This section provides an overview for solar panels as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 55 solar panel manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked solar panel companies as of November, 2024: 1.Solartech Power INC, 2.SunSpark Technology, Inc., 3.LA Solar.
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Categories Related to Solar Panels
A solar panel is a panel-shaped battery with the ability to generate electricity by converting the sun's light energy into electrical energy.
Solar panels are also called photovoltaic panels or photovoltaic modules. Solar panels range from small residential panels that are installed on the roof of a home to industrial solar arrays (a combination of multiple solar panels) for businesses and investors that use large areas of vacant land or mountainous terrain to generate large amounts of electricity.
Solar panels are used to generate electricity to drive electrical equipment (consumption) or for some other benefit from the generation of electricity, including the sale (production) of electricity for commercial purposes.
Solar panels can be categorized into three main types, and the appropriate material and construction of solar panels should be selected according to the application and installation environment.
Solar panels generally extract power by using the photovoltaic effect, which occurs when the light energy of sunlight is irradiated onto the surface of the panel.
To increase the amount of power, multiple solar panels must be connected in series to provide voltage, and these panels must also be connected in parallel to provide current. Since the extracted power is direct current, a separate device called a power conditioner is required to convert it into AC power for actual home use.
There are several types of solar panel power generation principles.
There are "silicon-based" solar panels, which have been used for a long time and come in a variety of forms, "compound-based" solar panels, which are designed to reduce costs, and "organic-based" solar panels, which can be made thinner, more flexible, and have added value in terms of coloring.
Silicon-based solar panels are, as the term implies, made of silicon.
Silicon-based solar panels use silicon wafers as semiconductors, and electricity is generated by the photovoltaic effect when electrons absorb light energy. The photovoltaic effect is mainly realized by pn junction photodiodes.
Silicon-based materials are further subdivided by material and structure.
Compound (inorganic) solar panels are made of inorganic compounds that can replace crystalline silicon.
They are composed of a combination of various inorganic compounds, such as CIS and GaAs, which use semiconductors. Like silicon-based panels, compound solar panels generate electricity through the photovoltaic effect using semiconductors.
Organic systems are solar panels made of organic compounds instead of the silicon and inorganic compounds mentioned above. Although lifetime and conversion efficiency are issues, the added value of organic solar panels is that they are flexible, lightweight, and can be colored.
Organic solar panels use organic dyes to generate photovoltaic power. A titanium dioxide layer with dyes adsorbed between two electrodes is used to generate electricity by photoexcitation of electrons in the dyes.
More and more people are considering the installation of solar panels to bring solar power systems into their homes. At the same time, many are concerned about their price.
Installation costs include not only the cost of materials and labor, but also caulking materials and other overhead expenses. Therefore, assuming an installed capacity of 5.00 kW, the estimated installation price is around 1.45 million yen. This is calculated from data provided by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
If you are concerned about the cost, please refer to the installation cost along with the monthly electricity bill, income from electricity sales, and maintenance fees. After securing the benefits, long-term planning is important.
Solar panels are expected to last about 20 years, with the longest panels lasting about 30 years. When solar panels reach the end of their useful life, there is no alternative but to replace them.
In addition, since the panels are installed outdoors, deterioration over time is unavoidable. Depending on the degree of deterioration, the panels may become inefficient at generating electricity sooner than they reach the end of their useful life.
Therefore, frequent maintenance is essential for solar panels. In general, regular maintenance is recommended once every four years. If paid maintenance is required, the cost is approximately 100,000-200,000 yen per visit.
For those who intend to store or sell electricity for profit, it is important to extend the life of the system as much as possible so that it can supply power securely.
Storage batteries are becoming popular in conjunction with the installation of solar panels for home use. A device for storing electricity is necessary for both use for private consumption and for selling electricity. For this reason, many people are considering the purchase of solar panels and storage batteries as a combined purchase.
