New 470W 'Monolith' home solar panel arrives as power bills climb
SunPower-REC Partnership Introduces Industry-Leading Solar Panel
SunPower (Nasdaq: SPWR) announced the Monolith solar panel, the first product under its joint development agreement with REC Group, targeting residential and light commercial markets.
The Monolith is a solid-black, frameless panel rated at 470 watts under standard test conditions, weighs 50 pounds (U.S. OSHA single-worker residential limit), and is in production as the REC Alpha Pure-TX 470W. SunPower plans a bifacial upgrade that management says will raise output to over 500 watts to collect light from both sides and boost system energy production.
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- 470W panel rating (REC Alpha Pure-TX 470W) in production now
- Panel weight at 50 pounds, meeting U.S. OSHA single-worker residential limit
- Planned bifacial upgrade targeting >500W output to increase energy yield
Key Figures
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
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Market Pulse Summary
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
“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.
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.”
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| 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.
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 did SunPower (SPWR) announce on January 7, 2026 about a new solar panel?
SunPower announced the Monolith, a 470W frameless panel developed with REC and currently in production as the REC Alpha Pure-TX 470W.
How much power does the SunPower Monolith (SPWR) panel produce and when is it available?
The Monolith is rated at 470 watts under standard test conditions and is reported to be in production now.
What is the weight of the SunPower Monolith (SPWR) panel and why does it matter for installers?
The panel weighs 50 pounds, the U.S. OSHA single-worker residential panel weight limit, which simplifies residential installation logistics.
Will the SunPower Monolith (SPWR) panel have bifacial capability and what output is expected?
SunPower plans a bifacial upgrade that company commentary says will raise Monolith output to over 500 watts by collecting light on both sides.
What technology partners does SunPower (SPWR) cite for the Monolith panel?
SunPower developed the Monolith under a joint development agreement with REC Group, a U.S. residential solar panel volume leader.
How does SunPower (SPWR) position the Monolith for homeowners and investors?
SunPower says the 470W and future 500+W bifacial panel are engineered to maximize long-term energy production and lower cost per kWh for system owners.