The 7 Largest Solar Panel Manufacturers in the World

Tongwei Solar stands as the largest solar panel manufacturer globally

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JA Solar holds the position of the second-largest manufacturer

Notably, six out of the seven largest manufacturers are from China

Although the prices of solar panels may see a decrease, the shipments and revenue of various leading manufacturers in the solar industry continue to thrive.

Curious about the giants of solar energy responsible for producing exceptional solar panels? In the following sections, we unveil the top seven manufacturers ranked by their shipment volumes, coupled with essential information about each company.

The Giants of Solar Panel Manufacturing

The preeminent position in solar panel manufacturing is held primarily by Chinese firms, which account for six of the top seven manufacturers.

Data extracted from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Spring Report reflects this trend.

Our rankings rely on the quantity of shipments attributed to solar panel manufacturers, serving as a true indicator of their real-world influence.

Let’s explore the leading manufacturers along with pertinent details about each one in the sections below.

1. Tongwei Solar – China

Tongwei Solar is recognized as the largest manufacturer of solar panels globally, with a shipment volume of 38.2 GW of solar cells and panels in the previous year. This is equivalent to over 100,000 conventional 350 watt (W) solar panels.

Moreover, Tongwei Solar boasts an annual production capacity of 70 GW for solar cells and 14 GW for solar panels.

With a workforce exceeding 40,000 employees, the company generates an average revenue of approximately 156 billion CNY (£17 billion) according to The Financial Times.

Tongwei exports its offerings to various countries including the UK, Germany, France, the US, and Australia.

2. JA Solar – China

JA Solar ranks as the second-largest solar panel producer based on shipment figures. Last year, the company shipped an impressive 36.2 GW of solar panels and cells.

The company employs over 32,000 individuals and has developed solar cells achieving an efficiency of 25%, significantly higher than the average of 20%.

In the prior year, JA Solar reported an annual revenue of 72.9 billion CNY (£8.04 billion), which is forecasted to increase. Revenue has notably surged by 43.5% in the first half of this year compared to the last.

Products are shipped to over 135 countries, including the UK.

3. Aiko Solar – China

Aiko Solar is positioned as the third-largest solar manufacturer, with a shipment total of 30.7 GW in the previous year. Since its inception, Aiko Solar has shipped more than 100 GW of solar products.

Based in Shanghai, Aiko has around 9,140 employees and reported a revenue of 35.34 billion CNY (£3.88 billion).

In addition to solar cells and panels, Aiko Solar produces solar inverters, storage batteries, and mounting systems.

The company also joined the United Nations Global Compact initiative in 2016, promoting sustainability and human rights values.

4. LONGi Solar – China

LONGi Solar ranks as the fourth-largest solar panel manufacturer.

With an estimated revenue of around 128 billion CNY (£14 billion), it secures the second highest revenue among the manufacturers listed.

Despite manufacturing significant quantities, LONGi shipped only 29.2 GW of solar panels and cells over the past year, resulting in its fourth-place standing.

Alongside solar products, LONGi is innovating in green hydrogen equipment, establishing LONGi Hydrogen in 2022.

Products are exported to 150 nations, with production facilities in four countries, including China.

5. Jinko Solar – China

Jinko Solar assumes the position of the fifth-largest manufacturer, with a shipment of 23.9 GW in the last reporting period. Cumulatively, Jinko has shipped a total of 165 GW.

The revenue recorded for Jinko Solar in the previous year was 83.53 billion CNY (£9.18 billion), marking a staggering 105% increase from the prior year.

The company operates more than 14 manufacturing plants, including one in the US, and distributes products to over 160 countries.

Jinko's panels are utilized for residential purposes and in large solar farms, including the world’s largest hybrid solar-hydro power plant located in Yajiang county in Eastern Tibet.

6. Canadian Solar – Canada

Canadian Solar ranks sixth among solar panel manufacturers and is the only one situated outside China.

In the last year, Canadian Solar shipped 16.8 GW of solar panels, serving 23 nations across six continents.

This Canadian firm employs around 20,000 individuals with a reported revenue of $7.47 billion CAD (£4.42 billion).

Besides manufacturing solar panels and cells, Canadian Solar also produces storage batteries for commercial and residential applications.

7. Trina Solar – China

Trina Solar is the seventh-largest manufacturer based on last year’s shipment figures, with a volume equivalent to 14.5 GW.

This company boasts an annual revenue of around 98.7 billion CNY (£10.87 billion) and employs over 23,000 individuals.

Trina Solar’s portfolio extends beyond solar panels, including solar trackers that follow the sun’s movement and storage batteries.

The firm is also pioneering smart solar solutions like smart micro-grids, adapting electricity generation to consumer demand.

Conclusion

The majority of leading solar panel manufacturers are situated in China, which currently provides 80% of global solar panel supplies according to the International Energy Agency.

China’s solar power capacity also surpasses that of the next three leading countries combined, based on the latest figures presented by Our World in Data.

This landscape suggests that nations and regions such as the UK, the US, and the EU, aiming to enhance solar power utilization, may need to focus on domestic solar panel production in line with China’s approach.

For further insights and statistics about solar energy, be sure to visit our page on solar panel statistics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the largest solar farm in the world?

The largest solar farm is Golmud Solar Park in China, located in the northwestern province of Qinghai. This solar facility consists of over seven million panels, with a total capacity of 2.8 GW.

Who holds the title of the biggest solar panel supplier in the UK?

Project Solar ranks as the top solar panel supplier in the UK and is among the nation's best installation services, having completed over 45,000 installations since its inception in 2015.

Are there any solar panel manufacturers based in the UK?