As time goes on, more and more people are considering storage batteries for their consumption, as the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has announced that the 10-year feed-in tariff period for electricity will end in 2019, and at the same time, a storage battery subsidy program has been announced. Another reason is that the demand for storage batteries as a disaster countermeasure has increased, largely due to news reports of large-scale power outages caused by natural disasters.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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PCB Piezotronics, founded in 1967 and headquartered in North Carolina, is a manufacturer of sensors for design engineers and predictive maintenance. They design and manufacture various sensors such as microphones, vibration, pressure, force, and torque sensors. Their products are used for testing, measurement, monitoring, and control requirements in automotive, aerospace, military, and other industries in order to gather accurate data, ensure safety, enable predictive maintenance, and facilitate advancements across multiple industries. PCB Piezotronics is a subsidiary of Amphenol Corporation.
Alliance Sensors Group is a Pennsauken, New Jersey-based U.S. manufacturer of industrial sensors established in 2012 as a division of H. G. Schaevitz LLC. The company's product portfolio includes linear, rotary, and angular sensors, temperature sensing products, and hydraulic sensor instrumentation for precision positioning operations. It also offers sensor mounting accessories such as clamps, flanges, and brackets. The company produces custom sensors for clients with unique project parameters, as well as for OEMs in the power generation, civil engineering, subsea/marine, and automation sectors.
SunSpark Technology, Inc., established in 2015 and headquartered in Riverside, California, is a manufacturer specializing in solar modules designed for optimal sustainability and efficiency. The company offers a range of solar module products, including SST310-335M3B, 108 Pcs Half-C, SST7F54M(H), Solar Panel Module 60 Cell, SunSpark 335W Mono 60 Cell All Black, and more. These modules find applications across various industries, including residential, commercial, government, utility, and office space. The company's products have earned international recognition, such as UL 61730.
Mission Solar, a member of OCI Company Ltd., was established in 2012 and headquartered in San Antonio, USA, as a manufacturer specializing in photovoltaic (PV) solar modules and solar panels. The company offers product sampling, automated and manual quality control points, and in-house testing facilities. It provides solar panels with various wattage options ranging from 305W to 480W which are utilized across residential, commercial, government, and utility sectors. The company also offers product certification, general documention and shipping information to guide its customers.
CertainTeed is a North American manufacturer of building products, established in 1904 and headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania. Its product range encompasses roofing, including asphalt shingles and metal roofing; siding options like vinyl and fiber cement; insulation materials ranging from fiberglass to spray foam; and gypsum products such as drywall and ceiling tiles. Its offerings cater comprehensively to the construction industry, and the company continues to hold several certifications, such as ISO 9001:2015, NABL Certification for Testing Labs, and NAIMEX ISO 45001 certificate.
Goal Zero is a company established in 2009 and based in Utah, the United States, as a manufacturer of solar energy products. It manufactures products for indoor and outdoor activities usage, such as rechargers, lanterns, solar generators, power lights, and batteries. It also manufactures solar panels and kits, flashlights, cables and adapters. The company has acquired ISO 9001 certification for its quality management system. Its manufactured products cater to the electronics, renewable, and solar energy sectors in several regions, such as Austria, Spain, Japan, Singapore, and South Africa.
Renogy, established in 2010 and based in California, USA, is a manufacturer and supplier of power solutions. The product portfolio includes a diverse range of solar panels, off-grid solar kits, charge controllers, IoT monitoring, inverters, battery chargers, renogy gears, and other accessories. The products are used in many industries which include home appliances, laptops and computers, mobile devices, electronics, and lighting. The company also offers eco-friendly power solutions with research and development processes.
Jackery, established in 2012 and based in California, USA, is a manufacturer and supplier of portable power solutions. The product portfolio includes solar generators, portable power stations, solar panels, refurbished products, and other accessories. The company offers 295 patent products which have won 40 renowned international awards with referral programs and memberships. The products are used in the automotive, transport, electric, and energy sectors. The products are used in various applications such as outdoor camps to harness and power up devices.
