In recent years, the demand for solar energy has surged as more homeowners and businesses seek sustainable energy solutions. Choosing the right solar panel brand can significantly impact the efficiency and longevity of your solar energy system. From innovation to durability, numerous brands have emerged as leaders in the solar industry. If you're considering a solar upgrade, explore our comprehensive list of the best solar panel brands below to find the perfect match for your energy needs.
Illustration of solar panel
Best brands of solar panel in 2025
SunPower
SunPower is a leading brand in the solar industry, renowned for its highly efficient solar panels, with conversion rates reaching up to 22.8% as of 2022. Founded in 1985 by Stanford professor Richard Swanson, SunPower has expanded its operations to over 100 countries and completed installations at approximately 427,000 residential homes as of the beginning of 2022. The company earned $1.3 billion in revenue in 2021 and has a market cap of $3.1 billion as of June 2022. SunPower's panels are known for their exceptional quality, backed by a 40-year product and performance warranty, and they retain over 88% of their power output after 40 years. Despite being one of the more expensive options, SunPower's panels are highly regarded for their performance and durability.
LG
LG is renowned as one of the best producers of solar panels, known for their high-efficiency models such as the NeON R series, which offer efficiencies ranging from 21.8% to 22.3%, significantly outperforming the industry standard of around 18.6% efficiency. LG's solar panels are backed by impressive warranties, including a 25-year product and power warranty, and a guaranteed power output of over 90% after 25 years. The company's NeON H bifacial modules can absorb sunlight from both above and underneath the panel, making them ideal for commercial use. Despite exiting the solar panel manufacturing market in 2022 due to supply chain constraints and rising costs, LG's existing products remain highly regarded for their performance and reliability. LG's long history in electronics and solar technology, dating back to 1985, adds to the trustworthiness of their brand.
Panasonic
Panasonic is renowned as one of the top producers of solar panels, known for their high-efficiency and long-lasting technology. Their solar panels boast efficiency ratings ranging from 19% to 21.6%, significantly higher than many mid-range competitors. The company's HIT solar panel series promises up to 90.76% of the nameplate output after 25 years, outperforming industry averages. Panasonic's solar panels are backed by a 25-year product and performance warranty, ensuring reliability and performance over time. Despite the announcement that Panasonic will no longer manufacture their own solar panels after March 2022, their existing products remain highly regarded for their quality and performance. You can read a complete review here.
REC Group
REC Group is a leading manufacturer of high-quality solar panels, renowned for its commitment to renewable energy and sustainable production methods. Founded in Norway in 1996, REC has over 25 years of experience and has manufactured over 46 million panels, enabling 20.5 million people to power their homes. In 2016, REC saw a 9% increase in annual panel shipments globally, with 53% of its shipments going to the Americas, and it doubled its market share in Germany to approximately 13%. REC's solar panels are recognized for their exceptional quality, low degradation rates, and affordable prices, with a 25-year performance warranty and a reputation as a 'Top Performer' in the DNV GL/PVEL PV Module Reliability Scorecard.
Canadian Solar
Canadian Solar is one of the world's leading suppliers of solar photovoltaic modules, system solutions, and solar power plant developers, having shipped over 125 GW of solar modules to more than 160 countries globally. Founded in 2001 by Dr. Shawn Qu, the company has received multiple awards, including being rated as the "No. 1 Top Bankable Manufacturer" by Bloomberg New Energy Finance in 2020. Canadian Solar produces a range of products, including bifacial, HJT, and PERC technology modules, and has a global portfolio of 25 GW solar PV projects and 40 GWh energy storage projects as of 2022. The company is known for its high-quality products and innovative technologies, such as N-type TOPCon modules, which offer superior performance and a 30-year power warranty. Canadian Solar's modules have been recognized for reducing system LCOE by 2.3% compared to PERC modules. Learn more about their offerings on their website: Canadian Solar.
Trina Solar
Trina Solar is a leading producer of solar panels, showcasing impressive growth with a 33.32% year-on-year revenue increase to $15.75 billion in 2023, and a 50.26% surge in net profit to $768.2 million. The company achieved a significant 51.33% year-on-year increase in total PV module shipments, reaching 65.21 GW in 2023, and its cumulative global module shipments surpassed 205 GW by the end of March 2024. High-power modules based on 210 mm large-size wafers accounted for more than 120 GW of its total shipments. Trina Solar also reported a gross profit margin of 15.54% on module sales and allocated $768.1 million for R&D initiatives, a 19.69% year-on-year increase. The company is known for its efficient solar panels, such as the Trina Vertex S, which offers up to 21.8% efficiency. Learn more about their remarkable growth and expansion in the solar energy sector.
JinkoSolar
JinkoSolar is a leading global producer of solar panels, renowned for its technological innovation and high-quality products. In the third quarter of 2024, the company achieved module shipments of 23,838 MW, with N-type module shipments accounting for approximately 90% of the total, and a mass production efficiency of N-type TOPCon cells reaching 26.2%. JinkoSolar has maintained its position as the world's first module manufacturer to deliver over 280 GW of solar modules and secured the top spot in PV Tech's ModuleTech Bankability Ratings with an "AAA" rating. The company's focus on N-type technology has driven significant growth, with N-type module shipments constituting 85% of total shipments from January to September 2024, representing a year-on-year growth of 31.29%. JinkoSolar's products, such as the "Tiger" panels, offer efficiencies up to 22.53%, making them among the most efficient available. For more detailed information, visit their official news release.
Q CELLS
Q CELLS is a leading provider of solar energy solutions, consistently holding the No. 1 market share in the U.S. residential and commercial solar module markets for five and four consecutive years, respectively. As of 2022, Q CELLS commanded a 33.7% market share in the U.S. residential solar module market and a 17.7% share in the commercial sector, according to Wood Mackenzie's U.S. PV Leaderboard Report. With their proprietary Q.ANTUM Technology, Q CELLS enhances module efficiency, offering panels certified to withstand high wind and snow loads, ensuring reliability and peak performance. Furthermore, Q CELLS is heavily investing in U.S. manufacturing, committing $2.5 billion to expand its facilities in Georgia. Their solar panels are accompanied by up to 25-year product and 30-year performance warranties. For more detailed information, visit their solar panel solutions page.
SolarWorld
SolarWorld, although it faced significant challenges, was once a notable producer of solar panels, particularly recognized for its high-efficiency PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) technology, which achieved average efficiencies of 21.4% in high-volume production. By 2016, the company had begun migrating cell production to PERC and five busbar technology to boost conversion efficiencies. Despite filing for insolvency in 2017 due to market pressures, SolarWorld had developed innovative products, including bi-facial versions of its PERC cells. The company's production capacity had been significant, with plans to restart at 700 MW after restructuring. However, its operations were eventually closed by the end of September 2018.
First Solar
First Solar is a leading American solar technology company, renowned for its advanced thin film photovoltaic (PV) modules that set industry benchmarks for quality, durability, and environmental performance. Founded in 1999, First Solar has emerged as the world's most valuable solar manufacturer, with a market capitalization of $21.15 billion as of May 2024. The company's unique Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) technology requires only 1-2% of the semiconductor material needed by traditional crystalline silicon (c-Si) modules, resulting in a lower carbon footprint and higher efficiency. First Solar's manufacturing footprint spans the US, India, Malaysia, and Vietnam, with a global annual manufacturing capacity set to exceed 20 gigawatts by 2025. The company is committed to sustainability, aiming to power 100% of its global manufacturing operations with renewable energy by 2028 and achieving Net Zero by 2050. For more information about their innovative solutions, visit their official website.
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