Most photovoltaic solar panels marketed in the United States up until recently weren’t actually built here. However, a number of Asian solar firms, most notably those from China, have started relocating operations and producing solar panels in the United States.
Why? due to import tariffs the Trump Administration imposed in 2018, which had an impact on manufacturing materials and solar panels. Former President Donald Trump enacted a 30% tariff on imported solar panels and the cells needed to make them in order to encourage American production. As a result, some solar energy companies started producing at brand-new facilities located in the United States. The import duties on solar equipment were then prolonged by four years by President Biden in February 2022.
Many of the top solar brands available in the U.S. are represented on this list of American solar manufacturers, including Hanwha Qcells, Jinko Solar, Silfab Solar, Mission Solar Energy, and Solaria.
The top five solar panel manufacturers in the United States are listed below.
Top 5 solar panel manufacturers
| Company | USA location | USA market share | Best solar panels | Product warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hanwha Qcells | Georgia | 16.3% | Q. PEAK DUO BLK ML-G9+ | 25 years |
| Jinko Solar | Florida | 2.2% | EAGLE 4 JKM390M-6RL3B | 12 years |
| Silfab Solar | Washington | 4.3% | Elite SIL-380 | 25 years |
| Mission Solar | Texas | 3% | MSE330SR8K | 25 years |
| Solaria | California | 2.3% | PowerXT-400R-PM | 30 years |
1. Hanwha Qcells
A division of South Korean company Hanwha Solutions, Hanwha Qcells (formerly known as Hanwha Q CELLS) was established in 1999 and has an office in Irvine, California.
In Dalton, Georgia, the Tier 1 company now runs a 1.7 GW solar panel manufacturing facility that went into operation in February 2019. The corporation disclosed a $160 million investment in REC Silicon through its parent company. The 2021 investment will assist Qcells in acquiring low-carbon ingredients for solar cells and wafers.
Within the Q.PEAK DUO Series, Qcells provides high-performance mono passivated emitter and rear contact (PERC) solar panels for residential applications. The business also creates utility-scale solar projects all around the United States.
The Q.PEAK DUO BLK ML-G9 solar panel from Qcells is a top pick because of its excellent efficiency and effectiveness in low light. For locations that frequently suffer snowy and windy weather, this sturdy solar panel is excellent.
2. Jinko Solar
A manufacturer of solar panels with its headquarters in Shanghai, China, is Jinko Solar. The Tier 1 business, which was established in 2006, comprises six manufacturing facilities and 15 subsidiaries throughout the world. The business produces solar panels in Jacksonville, Florida, within the United States.
Under its Eagle Series, Jinko Solar manufactures diamond half-cell solar panels with a maximum output of 400 watts.
The operations of Jinko Solar are primarily focused on research and development (R&D). The company’s R&D division really holds a number of world records for crystalline silicon solar panels. The company has contributed significantly to a number of local towns and organizations around the US over the years.
For home solar systems, the EAGLE 4 JKM390M-6RL3B polycrystalline panel from Jinko Solar is highly recommended because to its long-term dependability and constant performance.
3. Silfab Solar
Through its headquarters in Ontario, Canada, Silfab Solar provides solar services to the North American market. The business produces solar panels in Bellingham and Burlington, Washington, in the United States. The total manufacturing capacity of these locations is 800 megawatts (MW).
The company sells residential homeowners back-contact mono PERC solar panels in the Prime and Elite series.
With an emphasis on boosting residential solar installations, Silfab has more than 40 years of experience in the solar sector and has been working in conjunction with Titan Solar Power since 2018. Silfab has expanded operations and solar module manufacture through numerous investments.
A leading solar panel for modest to big residential setups is the Silfab Elite SIL-380. The premium panel has a modern style that complements a variety of rooftop designs.
4. Mission Solar
In San Antonio, Texas, Mission Solar Energy (Mission Solar) produces solar panels. Since its founding in 2013, the business has expanded to accommodate the needs of both residential and business clients. The parent company of Mission Solar is OCI Company, which has its headquarters in South Korea.
The business specializes in solar panels that are p-type monocrystalline and PERC. High performance and reliability standards have been certified for these goods. Both inverters and battery storage systems are not available from the company.
A burgeoning American manufacturer of solar energy, Mission Solar has a bright future. Through significant employment creation and commercial prospects, the organization has so far had a favorable effect on the San Antonio region.
Due to its sturdy structure and great power output, Mission Solar’s MSE330SR8K is the company’s best solar panel. This panel’s all-black style makes it easier for it to blend in with contemporary dwellings.
5. Solaria
In its 40 MW production facility in Fremont, California, Solaria produces solar panels. The company initially began creating panels for utility projects before refocusing on the residential solar industry. Since its founding in 2000, Solaria has amassed more than 250 patents covering solar panel technology.
This solar panel producer specializes in residential monocrystalline shingled solar panels. Since the cells in these panels are arranged to overlap one another closely, the units operate more efficiently than 20% of the time. The success of Solaria depends on the creation of powerful solar panels in the PowerXT line. It does not provide inverters or battery storage.
For homeowners searching for a high-quality product with a sleek, all-black design, Solaria’s PowerXT-400R-PM is a top solar panel. A 30-year dependability warranty is included with the 400-watt panel, giving homeowners piece of mind.
Latest solar panel manufacturing trends
The future of solar and renewable energy in the United States will be shaped by a number of developments that should be watched closely.
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed by Congress in August 2022, raises the federal solar tax credit from 26% to 30%, where it will stay until the end of 2032. All solar power projects, including installations of solar panels at home, are eligible for the 30% tax credit. Utility-scale projects are also eligible for further incentives.
As a result, in the upcoming years, additional photovoltaic (PV) power plants or solar farms should be built. This is good news for regions with deteriorating power infrastructure or obsolete electrical networks. These initiatives can also benefit cities that require renewable energy sources because more people are using electric vehicles.
Leading solar manufacturers anticipate expanding their domestic operations and manufacturing in response to the rise in demand for solar power projects and the prolongation of tariffs on imported solar equipment. Technology for solar panels will keep advancing in a number of areas, including power production, efficiency, profile, and weight. As the need for high-performance PV modules rises, mono PERC modules will be one of the most popular options for residential solar.
Additionally, LG declared in February 2022 that it would stop producing solar panels. Many people were shocked by the decision because the company was a leading producer of solar panels in the US. The solar market will be left with a significant void as a result of LG’s exit, which is likely to be filled by rival companies vying for market dominance.
Final thoughts
It’s wonderful to hear there’s a better chance of getting solar panels built in America. Check out our rooftop solar calculator to determine the pricing and size of the ideal solar system for your home and to learn more about these options and what they will cost you as a homeowner.
To find out more about what they have to offer as well as solar panel costs, incentives, and rebates, you can also look up and get in touch with the top-rated regional solar installers.
