Illustration · 144 half-cut cells

Solar panelREC Group

REC Group REC445AA 72

Name: REC Group REC445AA 72
Brand: REC Group

144 half-cut cells, HJT. Power classes 420–450 W in the CEC list.

CEC listed · Jul 13, 2020UL 61730Installed in 3 SoCal permits

Power class

Power (STC)445 WCEC nameplate
Efficiency≈21.6%calculated from area
%/°C Pmax−0.272CEC listing test
PTC / STC94.9%PTC 422 W (CEC)

Power classes

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Cali-Graf calculation · 7 models

Model	Pmax	Voc, V	Isc, A	Vmp, V	Imp, A	Efficiency	PTC	CEC listed
REC420AA 72	420 W	52.50	10.20	44.50	9.45	≈20.4%	398 W	Jul 13, 2020
REC425AA 72	425 W	52.60	10.23	44.80	9.49	≈20.6%	403 W	Jul 13, 2020
REC430AA 72	430 W	52.70	10.25	45.10	9.54	≈20.9%	408 W	Jul 13, 2020
REC435AA 72	435 W	52.90	10.27	45.40	9.59	≈21.1%	412 W	Jul 13, 2020
REC440AA 72	440 W	53.00	10.31	45.70	9.63	≈21.4%	417 W	Jul 13, 2020
REC445AA 72	445 W	53.20	10.38	46.00	9.68	≈21.6%	422 W	Jul 13, 2020
REC450AA 72	450 W	53.20	10.43	46.30	9.72	≈21.9%	427 W	Sep 1, 2020

≈ efficiency = Pmax ÷ CEC-listed area 2.06 m².

Build & dimensions

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026)

Module area2.06 m² (22.2 ft²)CEC-listed area
Cells144 half-cut cellsHJT
Back coverWhite backsheet

Heat & cold behaviour

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Cali-Graf calculation

	CEC listing test
Pmax coefficient γ	−0.272 %/°C
Voc coefficient β	−0.235 %/°C
Isc coefficient α	+0.029 %/°C
Operating cell temperature	NOCT 45.2 °C

Vmp coefficient ≈ γ − α (CEC); used only for the hot-roof voltage estimate.

Away from lab conditions — CEC listing test points

Class	Pmax at NOCT	Vmp × Imp at NOCT	Pmax at 200 W/m²	Low-light efficiency vs STC
420 W	315.3 W	41.4 V × 7.62 A	80.1 W	95%
425 W	318.8 W	41.68 V × 7.65 A	81 W	95%
430 W	322.6 W	41.96 V × 7.69 A	82 W	95%
435 W	326.4 W	42.24 V × 7.73 A	83 W	95%
440 W	330 W	42.52 V × 7.76 A	83.9 W	95%
445 W	333.9 W	42.8 V × 7.8 A	84.8 W	95%
450 W	337.4 W	43.08 V × 7.83 A	85.8 W	95%

Pmax = Vmp × Imp from the CEC listing; low-light efficiency = Pmax at 200 W/m² ÷ (20% of STC Pmax).

Independent reliability testing

Kiwa PVEL Scorecard · RETC PV Module Index

PVEL Scorecards

REC Group named Top Performer, 2016–2025

RETC PV Module Index

REC Group recognized 2023–2025

This exact series is not listed in published PVEL Top Performer tables. Results below are for the manufacturer.

RETC PV Module Index — REC Group

Year	Recognition
2023	High Achievement in Performance (Ptc-to-stc ratio, Module efficiency)
2024	High Achievement in Performance
2025	Test Category High Achiever

Inverter compatibility & string sizing

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Cali-Graf calculation · NLR PVWatts v8 · inverter datasheets · NLR SAM inverter library · CEC Grid Support Inverter List (Oct 7, 2026)

CityColdest air, °CHottest cell, °CString inverter

56.1 V

Voc when cold

per panel

39.2 V

Vmp when hot

per panel

Max panels / string

max DC 600 V

Min panels / string

MPPT from 60 V

Defaults come from NLR TMY weather (coldest hour, hottest modeled cell). Code calculations (NEC 690.7) use the ASHRAE extreme annual minimum, which is usually colder — enter it above. β is the CEC-measured coefficient; NEC 690.7 calculations use the datasheet value.

