REC solar modules outperform leading European and Chinese brands in Fraunhofer Institute’s one-year performance ratio test.

Oslo, Norway – REC today announced the results of a study performed by Fraunhofer Institute, the leading European solar technology research institute, placing REC solar modules ahead of two leading module brands in a year-long performance ratio study. The study was commissioned by REC. The study also demonstrated that REC’s use of the Sunarc* anti-reflective treatment on the module glass increases energy production.

During a period of 12 months Fraunhofer studied the performance of two arrays with REC modules, one array with modules from a leading European producer, and one array with modules from a leading Chinese producer. During the test, the REC modules recorded a performance ratio 4.8 percent higher than the Chinese modules and 1 percent higher than the European modules. “The higher performance ratio translates into increased production of electricity and additional money generated for the owner of the system with REC modules”, said Åsmund Fodstad, VP Sales & Marketing. REC provides a 25-year power output guarantee on its modules.

The performance ratio is calculated by comparing the nameplate capacity of a solar module with the actual power output of the system. Performance ratio is widely considered the best measure of the quality of a module because all components and their interactions are taken into consideration.

The Fraunhofer study also demonstrated that REC’s use of anti-reflective treatment on the module glass increases energy production and performance ratio. The test evaluated two arrays of identical REC modules, one with anti-reflective treated glass and one without. The modules with anti-reflective treated glass showed a higher performance ratio compared to modules with untreated glass. The anti-reflective treatment reduces the reflectivity of the glass surface, allowing more sunlight to enter into the solar cells for conversion to electricity. The treatment has been applied on all modules manufactured by REC since 2007. “This study confirms that the anti-reflective treatment of the glass used in the REC modules contributes to excellent performance in a wide range of sunlight conditions,” Fodstad said. The REC modules are optimized for low light conditions such as sunrise and sunset, in effect waking up early in the morning and going to sleep late in the evening.

About REC
REC is the leading vertically integrated player in the solar energy industry. REC Silicon and REC Wafer are among the world’s largest producers of polysilicon and wafers, respectively, for solar applications. REC Solar is a rapidly growing manufacturer of solar cells and modules, and is also engaging in project development activities in selected segments of the PV market. REC had revenues of NOK 8 191 million and an operating profit of NOK 2 529 million in 2008. Close to 3 000 employees work in REC’s worldwide organization. See www.recgroup.com for more information about REC.

* Sunarc is a registered Community Trade Mark within EC and a registered trademark in the United States and other countries.