SunPower, a globally recognized leader in the U.S. residential solar panel market, has entered into a joint development agreement with REC to design, engineer, and commercialize high-wattage, frameless bifacial solar panels for residential and light commercial applications. The collaboration combines SunPower’s long history of solar innovation with REC’s expertise in producing durable, high-quality solar panels at scale.
T.J. Rodgers, Chairman and CEO of SunPower, stated that since the company’s founding in 1985, SunPower has consistently pushed the boundaries of solar cell and panel technology. By the time of its initial public offering in 2005, SunPower had developed some of the most technologically advanced solar panels in the industry and was manufacturing them on fully automated production lines. Rodgers emphasized that the collaboration with REC builds on this legacy, joining forces with the current U.S. residential solar panel market leader known for innovation, quality, and durability.
The first project under the joint development agreement is a new solar panel called the Monolith. This panel is solid black in design and weighs only 50 pounds, which meets the U.S. OSHA single-worker residential panel weight limit. Despite its lightweight design, it delivers a record 470 watts of power under standard test conditions. SunPower holds exclusive rights to the REC Alpha Pure-TX 470W panel, which is already in production. The next stage of development will involve upgrading the Monolith to a bifacial design, allowing it to capture sunlight from both sides. SunPower has previously demonstrated bifacial technology on the NASA Helios solar-powered airplane in 2001. This enhancement is expected to increase the panel’s output to more than 500 watts.
Cary Hayes, President of REC Americas, said that the partnership with SunPower represents a shared commitment to advancing cutting-edge bifacial panel technology while maintaining the highest standards of quality and performance.
Surinder S. Bedi, Executive Vice President of Quality, Engineering, and Customer Success at SunPower, added that both the 470-watt panel and the future 500-watt-plus bifacial panels are engineered to deliver superior system performance, even in challenging environmental conditions. These innovations aim to maximize long-term energy production, reduce the cost per kilowatt-hour, and provide strong value to system owners, many of whom are investment companies focused on return on investment.
Rodgers concluded by noting that as American households face rising utility costs, SunPower and REC remain committed to providing advanced solar technology and comprehensive solar system solutions to meet the growing energy needs of their customers.
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