SunPower-REC Partnership Introduces Industry-Leading Solar Panel

Rhea-AI Summary

SunPower (Nasdaq: SPWR) announced the Monolith solar panel on Jan 07, 2026 as the first product under a joint development agreement with REC. The Monolith is a solid-black, frameless panel rated at 470 watts under standard test conditions and is manufactured as the REC Alpha Pure-TX 470W, currently in production. The panel weighs 50 pounds, matching the U.S. OSHA single-worker residential panel weight limit. SunPower says a future bifacial upgrade will raise output to over 500 watts. The JDA targets high-wattage bifacial panels for residential and light commercial markets to boost system performance and lower cost per kWh.

Positive

• Record 470W nameplate power under standard test conditions
• Panel weight designed at the U.S. OSHA single-worker limit of 50 pounds
• SunPower holds exclusive rights to the REC Alpha Pure-TX 470W panel in production
• Planned bifacial upgrade expected to exceed 500W output
• Joint development agreement with REC targets residential and light commercial bifacial panels

Negative

• None.

Key Figures

Panel output: 470 watts Panel weight: 50 pounds Bifacial target output: over 500 watts +5 more

8 metrics

Panel output 470 watts Monolith panel under standard test conditions

Panel weight 50 pounds U.S. OSHA single-worker residential panel weight limit

Bifacial target output over 500 watts Planned upgraded bifacial Monolith panel

Founding year 1985 SunPower history of solar innovation

IPO year 2005 SunPower initial public offering

Helios bifacial demo 2001 NASA Helios solar-powered airplane bifacial panel demonstration

Panel rating 470-watt panel REC Alpha Pure-TX 470W panel description

Planned bifacial rating 500-plus watt panel Future bifacial residential panel design

Market Reality Check

Price: $1.80 Vol: Volume 934,712 is 71% abo...

high vol

$1.80 Last Close

Volume Volume 934,712 is 71% above the 20-day average of 547,986, indicating elevated pre-news activity. high

Technical Price at $1.805 is trading 0.8% below the 200-day MA of $1.82 after a -7.44% day.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights a new high-output residential solar panel delivering 470 watts at a 50-...

Analysis

This announcement highlights a new high-output residential solar panel delivering 470 watts at a 50-pound weight, with plans for a bifacial version exceeding 500 watts. The joint development focuses on maximizing long-term energy production and lowering cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh). With no recent news history provided, key factors to monitor include commercialization timelines, adoption in residential and light-commercial markets, and how effectively the partnership scales this technology.

Key Terms

bifacial, kilowatt-hour (kWh), OSHA, ROI, +1 more

5 terms

bifacial technical

"upgrade it to become ‘bifacial,’ that is to be able to collect light from both sides"

Bifacial describes equipment—most commonly solar panels—that can capture energy from both its front and back surfaces, like a sweater that picks up warmth from both sides. For investors, bifacial technology can raise a project's power output and lower cost per unit of energy, affecting revenue forecasts, installation choices and the valuation of firms that make or install these systems.

kilowatt-hour (kWh) technical

"drives the lowest cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of energy"

One kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a unit of energy equal to using one thousand watts of power for one hour—think of it as running a 1,000‑watt appliance for an hour or ten 100‑watt bulbs for an hour. Investors watch kWh because energy prices, utility bills and production are quoted per kWh, so it directly affects operating costs, revenue from selling electricity, the value of storage or generation assets, and comparisons between technologies.

OSHA regulatory

"weighs in at the U.S. OSHA single-worker residential panel weight limit of only 50 pounds"

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a U.S. federal agency that sets and enforces workplace safety and health rules, inspects facilities, and issues citations or fines when standards are violated. Think of it as a building inspector for employee safety: its findings can trigger corrective costs, legal liability, operational disruptions, or reputational damage, all of which can affect a company’s expenses, productivity and investor returns.

