Part of the Hanwha group, Hanwha acquired bankrupt German solar cell and panel manufacturer Q CELLS in 2012.  Today, Hanwha Q Cells has manufacturing facilities in China, Malaysia, South Korea and, as of 2019, Dalton, GA. Note that it’s unclear how many of the Hanwha Q CELLS solar panels which are sold in the US are also manufactured in the US.

Globally, Q CELLS is the sixth largest supplier of solar panels and generally is known in the industry to produce good quality solar panels with power ratings in-line with average industry power ratings and warranties.

Founded in China in 2000, LONGi has developed into the largest manufacturer of solar wafers, cells and modules in the world. It manufactures solar panels in China, Malaysia, Vietnam and India and supplies not just solar modules, but wafers and cells to many other manufacturers. Globally, LONGi is the largest supplier of solar panels and generally is known in the industry to produce good quality solar panels with power ratings in-line with average industry power ratings and warranties. 

Part of the LG Corporation, LG Electronics produced its first solar panel in 2008.  Unlike many other manufacturers, LG Electronics produces all of its own solar panels in-house in South Korea and, as of 2019, Huntsville, Alabama. [Note that it’s unclear how many of the LG Electronics solar panels which are sold in the US are also manufactured in the US.]

With one of the most efficient solar modules and best warranties in the industry, LG is a good option for home solar systems which need to squeeze the most power into the available roof space.  

Founded in California in 1985, SunPower has long been a leader in manufacturing high-efficiency solar cells and modules.In 2020 SunPower spun off its manufacturing business (now Maxeon Solar Technologies) to focus on providing full system solutions for residential and commercial customers in the US. SunPower sells its systems exclusively through authorized dealers. Powered by Maxeon’s solar cell technology (SunPower has an exclusive license to sell Maxeon solar panels in the US), SunPower has some of the most efficient solar panels in the world with an above average warranty and are a good option for solar installations which need to squeeze the most power into the available roof space.   

Founded in Norway in 1996, REC now produces most of its solar modules in Singapore.  In the last two years, REC has worked to differentiate itself by investing in higher efficiency solar cell development.  That looks to be starting to pay off with some REC modules starting to appear in the 360W range.  REC produces good quality solar modules with above average industry power ratings and a below average warranty.   

Founded in China in 1997, Trina Solar has been a top 10 module manufacturer for the last decade and currently occupies the number four spot. Manufacturing in China, Thailand and Vietnam, Trina Solar produces decent quality solar modules in-line with or slightly below average industry power ratings and warranties.   

Founded in China in 2006, Jinko Solar has been a top 10 module manufacturer for the last decade and currently occupies the number two spot. Jinko Solar manufactures its solar panels in China, Malaysia and, as of 2019, Jacksonville, FL, JinkoSolar produces decent quality solar modules in-line with or slightly below average industry power ratings and warranties. Note that it’s unclear how many of the Jinko Solar solar panels which are sold in the US are also manufactured in the US.

Founded in China in 2001, Canadian Solar now produces solar modules in China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Brazil and Canada. Ranked as the fifth largest supplier of solar panels globally, Canadian Solar produces decent quality solar modules in-line with or slightly below average industry power ratings and warranties.   

Founded in New Mexico in 2000, Solaria is now headquartered in California.  Initially focused on utility scale solar installations, Solaria started building solar trackers in addition to solar panels in 2011.  The tracker business was spun out in 2015 as NEXTracker.  Solaria currently produces solar modules in South Korea and Fremont, CA. Focused solely on shingled solar cells (a method of connecting solar cells in a solar panel by overlapping them), Solaria’s solar panels are more uniform in appearance than typical solar panels, produce more power and come with a premium price tag.  Overall, Solaria produces good quality solar modules with above average industry power ratings and warranties.   

Founded in 2012, Axitec bills itself as a leading German “brand” of solar panels. It’s unclear where Axitec currently produces solar modules. Overall, Axitec produces decent quality solar modules in -ine with or slightly above industry average power ratings and warranties.