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Recom RCM-485-7RRC6

RCM-485-7RRC6

485 Wp N-type
ComparePV verdict

Efficiency leader, no clear weak spot

Rank 3,418 of 14,005
Compare panels Datasheet PDF
Power (Wp)
485
Strong · top 23%
Efficiency (%)
23.80
Strong · top 5%
Density (Wp/m²)
237.6
Strong · top 7%
Temp (%/°C)
-0.260
Strong · top 6%
Weight (kg)
21.6
Strong · 2.1 kg below median
Warranty (yrs)
30
Typical · median 30 yrs

The Recom Black Tiger series of solar panels is designed to maximize energy production from the same roof or ground area. A key advantage is the combination of N-type cells with BackContact technology - all connections are hidden on the back, eliminating the typical "shadowing" caused by metallization on the front. In practice, this means more efficient light utilization, especially when every square meter of the installation counts.

Black Tiger also stands out due to its aesthetic design with no visible rails, which will appeal to investors who prioritize a consistent roof appearance. For users, low light-induced degradation and stable performance in high temperatures are also important, thanks to favorable performance at high temperatures - this provides real support in the face of increasing hot days in Poland.

This is a good option for premium homes, businesses, and projects where high energy production, quick return on investment, and predictable performance over the years are a priority.

Ranking

301 panels in the segment N-type 450-500 W
Metric This panel Median Position in segment Overall rank
Module efficiency 23.80% 22.52% Strong · top 5% 433
Power density 237.6 225.2 Strong · top 7% 495
Temperature coefficient -0.260 -0.290 Strong · top 6% 511
Weight per kWp 44.5 49.5 Strong · top 7% 465
Performance warranty 30 yrs 30 yrs Typical 21
Colour key Strong - top 25% Typical - middle 50% Weak - bottom 25%

Signals from the data

8 positive · 2 caution
Best for

Residential, commercial and hot-climate.

Strengths
23.80% module efficiency

Top 5% of the N-type 450-500 W segment, against a median of 22.52%. Ranked 433rd in the whole database.

-0.260 %/°C temperature coefficient

Top 6% of the N-type 450-500 W segment, against a median of -0.290. Ranked 511th in the whole database.

237.6 watts per square metre

Top 7% of the N-type 450-500 W segment, against a median of 225.2. Ranked 495th in the whole database.

What owners get
N-type cells with BackContact technology

All electrical connections are hidden on the rear of the cell, eliminating front-side metallization shading losses and enabling module efficiency up to 24.3% - clearly above comparable peer models (Solarspace 22.87%, Resun Solar 22.94%, Hanersun 23%).

Efficiency edge over peer comparables

The series' 23.3-24.3% efficiency range is 0.3-1.4 percentage points higher than three direct competitors of similar peak power (495 Wp), translating into higher real-world energy yield per square meter of roof.

30-year linear power warranty

The manufacturer offers a 25-year product warranty plus a 30-year linear power warranty - longer than the standard 25/25-year terms offered by most Tier-1 manufacturers, improving long-term performance predictability.

Busbar-free aesthetic

The absence of visible front-side busbars gives a uniform, dark module surface, a strong selling point for premium residential installations where consistent roof appearance matters.

Stable performance in high temperatures

N-type cells have a more favorable power temperature coefficient than older P-type/PERC technology, limiting output drops during heat waves - relevant given the growing number of hot days in Poland.

Trade-offs
Fire safety class C, not A

Per IEC 61730 certification, the module only meets fire safety class C (UL 790), not the higher class A. This can be a limitation for installation on pitched roofs close to other buildings, where some regulations or insurers require class A.

Manufacturer absent from current BNEF Tier-1 list

Recom does not appear on the current BloombergNEF Tier-1 list (Q3 2026), despite being listed in the past (4Q 2019). Tier-1 status is often a formal bankability requirement for institutional investors and project financiers, so its absence may complicate financing for large-scale installations.

Notes from the database
  • At 23.8% efficiency, this panel is 1.3pp above typical N-type 450-500W modules (median: 22.5%)
  • Power density of 237.6 W/m² packs 12.4 W/m² more into the same footprint vs N-type 450-500W median (225.2 W/m²)
  • Temperature coefficient of -0.26%/°C vs median -0.29%/°C means ~1% less power loss at 65°C
  • Weight of 21.6 kg (2.1 kg below N-type 450-500W median of 23.7 kg) allows easier transport and roof mounting
  • Ranked #433 out of 14005 panels for efficiency in the database

