Solar in Zimbabwe - Check The Best Solar Panel Companies and Manufacturers in The World (with 2023 Reviews)

Chat with us on WhatsApp via: +263 78 864 2436, +263 77 389 8979, +263 71 961 3479 and +263 71 884 5891.

When choosing a Solar Panel Brand for your Solar System in Zimbabwe, there are a number of factors to consider, from efficiency to temperature coefficient, to warranties. 

But a growing number of people also care about where their Solar Panels are manufactured, especially as supply chain constraints lead to installation delays. So, who are the biggest solar companies in the world? We reviewed global shipping data and solar panel specifications to determine who comes out on top.

The Top 10 Solar Manufacturers in The World:


Based on Solar Panel Shipment capacity in gigawatts (GW), here are the top 10 Solar Panel manufacturers in the world:
  1. LONGi Solar (China)
  2. Tongwei Solar (China)
  3. JA Solar (China)
  4. Aiko Solar (China)
  5. Trina Solar (China)
  6. Jinko Solar (China)
  7. Canadian Solar (Canada)
  8. Zhongli (China)
  9. Suntech (China)
  10. First Solar (USA)

There were some major changes over the past few years, including some new leaders in solar manufacturing who were once no names in the PV industry. JA Solar is grabbing market share with a passion while Q CELLS has slumped. 
Solar in Zimbabwe - Check The Best Solar Panel Companies and Manufacturers in The World (with 2023 Reviews)
Solar in Zimbabwe - Check The Best Solar Panel Companies and Manufacturers in The World (with 2023 Reviews)
The question for you as a solar shopper: should you care if your solar panels are made by one of the big 10 manufacturers in the world? 

Here’s Our Breakdown of Each of these Top Manufacturers:

  1. LONGi Solar: Headquartered in Xi’An China, LONGi Solar is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of high-efficiency monocrystalline solar cells and panels. LONGi was founded in 2000 and in 2020 shipped 14.7 gigawatts (GW). Based on PV-Tech’s latest bankability report, LONGi has achieved its highest bankability rating. To learn more, check out LONGi Solar’s supplier profile.
  2. Tongwei Solar: Founded in 2009, Tongwei Solar is one of the largest crystalline silicon solar cell production companies in the world. Tongwei Solar has four locations in China and is a subsidiary of the large agricultural product company Tongwei Group. They manufacture both polycrystalline and monocrystalline solar cells and panels, shipping 12.1 GW in 2020.
  3. JA Solar: JA Solar was founded in 2005 and their first manufacturing hub was built in Fengxian, China, where their main manufacturing hub now lives. They produce budget solar panels with half-cell technology that fall in the mid-range for efficiency – although they do outperform most of their mid-range competitors. In 2020, JA Solar shipped 10.8 GW. JA Solar has also achieved PV-Tech’s highest bankability rating. To learn more, take a look at JA Solar’s supplier profile.
  4. Aiko Solar: Aiko Solar specializes in the manufacturing of PERC solar cells. Based in China, Aiko makes three primary products: a 210 millimeter (mm), 182mm, and 166mm PERC cell, with the 210mm product being the newest, coming to market in 2020.
  5. Trina Solar: Founded in 1997, Trina Solar is a Chinese solar production company with solar products suitable for residential, commercial, and utility-scale projects. Recent company developments include the launch of a 210mm silicon cell panel (their Vertex series) and a solar tracking product for large-scale installations. Trina Solar has achieved PV-Tech’s highest bankability rating.
  6. JinkoSolar: JinkoSolar produces a wide range of solar and storage products for use across solar projects of all sizes. Recently, JinkoSolar opened a manufacturing location in Jacksonville, FL to help meet U.S. demand for their products.
  7. Canadian Solar: Its name gives it away, but Canadian Solar is a solar manufacturer originally founded (and still headquartered) in Ontario, Canada. Aside from a wide range of solar modules, Canadian Solar also produces and sells inverters and energy storage solutions.
  8. Zhongli: Zhongli is a Chinese technology conglomerate that owns Talesun Solar (founded in 2010), a leading PV manufacturer worldwide. Zhongli/Talesun produces both bifacial and mono facial solar modules.
  9. SunTech: SunTech (or SunTech Power) is a Chinese company with 21 years of experience in solar manufacturing. They produce mainly high-powered solar modules designed for large commercial, industrial, and utility-scale installation projects.
  10. First Solar: The lone U.S. company on our list, First Solar is also unique in that they produce thin-film solar panels (as opposed to the crystalline panels most other major manufacturers focus on). First Solar uses cadmium telluride (CdTe) as their semiconductor in their modules.

How to Compare the Best Solar Energy Companies in the World:

Because solar panel manufacturer rankings are based on the total volume of solar panels that the companies ship, being in the top position does not necessarily mean they offer the highest quality panel. Some of the smaller manufacturers specialize in premium products, whereas most of the larger manufacturers have gotten to where they are by either making a panel for the high-volume market or by focusing their efforts on large-scale projects. That being said, a company’s proven ability to produce and sell a large number of products is testimony to its brand’s credibility, building trust among consumers and installers alike.

