Recently, there has been a tremendous shift in the use of sustainable, renewable energy. Over the next decade, the demand for solar energy will become popular, and people will continue to gravitate toward green energy usage, particularly as the general public becomes more aware of the environment. Solar energy is becoming a common power generation option for homes, businesses, and renovations. Like many other countries, on-site solar power reserves in the USA are popular for powering government buildings and commercial enterprises.
Only recently, most of the solar panels sold or used in the U.S. were imported and not actually made in the United States. Like any other solar company, the few solar manufacturing companies there are faced with intense competition from their Asian counterparts. In a bid to spur the growth of US-based manufacturing facilities, the 30% tariff on imported solar panels and cells used in manufacturing the panels introduced during the Trump Administration was extended by four years by president Joe Biden in February 2022. This has caused a rise in US-based solar manufacturing companies as well as the movement of Asian manufacturing facilities to the United States.
Whether you are looking for a company to cater to your solar power needs or want to know more about the best solar panel manufacturers in the USA, this post will serve as a comprehensive guide for you. Here’s a rundown of the 8 best solar panel manufacturers in the USA.
1. First Solar
- Business Type: Solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturer
- Established: 1999
- Location: Tempe, Arizona
Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, First Solar is presently one of the biggest solar panel manufacturers in the US. First Solar is the only solar company in the US that manufactures advanced thin-film modules (solar panels). In addition to having an Ohio-based plant with enough production to bring the total US operations of the company to 1.9 GW and other new factories in the works, the company is easily the largest US-headquartered solar PV manufacturer. By 2025, First Solar is projected to have a global annual manufacturing capacity of more than 20 GW.
First Solar is also engaged in making Cadmium Telluride (CadTel) modules that are commonly used in large utility-scale photovoltaic power projects. The solar company also offers other services like maintenance, construction, finance, and end-of-life recycling of panels. They are certified by quality assurance bodies and have recently completed their first Validated Assessment Program audit as a member of the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) at their Ohio plant, obtaining a platinum status.
Product Range:
- Solar PV modules
- Solar panels
2. Heliene Inc.
- Business Type: Solar panel manufacturer
- Established: 2010
- Location: Mountain Iron, Minnesota (US manufacturing facility)
Although the company is headquartered in Ontario, Canada, Heliene Inc. has manufacturing facilities in both Canada and the USA. The US manufacturing facility is based in Mountain Iron, Minnesota. The company, which started in 2010, is regularly recognized as a Tier 1 solar module manufacturer by Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) and specializes in producing high-quality solar PV modules. They also make custom modules for large-scale projects and serve customers in Canada and the U.S. through standard distribution channels.
Heliene Inc. is known to be one of the leading solar panel manufacturers in the US, especially for its aesthetic, high-quality all-black solar panels. Heliene uses high-tech computer-assisted inspection processes in its fully automated manufacturing facilities and is ISO 9001 certified. Since its arrival in the solar industry in 2010, the company has consistently produced high-performing and competitively priced solar modules that provide clean, renewable energy to its customers. Their monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panel modules have a 25-year performance warranty and a 10-year workmanship warranty.
Product Range:
- Monocrystalline Solar panels
- Polycrystalline solar panels
3. Mission Solar Energy
- Business Type: Solar photovoltaic (PV) modules manufacturer
- Established: 2013
- Location: San Antonio, Texas
Since its inception in 2013, Mission Solar Energy has been involved in the production of all-American solar panels at its headquarters located in Texas. Mission Solar practices and incorporates sustainability in every solar product that they design, engineer, and assemble. Although they are headquartered in the US, the company sources its solar cells from abroad — and still maintains its quality standards as its products are well known to have effective performance and long-lasting durability.
Mission Solar Energy uses PERC technology to manufacture monocrystalline solar panels that are well-suited for residential, commercial, and utility applications. The company is especially famous for its black-on-black high-efficiency solar modules. Not only do these modules have a good efficiency rating and come at competitive prices, but they also have a warranty period of 25 years with a high snow load capacity. Mission Solar’s PV modules are fully compliant with several bodies, including UL and IEC.
Product Range:
- Solar panels
4. Qcells
- Business Type: Solar panel manufacturer
- Established: 1999
- Location: Dalton, Georgia
Formerly known as Hanwha Q CELLS, Qcells was founded in 1999 as a subsidiary of Hanwha Solutions. The company has a manufacturing facility located in Dalton, Georgia, producing a daily average of 12,000 solar panels. These solar panels have a wide range of usage in residential, commercial, industrial, and utility setups.
Qcells have various reliable products that perform efficiently even in low light conditions. Some of their popular products include products from the Q.PEAK DUO Series such as the Q.PEAK DUO BLK ML-G9 that can withstand harsh weather conditions.