LA Solar, which was established in 2019 and is situated in Las Vegas, Nevada, is a manufacturer of a large range of solar panels. The company produces two types of black solar panels and one type of solar panels. It also provides triangle black solar modules and solar roofs to its customers to meet their needs. Its black solar panels do not only reduce emissions, but they also require less infrastructure and no harm to the natural environment.
Tesla, an American company founded in 2003 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, is a manufacturer and supplier specializing in electric vehicles, batteries, and solar products. The company's product portfolio includes electric vehicles, such as the Model S and Model 3, solar roofs, solar panels, Tesla vehicle chargers, and Powerwalls. These products are applicable in various sectors, including the automotive, renewable energy, energy storage, charging infrastructure, and technology and software industries. The company offers services including charging support, technical support, insurance, delivery and vehicle handover, as well as service and maintenance.
Solartech Power Inc., established in 2005 and headquartered in Ontario, California, operates as a distributor of off-grid solar products and a supplier of various solar solutions. The company offers a diverse range of solar products, including F-series monocrystalline cell solar panels, J-series monocrystalline cell solar panels, M-series monocrystalline cell solar panels, W-series monocrystalline cell solar panels, and RAC-series solar mounting. These products find applications across various sectors, including oil and gas, railroads, telecommunications, traffic signal and control, street lighting, and more.
Panasonic Corporation of North America is a global sustainable technology solutions provider established in 1918 by Konosuke Matsushita. The company was established on the philosophy that "business is ultimately for the betterment of our society". The company offers electronic components and devices that support Electric Vehicle charging applications. Panasonic also offers a total suite of digital and automation technologies to the manufacturing sector including electronics assembly equipment and advanced robotics for industrial automation. The company has technology solutions for education, entertainment, media, and sports as well as energy and utilities.
BougeRV, established in 2016 and headquartered in Rowland Heights, California, operates as a supplier specializing in solar product solutions, which include solar panels, solar accessories, and power stations. The company's product range includes Yuma CIGS solar panels, portable power stations, Quart (28L) portable fridges, portable air conditioners, ASPEN PRO fridges, and more. These products find applications across various industries, including boating, off-grid housing, teardrop camping, light industrial, heavy equipment, and more.
MH GoPower Company Ltd. is based in Luzhu, Kaohsiung, and is a Taiwanese manufacturer of vertical multi-junction (VMJ) photovoltaic (PV) cells originally established as MH Solar Co. Ltd. in 2008 before rebranding in 2014. The company primarily produces VMJ PV cells for power over fiber (PoF) and power beaming applications. It also offers photovoltaic power converters (PVC) for integrating VMJ PV cells with circuit boards or connectors, as well as laser power modules (LPM) for delivering and controlling laser output power. The company's products are mainly used in the industrial automation, aerospace, and research sectors.
Geya is an electrical equipment manufacturer established in China in 2007. It produces electrical control devices, low voltage protection devices, solar energy equipment, and circuit breaker SKDs in compliance with CE, UL, and other international certification standards. The company's ISO 9001-certified factory has a production capacity of over 100,000 parts per month, it offers OEM and ODM services for the development of custom solutions, and it exports to over 30 countries.
Silfab Solar Inc., founded in 2010 and headquartered in Mississauga, Canada, is a solar panel manufacturer specializing in the production of panels designed for various applications, including homes, boats, and RVs. The company's product line offers a range of solar panels, such as Silfab Prime SIL 400 HC+ BLK/BLK, Silfab Prime SIL 410 HC+ BLK/BLK, Silfab Prime SIL-400, Silfab Solar HM commercial 500W, and Silfab Prime SIL-370 HC. These panels find applications in various settings, including residential homes, commercial installations, camper vans, and marine setups.
Hanwha Qcells Co. Ltd., established in 1999 and headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, is a manufacturer specializing in photovoltaic cells, solar cells, and modules. The company's product portfolio features a range of offerings, including Q Antum duo solar panels, Q Flat G6, Q Mount, Q Home Core, Q Home ESS Hybrid G3, and more. These products find applications across diverse industries, including residential, commercial and industrial, government, utility, office space, and more. The company markets its products under the brand names Hanwha SolarOne and Hanwha Qcells.