ROI financial

"system owners, a majority of whom are now investment companies that prize ROI"

Return on investment (ROI) measures how much money an investor makes or loses relative to the amount they put in, expressed as a percentage. It helps compare the efficiency of different investments—like checking which of several gardens produced the most fruit for the seeds planted—so investors can decide which opportunities deliver the best payoff for the risk and capital they commit.

standard test conditions technical

"producing a record 470 watts of power under standard test conditions"

Standard test conditions are a fixed set of environmental and operating settings used to measure and report a product’s performance in a controlled lab so results are consistent and comparable across manufacturers. For investors, they matter because advertised numbers produced under those idealized conditions can differ from real‑world results—like a car’s city fuel rating versus actual highway driving—so knowing the test conditions helps assess how much the published specs can be trusted for real operations.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

OREM, Utah, Jan. 07, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SunPower Inc. (herein “SunPower,” the “Company,” or Nasdaq: “SPWR”) a solar technology, services, and installation company, is pleased to unveil its new “Monolith” solar panel, the first product offered under the SunPower-REC Joint Development Agreement (JDA). The REC Group is the leading globally recognized solar panel manufacturer for the U.S. residential market. The JDA aims to develop, engineer, and commercialize high-wattage, frameless bifacial solar panels for the residential and light commercial solar markets.

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.

Rodgers continued, “Our first JDA effort is a new solar panel that SunPower dubs the “Monolith” – a solid-black panel that weighs in at the U.S. OSHA single-worker residential panel weight limit of only 50 pounds – while producing a record 470 watts of power under standard test conditions. SunPower has exclusive rights to the officially named REC Alpha Pure-TX 470W panel, which is in production now. Our next step will be to upgrade it to become ‘bifacial,’ that is to be able to collect light from both sides – a feat SunPower demonstrated on the NASA Helios solar-powered airplane in 2001 – that will raise the Monolith output power to over 500 watts.”

REC Americas President, Cary Hayes, said, “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.”

The “Black Monolith” was discovered in an excavation site on the moon in the 1968 Sci-Fi classic, “2001: A Space Odyssey.”	T.J. Rodgers unveiling the “Monolith” panel at the Dec. 16, 2025 SunPower sales conference.

About SunPower
SunPower (Nasdaq: SPWR) is a leading residential solar services provider in North America. The Company’s digital platform and installation services support energy needs for customers wishing to make the transition to a more energy-efficient lifestyle. For more information visit www.sunpower.com.

About REC Solar
Founded in 1996, REC Group is an international pioneering solar energy company dedicated to empowering consumers with clean, affordable solar power. As Solar’s Most Trusted, REC is committed to high quality, innovation, and a low carbon footprint in the solar materials and solar panels it manufactures. Headquartered in Norway with operational headquarters in Singapore, REC also has regional hubs in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. For more information visit www.recgroup.com.

Company Contacts: Sioban Hickie VP Investor Relations IR@SunPower.com (801) 477-5847

Surinder Bedi EVP of Quality, Engineering and Customer Success surinder.bedi@sunpower.com (510) 846-6361

Source: SunPower Inc.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8ae36a26-d17d-46a7-8111-ccdffba89649

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2c740797-7903-401f-a9bb-747e68a15e3a

This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified individual.

FAQ

What is the Monolith solar panel announced by SunPower (SPWR)?

The Monolith is a solid-black, frameless solar panel rated at 470W and produced as the REC Alpha Pure-TX 470W under the SunPower–REC JDA.

When is the REC Alpha Pure-TX 470W (Monolith) in production for SPWR?

SunPower says the REC Alpha Pure-TX 470W panel is in production now as of the Jan. 07, 2026 announcement.

How much does the Monolith panel weigh and why does that matter for SPWR installers?

The Monolith weighs 50 pounds, matching the U.S. OSHA single-worker residential panel weight limit to simplify residential handling and installation.

Will SunPower (SPWR) offer a bifacial version of the Monolith and what is the expected output?

Yes; SunPower plans a bifacial upgrade expected to raise Monolith output to over 500 watts.

What markets is the SunPower–REC JDA targeting with the Monolith (SPWR)?

The JDA targets the U.S. residential and light commercial solar markets with high-wattage, frameless bifacial panels.

What competitive advantage does SunPower claim for the Monolith (SPWR)?

SunPower highlights high wattage (470W), OSHA‑limit weight (50 lb), and an upcoming bifacial >500W design to improve system performance and lower cost per kWh.