Illustration · 132 half-cut cells

Solar panelREC Group

REC Group REC400NP3 Black

Name: REC Group REC400NP3 Black
Brand: REC Group

132 half-cut cells. Power classes 380–410 W in the CEC list.

CEC listed · Dec 12, 2022UL 61730Installed in 7 SoCal permits

Power class

Power (STC)400 WCEC nameplate
Efficiency≈20.8%calculated from area
%/°C Pmax−0.322CEC listing test
PTC / STC93.4%PTC 374 W (CEC)

Power classes

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026) · Cali-Graf calculation · 4 models

Model	Pmax	Voc, V	Isc, A	Vmp, V	Imp, A	Efficiency	PTC	CEC listed
REC380NP3 Black	380 W	44.50	11.22	36.00	10.56	≈19.8%	354 W	Dec 12, 2022
REC390NP3 Black	390 W	44.80	11.31	36.80	10.60	≈20.3%	364 W	Dec 12, 2022
REC400NP3 Black	400 W	45.00	11.39	37.60	10.64	≈20.8%	374 W	Dec 12, 2022
REC410NP3 Black	410 W	45.20	11.47	38.30	10.71	≈21.4%	383 W	Jan 3, 2023

≈ efficiency = Pmax ÷ CEC-listed area 1.92 m².

Build & dimensions

CEC PV Module List (Oct 7, 2026)

Module area1.92 m² (20.7 ft²)CEC-listed area
Cells132 half-cut cells
Back coverBlack backsheet

Heat & cold behaviour

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

	CEC listing test
Pmax coefficient γ	−0.322 %/°C
Voc coefficient β	−0.259 %/°C
Isc coefficient α	+0.040 %/°C
Operating cell temperature	NOCT 46.6 °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
380 W	280.9 W	33.68 V × 8.34 A	71.5 W	94%
390 W	288.3 W	34.43 V × 8.37 A	73.4 W	94%
400 W	295.6 W	35.18 V × 8.4 A	75.2 W	94%
410 W	303.1 W	35.83 V × 8.46 A	77.1 W	94%

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

47.7 V

Voc when cold

per panel

30.9 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	2–12
Solis (Ginlong) S6-EH1P10K-H-US	600 V	80–520 V	datasheet	3–12
Solis (Ginlong) Solis-1P7.6K-4G-US	600 V	100–500 V	datasheet	4–12
Qcells Q.VOLT H7.6SX	498 V	234–498 V	CEC test window	8–10

Microinverters (one per panel)

Microinverter	Recommended module power	Max DC input	MPPT	Voc cold / Vmp hot	Check	DC/AC
Enphase IQ8PLUS-72-2-US	235–440 W	60 V	29–45 V	47.7 / 30.9 V	✓ Within range	1.38
Enphase IQ8X-80-M-US	320–540 W	79.5 V	43–60 V	47.7 / 30.9 V	✗ Not a match: module voltage below MPPT range	1.05
APsystems (Alt Power System) DS3-L	265–570 W	60 V	28–45 V	47.7 / 30.9 V	✓ Within range	0.51
Enphase IQ8M-72-2-US	260–460 W	60 V	30–45 V	47.7 / 30.9 V	✓ Within range	1.23
Enphase IQ8A-72-2-US	295–500 W	60 V	32–45 V	47.7 / 30.9 V	⚠ Works; below MPPT at peak heat	1.15

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	670	12,067	6.08
Palmdale	1,835	734	13,212	6.69
Chula Vista	1,696	678	12,211	6.11
Huntington Beach	1,643	657	11,830	5.89
Riverside	1,696	678	12,211	6.21
Santa Clarita	1,724	690	12,413	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 RECxxxNP3 Black panels in SoCal

building permits · CSLB License Master

Permits naming this series

Feb 2023 – Sep 2026

Licensed installers

CSLB license on the permit

Jurisdictions so far

LA County (unincorp.) (5), Chula Vista (1), Palmdale (1)

Semper Solaris Electric Inc

Oceanside · CSLB #1054537

1 installSep 2026Chula Vista

South West Builders

Simi Valley · CSLB #1012298

1 installAug 2025Palmdale

Permits over time

Typical system

median 9.6 kW, 24 panels (n = 6)

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.

Installed together with

building permits

Microinverters

Enphase IQ8+

Batteries

Enphase IQ Battery 5P

Number of permits naming both this panel series and the product; 5 of 7 permits list other equipment.

Compare with similar 400 W panels

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

Panel	Pmax	Efficiency	γ Pmax (CEC)	Voc, V	Isc, A	PVEL (product / brand)	SoCal permits (series)
REC Group REC400NP3 Black	400 W	≈20.8%	−0.322	45	11.39	brand 9×	7
Qcells Q.PEAK DUO BLK ML-G10+ 400	400 W	≥20.4%	−0.362	45.3	11.14	product 2022, 2023	221
JA Solar JAM54S31-400/MR	400 W	≈21.1%	−0.329	37.07	13.79	product 2023, 2024	152
LONGi LR5-54HABB-400M	400 W	≈21.1%	−0.342	37.05	13.72	brand 9× (2017–2026)	64

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 · 8RECxxxAA Pure 2 · 6RECxxxNP · 4

Questions & answers

How efficient is the REC Group REC400NP3 Black?

Calculated from the panel area (1.92 m²): about 20.8% for the 400 W class. 400 W over 1.92 m² equals about 208 W per square meter.

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

PVWatts v8 with typical-year weather gives about 670 kWh per year per 400 W panel in Los Angeles and about 734 kWh in Palmdale (20° roof, facing south, 14% system losses).

How much power does it lose on a hot roof?

With γ = −0.322 %/°C, at a 77 °C cell temperature (hottest modeled hour in Palmdale) output is about 16.7% 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 2–12 panels per string (Voc at 2 °C = 47.7 V, Vmp at 74 °C cell = 30.9 V). Final design must follow the inverter manual and NEC 690.7.

Does it work with Enphase IQ8PLUS-72-2-US microinverters?

Voltage check against the Enphase datasheet: Voc when cold 47.7 V vs max input 60 V; Vmp when hot 30.9 V vs MPPT low 29 V; recommended module power 235–440 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 7 times (Feb 2023 – Sep 2026). The most active licensed installers are Semper Solaris Electric Inc, South West Builders.

Sources

California Energy Commission — Solar Equipment Lists, PV Module List, Inverter List (snapshot Oct 7, 2026).
Qcells — manufacturer datasheet “Q.PEAK DUO BLK ML-G10+ ENDURING HIGH PERFORMANCE”.
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) (Feb 2023 – Sep 2025); City of Chula Vista (Sep 2026); City of Palmdale (Aug 2025). 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).