REC Group has third-party tested its REC Alpha Pure-RX solar panels for resistance to 45mm hailstones, according to IEC61215 MQT 17 protocols. The industrial baseline requires certification for 25 mm hailstones hitting the front of the panel at 83 km/h. REC says the REC Alpha Pure-RX has demonstrated its strength against 45mm hailstones traveling at 110 km/h, as tested by Changzhou Huayang Inspection and Testing Technology Co., the official laboratory of TÜV SÜD in China.
Already certified to IEC 61215 for resistance to 35mm hailstones, the REC Alpha Pure-RX panel was subjected to 44 impacts from 40 and 45 mm ice balls. Ultimately, even after the impact of 22 different 45 mm hailstones, the module showed no glass breakage and continued to meet all visual, electrical and performance requirements. The results highlight that these REC panels can sustain ten times more kinetic energy per impact than the industry standard.
The panels use 3.2mm font glass, a 30mm frame and two rear support beams for extra strength. With these new tests, the REC Alpha Pure-RX now allows loads up to 10,000 Pa (1,020 kg/m2) when installed using six-point clamping. The panel reaches 470 W in an all-black design and uses heterojunction (HJT) solar cells.
“REC is synonymous with premium quality in the solar industry. These specification improvements confirm the durability of REC Alpha Pure-RX panels in harsh climates,” said Cemil Seber, Vice President of Global Marketing & Product Management at REC. “The switch to solar energy is a long-term decision. By withstanding 45 mm hailstones and allowing loads up to 10,000 Pa, REC Alpha Pure-RX panels can survive extreme conditions without costly damage and maintain high power in the long term.”
News item from REC