The important thing for you to keep in mind as a solar shopper is an ability to differentiate between them to find the panel that best suits your needs and budget. To this end, Solar Options Zimbabwe has developed a solar panel quality ranking system of our own so that our customers can confidently choose a panel and manufacturer.

If you’re interested in learning more about how panels are ranked, visit our Solar Decision Guide. When it comes to metrics like solar panel efficiency, the simple cost per watt of a single solar panel is not a unit of measure that can stand on its own. It’s important to understand the conversion potential of your panels as a way to decide which brand to go with. SunPower, for example, is heralded for its impressive conversion efficiency which has regularly fluctuated over the past 10 years for holding the world record. That being said, SunPower panels are much more expensive than a cheaper brand such as AXITEC and thus the size of your solar system and panel output will help you decide what will generate the most solar savings and most immediate payback period.

Where are The Best Solar Panels being Made?

The simple answer to this commonly asked question is East Asia, which has become the solar manufacturing hub of the world – you’ll notice that the majority of the top ten manufacturers are Chinese. However, domestic solar manufacturing is increasing in an effort to promote a clean energy economy and strengthen supply chains.

However, as we have noted before, a panel’s country of manufacture is not usually the most important consideration for someone going solar. Instead, most people will find a balance between cost and quality, with a panel’s country of manufacture being a secondary consideration. But, for some homeowners, the importance of energy independence is a major factor when considering what brand of panels they would prefer.

What Are The Top Companies Making Solar Panels in the U.S.?

Though the large majority of solar manufacturers import their equipment from southeast Asia (even in the case of leading American solar companies like SunPower), there is a short list of American solar companies that actually make their solar panels here in the U.S. It’s important to note that not all of these companies have headquarters in the U.S., but they all have manufacturing facilities – or obtain their panels from companies that have manufacturing facilities – in the U.S.

Top American Solar Companies:

  1. CertainTeed (USA)
  2. Crossroads Solar (USA)
  3. First Solar (USA Perrysburg)
  4. GAF Energy (USA San Jose)
  5. Q CELLS (South Korea Dalton)
  6. Heliene (Canada Mountain)
  7. JinkoSolar (China Jacksonville)
  8. LG Solar (South Korea Huntsville)
  9. Merlin Solar (USA San Jose)
  10. Mission Solar (USA San Antonio)
  11. Next Energy Alliance (USA Riverside)
  12. Silfab Solar (Canada Bellingham, WA & Burlington)
  13. Solaria (USA Fremont)
  14. Tesla (USA Buffalo)

What Are The Top 10 Solar Panel Companies?

The top 10 Solar Panel Companies Globally with the highest shipment capacity are, in order, LONGi Solar, Tongwei, JA Solar, Aiko Solar, Trina Solar, JinkoSolar, Canadian Solar, Zhongli, Suntech, and First Solar.

What Country is the Largest Producer of Solar Panels?

As noted earlier, China is the largest producer of solar panels worldwide. In 2021, they manufacture 75% of modules, 85% of cells, 97% of wafters, and 79% of polysilicon, according to data from the International Energy Agency. As for the company with the largest production rate, JinkoSolar, headquartered in Shanghai, China, ranked first according to the most recent data.

How do I Find a Reputable Solar Company?

When you select an installer, you want to know that it’s a reputable company, with a strong track record, that has all the licenses and certifications required in your state, and with the expertise to design a solar panel system that’s right for your needs.
Tongwei Founder Liu Hanyuan
Tongwei Founder Liu Hanyuan 

Picking between solar installers can be a daunting task, but Solar Options Zimbabwe is here to help. We vet the installers that quote on our Marketplace, present installer-specific differentiators in the quotes you see, and have created a badge tier system that helps you find the top solar installers in your area.

The Solar Options Zimbabwe Marketplace helps you search, compare, sign up and save on the right energy fit for your home — all for free. If you are interested in solar, answer a few questions to get an exact price quote from our solar advisors at +263 78 864 2436 via WhatsApp.

About Solar Options Zimbabwe:

Solar Options Zimbabwe Empowers People To Make Smarter Solar Systems Decisions, Through Simplicity, Transparency, and Choice. Solar Options Zimbabwe gives you access to transparent information so you can make informed decisions, confidently. We connect you with The Best Solar Companies in Zimbabwe who are competing to earn your business.

Solar Options Zimbabwe is the go-to marketplace for making confident energy decisions and gaining control over the buying process.


Contact Solar Options Zimbabwe:

Solar Options Zimbabwe gives you access to transparent information so you can make informed decisions, confidently. Get in touch with us directly via WhatsApp by clicking the Chat with WhatsApp below.

Solar Systems Sales: +263 78 864 2436
Borehole Solutions Sales: +263 77 389 8979
Borehole Solutions Sales: +263 71 961 3479
Water Systems Sales: +263 71 884 5891

Related Stories