The 19 most important manufacturers of PV modules worldwide & in Germany

Are you planning a solar system and are looking for high-quality modules? You can find countless manufacturers on the market. The selection is large and often confusing. Performance, quality and price differ significantly. In this article, you will find an overview of the most important manufacturers of PV modules.

‍

Overview: The 13 most important manufacturers of PV modules

If you are interested in a PV system, you will come across numerous manufacturers of solar modules. Performance, quality and prices differ significantly. This overview shows you the 20 leading PV manufacturers and is intended to help you make your decision.

‍

This selection is comprised of experience, manufacturing capacity, integration, technical maturity, research and development, ESG, certifications, and financial stability.

JinkoSolar

JinkoSolar was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Shanghai, China. With an annual production capacity of over 90 gigawatts, the company is the world's largest manufacturer of solar modules and has a market share of around 14%.

JinkoSolar is known for highly efficient monocrystalline modules and consistently uses n-type TOPCON technology, which enables efficiencies of over 22%. The Tiger Neo series in particular is very popular in Germany, as it is suitable for both private roof systems and commercial projects.

The company offers a performance warranty of up to 30 years for glass-glass modules and has secured a firm position in the German market through continuous innovation and strict quality controls.

YES solar

JA Solar was founded in 2005 and is based in Beijing, China. With a production capacity of over 80 gigawatts and a market share of around 13%, JA Solar is one of the world's leading module manufacturers.

The company is fully vertically integrated and manufactures wafers, cells and modules itself. The DeepBlue series, particularly the N-type versions, offers high efficiencies and stable yields.

In Germany, JA Solar is appreciated for its consistently high quality and attractive price-performance ratio. The modules are used in numerous private and commercial PV systems. JA Solar provides a performance warranty of up to 25 years.

LONGi Green Energy

LONGi Green Energy was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Xi'an, China. With an annual production capacity of over 85 gigawatts, LONGi is the world's largest producer of monocrystalline wafers and a leading supplier of solar modules.

The company has a market share of around 12% and invests heavily in N-type technologies such as TOPCon and HJT. The Hi-Mo-6 and Hi-Mo-7 series offer efficiencies of up to 23% and are widely used in Germany in both the premium and mid-range segments.

LONGi offers a product warranty of up to 25 years and has earned an excellent reputation for high performance in low light.

Canadian Solar

Canadian Solar was founded in Guelph, Canada in 2001 and operates large manufacturing facilities in Suzhou, China. With a capacity of over 60 gigawatts per year and a market share of around 9%, the company is one of the global leaders.

Canadian Solar combines monocrystalline PERC technology with advanced N-type solutions. The HiKu and TopHiKu series are known for their high efficiency and robust construction.

In Germany, the modules are particularly appreciated for their good price-performance ratio and wide availability. The warranties are 12 years for products and up to 30 years for performance.

Trina Solar

Trina Solar was founded in 1997 and is based in Changzhou, China. With a production capacity of around 65 gigawatts and a market share of around 9%, Trina Solar is one of the largest manufacturers in the world.

The company relies heavily on large-format 210 mm cells and n-type TOPCON technology. The Vertex and Vertex S series achieve efficiencies of up to 22% and are particularly popular in Germany for residential and commercial roofs.

Trina Solar offers product warranties of up to 25 years and offers a balance of performance, price and reliability.

DMEGC Solar

DMEGC Solar is part of the Hengdian Group and was founded in 2009. The company is headquartered in Dongyang, China. With a production capacity of around 20 gigawatts per year and a market share of around 3%, the company has also established itself on the European market in recent years.

DMEGC produces monocrystalline PERC and N-type modules, often in glass-glass versions for increased durability. In Germany, these modules are positioned in the mid-price segment. They offer stable performance, a 15-year product warranty and a 30-year performance warranty.

Astronergy

Astronergy was founded in 2006 and is a subsidiary of Chint Group based in Hangzhou, China. The production capacity is around 15 gigawatts and the market share is around 2.5%.

Astronergy is known for its glass-glass modules, which offer a particularly long lifespan and low degradation. The ASTRO-N series uses n-type TOPCON technology and achieves efficiencies of over 22%.

In Germany, Astronergy modules are particularly popular for high-quality roof systems. The warranties are 15 years for products and 30 years for performance.

