SunPower, now operated by Complete Solaria following the company’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy and asset sale in August 2024, announced the launch of its 470‑Watt Monolith solar panel on January 7 2026. The panel is the first product developed under a joint‑development agreement with REC Group, the U.S. residential market’s volume leader. The announcement comes as the new SunPower entity seeks to re‑establish its brand and demonstrate that it can deliver high‑performance products even after a major restructuring.
The Monolith is a solid‑black, frameless bifacial design that weighs 50 pounds, meeting the OSHA single‑worker residential panel weight limit. It delivers 470 watts under standard test conditions and is slated for a >500‑watt upgrade that will harvest light from both sides. The lightweight, frameless construction reduces installation labor and cost, while the bifacial capability increases energy yield, positioning the panel as a premium offering in the competitive residential market.
The bankruptcy and asset sale mean that the new SunPower entity does not assume the previous company’s customer warranties or other obligations. Customers who purchased panels before the sale may need to seek recourse through the bankruptcy process, and the new entity must build trust by offering its own warranty and support structure. This context is critical for investors and customers evaluating the long‑term reliability and service commitments of the new brand.
Strategically, the partnership with REC allows SunPower to leverage REC’s manufacturing scale and distribution network while infusing its own high‑efficiency Maxeon® cell technology. The Monolith’s higher wattage and lighter weight give SunPower a competitive edge against rivals such as LG‑Solar and Canadian Solar, especially in markets where installation labor costs are a significant portion of the total system cost. The move also signals SunPower’s intent to capture a larger share of the growing residential solar market, which is increasingly price‑sensitive and focused on performance per watt.
T.J. Rodgers, SunPower’s Chairman and CEO, said the launch “demonstrates our commitment to innovation and to delivering the best value for homeowners.” REC Americas President Cary Hayes added that the collaboration “accelerates the adoption of bifacial technology in the U.S. market.” Surinder Bedi, EVP of Quality, Engineering and Customer Success, emphasized that the panels are engineered for “superior system performance and long‑term energy production.” These statements underscore the company’s focus on performance, cost efficiency, and partnership‑driven growth as it rebuilds its market position.
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