There are many companies involved in the solar energy industry, including manufacturers of solar panels, developers of solar projects, and providers of solar-related services.
Here are some of the biggest solar companies, based on their market share, revenues, and global reach:
- JinkoSolar: A Chinese company that is one of the largest manufacturers of solar panels in the world. JinkoSolar has a global market share of around 15% and has a presence in over 90 countries.
- Trina Solar: Another Chinese company that is one of the leading manufacturers of solar panels, with a global market share of around 10%. Trina Solar has a strong focus on research and development and has won several awards for its technological innovation.
- Canadian Solar: A Canada-based company that is one of the largest solar panel manufacturers in the world, with a global market share of around 7%. Canadian Solar has a presence in over 150 countries and has completed solar projects with a total capacity of over 20 gigawatts.
- SunPower: A US-based company that is one of the leading providers of residential and commercial solar solutions in North America. SunPower designs and manufactures high-efficiency solar panels and has completed solar projects with a total capacity of over 30 gigawatts worldwide.
- First Solar: A US-based company that is one of the largest manufacturers of thin-film solar panels, with a global market share of around 3%. First Solar has a focus on utility-scale solar projects and has completed solar projects with a total capacity of over 20 gigawatts.
- Solar City: is a company that was acquired by Tesla in 2016. Prior to the acquisition, SolarCity was one of the largest residential solar installers in the United States, with operations in more than 20 states. At its peak, SolarCity employed over 15,000 people and installed solar panels on over 400,000 homes and businesses. Since the acquisition by Tesla, SolarCity's operations have been integrated into Tesla's energy division, which focuses on developing and deploying renewable energy solutions, including solar panels, energy storage systems, and electric vehicle charging stations. While SolarCity no longer exists as an independent company, its legacy lives on through Tesla's continued commitment to expanding access to clean energy and driving the adoption of solar power around the world.
SolarCity was acquired by Tesla in 2016. Prior to the acquisition, SolarCity was one of the largest residential solar installers in the United States, with operations in more than 20 states. At its peak, SolarCity employed over 15,000 people and installed solar panels on over 400,000 homes and businesses.
Since the acquisition by Tesla, SolarCity's operations have been integrated into Tesla's energy division, which focuses on developing and deploying renewable energy solutions, including solar panels, energy storage systems, and electric vehicle charging stations. While SolarCity no longer exists as an independent company, its legacy lives on through Tesla's continued commitment to expanding access to clean energy and driving the adoption of solar power around the world.
Prior to the acquisition of SolarCity by Tesla in 2016, SolarCity was one of the largest residential solar installers in the United States, with operations in more than 20 states and over 15,000 employees. In contrast, First Solar is one of the largest manufacturers of solar panels in the world, with a focus on utility-scale solar projects.
It's difficult to directly compare the size of SolarCity and First Solar, as they operate in different segments of the solar energy industry. However, in terms of revenue, First Solar is a larger company than SolarCity was prior to the acquisition by Tesla. In 2020, First Solar reported revenue of approximately $2.7 billion, while SolarCity's revenue prior to the acquisition by Tesla was around $730 million in 2015.
It's worth noting that SolarCity's operations have been integrated into Tesla's energy division since the acquisition, and the company now focuses on developing and deploying renewable energy solutions, including solar panels and energy storage systems. Meanwhile, First Solar continues to focus on manufacturing solar panels and developing utility-scale solar projects.
It's important to note that the solar industry is rapidly evolving, and the companies that dominate the market today may change in the future as technology advances and market conditions shift.