REC Alpha Pure RX Series 470W solar panels review

The REC Alpha Pure Series RX 470W solar panels combine cutting-edge technologies and winning innovations with pleasing aesthetics. Renewable Energy Corporation (REC) is a Norwegian company created in 1996 and is one of the largest manufacturers of solar panels in Europe today.

But is the REC Alpha Pure RX Series 470W one of the best solar panels in the UK? Our review below looks at REC’s pros and cons, how it compares to other brands and how the customers we surveyed* feel about its panels.

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Technical information

Panel efficiency22.6%
Power output (W)470W
Degradation first year2.00%
Degradation rate per year after first year0.25%
Product warranty20 years (25 years REC Pro Trust)
Performance warranty25 years
Weight (kg)22.7kg
Size (sqm)2.1sqm

Pros of REC Alpha Pure RX Series 470W

  • Customer satisfaction: In our survey, REC received the second-highest customer satisfaction score (after Project Solar).
  • Product warranty: REC’s product warranty is 20 years (or 25 years with REC Pro Trust), higher than many competitors.
  • Degradation rate: The REC Alpha Pure RX Series 470W has one of the lowest 10-year degradation rates of the panels we’ve reviewed, thanks to an annual degradation rate of 0.25%.

Cons of REC Alpha Pure RX Series 470W

  • Efficiency: The Alpha Pure RX Series 470W’s efficiency rating is 22.6%, which is on the wrong side of the 23% average.
  • Performance warranty: At 25 years,REC has the joint-lowest performance warranty of the panels we’ve reviewed.

How the REC Alpha Pure RX Series 470W works

The panels have a gapless cell layout that increases the active area to capture more sunlight.

The REC Alpha Pure Series RX 470W employs an innovative gapless cell layout that increases the surface area used to generate power. REC has also introduced advanced cell technology with more wiring that improves the electrical current while reducing invasive soldering. This lowers the risk of cell damage and microcracks, improving the solar panels’ longevity.

A main feature of REC is its heterojunction cell technology. This technology offers higher temperature coefficients, boosting the energy you produce when the day is at its hottest.

The REC Alpha Pure Series RX 470W solar panel also has a seamless, stylish appearance, with thin, barely visible wires and a uniformly black surface. The glass is 3.2mm solar glass with an anti-reflective surface treatment, and the back sheet is a highly resistant black polymer. The frame is anodised aluminium, and the panels measure 1,728mm (h) x 1,205mm (w) x 30mm (d).

The REC Alpha Pure series have a premium look fit for homes and businesses.

The REC Alpha Pure series have a premium look fit for homes and businesses. (Image credit: REC)

How does the REC Alpha Pure RX Series 470W compare to other solar panels?

This is how the REC Alpha Pure RX Series 470W compares to other solar panels:

Solar panel brandFMB score (out of 10)EfficiencyPower outputProduct warrantyPerformance warrantyCustomer satisfaction
REC Alpha Pure RX Series7.222.6%470W20 years25 years92.10%
Aiko ABC Neostar 3N547.424.8%495W15 years30 years90.70%
JA Solar JAM72S30 LR 6.422.1%585W12 years25 years91.90%
Jinko Tiger Neo 72HL4-(V)7.123.4%605W12 years30 years91.50%
Perlight PLM-435 DH8N 450W7.423.0%450W30 years30 years91.70%
Project Solar Evo Max Super Series8.221.18%480WLifetimeLifetime94.40%
SunPower Maxeon 7DC8.924.1%445W40 years40 years91.20%
Suntech Ultra V Pro Mini 7.223.2%515W15 years30 years91.70%

How much do REC solar panels cost?

REC solar panels cost between £150 and £400 per panel. However, you can typically buy solar panels in bulk rather than on a per-panel basis.

Several factors will determine the individual cost of your solar panels:

Maintaining REC Alpha Pure RX Series 470W solar panels

The REC Alpha Pure Series RX 470W has a superstrong 30mm frame with support bars that protect the cells and the glass from bending under heavy loads. It can support loads of up to 7,000Pa or the equivalent of 250mph winds. And because the Alpha Pure series eliminates invasive soldering, the risk of damage and microcracks is also reduced.

Overall, REC has an excellent reputation and proven track record of low failure rates (out of the 4 million solar panels REC manufactures each year, only about 400 come back with a product warranty request). The company also claims to adhere to testing standards that are 3 times more stringent than those of other manufacturers in the industry.

REC panels are generally recognised for their top performance and high reliability in extreme environmental conditions. The best solar panels need to be trustworthy and resilient, so these extra steps make REC products an excellent choice for commercial and residential rooftops worldwide.

REC solar panels customer reviews

Nearly half (46%) of the REC customers we surveyed said their solar panels had “exceeded expectations” regarding cost savings. Only the Jinko solar panels managed to beat that score.

However, only 40% of customers said they would “very much recommend” REC solar panels, giving it the worst score of all the panels we reviewed.

Final recommendation

The REC Alpha Pure Series RX 470W is a solid solar panel, which is reflected in its FMB score of 7.2 out of 10. However, more efficient and powerful solar panels are available, including ones with better performance warranties.

But with its sleek, all-black design, strong customer satisfaction score and low 10-year degradation rate, this panel still has a lot to offer. It also has one of the better sustainability scores out of the panels we reviewed – its products are lead-free, and the provider recycles old panels.

REC solar panel FAQs

REC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited, which purchased it from China National Bluestar Group in 2021.

FMB scored REC 7.2 out of 10, putting it around the middle of the solar panels we reviewed.

REC solar panels have received the Tier 1 Bloomberg rating. This rating reflects a company’s financial stability, reliability and high quality of its product.

Our methodology 

When we review solar panels, our final score is based on the following:

  • Durability
    • Rate of degradation after 10 years
    • Product warranty
    • Performance warranty
  • Performance
    • Panel efficiency
    • Power-to-weight ratio
    • Power-per-square-metre ratio
  • Customer satisfaction
    • Based on the results of our survey of more than 2,000 solar panel owners in the UK
  • Sustainability
    • Are the panels lead-free?
    • Do the panels use recycled materials?
    • Does the provider recycle old solar panels?

Sources

*FMB survey of 2,004 solar panel owners, June 2024.

Connor Campbell

Senior Writer

Connor Campbell is an experienced personal finance writer who has been producing online content for 10 years.

Throughout his career, Connor has strived to demystify complex topics to help consumers make the best decisions, whether that’s what solar panel to pick, how to get cheaper car insurance, or which business bank account to open. 

He has written extensively on a number of personal finance topics for Independent Advisor, NerdWallet, and Spreadex, and has been quoted in a range of publications, including The Guardian, BBC, Evening Standard, Daily Express and The Mirror.