Explore the leading companies and organizations in the solar energy industry. Learn who makes solar panels, who installs them, and who drives innovation.
The solar industry is huge and growing fast. It includes companies that make solar panels, companies that install them, companies that develop solar farms, and organizations that promote solar energy.
Some solar companies are giants that operate around the world. Others are local businesses that install panels on neighborhood roofs. All of them are part of the solar energy group that is changing how the world gets power.
These are the companies that actually make the solar panels. Most manufacturing happens in Asia.
LONGi Green Energy. Based in China, LONGi is one of the largest solar companies in the world. It specializes in monocrystalline silicon wafers and panels. It produces enough solar panels each year to power millions of homes.
JinkoSolar. Another Chinese giant, JinkoSolar is one of the top solar panel manufacturers. It ships panels to over 160 countries. Its panels are known for good performance and reliability.
Trina Solar. Founded in 1997, Trina Solar is one of the oldest and largest solar manufacturers. It has installed over 100 gigawatts of solar panels worldwide. That is enough to power about 15 million homes.
First Solar. Based in the United States, First Solar is the largest US solar manufacturer. It makes thin-film solar panels using cadmium telluride technology. Its panels are different from the silicon panels most other companies make.
SunPower. Now owned by Maxeon, SunPower makes some of the most efficient solar panels for homes. Its panels can reach 22% or higher efficiency. They are more expensive but produce more power per square foot.
These companies put solar panels on roofs and in fields.
Sunrun. Sunrun is the largest residential solar installer in the US. It was founded in 2007. It offers solar leases and power purchase agreements. This means homeowners can get solar panels with no money down. They pay a monthly fee instead.
Sunnova. Sunnova is another large residential solar company. It focuses on energy service agreements. It also offers solar plus battery systems. Its customers get backup power during blackouts.
Tesla Energy. Tesla makes solar panels, the Solar Roof (roof tiles that look like regular roofing), and the Powerwall battery. Tesla’s Solar Roof is unique because it looks like normal roof tiles. It costs more than regular panels but looks much better.
Vivint Solar. Now part of Sunrun, Vivint was a large solar installer. It focused on the residential market and offered full service from design to installation.
These companies build large solar projects.
NextEra Energy. NextEra is the largest renewable energy company in the US. It builds and operates huge solar farms. It also owns Florida Power and Light, a major utility.
Enel Green Power. This Italian company builds solar farms around the world. It operates in North America, South America, Europe, and Africa.
EDP Renewables. Based in Portugal, EDP builds solar and wind farms. It is one of the largest renewable energy developers in the world.
These groups promote solar energy and support the industry.
Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). SEIA is the main trade group for the US solar industry. It advocates for solar friendly policies. It provides data and research on the solar market.
International Solar Alliance (ISA). The ISA is a group of countries that work together to expand solar energy. It was started by India and France. It has over 100 member countries.
American Solar Energy Society (ASES). ASES is a nonprofit that promotes solar energy education. It publishes Solar Today magazine and hosts conferences.
There are many companies that work with solar energy. Some make the solar panels. Some put them on roofs. Some build big solar farms in the desert. Think of it like building a house. You need people to make the bricks, people to put the bricks together, and people to design the whole thing.
Solar companies are all over the world. Some are in China. Some are in the US. Some are in Europe. They all work together to bring solar power to people everywhere.
The solar industry has a complex global supply chain. Silicon is mined in one country. It is refined into solar grade polysilicon in another. Wafers and cells are made in a third. Panels are assembled in a fourth. And the finished panels are installed in a fifth.
Most solar panel manufacturing is in China. China produces about 80% of the world’s solar panels. The US, Europe, and India are trying to build more domestic manufacturing. The Inflation Reduction Act in the US has created incentives for new solar factories.
The solar supply chain includes several steps:
Different companies specialize in different steps. Some do everything from silicon to installation. Most focus on one or two steps.
Tesla’s Gigafactory in New York. Tesla makes solar panels and the Solar Roof at a factory in Buffalo, New York. The factory was originally built for SolarCity, which Tesla bought in 2016.
First Solar’s Ohio factory. First Solar makes thin-film solar panels in Ohio. It is the largest solar manufacturer in the US. The company is building a new factory that will make enough panels for 5 million homes per year.
SEIA’s advocacy. In 2022, SEIA helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act. This law includes major tax credits for solar energy. It is the biggest climate investment in US history.
Community solar groups. Many communities have formed solar co-ops. Neighbors work together to buy solar panels in bulk. This lowers the cost for everyone.
Common Misconceptions
“All solar panels are made by the same company.” Many different companies make solar panels. The technology is similar, but there are differences in quality, efficiency, and durability.
“Solar companies are all new startups.” Some solar companies have been around for decades. Trina Solar was founded in 1997. First Solar was founded in 1999. NextEra Energy has been a utility for decades.
“Solar installers also make the panels.” Most installers do not make panels. They buy panels from manufacturers and install them on roofs. It is like a contractor who buys lumber from a store to build your deck.
Discussion Questions
The solar industry employs about 260,000 people in the US. That is more than the coal mining industry.
China produces about 80% of the world’s solar panels. But China also uses the most solar power of any country.
The oldest solar panel manufacturer still in business is probably Trina Solar, founded in 1997. The industry is still young.
Tesla bought SolarCity in 2016 for $2.6 billion. This made Tesla a major solar company overnight.
Some solar companies offer $0 down leases. You can get solar panels on your roof with no upfront cost. You pay a monthly fee that is lower than your old electric bill.
Last updated: June 15, 2026
Which company is the world's largest solar panel manufacturer?
What does SEIA stand for?
Which company is known for the Solar Roof (solar roof tiles)?
Which US company makes thin-film solar panels?
How many solar companies exist in the US?
Answers: B: Tongwei Solar, A: Solar Energy Industry Association, B: Tesla, B: First Solar, C: About 10,000
What is the largest solar panel company in the world?
The largest solar panel manufacturer is Tongwei Solar in China. Other big manufacturers include LONGi Green Energy, JinkoSolar, and Trina Solar. These companies produce millions of solar panels each year.
Who is the biggest solar installer in the US?
Sunrun is the largest residential solar installer in the United States. Other major installers include Sunnova, ADT Solar, and Tesla Energy. These companies handle the installation and financing of home solar systems.
What is a solar energy group?
A solar energy group can mean several things. It can refer to a company that makes solar products. It can be an industry association like the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). It can also be a group of companies working together on solar projects.
How many solar companies are there in the US?
There are more than 10,000 solar companies in the United States. They range from small local installers to large manufacturers and developers. The solar industry employs about 260,000 Americans.
What companies make solar panels in the US?
US-based solar panel manufacturers include First Solar, which makes thin-film panels, and Qcells, which has a factory in Georgia. Many panels sold in the US are made in China, Southeast Asia, and South Korea.
