Solar Panel Manufacturers in USA: Powering the Nation’s Green Future

Imagine a future where every home and business in America is powered by clean, renewable energy. This vision is becoming a reality, thanks in large part to solar panel manufacturers in the USA.

Technological and manufacturing advancements are speeding up the United States’ shift from fossil fuels toward renewable energy sources such as wind, hydroelectric, and solar power. American solar manufacturing capacity is responding to a growing demand and actively shaping a sustainable future.

Valve+Meter Performance Marketing partners with a wide range of solar companies including solar panel installation companies, distributors, and manufacturers with go-to-market strategies. In this exploration, we’ll delve into some of the U.S. solar manufacturers, exploring current solar manufacturers, technological advancements, and the broader impact of the clean energy revolution.

Over the last decade, solar has grown at an average annual rate of 24 percent. The meet rising demand and rapid adoption of renewable energy, solar equipment and solar installers are increasing manufacturing capacity including American-made panels.

According to forecasts by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s Standard Scenarios, which take into account expected growth in capacity and generation, it is estimated that by 2032, wind and solar energy will account for approximately 47% of the United States’ electricity production. (NREL)

This robust movement to reshape the nation’s energy landscape offers hundreds of thousands of jobs, pumping new life into the American economy.

This pivot to solar isn’t just about energy; it’s about embracing a future where sustainability and progress go hand in hand. As we delve deeper into the world of American solar, it’s clear: that key challenges include strengthening supply chains, improving efficiency, and developing new innovations in solar equipment.

So who are the companies designing and producing American-made panels?

Below, we explore some of the leading solar panel manufacturers in the USA, highlighting their contributions and the unique aspects of their operations within the country.

Auxin Solar

Auxin Solar prides itself on being a 100 percent U.S.-owned, -operated, and -headquartered CSPV (Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic) manufacturer.

Established in 2008, Auxin Solar has dedicated over a decade to producing CSPV modules in the United States. Operating from San Jose, California, Auxin Solar manufactures its own-branded CSPV modules and also serves as an OEM for other branded products, showcasing its commitment to supporting U.S. manufacturing jobs.

Website: http://www.auxinsolar.com/

Canadian Solar

As the name implies, Canadian Solar is headquartered in Guelph, Canada and has subsidiaries in over 24 countries..

In June 2023, Canadian Solar announced plans to expand its manufacturing footprint with the establishment of a solar PV module production facility in Mesquite, Texas. This new plant, representing an investment of over $250 million, is poised to produce 5 GW of solar modules annually. Another announcement in October 2023 confirmed plans for manufacturing in Indiana as well.

These facilities mark Canadian Solar’s first manufacturing ventures in the United States, complementing its global production capabilities.

Website: https://www.canadiansolar.com/

Crossroads Solar

Crossroads Solar operates from a modern facility in South Bend, Indiana. According to the company’s website, Crossroads Solar sources components from American suppliers when possible, using top-grade inputs to produce high-quality solar panels.

Unique to Crossroads Solar is its commitment to providing employment opportunities to those often overlooked in the labor market, especially individuals with criminal records. This approach not only aims to produce superior solar modules but also seeks to challenge and transform societal views on crime, punishment, and U.S. manufacturing capabilities, offering a path for reintegration and dignity for its employees.

Website: https://www.crossroads-solar.com/

First Solar

Ohio-based First Solar has shown remarkable growth since its inception, with plans to invest $4 billion cumulatively by 2025, expanding its manufacturing space to 6.5 million square feet and creating over 3,000 jobs across four states.

First Solar’s operations span across Ohio, an R&D center in California, and a solar panel manufacturing plant coming to Alabama. First Solar plans to produce over 10 GWDC of advanced thin-film PV solar panels annually by 2025 emphasizing their pivotal role in the U.S. solar industry.

Website: https://www.firstsolar.com/

GAF Energy

GAF Energy, a subsidiary of Standard Industries, has announced the completion of its new manufacturing facility in Georgetown, Texas. The Georgetown expansion will increase GAF Energy’s production capacity by 500%, with an annual output of 300 megawatts.

The company specializes in rooftop solar system innovations including Timberline Solar™ Energy Shingle (ES). This solar product integrates with traditional roofing shingles.

Website: https://www.gaf.energy/home_test/

Heliene

Heliene stands out with its advanced, highly automated manufacturing facilities located in Minnesota, Florida, and Ontario.

These facilities produce solar modules for various projects. According to the manufacturer’s website, Heliene reduces the risk of project delays due to lengthy supply chain issues, emphasizing the importance of North American-based production.

Website: https://heliene.com/

HighTec Solar

HighTec Solar, based in Michigan City, Indiana, was founded in 2010 with the mission of delivering affordable, high-quality solar power systems.

According to this solar manufacturer’s website, the company prides itself on innovation and the use of the highest quality materials to improve solar panel solutions continually. HighTec Solar designs and engineers solar panels in the USA.

Website: https://hightecsolar.com/

Mission Solar

Mission Solar designs, engineers, and manufactures solar panels in San Antonio, Texas. According to their website, Mission Solar’s commitment to excellence and innovation in the solar industry underscores the growing trend of domestically produced renewable energy solutions.

Website: https://www.missionsolar.com/

Prism Solar

Prism Solar, operating out of Highland, New York, specializes in the supply of monofacial and bifacial solar modules. Per their website, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of PlusEnerG, with Genie Energy holding a majority stake, Prism Solar’s 60-MW facility underscores the company’s commitment to contributing to the U.S. solar industry.

