Highlights

  • SunPower unveils “Monolith,” its first solar panel developed with REC Group.
  • The panel delivers 470 watts while meeting U.S. residential weight limits.
  • Future upgrades aim to lift output beyond 500 watts through bifacial design.

SunPower Inc. (NASDAQ:SPWR), a solar technology, services, and installation company, has announced the launch of its new “Monolith” solar panel. The product is the first commercial outcome of the SunPower–REC Joint Development Agreement (JDA), formed to develop and commercialize high-wattage, frameless bifacial solar panels for residential and light commercial applications. REC Group is a globally recognized solar panel manufacturer with a significant presence in the U.S. residential market.

The JDA focuses on engineering panels that combine higher power output with design features suited to installation constraints in residential settings. The Monolith panel represents the initial phase of this collaboration, with additional iterations planned as development continues.

Technical Specifications and Design Focus

According to SunPower, the Monolith is a solid-black panel weighing 50 pounds, aligning with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s single-worker residential panel weight limit. Under standard test conditions, the panel produces 470 watts of power, positioning it among the higher-output options currently available for its class.

SunPower holds exclusive rights to the officially named REC Alpha Pure-TX 470W panel, which is already in production. The company indicated that the next development step involves upgrading the panel to a bifacial configuration, allowing it to collect light from both sides. This design is expected to lift output to more than 500 watts.

Executive Commentary

SunPower Chairman and CEO T.J. Rodgers said, “SunPower has a long history of innovation in solar cell and panel technology since its founding in 1985. By the time of the SPWR Initial Public Offering in 2005, SunPower had already developed the most technologically advanced solar panels in the industry and manufactured them on fully automated lines. We now add to that record by virtue of our collaboration with REC, the current U.S. residential solar panel industry volume leader, known for durability, high quality standards, and innovation.”

REC Americas President Cary Hayes stated, “We are excited to partner with SunPower, a legacy brand in renewable energy with a commitment to innovation and quality, and to continue advancing our cutting-edge bifacial panel technology.”

Surinder S. Bedi, Executive Vice President of Quality, Engineering and Customer Success at SunPower, added, “We are all excited to partner with market-leader REC on advanced solar systems. The new 470-watt panel and the 500-plus watt bifacial solar panel are engineered to deliver superior system performance and maximize long-term energy production, even under the most demanding environmental conditions. Ultimately, this innovation not only drives the lowest cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of energy but also delivers exceptional value to system owners, a majority of whom are now investment companies that prize ROI.”

Rodgers concluded, “As American households face the inevitability of rising utility costs, we and our partner REC remain committed to delivering the most advanced solar panel technology and total solar system solutions to meet our customers’ ever escalating energy needs.”

SPWR closed at USD 1.63 on January 06, 2026.