REC uses a unique half-cut cell and twin-panel design, which reduces the electrical resistance and increases the power output of the panels. REC also employs heterojunction technology (HJT), which combines crystalline and amorphous silicon layers to enhance the performance and stability of the cells.

You can also check our REC Solar Panels review.

Panasonic Solar Panels

Panasonic webpage: REC vs Panasonic solar panels efficiency and capacity
Pic Credit: Panasonic

Panasonic also uses HJT but with a different approach. They have a pyramid-shaped surface structure, which reduces the reflection of sunlight and increases the absorption of light. Panasonic also has a back-contact design, which eliminates the metal electrodes on the front side of the cells and reduces the shading and power loss.

For more details go through the Panasonic Solar Panels review.

REC Vs Panasonic Solar Panels Efficiency

Efficiency measures how well a solar panel converts sunlight into electricity. The more efficient the panels are, the more power they can generate from a given area. REC and Panasonic both have high-efficiency solar panels, but Panasonic has a slight edge over REC in this aspect.

  • The highest efficiency rating of REC panels is 22.6%, which belongs to the Alpha Pure-RX Series.
  • The highest efficiency rating of Panasonic panels is 22.2%, which belongs to the EVERVOLT® HK Black Series.

Here is a table comparing REC vs Panasonic solar panels’ efficiency with the same capacity.

Wattage

Efficiency of REC Solar Panels

Efficiency of Panasonic Solar Panels

430 W

22.3

22.2

420 W

21.8

21.7

410 W

22.2

22.2

400 W

21.6

21.6

390 W

21.1

21.1

As we can see, REC has a slight edge over Panasonic in efficiency for the higher-wattage models, but the lower ones have the same efficiency. The efficiency of both types of panels is very close, with less than a 1% difference for all wattages. This suggests that both types of panels have the same efficiency and can produce nearly the same amount of electricity from the same amount of sunlight.

Also See: Luma Solar Roof Vs. Tesla Solar Roof Comparison

REC Vs Panasonic Solar Panels Capacity

Capacity measures how much power a solar panel can produce under standard test conditions. The higher the capacity, the more electricity you can generate from a given number of panels. REC and Panasonic both have high-capacity solar panels, but REC has an advantage over Panasonic in this aspect.

  • The highest capacity of REC panels is 470 W, which belongs to the REC Alpha Pure-RX Series.
  • The highest capacity of Panasonic panels is 430 W, which belongs to the EverVolt HK2 Black Series.

Compared to Panasonic, REC has solar panels with higher capacities, but both brands have other models with lower capacities as well. Panasonic’s capacity range is more diverse than REC’s, with models starting from 350 Watts, while REC’s models start from 385 Watts.

REC Vs Panasonic Solar Panels Output

The output of solar panels depends on various factors, such as the weather, temperature, shading, orientation, and degradation. But temperature coefficient and degradation rate are the brand-specific factors that affect the output of your solar panels.

Let’s take a closer look at this REC and Panasonic solar panels’ output table for an easier understanding.

Parameters

REC Alpha Pure-R

REC Twinpeak 5 (black)

Panasonic EverVolt H Series

Panasonic EverVolt PK Black Series

Temperature Coefficient

-0.24%/°C

-0.34%/°C

-0.26%/°C

-0.26%/°C

Degradation Rate

0.25%PA

0.50%PA

0.25%PA

0.50%PA

Output At 25th Year

92%

86%

92%

86%

Both REC and Panasonic solar panels lose some power when they get hotter. But REC has the best temperature coefficient of −0.24%/°C. This means that for every degree above 25°C, their panels lose 0.24% of their power. For example, if they get to 35°C, they lose 2.4% of their power. This means REC solar panels are slightly better for hot places, but both brands are similar in terms of their annual degradation rate.

Also Read: Q Cells Solar Panels Vs Panasonic: Choosing the Best Solar Panel

REC Vs Panasonic Solar Panels Price Range

solar panel price new pic:  REC vs Panasonic solar panels price range

Price is an important factor to consider when buying solar panels, as it affects your initial investment and your return on investment. The price of solar panels depends on various factors, such as the type, efficiency, capacity, quality, warranty, and installation costs. REC and Panasonic both have competitive prices for their solar panels, but the exact price may vary depending on the dealer, location, and market conditions.

1. REC solar panels cost about $2.50 to $3.46 per watt of power they generate. For Example, a 6 kW system would cost you between $15,000 and $20,760 without any discounts. But, the 30% federal tax credit for solar will lower the cost of a 6 kW system with REC’s solar panels to between $10,500 and $14,532.

2. Panasonic solar panels cost about $2.61 to $3.45 for every watt of power they make. For example, if you buy a 6 kW system, you will pay between $15,660 and $20,700 before any discounts. After the 30% federal tax credit for solar the Panasonic solar panel system will cost between $10,962 and $14,490.

Therefore, comparing the price range of REC and Panasonic solar panels, we can say both are affordable and efficient options for homeowners who want to switch to solar energy. They have similar prices per watt of power. However, these prices are only estimates based on research and may not reflect the actual prices you will pay. Therefore, you should contact your local dealers and compare the quotes before buying.

You can contact REC and Panasonic for price quotes and other information on their official websites.

REC Vs Panasonic Solar Panels Warranty

REC and Panasonic are two leading solar panel brands that offer competitive warranties, but they have some differences.

Panasonic solar panels come with a 25-year warranty that ensures their long-lasting performance. Panasonic also offers different warranty options for different solar system components.

  • The TripleGuard warranty covers the panels, labor, and installation by a Panasonic-authorized installer.
  • The AllGuard warranty extends the coverage to the microinverters, racking, and monitoring system, only if you use Enphase microinverters with your Panasonic panels.
  • The EverVolt warranty applies to any solar and battery storage systems but does not include the racking and monitoring system.

REC solar panels offer ProTrust warranty that has a 25-year warranty that covers both the product and the power output. It is valid for 25 years only if you install the panels with a REC Certified Solar Professional installer, who is trained and qualified by REC. Otherwise, the product warranty is only 20 years.

The power warranty of both brands ensures that the panels will retain 86% to 92% of their original output by the end of the warranty term, depending on the model. However, Panasonic has a slight advantage over REC because it offers different warranty options for different solar system components.

Also, take a look at another comparison blog – SunPower Vs Tesla: Which is Better?

REC Vs Panasonic Solar Panels: Which is Better?

REC vs Panasonic Solar Panels 1

REC and Panasonic are both trustworthy and dependable solar panel brands, and they have their pros and cons. The best option for you will depend on your needs, budget, and energy preferences. REC produces only solar panels and does not offer other products like batteries, inverters, or other technology, unlike Panasonic. Whereas, Panasonic’s solar panels are now manufactured by a different company, so it is unclear how well these new panels will compare to those made by Panasonic.

Ultimately, in this REC vs Panasonic solar panels comparison, we can conclude that both brands are excellent options for your solar system, and you can’t go wrong with either of them. 

Recommended: 10 Ways to Protect Solar Panels from Hail

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Olivia is committed to green energy and works to help ensure our planet's long-term habitability. She takes part in environmental conservation by recycling and avoiding single-use plastic.

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