Tier 1 Solar Panel Manufacturers List – Q1 2026
BloombergNEF Ranking and Photovoltaic Market Evolution
In the first quarter of 2026, BloombergNEF (BNEF) published its official update of the Tier 1 solar module manufacturers list, a global benchmark used to assess the bankability of leading photovoltaic producers.
Unlike other classifications, the Tier 1 list does not evaluate technical quality or module efficiency, but rather the manufacturer’s ability to participate in projects financed by international banking institutions.
In this article, we analyze:
- What it really means to be Tier 1.
- The full Q1 2026 ranking ordered by production capacity.
- The evolution compared to 2025.
- Implications for installers, developers, and EPCs.
- Industrial trends shaping 2026.
Download Tier 1 List – Q1 2026
What Does It Mean to Be a Tier 1 Manufacturer According to BloombergNEF?
The BloombergNEF Tier 1 classification does not assess the technical quality or efficiency of a module, but rather the manufacturer’s bankability within the international photovoltaic project financing market.
A manufacturer is considered Tier 1 when it has:
- Supplied own-brand, self-manufactured modules.
- Participated in at least six different projects.
- Each project financed through non-recourse debt financing.
- The financing provided by six different banks.
- Projects meeting minimum utility-scale size requirements and registered in BNEF’s database.
What Tier 1 does NOT mean:
- It is not a quality certification.
- It is not a technical standard.
- It does not guarantee higher efficiency or better performance.
- It does not evaluate warranties, after-sales service, or local support.
In essence, Tier 1 is a financial credibility indicator, not a technological ranking.
Tier 1 Solar Panel Manufacturers List – Q1 2026
Manufacturers ordered by annual production capacity (MW/year)
- Jinko Solar – 120,000 MW
- LONGi – 120,000 MW
- Trina Solar – 100,000 MW
- JA Solar – 100,000 MW
- Tongwei / TW Solar – 85,000 MW
- Canadian Solar – 61,000 MW
- Chint / Astronergy – 56,000 MW
- Risen Energy – 48,000 MW
- AIKO Solar – 35,500 MW
- GCL System – 29,500 MW
- First Solar – 24,400 MW
- Waaree – 22,300 MW
- DMEGC – 21,000 MW
- TCL / Maxeon / TZE – 20,400 MW
- Yingli – 19,200 MW
- Talesun / Taekmo – 13,000 MW
- Qcells / Hanwha Qcells – 11,200 MW
- ZNShine Solar – 10,000 MW
- Solarspace – 10,000 MW
- Haitai Solar – 10,000 MW
- OSDA / Austa – 8,650 MW
- Thornova Solar / Sunova – 7,500 MW
- Renew Photovoltaics – 6,400 MW
- Boviet Solar – 6,000 MW
- VSUN – 5,000 MW
- Sunpro Power – 5,000 MW
- Hanersun – 5,000 MW
- ET Solar Inc / Elite Solar – 5,000 MW
- ReneSola – 5,000 MW
- Tata Power Solar – 4,910 MW
- New East Solar – 4,600 MW
- Sumec / Phono Solar – 4,000 MW
- BYD – 4,000 MW
- Adani / Mundra – 4,000 MW
- Luxen Solar – 3,000 MW
- Fellow Energy – 3,000 MW
- Horay Solar – 2,500 MW
- AE Solar – 2,250 MW
- Neo Solar Power / URECO – 1,800 MW
- Zhonghui / Taoistic – 1,500 MW
Approximate combined capacity: over 1,000 GW annually.
Evolution Compared to 2025: What Has Changed?
Compared to the lists published throughout 2025, several clear trends emerge:
1. Consolidation of the Top 5
Jinko, LONGi, Trina, JA Solar, and Tongwei continue to dominate the global market, each exceeding 80 GW annually.
This indicates:
- Strong vertical integration.
- Solid financial capacity.
- Greater resilience under pricing pressure.
2. Sustained Growth of Manufacturers such as AIKO
Manufacturers with strong technological positioning, such as Aiko Solar, continue to increase their presence in financed projects.
3. Industrial Concentration
The top five manufacturers account for a significant portion of total capacity within the Top 40, reflecting growing consolidation in the global solar industry.
Why Is This List Relevant for Installers and EPCs?
It depends on the type of project.
For bank-financed projects:
- Facilitates credit approval.
- Reduces perceived investor risk.
- Improves project financial structuring.
For residential or small commercial installations:
The Tier 1 classification is not necessarily decisive. More relevant factors typically include:
- Actual manufacturer warranty.
- Logistical presence in Europe.
- After-sales service.
- Technical support.
- Immediate stock availability.
Industrial Trends Shaping 2026
- Asian dominance: China continues to concentrate most global production, while India gains momentum with manufacturers such as Waaree and Tata.
- Expansion of N-type capacities: The technological shift toward TOPCon and HJT is fully consolidated. Manufacturers leading this transition gain market share in financed projects.
- Price pressure and tight margins: The market remains highly competitive, forcing manufacturers to operate with maximum production efficiency.
In conclusion, the BloombergNEF Tier 1 List remains a benchmark for assessing bankability and industrial stability, particularly in large-scale projects.
However, selecting a manufacturer should be based on a comprehensive evaluation that includes:
- Technology.
- Warranties.
- Local support.
- Logistics.
- Cost-performance ratio.
At Vico Export Solar Energy, we work with manufacturers included in the BNEF Tier 1 list, offering immediate stock availability, technical consulting, and tailored solutions for residential, commercial, and utility-scale projects.
If you need assistance selecting the most suitable module for your installation, our team is ready to support you.
