REC Solar has become one of the largest manufacturers of solar panels in the world, and became Europe’s largest solar panel brand a few years ago. The Norway-founded company has recently started manufacturing its TwinPeak 2 multi-crystalline solar panels, rated at 350 watts peak power — a world record for a production solar panel. The TwinPeak 2 weighs 48.5 pounds — 10 pounds less than a comparable 72 cell unit.
REC Solar claims a verified efficiency of 17.7% thanks to several innovative technologies. The TwinPeak 2 uses larger-than-normal cell wafers (this boosts energy production), half-cut cell design (this reduces resistive power losses), and PERC technology (this increases light capture and conversion). PERC stands for Passivated Emitter Rear Cell and is widely considered a key hope for improving solar panels over the coming years and even decades.
“With our new 72-cell panel, we have once again demonstrated our global leadership in multi-crystalline technology,” said Cemil Seber, vice president for global marketing at REC Solar. “The REC TwinPeak 2S 72 addresses the needs of our customers in the C&I and utility-scale segments who demand large panels, with lighter weight, and high power combined with REC’s renowned product quality.”
“Like all REC products, the new next-gen solar panel is 100 percent free from potential-induced degeneration (PID), avoiding performance losses under high temperatures and humidity,” Energy Matters reports. That makes it an ideal candidate for use in hot climates like southern Europe, the American Southwest, and Australia. making it an ideal solar solution for Australian conditions.
“In addition, the 72 Series incorporates the TwinPeak split junction box spread across the middle of the module, which allows the panel to operate at peak efficiency in partially shaded conditions.”
REC Solar was selected by IKEA for solar systems at many of its US retail locations, including stores in California, Colorado, Florida, and Texas. In total, the systems provide by REC Solar generate nearly 30,000 megawatt-hours of clean, renewable electricity every year for the Scandinavian retailer. Another 50,000 megawatt-hours are provided to the US Department of Veterans Affairs at multiple locations in the US.
Source: cleantechnica.com