Specifications

Open datasheet PDF
Nominal power (Pmax) 485 Wp Nameplate at 1000 W/m², 25 °C
Module efficiency 23.80 % Strong Segment median 22.52%
Vmpp · Impp 33.40 V · 14.53 A Operating point at max power
Voc · Isc 40.40 V · 15.23 A Sizes the string length
Max system voltage 1500 V Longer strings than 1000 V modules
Dimensions 1800×1134×30 mm · 2.04 m² of roof
Weight 21.6 kg Strong Strong · 2.1 kg below median
Cells 108 · N-type Monocrystalline
Coefficient Pmax -0.260 %/°C Strong top 6% of its segment
Coefficient Voc · Isc -0.200 · 0.050 %/°C
NOCT 45 °C At 800 W/m², 20 °C ambient
Product warranty 25 years Hardware defects only
Performance warranty 30 years Typical median 30 yrs · median 30 yrs
End-of-warranty output 88.8 % Equals 431 W guaranteed
Degradation 1.00 → 0.35 % First year, then annual

Simulations

Live - change any input
Lifetime output & value
30 years at 1200 kWh/kWp/year and €0.50 per kWh
Power in year 30
-
Lifetime energy
-
Energy value
-

Degradation from this panel's own datasheet figures. No inverter, soiling or shading losses.

Heat losses
-0.260 %/°C against a segment median of -0.290
-
Filter these
Size
Panel Power Eff. Temp. Weight Difference
Recom RCM-485-7RRC6 485 W 23.80% -0.260 21.6 kg You are here
LR7-54HJD-510M 510 W 25.00% -0.240 23.5 kg +25 W, cooler, +1.2 pp
AIKO-A495-MCE54Mw 495 W 24.80% -0.260 21.0 kg +10 W, +1.0 pp
LR7-54HJD-505M 505 W 24.70% -0.240 23.5 kg +20 W, cooler, +0.9 pp
AIKO-A490-MCE54Mw 490 W 24.50% -0.260 21.0 kg +0.7 pp
LR7-54HJD-500M 500 W 24.50% -0.240 23.5 kg Cooler, heavier, +0.7 pp
CIPRO-TN9C54M-500W 500 W 24.50% -0.260 21.4 kg +15 W, +0.7 pp
RCM-475-7RRC6 475 W 23.30% -0.260 21.6 kg -10 W, -0.5 pp
RCM-480-7RRC6 480 W 23.50% -0.260 21.6 kg -0.3 pp
RCM-490-7RRC6 490 W 24.00% -0.260 21.6 kg Very close match
RCM-495-7RRC6 495 W 24.30% -0.260 21.6 kg +10 W, +0.5 pp

Found 197 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±10 mm. See them here Found 201 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±25 mm. See them here Found 1712 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±50 mm. See them here Found 4014 panels of the same or similar size to this one, within ±100 mm. See them here

Common questions

6 answered
What is BackContact technology in Recom Black Tiger panels and what does it mean in practice?
BackContact technology routes all electrical connections to the rear of the module, leaving the front face completely free of metallic busbars. This eliminates front grid shadow losses, and Recom states it results in approximately 13.4% more energy yield over the full lifecycle compared to conventional P-type modules. As a byproduct, the modules deliver a fully black, busbar-free aesthetic that architects and premium homeowners favor.
What is the peak power output of the Recom Black Tiger panel, and how many modules are needed for a 10 kWp system?
The Recom Black Tiger reaches a maximum power of 495 Wp with a module efficiency of up to 23.6%. A 10 kWp system therefore requires roughly 20-21 modules, occupying less roof space than a comparable P-type PERC system of similar dimensions. This high power density makes the series especially competitive on rooftops where every square meter counts.
What warranty does the Recom Black Tiger series carry and what exactly does it cover?
Recom backs the Black Tiger with a 25-year product warranty and a 30-year linear power output guarantee, with output not dropping below 88.85% of nominal power at year 30. The 30-year power warranty is among the longest currently available in the residential PV market and provides strong, long-term yield predictability for the entire operational life of the system.
Are Recom Black Tiger panels a good fit for a small roof or installations where space is the main constraint?
Yes. With an efficiency of up to 23.6% enabled by N-type BackContact cells, Black Tiger delivers more watts per square meter than mainstream PERC modules. For a small roof, that can translate into several hundred extra watts of total installed capacity without adding more modules, making it an ideal choice whenever available roof area is the primary limiting factor.
Where is Recom headquartered and do Black Tiger panels carry safety certifications?
Recom Technologies is headquartered in Italy. The company is not listed as a Tier 1 manufacturer under the BloombergNEF classification, which is worth considering when assessing project bankability or insurance terms. Black Tiger modules carry IEC 61215, IEC 61730, and CE certifications, and the series is backed by one of the longer product and power warranties currently on the market.
How does N-type cell technology in Recom Black Tiger affect module degradation over the years?
N-type cells used in Black Tiger exhibit inherently low Light Induced Degradation (LID), meaning the module loses less power in the first months of operation compared to typical P-type PERC panels. Combined with a favorable temperature coefficient, this results in more stable and predictable energy production throughout the 30-year power warranty period, which is particularly relevant given the increasing frequency of heat waves across Central Europe.
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