Solar power has become a major industry, with many new companies aiming to claim their slice of market share. For everyday consumers, however, it can be incredibly difficult to know which companies are real and which ones are not. If you simply want to buy solar panels to bring down your utility bills, you want to ensure that you are dealing with the right company. At Today’s Homeowner, we are conducting reviews of solar panel sellers and installers to help homeowners know where to buy solar panels and what kind of services to expect for their money. Our goal is to help you find the best solar panels possible for your home.
After nearly 30 years of operation, The Renewable Energy Corporation (REC) has become a major player as a highly sought-after manufacturer of solar panels. Keep reading to see our REC solar panels review, which includes how much the solar panels cost, what financing options they offer, and what customers think of their services.
4.0
Rating
Our Preferred Solar Installers
Today’s Homeowner recommends several solar companies to our readers. Below you’ll see our latest suggestions and their unique superlatives. You can also explore our review of the best solar companies to find a top installer in your area.
4.4
Installs high-quality Maxeon panels
Outstanding customer support
Best-in-class warranty lasts 40 years
3.7
Affordable prices
Excellent selection of panels and services
Locations in 22 states
4.3
No payments needed for 18 months
Provides in-house financing
Offers top brands like LG and Trina
3.9
Highly rated customer service
Provides 24/7 panel monitoring
Solid A+ rating with the BBB
Our Review of the Renewable Energy Corporation
At Today’s Homeowner, we believe that the Renewable Energy Corporation produces some of the best solar panels on the market. The company has acquired a tremendous track record in the industry by manufacturing some of the most durable and high-quality photovoltaic panels out there. REC offers excellent warranty options on its products.
We particularly value the Renewable Energy Corporation because you know what you’re going to get. After producing solar panels for nearly 30 years, the Renewable Energy Corporation can almost guarantee reliably effective solar panels to its customers.
Customers should be aware that the Renewable Energy Corporation’s solar panels are meant to be installed by professionals. So if you were hoping to take on a “do-it-yourself” installation project, you might be out of luck. Nonetheless, whether you are a residential or commercial property owner, these solar panels are most likely right for you.
After considering the company’s overall effectiveness, its reasonably priced services, and its great warranty, we can recommend using The Renewable Energy Corporation as your solar panel manufacturer. Today’s Homeowner gives The Renewable Energy Corporation a 4/5 review.
The Renewable Energy Corporation Company Profile
The Renewable Energy Corporation, or the REC Group for short, was founded in Oslo, Norway in 1996. While its operational headquarters are found in Singapore, the Renewable Energy Corporation has regional headquarters in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and California. It is also prominent in Australia.
During its long tenure as one of the elite producers of solar panels worldwide, the Renewable Energy Corporation has manufactured more than 43 million solar panels for residential, commercial, and utility-scale electricity-generating plants throughout the world.
The geographical breadth of its operations does not prevent the Renewable Energy Corporation from producing some of the highest-quality solar panels on the globe. While some of its competitors may produce solar panels annually, we all know that quantity does not always equate to quality.
Indeed, the Renewable Energy Corporation only produced 10 gigawatts of capacity over its last 25 years of operations, which pales in comparison to the 24.5 gigawatts of power produced by its competitor LONGi Solar in 2020. Nonetheless, the Renewable Energy Corporation excels in its durability and efficient production of power, plus it has great customer reviews. Finally, the Renewable Energy Corporation only produces solar panels. If you are looking for installation services, you will have to look elsewhere. Also, you should note that installation prices differ significantly depending on your state of residence.
| The Renewable Energy Corporation Summary | |
| Company name | The Renewable Energy Corporation |
| Year founded | 1996 |
| Headquarters | Singapore |
| Services | Solar Panel Manufacturing |
| Certifications | Quality of Manufacturing, Testing, and Environmental Certifications |
| # of Employees | 4,000+ |
| BBB rating: | A- |
| Our Rating: | 4/5 |
| Average Cost: | $2.94 per watt |
Pros and Cons of Renewable Energy Corporation
The tabs below cover Renewable Energy Corporation’s high-level pros and cons. Keep these points in mind as you read the rest of the review.
Solar Services & Cost
| Services | Average Cost |
| Solar Panel Installation | $2.94 per watt nationally (varies by region) |
How Much Does The Renewable Energy Corporation cost?