ZNSHINE PV-TECH Co., Ltd., established in 1988 and headquartered in Jiangsu, China, is a manufacturer specializing in photovoltaic (PV) solar modules and solar panels. The company's product range includes the Double Glass Module Series, Integrated Rooftop Solar System, ZEN Eco Residential Energy System, Single Glass Module Series, High Power Tile System, and more. These products find application across various industries, including residential, commercial, government, utility, and office space. The company's products have international recognition, with certifications such as UL 61730, IEC 61215, IEC 61730, and IEC 61701.
Metsolar, which was founded in 2007 and is based in Vilnius, Lithuania, is a manufacturer of a large collection of custom solar panels. The company fabricates solar roofs, photovoltaic insulated glass units, and building-integrated photovoltaic systems. It also manufactures traditional roof coverings and naturalistic building facade envelopes for its customers. The metal solar panels are designed to fit seamlessly into its solar roofs, providing a sleek and modern look while generating renewable energy for both residential and commercial applications.
Philadelphia Solar, which was established in 2007 and is based in Amman, Jordan, is a manufacturer of a large range of photovoltaic panels and steel mounting structures. The company makes mono-crystalline full-black solar panels and mono-crystalline bifacial full-black solar panels. It also produces canopy mounting structures, car park mounting structures, and flat rooftop mounting structures. Its mono-crystalline full-black solar panels are suitable to be used for many electrical power applications and have excellent durability in prevailing weather conditions.
AE Solar, established in 2003 and based in Konigsbrunn, Germany, is a manufacturer of a vast array of solar panels. The company produces gallium-doped mono half-cut cells, half cut-cells double-glass, and half-cut cells single-glass. It also manufactures half-cut cells single glass, half-cut cells double glass, and hot-spot free cells. Its gallium-doped mono half-cut cells have a maximum system voltage of 1500 V, an efficiency range of 20.31 – 21.08%, and a power range of 530 – 550 W.
Canadian Solar, headquartered in Guelph, Ontario, is a manufacturer of solar energy products founded in 2001. Their product line includes solar modules, solar power systems, inverters, and data monitoring products such as CSI Cloud Apps and WiFi sticks. These products are designed to harness sunlight and convert it into electrical energy, catering to utility-scale solar projects. Canadian Solar also provides end-to-end services, from feasibility study to maintenance, reducing complexity and costs for industrial and commercial projects.
Ningbo Best Group Co. Ltd. is a manufacturer of RoHS certified electronic and acoustic components that was established in 1997 in Ningbo, Zhejiang, China. The company fuses switches for protecting circuits, programmable buzzers for producing alarm signals, and terminal blocks for connecting wire or cable assemblies. It also offers battery holders and DC motors for converting or providing power, and custom engineering services for unique projects. The company’s products are used mainly by clients in the consumer electronics, telecommunications, and automotive industries.
Thermo King is a manufacturer of truck refrigeration equipment and supplies established in 1938 and based in Bloomington, United States. It manufactures a wide range of trailers, such as single-temperature, multi-temperature, and heating trailer units. It also manufactures rail cargo, refrigeration units for trucks and vans, coldtainers, containers, and generator sets. The company is part of Trane Technologies and has obtained ISO 9001: 2000, ISO 14001, and ISO 18000 certified certifications. Its manufactured products serve the transportation, logistics, and freight forwarding sectors across Australia, Singapore, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, and South Korea.
Pronutec S.A., established in 1986 and headquartered in Amorebieta, Pais Vasco, Spain, is a manufacturer of low-voltage switchgear equipment and devices. The company's products include LV distribution panels, NH fuse switches, and distribution network outdoor enclosures. These products are used in smart power grids, distribution transformer monitoring systems, and low-voltage power monitoring systems. It works with sectors that include municipal street lighting projects, long-distance railway networks, and municipal power distribution systems.
