American Made Solar Panels: Who are the Top Manufacturers?

Ingrid

Mar. 07, 2024

According to data from the Solar Energy Technologies Office at the U.S. Department of Energy, 16 companies build solar panels in America.

First Solar, based in Ohio, is the largest U.S. solar manufacturer, producing about 50% more panels in the US than the next-biggest American-made brand. They mainly produce panels for commercial or industrial-scale installations, which means the individual panels are less efficient than the type most commonly used on rooftops, where you want to cram as much capacity into the smallest possible space.

QCells is the second-largest manufacturer of solar panels in the US—but arguably the heaviest hitter of all the residential solar panel manufacturers, American or otherwise.

QCells is currently the most popular brand on the EnergySage marketplace by far, appearing in about 29% of all quotes given by installers to real-world customers in the first six months of 2023. That’s 12 percentage points ahead of the next-biggest solar brand on our platform (Singapore-made REC), plus 46 other solar brands. QCells claims that they have more than 30% of the market for residential solar in the U.S.

While their parent company, Hanwha, is based in South Korea, QCells recently opened two solar-panel factories in Georgia. Not all of their new panels come from those American factories (at least not yet), but there’s a good chance that if you go with QCells for your home solar system, you’ll be supporting American manufacturing.

Other notable names in American solar manufacturing include Solar4America, Silfab Solar, Heliene, Jinko Solar, and Mission Solar.

Here's the full list, according to the DOE, as of November 2023:

Solar Panel Costs

Despite the huge benefits of going solar, no discussion of making the switch is complete without addressing the cost hurdle. Solar panel costs vary widely based on numerous factors, not the least of which is how soon to expect a break-even point.

The break-even point for most residential solar energy systems is three to 10 years. Installing solar energy generally costs between $0.75 and $1.50 per watt, or between $6,600 and $11,400 for an average-sized 6 kWh system. After incentives, the average cost drops to between $4,600 and $8,000.

While choosing solar panels that fit your home’s needs and specifications, also consider the cost of the products you’re considering when making your solar-energy decisions.

Solar Panel Efficiency

A solar panel’s efficiency rating is stated as a percentage. The current industry average is around 18%. High-performance solar panels can produce efficiency ratings of over 22%, while budget products come in at approximately 16% efficiency. But that’s only part of the equation.

Long-term solar panel efficiency ratings measure the amount of degradation a panel experiences over time. Solar panels that cost less often degrade faster and to a greater extent than higher-quality but more costly panels.

Another consideration, especially for those living in warm climates, is a panel’s temperature coefficient rating. The rating measures energy efficiency lost as the temperature increases and is expressed in negative percentage numbers. A lower temperature coefficient rating depicts a solar panel that performs better in hot weather than a panel with a higher coefficient rating.

Temperature Coefficient

A panel’s coefficient rating measures its efficiency loss as temperature increases and is expressed in negative percentage numbers. A lower temperature coefficient rating depicts a solar panel that performs better in hot weather than a panel with a higher coefficient rating. Although panels with a low coefficient rating may be crucial in hot-weather locations, they can also show noticeable results in places that experience wild temperature swings.

Your Home Power Needs

Depending on your family’s energy use, you may need a system that generates more or less electrical power. Ensure that your system will generate enough electricity during the day and, if desired, enough power storage to get you through the night. Some solar users opt for systems large enough to generate just enough power to meet their needs, while others choose systems that allow them to live off the grid or even sell power back to their local energy provider.

Check Solar Panel Warranties

The typical product warranty for solar panels is 25 years. System components, such as batteries, inverters and other crucial parts, often have warranties that vary significantly between products and manufacturers. Pay attention to those warranties and the panels’ output warranty after 10 and 25 years, especially if you plan on staying in the same home for a long time. Keep an eye out for both performance warranty and manufacturer warranties.

Power Your Home With Solar

Find a network of trusted installers for your solar system, solar panels and electricity needs. Find a solar panel installer today!

Explore Options

Installation Company Availability

Beyond being available where you live, ensure that the installation company you choose offers the panels and system components you desire or their equivalent. Check reviews, references and price quotes when selecting a company that can meet your solar energy needs. Look for installer workmanship guarantees in addition to manufacturer warranties.

Available Roof Space

How much roof or yard space you have, facing in the optimum direction, is a crucial factor that may limit your panel choices. Smaller spaces benefit from fewer panels with higher wattages and efficiencies, while homeowners with larger available spaces could benefit from having more panel quantity and power options.

Check Solar Panel Reviews

There used to be few solar power customers to look to for their experiences, but as solar energy popularity grows, and now that consumers have had several years to evaluate their systems over time, that’s all changed. Online reviews of solar panels, installers, systems, storage and other components are readily available, so you can be find a well-reviewed product or service.