It is often challenging to assess the average cost of a solar system from specific providers because pricing can vary dramatically depending on your state, your roof, and your electric bills and utility bills. REC solar panels can be slightly more expensive than other solar companies, but the quality of panels is nearly unparalleled.
To accurately assess the price of REC solar panels, customers should ask for a quote on its website. Customers should also seek quotes from competing solar companies to see whether they are getting sufficient value from their investments.
On average, solar panels cost $2.94 per watt across the United States. This price may not accurately reflect the cost of the Renewable Energy Corporation’s panels in specific parts of the country.
4.4
Installs high-quality Maxeon panels
Outstanding customer support
Best-in-class warranty lasts 40 years
3.7
Affordable prices
Excellent selection of panels and services
Locations in 22 states
4.3
No payments needed for 18 months
Provides in-house financing
Offers top brands like LG and Trina
3.9
Highly rated customer service
Provides 24/7 panel monitoring
Solid A+ rating with the BBB
Warranty
The warranties offered by the Renewable Energy Corporation differ from other companies that offer warranties for workmanship and installations. But because the Renewable Energy Corporation doesn’t do installations, they provide a warranty on the solar panels themselves.
Plus, most of the Renewable Energy Corporation’s warranties only take effect if you have used a REC Certified Solar Professional to install your panels. This can be somewhat confusing, so we break down the company’s warranty policies for each panel here:
REC Alpha Series
- 25-year product warranty: Covers any defects of the panel.
- 25-year performance warranty: Guarantees that panels will produce as expected for 25 years. In fact, REC maintains that its panels should produce at 92% of their initial capacity after 25 years.
- 25-year labor warranty: Covers any additional costs created by post-purchase servicing of panels.
REC N-Peak 2
- 20-year product warranty: Covers any defects of the panel.
- 25-year performance warranty: Guarantees that panels will produce as expected for 25 years. In fact, REC maintains that its panels should produce at 92% of their initial capacity after 25 years.
REC Twinpeak 4
- 20-year product warranty: Covers any defects of the panel.
- 25-year performance warranty: Guarantees that panels will produce as expected for 25 years. In fact, REC maintains that its panels should produce at 92% of their initial capacity after 25 years.
Financing Plans & Options
While the Renewable Energy Corporation does not offer any specific financing options, there are many federal and state-level rebates, loans, and leases available for potential buyers. Here are several options we recommend:
| Financing Plan | Summary |
| Cash Purchases | To ensure the maximum long-term value of your solar energy system, you can purchase the solar system outright. By doing so, you reduce loan fees and interest, allow for a quicker payback period, and become eligible for the Federal Solar Tax Credit. Homeowners who purchase their solar panels outright will ultimately see the largest return on their investment. |
| State-Level Programs | Depending on your state of residence, there are likely numerous financial incentives (check out incentives for solar in Utah) available to help make your purchase of solar panels cheaper. You should look to see whether your state offers sales tax exemptions, property tax exemptions, net metering, and rebate programs for solar panel buyers. Check out this article for more information on how solar could be a great fit for you. |
| Home Solar Loan | If you require a loan to finance the purchase of a solar energy system, a variety of private banks and companies can help service your financing needs. |
In-House or Contracted Installations
The Renewable Energy Corporation contracts out its installation of solar panels. Its website lists all of the company’s local contractors, so you can find more information by asking for a quote on the Renewable Energy Corporation website.
What Solar Panels Does The Renewable Energy Corporation Use?
The Renewable Energy Corporation produces three different models of solar panels with slightly different specifications.
REC Alpha Pure
The Alpha series tops the Renewable Energy Corporation’s solar panels in almost every category: power, efficiency, warranty, temperature coefficient, aesthetics, and environmental sustainability. It also happens to provide great value for its price. Heterojunction technology (HJT) – a hybrid crystalline silicon and amorphous solar technology – enables the solar cells in these panels to have higher power and high efficiency at a feasible price point. Specifically, this panel has a capacity between 380 and 410 watts, an efficiency of 21.3% to 22.2%, and a temperature coefficient of -0.26%/C.
REC N-Peak 2
The N-Peak series 2 is a more affordable alternative to the Alpha Pure panel, but it doesn’t sacrifice too much power or efficiency. These panels are made from n-type monocrystalline using REC’s half-cut cell technology. Specifically, this panel has a capacity between 365 and 375 watts, an efficiency of 19.1% to 20.3%, and a temperature coefficient of -0.34%/C.