Product Range:
- Crystalline silicon solar panels
5. SunSpark
- Business Type: Solar energy company (solar panel manufacturer)
- Established: 2015
- Location: Riverside, California
Founded in 2015, SunSpark Technology Inc. Has its headquarters in Riverside, California. This solar panel manufacturer is one of the best solar energy panel manufacturers in the US and has a yearly sale of $4.4 million. SunSpark offers a host of services, including manufacturing, assembling, distribution, and sales of solar products, apart from finance and customer service.
SunSpark Technology Inc. Is dedicated to its cause of delivering top performing and advanced solar panels for solar project needs. SunSpark’s solar panels are UL and Intertek certified with world-class warranties of 12 years for material and 25 years for power output.
Product Range:
- Solar panels
6. SunPower
- Business Type: PV cells and solar panel manufacturer
- Established: 1985
- Location: San Jose, California
Established in 1985 and based in San Jose, California, SunPower Corporation is a solar company that is involved in the design and production of solar panels and PV cells with a technology that originated from Stanford University, the all-back-contact solar cell technology.
They have a range of products including solar panels for residential and commercial use. SunPower has achieved many laudable feats, one of which is its acquisition of PowerLight Corporation in 2007.
Product Range:
- Solar panel
- Crystalline silicon PV cells
7. Solaria
- Business Type: Solar panel manufacturer
- Established: 2000
- Location: Fremont, California
Founded in 2000, Solaria is based out of Fremont, California where it manufactures solar panels in its 40 MW manufacturing plant. Although Solaria started off with making solar panels for utility projects, it has pivoted into serving the residential arm of the solar market industry. Currently, the company has over 250 solar-related patents, issued and pending, to its name.
Solaria boasts of high-performing solar panels that have helped it earn its place in the solar production companies of USA. Their PowerXT 400W solar panels have a warranty of 30 years and is a much coveted product among homeowners.
Product Range:
- Monocrystalline solar panels
Summary of Top Solar Panel Manufacturers in the US
In the table, we have organized a summary of the top solar PV manufacturers in the United States. The data is arranged by annual sales with the dashed lines indicating missing data.
| Company | Headquarters | Types of panel |
| First Solar | Tempe, AZ | Thin film |
| Heliene Inc. | Canada | monocrystalline polycrystalline |
| Mission solar Energy | San Antonio, Texas | Polycrystalline |
| Hanwha Q Cells | Dalton, GA | Crystalline-silicon |
| SunSpark | Riverside, CA | Monocrystalline, polycrystalline |
| SunPower | San Jose, CA | Monocrystalline |
| Solaria | Fremont, CA | Monocrystalline |
Top Solar Panel Manufacturer in China – WHC SOLAR
The United States has a large number of solar panel production companies, many of which did not make it to this list. This does not mean that there aren’t other leading solar panel manufacturers in the world. WHC SOLAR is one of such top-notch solar panel manufacturers. WHC SOLAR is a reputable Chinese manufacturer famous for its premium solar panels. They also offer expert solar energy solutions worldwide.
- Business Type: Distributors, Manufacturers, OEM, Wholesalers
- Founded: 2009
- Headquarters/Location: Guangzhou, China
- Main Markets: Africa, South America, India, Nepal, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, the United States, Japan, Korea and other countries
- Years of experience: 13+ years
- Certificates: UN 38.3, IEC, CE, RoHS, ISO9001, ISO4001, MSDS, PONY
Based in Guangzhou, China, WHC SOLAR was founded in 2009 and has since been known as one of the best solar panel suppliers in China. WHC SOLAR has a rich distribution network with key wholesale solar panels suppliers in China. WHC’s specialty is in the production of high-quality solar products with unmatched and excellent performance. With its 200,000-square-meter factory and 10 fully automated production lines, WHC SOLAR is able to achieve a monthly yield of 3,000 pieces.
WHC SOLAR has warehouses in several countries that help with the timely delivery of solar panels, solar kits, solar water pumps, and other products to different countries. They also have a global supply chain integration that makes it possible for them to use the best raw materials in customizing solar products for their commercial clients. Coupled with this, they also have a number of patents so that they have only reliable products.
Product Range:
- Solar power systems
- Solar inverters
- Solar panels
- Solar controllers
- Solar batteries
- Solar water pumps
- Solar flood lights and street lighting
Finally
As a response to the increased demands for renewable (solar) energy, there has been noticeable growth of solar energy panel manufacturers. US-based solar panel producing companies are expected to have expanded operations in various areas of the country so as to improve power generation, output and efficiency. Solar panel technology will continue to grow over the next couple of years and the US solar market will yet gain more competition, home and abroad, as many will look to secure market share and make a name for themselves in the solar industry.
At WHC SOLAR, our expert service team is available to provide as much information needed to equip you with reliable and excellent performing solar products to meet your customers’ needs. If you need to import solar panels from China, WHC is the right choice for you. Get in touch with us today by requesting a FREE quotation for high-end products with maximum value for your money!
