PVTIME – On 7 January 2026, SunPower officially unveiled its new Monolith solar panel, the first commercial result of a joint research and development agreement with REC Group. A globally renowned solar panel manufacturer and leader in the US residential PV market, REC partnered with SunPower to design and commercialise high-power, frameless, bifacial solar panels for the residential and small commercial and industrial PV sectors.
SunPower’s Chairman and CEO, T.J. Rodgers, noted the company’s long history of innovation in solar cell and panel technology since its founding in 1985. By the time it was listed on Nasdaq in 2005, SunPower had already developed the industry’s most advanced solar panels and achieved mass production via fully automated lines. He added that collaborating with REC, the current top shipper of residential PV panels in the US, which is known for its durability, high-quality standards, and technical innovation, would extend this legacy of excellence.
Rodgers explained that the all-black Monolith panel weighs just 50 pounds, which is within OSHA’s single-person handling limit for residential panels, and delivers a record 470kW output under standard test conditions. SunPower holds exclusive rights to the panel, officially designated the REC Alpha Pure TX 470W, which is now in production. Next, the team will upgrade it with bifacial technology, first validated by SunPower on NASA’s Helios solar-powered aircraft in 2001, to push output beyond 500kW. Cary Hayes, President of REC Americas, expressed pride in partnering with SunPower, stating that the veteran renewable energy firm’s commitment to innovation and quality would drive advancements in cutting-edge bifacial panel technology.
SunPower’s Executive Vice President of Quality Engineering and Customer Success, Surinder S. Bedi, shared the team’s excitement about collaborating with industry leader REC. Both the 470kW panel and the upcoming 500kW+ bifacial model are engineered to deliver exceptional performance and maximise long-term energy production, even in extreme conditions. This innovation reduces the levelised cost of electricity and creates significant value for system owners, primarily investment institutions focused on return on investment.
Amid rising US household electricity costs, Rodgers emphasised that SunPower and REC will continue to provide state-of-the-art solar panel technology and turnkey system solutions to meet growing energy needs. The name ‘Monolith’ draws inspiration from the mysterious black monolith in the 1968 sci-fi classic 2001: A Space Odyssey, with T. J. Rodgers first revealing the panel at SunPower’s sales conference on 16 December 2025.
SunPower is a leading North American residential PV service provider, helping customers to adopt more efficient, energy-saving lifestyles through digital platforms and professional installation services. Founded in 1996, the REC Group is headquartered in Norway, with operational headquarters in Singapore, and regional hubs across North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific.
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