String inverters most named in SoCal permits

Inverter	Max DC input	MPPT	Window source	Panels per string
Tesla 1538000-xx-y	600 V	60–480 V	datasheet	2–10
Solis (Ginlong) S6-EH1P10K-H-US	600 V	80–520 V	datasheet	3–10
Solis (Ginlong) Solis-1P7.6K-4G-US	600 V	100–500 V	datasheet	3–10
Qcells Q.VOLT H7.6SX	498 V	234–498 V	CEC test window	6–8

Microinverters (one per panel)

Microinverter	Recommended module power	Max DC input	MPPT	Voc cold / Vmp hot	Check	DC/AC
Enphase IQ8X-80-M-US	320–540 W	79.5 V	43–60 V	56.1 / 39.2 V	⚠ Works; below MPPT at peak heat	1.17
APsystems (Alt Power System) DS3-L	265–570 W	60 V	28–45 V	56.1 / 39.2 V	✓ Within range	0.57
Enphase IQ8M-72-2-US	260–460 W	60 V	30–45 V	56.1 / 39.2 V	✓ Within range	1.37
Enphase IQ8A-72-2-US	295–500 W	60 V	32–45 V	56.1 / 39.2 V	✓ Within range	1.28

Voltage check against the microinverter datasheets — confirm the pairing on the manufacturer’s module compatibility list. Rows appear only when the panel’s power is inside the microinverter’s recommended module power range.

SolarEdge and other optimizer-based systems size strings by the optimizer rules — use the manufacturer’s designer. Reference inverters: most named in SoCal permits since Oct 2024.

Expected production in Southern California

NLR PVWatts v8 · Cali-Graf calculation

PanelsCity for chartSystem size

City	kWh / kW / yr	kWh / panel / yr	kWh / system / yr	Sun, kWh/m²/day
Los Angeles	1,676	746	11,933	6.08
Palmdale	1,835	817	13,065	6.69
Chula Vista	1,696	755	12,076	6.11
Huntington Beach	1,643	731	11,698	5.89
Riverside	1,696	755	12,076	6.21
Santa Clarita	1,724	767	12,275	6.28

Estimate for comparison, not a quote: shading, roof orientation and local losses change real output. Roof mount, 20° tilt, south, 14% system losses.

Who installs RECxxxAA 72 panels in SoCal

building permits · CSLB License Master

Permits naming this series

Jan 2021 – Jun 2021

Licensed installers

CSLB license on the permit

Jurisdictions so far

LA County (unincorp.) (2), Los Angeles (1)

N R G Clean Power Inc

Canoga Park · CSLB #1026168

1 installJan 2021Los Angeles

Permits over time

Only installer and ZIP level is shown — no homeowner names, street addresses or permit numbers. Permits from LA County (unincorp.) come without a contractor license, so they count toward totals but not toward installers. Counts grow as more permit portals are loaded.

Compare with similar 445 W panels

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · datasheets · Kiwa PVEL Scorecard · building permits

Panel	Pmax	Efficiency	γ Pmax (CEC)	Voc, V	Isc, A	Warranty	PVEL (product / brand)	SoCal permits (series)
REC Group REC445AA 72	445 W	≈21.6%	−0.272	53.2	10.38	—	brand 9×	3
Qcells Q.TRON BLK M-G2+ 445	445 W	≈22.8%	−0.276	40.16	13.98	25 / 25 yr	brand 11× (2016–2026)	40
Silfab Solar SIL-440QD	440 W	≈22.6%	−0.294	38.97	14.25	25 / 30 yr	brand 7× (2017–2025)	39
Hyundai Energy Solutions HiN-T445NF(BK)	445 W	≈22.9%	−0.298	39	14.46	25 / 30 yr	brand 5× (2017–2025)	37

Same fields from the same sources for every row; ≈ efficiency is calculated from the listed area. Comparable series: other brands, same product group, power range covering this class.