UbiBot is a manufacturer of wireless environmental sensors and smart building solutions, founded in 2018 and based in the United Kingdom. The company specializes in the development and production of wireless IoT sensors, including motion sensors, air quality sensors, and leak detectors. It also offers a range of cloud platforms, external probes, and accessories, along with the UbiBot Global SIM, which allows UbiBot sensors to transmit data over cellular networks. The company has a wide distribution network across Europe, North and South America, Asia, Oceania, and Africa. It serves various sectors, including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, industrial monitoring, and home monitoring.
EcoFlow US established in 2007, and based in California, USA, is a manufacturer and supplier of portable power stations. The product portfolio includes a diverse range of portable power stations, power generation solutions, solar systems, and smart home energy solutions. The company also offers power solutions with technology-driven, eco-friendly energy solutions, customer services, and technical support. The products are used in various industries which include machinery, power usage and generation, lighting, and electronics.
Victron Energy B.V., established in 1975, is a designer and manufacturer of products for battery-based energy systems. Evolving from a single-office startup to an international enterprise, the company offers nearly 1,000 different products sold globally. Its product line includes sinewave inverters, sinewave inverters/chargers, battery chargers, transfer switches, and battery monitors, serving the purpose of efficiently combining diverse power sources. The company holds numerous certifications of its products and operations such as the ISO9001 and Safety UL certifications.
JA SOLAR Technology Co., Ltd., which was formed in 2011 and is located in Beijing, China, is a manufacturer of photovoltaic power generation solutions. The company manufactures two types of photovoltaic modules and various photovoltaic materials like graphites, stencils, aluminum frames, and carbon composite materials to be sold to its customers. Its photovoltaic modules have high-density encapsulation technology and good low-light performance. Its products can be used in various settings, including household, commercial, power plants, and many more.
SPECK Pumpen is a German manufacturer of pumping systems established in 1909 and headquartered in Roth, Bavaria. The company’s product lineup includes vacuum pumps that utilize a rotating impeller with liquid sealant, self-priming and single-stage centrifugal pumps, side channel pumps and multistage pumps that utilize parallel impellers as well as submersible models that move fluids with the use of a hermetically sealed motor paired with an impeller. SPECK Pumpen supplies clients like Nestle, the Carrier Corporation, Suez and many more through a network of partner distributors and subsidiaries in North America, Europe and Asia.
Pahal Solar, which is situated in Surat, India, is a manufacturer of a large array of solar panels and a supplier of pertinent services. The company specializes in crafting monocrystalline solar panels and polycrystalline solar panels. It also offers residential solar installation, commercial or industrial solar installation, and solar water pumping system services. Made of single pieces of silicon crystal which are cylindrical and are high in purity, its monocrystalline solar panels have a high efficiency of up to 21% with 40mm frame space.
GMA Solar Modules, which is located in Quebec, Canada, is a manufacturer and supplier of a large range of solar panels. The company produces flexible solar panels along with monocrystalline solar panels. It also manufactures polycrystalline solar panels as well as portable solar panels. The electrical parameters of its flexible solar panels include a peak power of 100 W, maximum power voltage of 17.8 V, maximum power current of 5.62 A, and module efficiency of 17.6%.
Eco Green Energy Ltd., established in 2008 and headquartered in Champs-sur-Marne, France, is a photovoltaic module manufacturer and supplier. The company's primary product is photovoltaic panels designed for use in residential, commercial, and utility applications. It also produces complete smart system components, including small photovoltaic modules, lithium batteries, and control units. The company specializes in custom production and installation of PV modules and PV systems per client project and has installed more than 2 GW of capacity worldwide.
REC Group, a company founded in 1996 and headquartered in Oslo, Norway, is a manufacturer and supplier specializing in solar panels. The company's product portfolio includes solar panels and is utilized across various sectors, including residential, commercial businesses, utility-scale solar projects, and industrial facilities. The company also provides services including technical support, warranty support, project consultation, workshops, and training. The company has operational headquarters in Singapore and offices in various countries, including Germany, the USA, India, Australia, and Japan.
