Until recently, most of the solar panels installed in the United States were not actually made here. Instead, they were manufactured overseas—mainly in China—where production costs were lower. However, a shift has taken place in the American solar industry over the past few years.
A combination of government policies, economic incentives, and market demand has fueled a surge in domestic solar panel manufacturing. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 played a key role in this transformation, offering tax credits and financial incentives to companies that manufacture solar components in the U.S. Additionally, tariffs on foreign-made solar products helped level the playing field, making American-made panels more competitive in the market.
As a result, the U.S. now has nearly enough solar manufacturing capacity to meet 100% of its annual demand. In 2025, the top five solar panel manufacturers in the U.S. based on production capacity are:
- First Solar
- Qcells
- Canadian Solar
- Illuminate USA
- T1 Energy
Although some of these companies are foreign-owned, they all manufacture solar panels on American soil, providing jobs for thousands of workers. Let’s take a closer look at these leading solar manufacturers and what makes them stand out.
First Solar: The leader in thin-film technology
First Solar is the largest solar panel manufacturer in the United States, specializing in cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film solar panels. Unlike traditional silicon-based panels, thin-film panels are made by depositing a layer of photovoltaic material onto a substrate. These panels are known for their high performance in hot climates and their ability to generate electricity even in low-light conditions.
One of First Solar’s defining features is its commitment to sustainability. The company operates a comprehensive solar panel recycling program, ensuring that retired panels are repurposed rather than ending up in landfills.
Currently, First Solar operates four manufacturing facilities—three in Ohio and one in Alabama—with a fifth factory under construction in Louisiana. At full capacity, these facilities can produce 10.7 gigawatts (GW) of solar panels per year, making First Solar the undisputed leader in American solar manufacturing.
Qcells: The residential solar powerhouse
Qcells, originally founded as Hanwha Q CELLS in 1999, is a subsidiary of the South Korea-based company Hanwha Solutions. Despite its foreign ownership, Qcells has a significant U.S. presence, with regional headquarters in Irvine, California and four manufacturing plants in Georgia.
Qcells specializes in high-efficiency silicon solar panels, making it a popular choice for residential and commercial installations. In fact, Qcells supplies more residential solar panels in the U.S. than any other company.
The company had ambitious plans to establish a fully domestic solar supply chain, from raw polysilicon production to finished solar panels. However, in 2024, its primary polysilicon supplier was unable to provide enough high-quality material, forcing Qcells to source polysilicon from Malaysia instead. Despite this setback, the company continues to dominate the U.S. residential solar market, with an annual production capacity of 8.4 GW.
Canadian Solar: A global brand with U.S. roots
At first glance, Canadian Solar might seem like an odd name on a list of top American solar panel manufacturers. However, despite its name, the company has a strong presence in the U.S. and operates multiple manufacturing facilities across the country.
Founded in Canada, Canadian Solar has grown into one of the largest solar manufacturers in the world, with production facilities in China, Canada, and the United States. Its U.S. operations include offices and factories in California, New York, and Texas, where thousands of American workers are employed.
One of its most significant projects is a 5 GW manufacturing plant in Mesquite, Texas, which is currently ramping up to full production capacity. The company’s panels are widely used in residential, commercial, and utility-scale solar projects. In 2025, Canadian Solar ranked #1 on the list of best solar panels for homes, further solidifying its reputation in the industry.
Illuminate USA: A joint venture with LONGi Solar
Illuminate USA is an American company, but it operates as a joint venture between Invenergy, a U.S.-based energy company, and LONGi Solar, one of the largest solar manufacturers in China. This partnership has allowed Illuminate USA to benefit from LONGi’s advanced solar technology while maintaining manufacturing operations in the U.S.
The company’s main manufacturing facility is located in Pataskala, Ohio, where over 1,000 workers produce high-quality solar panels. With an annual capacity of 5 GW, Illuminate USA plays a crucial role in supplying American-made solar panels for both residential and commercial projects.
In 2025, LONGi Solar ranked 10th in the industry’s top solar panel manufacturers, further highlighting the global influence of this partnership.
T1 Energy: The rebranded Trina Solar facility
Like Illuminate USA, T1 Energy is another example of a foreign-owned company manufacturing solar panels in the United States. The T1 Energy facility in Wilmer, Texas, was originally built under the name Trina Solar, a Chinese solar giant. However, just before production began, the factory was sold to the Norwegian company Freyr, which rebranded it as T1 Energy.
Despite the ownership change, the factory remains one of the largest solar panel manufacturing plants in the U.S., producing 5 GW of solar panels per year. Trina Solar ranked 8th in the 2025 top solar panel rankings, demonstrating the high quality of the panels produced at the T1 Energy facility.
The rise of American solar manufacturing
Although only one of the top five manufacturers (First Solar) is fully U.S.-based, many other American companies are expanding their solar manufacturing operations. Smaller firms like SEG Solar, Solar4America, and Mission Solar continue to grow, while new factories are opening across the country.
Government incentives, particularly those introduced through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022, have played a crucial role in this expansion. Key provisions include:
- The Section 45X Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credit (45X MPTC): Offers tax credits to manufacturers producing solar components in the U.S.
- The Section 48C Advanced Energy Project Investment Tax Credit (48C ITC): Provides tax credits for investments in solar manufacturing infrastructure.
- The 48D Domestic Content Bonus: Gives a 10% tax credit bonus to solar projects that use American-made components.
These incentives have encouraged companies to invest in domestic production, leading to new solar manufacturing facilities from companies like Boviet, Houen, Maxeon, and Waaree.
Final thoughts
Thanks to government incentives and industry growth, the future of American solar manufacturing is looking brighter than ever. As more companies establish production facilities in the U.S., homeowners and businesses will have greater access to high-quality, American-made solar panels.
With the rapid expansion of U.S.-based solar manufacturing, it may soon become uncommon to see imported panels on the market. As a result, solar energy adoption will become more affordable, sustainable, and accessible for all.