REC Twinpeak 4
While this series of panels has very similar specifications to the N-Peak series 2, it uses p-type technology rather than n-type. P-type technology comes as a bit more affordable than n-type but is more prone to light-induced degradation (LID). This means that the Twinpeak 4 will age a little more quickly than the N-Peak 2. Nonetheless, this series of panels is guaranteed by REC’s 25-year power output warranty. Specifically, this panel has a capacity between 360 and 375 watts, an efficiency of 19.1% to 20.3%, and a temperature coefficient of -0.34%/C
Read also: Solar Incentives for Wisconsin
Partnerships
The Renewable Energy Corporation maintains a range of partnerships with local contractors that will install solar panels and batteries in your home. The company’s website lists all of its local contractors, so you can find more information by asking for a quote on the Renewable Energy Corporation website.
Service Area & Availability
Homeowners looking to buy solar panels from the Renewable Energy Corporation will be happy to learn that it has partner retailers across the United States. The fact that the Renewable Energy Corporation operates across such an expansive territory is one of its best attributes. You can request a quote anytime and have the Renewable Energy Corporation serve you in any of the following states:
- California
- Maryland
- Utah
- New Jersey
- Texas
- Hawaii
- Mississippi
- Washington
- Massachusetts
- Colorado
- Wisconsin
- Pennsylvania
Read also: How Solar Energy Aids in Saving
The Renewable Energy Corporation Reviews From Actual Customers
Assessing actual customer reviews is a very important process of reviewing a company’s services. While customers may sometimes leave somewhat exaggerated reviews, these reviews can serve as a useful barometer to determine whether or not people generally like a company.
For the Renewable Energy Corporation, customers mostly gave positive reviews while noting the effective and robust solar panels offered by the company. Have a look for yourself to see what people think about The Renewable Energy Corporation on Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Read also: Incentives for Solar in New Jersey
Bottom Line: Is The Renewable Energy Corporation a Good Company?
The Renewable Energy Corporation is a great company that can meet all of your solar panel needs. Thanks to its decades-long experience in the industry, you can trust the Renewable Energy Corporation to provide you with the highest quality panels at reasonable prices. The only downside is that it won’t install your solar energy system for you. But there is no need to worry because the Renewable Energy Corporation will help connect you to reputable local installation services. Overall, we recommend using this outstanding company as your solar panel provider.
4.4
Installs high-quality Maxeon panels
Outstanding customer support
Best-in-class warranty lasts 40 years
3.7
Affordable prices
Excellent selection of panels and services
Locations in 22 states
4.3
No payments needed for 18 months
Provides in-house financing
Offers top brands like LG and Trina
3.9
Highly rated customer service
Provides 24/7 panel monitoring
Solid A+ rating with the BBB
Today’s Homeowner’s Solar Ranking and Review Methodology
At Today’s Homeowner, transparency and trust are our most important values for the reader. That’s why we took the time to create an objective rating system and score each solar energy company/service according to our methodology.
Our research team dug deep into the fine print of contracts, combed through more than one hundred customer reviews, and thoroughly investigated all of each solar energy company’s services, costs, and products. We’ve done the homework for you by researching nearly all of the solar energy companies on the market so you can have the information you need to make the best choice for your home.
We developed a formula to objectively determine the best solar energy companies and give each a score out of 100 based on the following criteria:
- Plan Options (30): Do they provide a variety of plan options? We looked at the number of plans each solar energy company offered and the flexibility of adjusting the plan.
- Services offered (20): How many services are offered in each plan? We looked at whether the company manufactures its own solar panels, whether it contracts out installation, and what additional products each company offers.
- Trust (10): What do customers say after their solar panels are installed? Does this company offer a guarantee? We considered how satisfied customers are post-service if the company does what it says it will, BBB accreditation, and service guarantees.
- Prices (10): How reasonable are the costs of the plan or service in comparison to the industry average? We compared the costs of each company to competitors that offer the same solar energy services.
- Unique perks (10): Does the company offer discounts or special services such as financial incentives (check out solar incentives available in Texas), rebates, or a useful mobile app? We looked for extras each company offers that set them apart from the competition.
- Customer Service (10): How is the customer experience when contacting the company? We considered the speed of response, weekend/holiday availability, and ease of communication through phone calls, email, and online chat functions.
- Nationwide availability (10): How many states does the company offer its services? Companies that operate nationally and in all zip codes are favored over those with limited availability.
Read also: Califonia’s Solar Power Incentives