Ameresco Solar, established in 2000 and headquartered in Tomball, Texas, serves as both a manufacturer and distributor of solar components. The company's product offerings include the J-Type 30-Watt Solar Panel, 10J 10 Watt Solar Panel, SS20W 20 Watt Solar Panel, and BSP2-12 2 Watt Solar Panel. These products are integral to both small and large-scale systems designed for industrial customers across various sectors, including oil and gas, railroads, telecommunications, security, water pumping and management, and more.
SunPower Corporation is a manufacturer and distributor of solar technology and energy services headquartered in California since its foundation in 1985. The company offers rooftops, carports, grid equipment controllers, and micro inverters among others. It serves businesses, residential customers, governments, and educational institutions and operates in North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. The company has exclusive access to state-of-the-art solar panels that feature SunPower Maxeon cell technology and has received more than 1,000 patents for its advances in solar technology.
Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. is an ISO 45001-certified manufacturer of optical fiber and electrical wire cables that was established in Osaka, Japan, in 1897. The company produces optical fiber products for data communication or telecom applications, wire cable products for power transmission and automotive electronics, and flexible printed circuits for electronic device assembly. It also offers compound semiconductors for use in optical and wireless communication. The company’s products are commonly used by clients in the aerospace, telecommunications, and consumer electronics industries.
Solarland USA Corporation, established in 2008 and headquartered in Ontario, California, operates as a supplier and distributor specializing in solar solutions and associated balance of system components. The company offers a range of products, including the SLP C1D2 Series, SLP C Series, accessories, charge controllers, and mounts. These components find applications in various sectors, including oil and gas, railroads, telecommunications, traffic signal and control systems, street lighting, and other industrial sectors.
Campbell Scientific Inc., established in 1974 and headquartered in Logan, Utah, is a designer and manufacturer of measurement, data acquisition systems, and data loggers. The company sells sensors, measurement devices, and OEM products for water, weather, and soil applications. It also provides software for several purposes, including communication between data loggers and supporting data logger programming. It is ISO 14001, ISO 9001, and ISO 27001 certified, and it marketed its first product, named the CA-9 Path-Averaging Laser Anemometer, in 1974. It introduced its first data acquisition system, the CR5 Digital Recorder, in 1975.
Rich Solar, established in 2005 and headquartered in Ontario, California, is a supplier of off-grid solar panels and equipment for both residential and commercial uses. The company offers a range of products, including portable solar panels, solar charge controllers, grid-tie inverters, home lithium batteries, and complete off-grid solar kits, among others. These panels are made with strong, tempered glass and sturdy aluminum frames. The company's products find applications across various industries, including agriculture, off-grid housing, marine, light industrial, heavy equipment, and more.
Sunrun was founded in 2007 in the USA and is a provider and supplier of home solar energy, battery storage, and energy services. Its solar options offer energy freedom with Sunrun solar panels, and the Brightbox home battery controls energy consumption, reduces costs, and generates clean energy. Its solar panels are just one part of the solution for the residential energy and storage industry. Paired with the Tesla Powerwall, Brightbox can help create a home energy backup, with the Tesla Powerwall battery lasting 15 years. Its home solar energy system is customized based on the unique dimensions and appearance.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Solartech Power INC |
4.7%
|
2 | SunSpark Technology, Inc. |
4.3%
|
3 | LA Solar |
3.9%
|
4 | BougeRV |
3.1%
|
5 | Philadelphia Solar |
3.1%
|
6 | H. G. Schaevitz LLC Alliance Sensors Group |
3.1%
|
7 | Jackery Inc. |
3.1%
|
8 | Mission Solar |
2.7%
|
9 | AE Solar |
2.7%
|
10 | Goal Zero |
2.7%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the solar panel page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 13 | 50.0% |
China | 3 | 11.5% |
Canada | 3 | 11.5% |
Germany | 2 | 7.7% |
Taiwan | 1 | 3.8% |
Republic of Korea | 1 | 3.8% |
Lithuania | 1 | 3.8% |
Jordan | 1 | 3.8% |
India | 1 | 3.8% |
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