About REC Group

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Kiwa PVEL Scorecard · RETC PV Module Index · building permits

ManufacturerREC Group
Listed in CEC asREC Group
PVEL Top Performer (manufacturer)9 Scorecards (2016–2025)
RETC PV Module Index2023, 2024, 2025
Current panel series in CEC list26

Other series by SoCal permits

RECxxxAA Pure · 66RECxxxAA Pure-RX · 33RECxxxAA · 30RECxxxAA Black · 8RECxxxNP3 Black · 7RECxxxAA Pure 2 · 6

Questions & answers

How efficient is the REC Group REC445AA 72?

Calculated from the panel area (2.06 m²): about 21.6% for the 445 W class. 445 W over 2.06 m² equals about 216 W per square meter.

How much energy does one panel produce in Los Angeles or Palmdale?

PVWatts v8 with typical-year weather gives about 746 kWh per year per 445 W panel in Los Angeles and about 817 kWh in Palmdale (20° roof, facing south, 14% system losses).

How much power does it lose on a hot roof?

With γ = −0.272 %/°C, at a 77 °C cell temperature (hottest modeled hour in Palmdale) output is about 14.1% below the STC rating.

How many panels fit on one string?

With the Tesla 1538000-xx-y (max DC 600 V, MPPT from 60 V, datasheet) in Los Angeles the calculator gives 2–10 panels per string (Voc at 2 °C = 56.1 V, Vmp at 74 °C cell = 39.2 V). Final design must follow the inverter manual and NEC 690.7.

Does it work with APsystems (Alt Power System) DS3-L microinverters?

Voltage check against the APsystems (Alt Power System) datasheet: Voc when cold 56.1 V vs max input 60 V; Vmp when hot 39.2 V vs MPPT low 28 V; recommended module power 265–570 W. Confirm on the microinverter maker’s compatibility list.

Has this panel been reliability-tested?

This exact series is not in published PVEL Top Performer tables; REC Group was named a Top Performer in 9 Scorecards (2016–2025).

Who installs it in Southern California?

Building permits name this series 3 times (Jan 2021 – Jun 2021). The most active licensed installers are N R G Clean Power Inc.

Sources

California Energy Commission — Solar Equipment Lists, PV Module List, Inverter List (snapshot Oct 7, 2026).
Qcells — manufacturer datasheet “Q.TRON BLK M-G2+ SERIES 415–440 Wp”.
Silfab Solar — datasheet NTC SIL-420 QD CELL TECHNOLOGY.
Hyundai Energy Solutions — datasheet [US] NF(BK)(HiN) Series (N TOPCon Bifacial) 435~445W.
Kiwa PVEL — PV Module Reliability Scorecard, Top Performer lists 2016–2025.
RETC — PV Module Index reports 2023–2025.
NLR (formerly NREL) — System Advisor Model CEC inverter library (version 2026.7.3).
NLR (formerly NREL) — PVWatts v8, NSRDB PSM v3 typical-year weather for Los Angeles, Palmdale, Chula Vista, Huntington Beach, Riverside, Santa Clarita.
Inverter datasheets — APsystems (Alt Power System), Enphase, Solis (Ginlong), Tesla (manufacturer documents).
Building permits — Los Angeles County Public Works (EPIC-LA, unincorporated areas) (Apr 2021 – Jun 2021); LADBS, City of Los Angeles (Jan 2021). Equipment matched from permit descriptions by model number.
Contractors State License Board — License Master (contractor names and license status), as of Oct 5, 2026.
Cali-Graf calculations — formulas and inputs are shown next to each calculated value (efficiency from area, temperature-corrected voltages, string sizing, energy estimates).