Boviet Solar

Boviet Solar was founded in 2013 and produces in Vietnam. The company is part of the Chinese Boway Alloy Group. With a production capacity of around 3 gigawatts and a market share of around 2%, Boviet Solar has achieved fame primarily through quality tests. It is BNEF Tier 1 listed (Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) — Award for High Quality and Reliability) and has been recognized as a multiple “Top Performer” by PV Evolution Labs (PVEL).

Boviet offers monocrystalline PERC and N-type modules with a focus on stable performance even in difficult weather conditions. In Germany, Boviet modules are primarily used for projects that have high yield and quality requirements.

Risen Energy

Risen Energy was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Ningbo, China. With a capacity of around 15 gigawatts per year and a market share of around 2%, Risen Energy is an established manufacturer. The company invests in advanced cell technologies such as HJT and n-type TOPCON, which enable high levels of efficiency. The Titan series is particularly popular with large solar parks. Risen offers a product warranty of up to 25 years and offers stable yields even at high temperatures.

Qcells

Qcells was founded in Germany in 1999 and has been part of the South Korean Hanwha Group since 2012. The production capacity is around 12 gigawatts and the market share is around 2%. Qcells is known for its Q.ANTUM technology and the newer Q.TRON and Q.PEAK DUO N-type series.

In Germany, Qcells is one of the most popular brands for private home roofs, not least because of its production in Bitterfeld-Wolfen and strong customer service. The modules are known for their durability and high efficiency and offer a product warranty of up to 25 years.

Adani Solar

Adani Solar is a subsidiary of the Adani Group and was founded in 2015. The company is headquartered in Ahmedabad, India. With a production capacity of around 4 gigawatts and a growing market share, Adani Solar has established itself as an important player in Asia and is increasingly expanding into Europe.

The company produces monocrystalline PERC and N-type modules with a focus on cost efficiency. In Germany, the brand is still not widely used, but is gaining attention through aggressive pricing strategies.

TCL Zhonghuan Renewable Energy

TCL Solar, also known as TCL Zhonghuan Renewable Energy, is based in Tianjin, China and is part of TCL Group. The company was founded in 1988 and has developed from an electronics manufacturer to a major PV provider. With a production capacity of over 10 gigawatts, TCL offers monocrystalline PERC and N-type modules at competitive prices. In Germany, TCL modules are primarily represented in the budget segment, where they serve as a cost-effective alternative to established premium brands.

Tongwei Solar

Tongwei Solar was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Chengdu, China. The company is one of the largest manufacturers of solar cells worldwide with an annual cell capacity of over 80 gigawatts and a module capacity of around 15 gigawatts. Tongwei is a leader in N-type technologies and supplies high-efficiency modules. In Germany, Tongwei is primarily active in project business. The product warranty is 12 to 15 years, the performance warranty is up to 30 years.

Why do Chinese solar module manufacturers dominate the market?

Chinese solar module manufacturers dominate the market because they huge production capacities have built up and as a result produce very cheaply Can. Die Companies benefit from government funding, low wage costs, one dense supplier structure and advanced manufacturing technology.

Many manufacturers are vertically integrated and therefore produce wafers, cells and modules themselves. This allows you to save costs and keep supply chains stable. They also invest heavily in research and development, which allows them to quickly bring new technologies such as n-type TOPCon or HJT onto the market.

This combination of price advantage, technological progress and global sales network makes it difficult for manufacturers from Europe or the USA to remain competitive in large quantities.

Which German solar module manufacturers are there?

that “Made in Germany” label In the solar industry, stands for high manufacturing quality, strict production controls and long product life. German manufacturers rely on meticulous workmanship, high quality materials and precise final checks and guarantee consistently high performance over decades.

Compared to Chinese manufacturers, German suppliers produce in significantly lower quantitiesBut lay for it more emphasis on sustainability, fair working conditions and short transport routes. Many rely on more environmentally friendly manufacturing processes, recyclable materials and transparent supply chains. Customers also benefit from direct service, quickly reachable contacts and uncomplicated processing in the event of a warranty claim.

Anyone who chooses German-made modules usually does not opt for the cheapest price, but for long-term investment security, regional added value and support for local jobs.

Meyer Burger

Meyer Burger was founded in Switzerland in 1953 and has re-established itself as a module manufacturer in Europe since 2021. The production sites in Freiberg (Saxony) and Bitterfeld-Wolfen (Saxony-Anhalt) have an annual capacity of around 1 gigawatt, with plans for further expansion.

