The REC Alpha Pure-RX 460 is the better rigid solar panel overall, rated 4.4 to 4.3. The REC Alpha Pure-RX 460 costs $54.33 less ($285.66 vs $339.99).
A premium heterojunction panel for a home rooftop where space is tight and long-term output matters most. Check that your inverter or microinverters accept its higher voltage.
A1 Solar Store $285.66 The Solar Store $339.95 US Solar Supplier $349.99 Solar Cellz USA $369.59A cheap-per-watt, very large bifacial panel for home rooftop or ground-mount arrays where the installer can confirm the electrical specs first. Not for RVs, vans or anyone who needs a datasheet up front.
Amazon $339.99Prices were last checked October 26, 2026 and are subject to change; the price and availability shown by the retailer at the time of purchase apply.
Each factor is scored 0-100 against the same fixed reference points for every 150 W and up rigid solar panel; a clear win is highlighted. How we rank explains each one.
| Factor weight | REC Alpha Pure-RX 460 | STAR 495W Bifacial Frameless |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.4/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Value 45% | 84 $0.62 per rated watt | 77 $0.69 per rated watt |
| Tested output 15% | 50 not yet independently tested (neutral score used) | 50 not yet independently tested (neutral score used) |
| Durability 25% | 100 IP68, 20-year warranty | 100 IP68, 12-year warranty |
| Efficiency 15% | 82 22.1% module efficiency | 86 22.3% module efficiency (from size and rated power) |
| REC Alpha Pure-RX 460 | STAR 495W Bifacial Frameless | |
|---|---|---|
| Output | ||
| Rated power | 460 W | 495 W |
| Module efficiency | 22.1% | 22.3% (rated power over panel area) |
| Claimed efficiency | 22.6% ("22.6% max efficiency" is the 470 W version's panel efficiency; the 460 W version is 22.1%) | 25.6% (cell efficiency) |
| Cells | Monocrystalline (Heterojunction (HJT), 88 half-cut cells, gapless layout) | Monocrystalline (N-type, 16BB) |
| Bifacial | No | Yes |
| Electrical | ||
| Open-circuit voltage (Voc) | 65.7 V | - |
| Voltage at max power (Vmp) | 54.9 V | - |
| Short-circuit current (Isc) | 8.9 A | - |
| Current at max power (Imp) | 8.4 A | - |
| Voc temperature coefficient | -0.2%/°C | - |
| Series / parallel | Yes | - |
| Connections | ||
| Output connector | Stäubli MC4 (PV-KBT4/KST4) | - |
| Build | ||
| Weight | 50 lb (22.7 kg) | 58.1 lb (26.4 kg) |
| Dimensions | 68.0 x 47.4 x 1.2 in | 77.2 x 44.6 x 1.1 in |
| Frame | black anodized aluminum | frameless front edge ("CleanEdge" design), with pre-drilled mounting holes |
| Glass | 0.13 in (3.2 mm) solar glass with anti-reflection surface treatment | - |
| Junction box rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Warranty | 20 years | 12 years |
| Output warranty | 25 years: at least 98% in year 1, then no more than 0.25% loss a year (92% at 25 years) | 30-year linear power output warranty (end-point percentage not stated) |
| Released | 2023-09 | - |
