Brandwave

How popular isREC?

In September 2026, people searched for REC by name about 6,800 times worldwide, a 26.9% decrease from the previous year. These searches made up 4.9% of all global solar panel brand searches, placing REC sixth out of seven brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about solar panel brands, REC appeared in three of the five answers and was the most recommended of the seven.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

REC is the sixth most searched of 7 competitors and the most recommended in AI answers.

  1. Jinko SolarShare of searches 23.8%Mentioned in 0 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
  2. Canadian SolarShare of searches 19.5%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
  3. SunPowerShare of searches 19.5%Mentioned in 0 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
  4. Trina SolarShare of searches 19.5%Mentioned in 0 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
  5. RECShare of searches 4.9%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st

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Top solar panel brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, REC was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. REC is the most recommended of the seven.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. REC1st
  2. Qcells2nd
  3. Maxeon3rd
  4. Canadian Solar4th
  5. Jinko Solar–
  6. SunPower–
  7. Trina Solar–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Canadian Solar3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Qcells3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • REC3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Maxeon3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Jinko Solar0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • SunPower0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Trina Solar0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about solar panel brands

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.

Which solar panel brands compete with REC?

REC against solar panel brands worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Jinko Solar, Canadian Solar, SunPower, Trina Solar, Qcells, REC, Maxeon. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthJinko SolarCanadian SolarSunPowerTrina SolarQcellsRECMaxeon
Oct 202519.6%23.9%19.6%19.6%8.7%5.5%3.2%
Nov 202519.7%24.1%16.1%24.1%8.8%4.5%2.6%
Dec 202520%16.4%29.9%20%7.3%4.1%2.2%
Jan 202622%18%26.9%18%8%4.6%2.4%
Feb 202624.6%20.1%20.1%20.1%7.3%5.2%2.7%
Mar 202626.6%17.8%17.8%21.8%8%5.6%2.4%
Apr 202626%17.4%17.4%21.2%7.8%6.8%3.5%
May 202623.5%19.2%19.2%19.2%8.6%7.1%3.1%
Jun 202628.1%18.8%15.4%18.8%10.3%6.1%2.5%
Jul 202622.5%22.5%18.4%18.4%10.1%5.6%2.4%
Aug 202623.7%19.4%19.4%19.4%10.6%5.4%2.1%
Sep 202623.8%19.5%19.5%19.5%10.7%4.9%2.1%

  1. 1.Jinko Solar

    23.8%

    Held 1st. 33.1K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.

  2. 2.Canadian Solar

    19.5%

    Held 2nd. 27.1K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.

  3. 3.SunPower

    19.5%

    Held 3rd. 27.1K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.

  4. 4.Trina Solar

    19.5%

    Held 4th. 27.1K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.

  5. 5.Qcells

    10.7%

    Held 5th. 14.8K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.

  6. 6.REC

    4.9%

    Held 6th. 6.8K estimated branded searches, -9.3% vs prior month. Share -0.5 points.

  7. 7.Maxeon

    2.1%

    Held 7th. 2.9K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

Compare popularity between REC and its closest rivals

Every comparison with REC

6 comparisons

How has branded search demand for REC changed worldwide over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for REC worldwide fell from 9.3K to 6.8K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, REC’s share of searches among solar panel brands worldwide decreased from 5.5% to 4.9%.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, REC’s share of searches among solar panel brands worldwide peaked at 7.1% in May 2026 and was lowest at 4.1% in December 2025.

How did search popularity change for solar panel brands worldwide in September 2026?

5 changes

  1. SunPower’s share of searches among solar panel brands worldwide has gained ground for 3 months in a row, from 15.4% to 19.5% in September 2026.

  2. REC’s share of searches among solar panel brands worldwide has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 6.1% to 4.9% in September 2026.

  3. Estimated monthly branded searches for Maxeon worldwide fell 46.3% over 12 measured months, from 5.4K to 2.9K in September 2026.

  4. Estimated monthly branded searches for Canadian Solar worldwide fell 33.1% over 12 measured months, from 40.5K to 27.1K in September 2026.

  5. Estimated monthly branded searches for Trina Solar worldwide fell 18.1% over 12 measured months, from 33.1K to 27.1K in September 2026.

How are REC’s branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using REC’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.

  • rec group
  • rec solar
  • rec solar panels

Do you work for REC? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

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