How many companies make solar panels?

Looking at the broader supply chain for solar components, there are 52 companies that manufacture those products in the U.S., according to the DOE. These components include inverters, controllers, racking systems, and more. Another 12 U.S. outfits can recycle old solar equipment.

Are there any American made solar panels?

And if you're looking to support American workers and energy independence, there are plenty of U.S.-made solar panels available. In fact, some of these panels (and the inverters they connect to) are among the top-rated, most popular solar equipment on the EnergySage Marketplace. Who are America's top solar manufacturers?

Who makes first solar panels?

Ohio-based First Solar is the largest manufacturer of solar panels in the U.S., producing about 50% more panels than the next-biggest American-made brand.

Where are solar panels made?

Four of the biggest manufacturers are headquartered in China and primarily manufacture equipment there (though one of them, Jinko Solar, does have an American manufacturing facility in Florida). The fifth largest manufacturer is a Canadian company, Canadian Solar, which also has a manufacturing facility in Texas.

Who makes the best solar panels?

Last but not least on our list of the largest solar panel manufacturers is the Sharp Corporation, founded in 1912. Sharp is another Japanese solar panel manufacturer and one of the best solar panels manufacturers and electronics corporations in the world.

Is the solar PV market growing?

The solar PV market has been growing for the past few years. According to solar PV research company PVinsights, worldwide shipments of solar modules in 2011 was around 25 GW, and the shipment year-over-year growth was around 40%. The top five solar module producers in 2011 were: Suntech, First Solar, Yingli, Trina, and Canadian.