Website: https://prismsolar.com/

Silfab Solar

Silfab Solar has over 40 years of solar experience. Their solar panel design and development includes facilities in the United States and Canada.

From their website: With fully automated production lines in Burlington, Washington, Toronto, Canada, and Fort Mill, South Carolina, Silfab Solar is dedicated to delivering premium-quality, high-efficiency solar panels designed for the North American market.

Website: https://silfabsolar.com/

Solaria

Solaria has positioned itself as a leader in the design and engineering of solar panels, with its products currently produced in Korea and Southeast Asia. According to Solaria, despite overseas production, Solaria maintains a strong design and engineering presence in the USA, ensuring a steady supply of panels to meet growing demand.

Website: https://www.solaria.com/

SolarMax

SolarMax, located in Riverside, California, boasts one of the largest solar panel assembly plants in the U.S., housed within a 165,000-square-foot solar-powered building at the SolarMax headquarters. With a production volume of 250 MW of solar panels annually, SolarMax is a significant player in American-made solar panels.

Website: https://www.solarmaxtech.com/

SPI Energy (Solar4America)

Solar4America has significantly upgraded its manufacturing facility in Sacramento, California, to a state-of-the-art, 140,000-square-fot-solar module production site. With the capacity to produce 1.3 GW of high-efficiency MONO Perc and TOPCon solar modules in 2023, Solar4America is helping to scale the capabilities of the U.S. solar manufacturing industry.

Website: https://solar4america.com/

Qcells

Qcells announced an investment exceeding $2.5 billion to establish a comprehensive solar supply chain in the United States. This initiative marks a significant investment in American solar manufacturing and will create nearly 2,500 jobs in Georgia.

In the first quarter of 2023, the company started construction of a new facility in Bartow County and expanded its Dalton facility. The company aimed to manufacture 3.3 gigawatts (GW) of solar components, including ingots, wafers, cells, and panels. Additionally, Qcells will increase its production by assembling an extra 2 GW of solar panels at its Dalton, Georgia facility.

By 2024, Qcells anticipates a total solar panel production capacity in Georgia to reach 8.4 GW.

Website: https://us.qcells.com/

Conclusion

The solar industry in the United States is rapidly evolving, with new manufacturers emerging frequently.

This dynamic growth reflects the industry’s adaptation to technological advancements and the increasing demand for renewable energy sources.

As these and other solar manufacturers continue to expand their operations and contribute to the nation’s energy transition, the future of American solar energy looks brighter than ever.

As we gaze into the future of solar manufacturing in the USA, the prospects are as bright as the sun itself. The industry is poised for unprecedented growth, driven by continuous technological advancements and an ever-increasing demand for clean energy. We’re likely to see innovations in solar cell efficiency and the advent of new materials that could revolutionize solar panel production.

The solar energy sector has witnessed remarkable technological advancements that have significantly increased the efficiency and accessibility of solar panels. These innovations range from the development of more efficient photovoltaic (PV) materials to the integration of solar power into various applications, making solar energy more viable and cost-effective than ever before.

One of the key advancements is in the area of PV cell technology, where researchers have developed new materials, such as perovskite, that offer higher conversion efficiencies at a lower cost compared to traditional silicon-based cells. Furthermore, bifacial solar panels, which capture sunlight from both sides, have also emerged, increasing energy generation by up to 30%. Additionally, advancements in manufacturing processes have led to the production of thin-film solar panels and more flexible solar panels that can be integrated into a variety of surfaces, from building facades to vehicle roofs.

As more solar companies invest in research and development, American-made solar panels are likely to advance even further. Solar technology was developed in the United States, but for many years most solar panel factories were far from American shores.

Conventional solar panels are already being adapted by companies developing solar shingles, solar glass, and even solar paint materials. These breakthroughs and the Inflation Reduction Act, are making solar panels and complete solar systems more affordable for residential and commercial applications.

It isn’t just solar cells and panels that will drive the future. Innovations in energy storage, such as more efficient and longer-lasting battery technologies, have also played a crucial role in making solar power a reliable energy source even when the sun isn’t shining.

These technological advancements not only make solar energy more efficient and affordable but also expand its potential applications, contributing to a more sustainable and renewable energy landscape.

The clean energy revolution, driven in part by the rapid advancements in solar panel technology, is having a profound impact on the global energy landscape, the environment, and economies around the world. This shift towards renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydroelectric power is reducing dependence on fossil fuels, thereby decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change.

Economically, the clean energy sector employs hundreds of thousands of Americans in the design, research, engineering, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance of renewable energy technologies.

In some of the above cases, a solar panel manufacturing plant benefits from skilled labor in America’s heartland where other manufacturing has exited.

Socially, the clean energy revolution is empowering communities by enabling access to affordable and reliable energy sources. Solar cells that were once a niche sight on rooftops are more common than ever before.

Overall, the clean energy revolution is reshaping the future of energy, driving sustainable growth, and laying the foundation for a cleaner, healthier planet for future generations.

As we look ahead, the prospects for U.S. solar panel production appear bright. The ongoing innovation, combined with a robust market demand and a supportive policy environment, ensures that solar energy will continue to play a pivotal role in America’s energy landscape.

The commitment to clean, renewable energy sources mirrors a broader aspiration for a greener, more sustainable future—a vision that American solar panel manufacturers are helping to turn into a reality.

As a leader in building marketing strategies for OEM manufacturers and home services providers including solar installation companies, Valve+Meter constantly studies this intriguing industry.