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If you're investigating solar panel brands, REC is a great pick.
They've got over 30 years of experience, being founded back in 1996. Originally they operated from Oslo, Norway, but due to expansion they now also have headquarters in Singapore.
They're well known for their Heterojunction (HJT) and half cut cell technology, both of which help to improve lifespan and efficiency of their PV units.
If you're installing REC solar panels, expect to have reasonable efficiency on day 1, as well as years down the line (thanks to their performance warranty, which we'll explain in detail below).
Whilst REC solar is considered a well-known and quality brand, you’ll see in our review below that there are other options offering similar (or better) value for money, as well as efficiency.
One of those brands is LONGi. We’ve written a detailed review of LONGi solar panels here.
In general, mid-high tier solar panel brands are all very similar. The main difference comes down to cost. The price of one brand over another could be nearing 100% more per panel. That’s going to increase the overall installation cost of your system dramatically.
Below we’ll explain the cost of REC PV panels, with and without installation. We’ll also compare that directly with other popular brands, such as LONGi.
The most popular LONGi panel we fit is the 430W. And the closest like-for-like unit from REC is their Alpha Pure-R 420W.
As you can see below, prices generally start at around £100 per panel for the REC Alpha Pure-R.
So, to build a 5kW system you’ll need 12-13 panels, which is going to weigh in at a total cost of £1,200-£1,300.
This is the price for solar panels only, it doesn’t include the likes of mounting equipment, bird guard, or the cost of labour for installation.
By comparison, prices for LONGi 430W panels (Hi-MO X6) start as low as £50 per unit. Being slightly bigger (430W rather than 420W), you’re likely to get away with one less panel, so 12 in total.
Digging around various online retailers we can see that 12 panels would cost in the region of £600-£800.
In summary, by using LONGi solar panels rather than REC, you’re likely to see a saving of £400+.
So, how much should you expect to pay for a complete solar panel system, including installation cost?
Prices vary depending on the cost of the panels you use, as well as the installer's individual pricing.
A typical 5KW installation - without a solar storage battery - is likely to cost in the region of £6,000-£7,500.
Using LONGi 430W solar panels, our base system costs just under £6,000. That’s inclusive of a bird guard, hybrid inverter and labour costs.
We’ll also apply directly to your District Operator, allowing you to receive Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments for any excess electricity your system is able to produce.
Assuming a like-for-like quotation from another installer, expect to pay approximately £400 more for the same setup that utilises REC solar panels.
Use our clickable solar panel quote tool here. There you’ll be able to get prices on a setup that matches your electricity usage.
You’ll notice options to add a solar storage battery when using our quotation tool.
Our competitive pricing for a solar storage battery as an add-on is as follows:
We’d always advise on incorporating a small battery at the very least. This will bump your self-sufficiency from just over 20% to over 50% on the average property; you won’t need to rely as much on the grid for your electricity.
Typically, our solar panel systems see a payback period of less than 13-years.
One of REC's most popular PV panels is the Alpha Pure-R.
It comes with Heterojunction (HJT) technology, a gapless layout and half cut cells. These features combined help to increase efficiency, decrease degradation rate, enable them to capture more sunlight and improve performance in both hot and cold conditions.
In our review below, we'll cover the other unique selling points of the Alpha Pure-R.
Ready to get your setup? Get prices on-screen within 90-seconds using our clickable solar panel quotation tool.
When choosing your solar panels price is important, but warranty is too. Having to replace solar panels regularly isn't just material cost; labour cost to replace panels can spiral quickly. So, you want the longest possible warranty.
The length of warranty on offer by REC matches LONGi, coming with a 25-year performance guarantee. If your REC panels drop below 92% of original efficiency during this period, you'll be able to get them replaced for free.
On top of this, there are options to extend the warranty by 5-years. For this, you'll need to use a REC Certified Installer.
Mid-tier solar PV brands tend to struggle to hit much past 20% efficiency.
By comparison, the REC Alpha Pure-R offers up to 22.3% efficiency. Whilst this is a little better than average, it's certainly not market leading. For example, the LONGi Hi-MO X6 can hit 23.2%.
So, by using LONGi you'll be able to get slightly higher efficiency, yet the panels cost approximately £400 less for a 5KW setup.
Like LONGi, REC panels are available in an all black design, meaning they'll have less visual impact from the exterior of your property.
The reinforced aluminium frame offers excellent support. Even during harsh weather (snow and wind), the REC roof mounts are as strong as any other mount on the market.
The gapless cell design (as the name suggests), eliminates space between each cell. That means you'll need fewer panels and have less weight on your roof, protecting your roof's structural integrity for years to come.
And finally, the solder free connections that feature in the REC panels are extremely important. Most modern solar panels are prone to microcracks. And these cracks lead to huge drops in efficiency, eventually resulting in that panel needing to be replaced.
By using solder free connections, there's less chance of microcracks and therefore, your panels are likely to last much longer.
Like the LONGi Hi-MO X6, the REC Alpha Pure-R is relatively lightweight. That’s going to put less load on your roof.
For the Alpha Pure-R 420W, weight comes in at 21.5kg. By comparison, the weight of the LONGi Hi-MO X6 is just 20.8kg.
So, LONGi panels have a higher output, higher efficiency rating, cost less and weigh less.
Check prices on a system that’s perfect for your home by using our solar panel price checker here.
Try our free quote tool. You'll have your personalised quote in under a minute.
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