Meyer Burger uses monocrystalline heterojunction (HJT) technology combined with SmartWire connection technology, which achieve particularly high efficiencies and low degradation. The product warranty is 25 years, the performance warranty is 30 years. In Germany, Meyer Burger is considered a premium manufacturer with a focus on quality, sustainability and regional production.

Solarwatt

Solarwatt was founded in 1993 and produces its glass-glass modules in Dresden. With a capacity of around 300 megawatts per year, Solarwatt is one of the leading German premium manufacturers. The modules are particularly durable as they are fitted with glass on both sides and are thus optimally protected against moisture and mechanical stress.

Solarwatt offers a 30-year product and performance warranty. The latest Vision series uses bifacial technology and high efficiencies. In Germany, Solarwatt modules are particularly popular with customers who value sustainability and long warranties.

Heckert Solar

Heckert Solar was founded in 2001 and produces exclusively in Chemnitz. The annual capacity is around 400 megawatts. Heckert uses monocrystalline PERC technology and offers modules in various performance classes that are specifically tailored to the German market. The NeMo and NeMo 2.0 series are known for their robust construction and high yield stability. Heckert Solar provides a 15-year product warranty and 25-year performance warranty. In Germany, installers appreciate the high availability and direct customer support.

AxSun Solar

AxSun Solar was founded in 2008 and manufactures its modules entirely in Laupheim (Baden-Württemberg). The company has a capacity of around 200 megawatts per year and focuses on high-quality glass-glass and glass-film modules. AxSun offers a 25-year product warranty and a 30-year performance warranty. The manufacturer pays particular attention to optical quality and individual customer solutions, which makes it popular with architects and planners.

Aleo Solar

Aleo Solar was founded in 2001 and produces in Prenzlau (Brandenburg). With a capacity of around 200 megawatts per year, Aleo focuses on high-quality monocrystalline modules, including glass-glass versions. The product warranty is 25 years and the performance warranty is 25 to 30 years. Aleo Solar attaches great importance to strict quality controls and an attractive module design. Aleo is particularly known among German end customers for its reliability and personal service.

Solar-Fabrik

The solar factory, originally founded in 1996 and active again in 2016 after a realignment, produces its modules in Wiesen (Bavaria). With a capacity of around 150 megawatts per year, it offers both glass-glass and glass-film modules. The product warranty is 20 years, the performance warranty is up to 30 years. Solar-Fabrik is positioning itself as a supplier with high quality standards and a strong focus on the German market.

What you should pay attention to when choosing modules

Choosing the right solar modules determines the long-term yield and profitability of your PV system. Therefore, pay particular attention to the following points:

• Power and efficiency: The nominal power in watts indicates how much power a module can generate under standard conditions. Higher efficiency means that you produce more energy in the same area. This is particularly important when roof space is limited.
• Technology (mono, N-type, glass-glass): Monocrystalline modules generally have higher efficiencies than polycrystalline ones. N-type cells often offer longer lifespans and lower degradation. Glass-glass modules are particularly robust and weather-resistant.
• Guarantee conditions: Pay attention to the length of the product and service warranty. Premium manufacturers often offer 20 to 30 years of warranty, which increases investment security.
• Certifications and quality seals: TÜV certificates or PVEL top performer awards confirm the proven quality and performance of the modules.
• Degradation and lifespan: Modules lose performance over the years. Low degradation values ensure that your plant still delivers high returns even after 20 to 30 years.
• value for money: A low price only makes sense if performance, guarantees and quality are right. Cheap modules result in higher costs in the long term.
• Manufacturer reputation and service: Choose manufacturers with a proven stable market presence and good customer support. This makes warranty processing and the procurement of spare parts easier.
• Optics and integration: For visible roof surfaces, the module color and design can be decisive. Black full black modules often look more harmonious, but cost a bit more.

Conclusion

Choosing the right solar module manufacturer is crucial for the performance, longevity and economic efficiency of your PV system. While Chinese suppliers dominate the market with large production volumes, modern technology and reasonable prices, German manufacturers rely on the highest manufacturing quality, sustainability and strong customer service. Anyone who pays attention to efficiency, warranty conditions, technology and manufacturer reputation when selecting modules ensures that the investment reliably supplies electricity over decades and pays off economically.

The new standard for installers and energy consultants

Are you installing heating systems, PV systems, battery storage systems or wallboxes? With autarc, you can carry out acquisition, planning, promotion, maintenance and customer communication in one software. Digitize your processes and make your company fit for the future. Try it now for free for 14 days!

‍