Tier 1 Solar Panel Manufacturer List – Q2 2026
Updated BloombergNEF ranking and photovoltaic market trends
BloombergNEF (BNEF) has published the new Tier 1 list of solar module manufacturers for the second quarter of 2026, one of the most consulted classifications in the international photovoltaic sector.
This update is especially relevant because it confirms the consolidation of major solar manufacturers, the entry of new brands into the ranking, and several significant changes compared to the list published in Q1 2026.
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 entities.
In this article, we analyze:
- What it really means to be a Tier 1 manufacturer.
- The complete Q2 2026 ranking ordered by annual production capacity.
- The main changes compared to Q1 2026.
- New additions to the list.
- The implications of this classification for installers, EPCs, developers, and photovoltaic distributors.
Download TIER 1 List – Q2 2026
What does it mean to be a Tier 1 manufacturer according to BloombergNEF?
The Tier 1 classification by BloombergNEF is not a quality certification for solar panels nor an efficiency ranking. Its primary objective is to evaluate the manufacturer’s bankability, that is, its capacity to participate in photovoltaic projects financed by international banking entities.
A manufacturer included in the Tier 1 list must have supplied proprietary brand and self-produced modules to several projects financed through non-recourse debt, with the participation of different banking entities.
Therefore, being Tier 1 means the manufacturer has demonstrated presence in financed projects and sufficient traceability within the international market.
What Tier 1 does NOT mean:
- It is not a technical certification.
- It does not guarantee that one panel is better than another.
- It does not directly evaluate efficiency, degradation, or warranty.
- It does not replace the analysis of the module’s technical datasheet.
- It does not measure after-sales service or local logistics availability.
In short, Tier 1 is an indicator of financial confidence and bankability, not an absolute guarantee of technical quality.
Tier 1 Solar Panel List – Q2 2026
Manufacturers ordered by annual production capacity (MW/year)
- Jinko Solar – 120,000 MW/year
- LONGi – 120,000 MW/year
- Trina Solar – 100,000 MW/year
- JA Solar – 88,000 MW/year
- Tongwei / TW Solar – 85,000 MW/year
- Canadian Solar – 61,000 MW/year
- Chint / Astronergy – 56,000 MW/year
- Risen Energy – 48,000 MW/year
- AIKO Solar – 35,500 MW/year
- TCL Zhonghuan / TZE – 35,000 MW/year
- GCL System – 29,500 MW/year
- First Solar – 24,400 MW/year
- Waaree – 22,300 MW/year
- DMEGC – 21,000 MW/year
- Yingli – 19,200 MW/year
- Talesun / Taekmot – 13,000 MW/year
- Qcells / Hanwha Qcells – 11,200 MW/year
- ZNShine Solar – 10,000 MW/year
- Haitai Solar – 10,000 MW/year
- Solarspace – 10,000 MW/year
- Vikram Solar – 9,500 MW/year
- OSDA / Austa – 8,650 MW/year
- Thornova Solar / Sunova – 7,500 MW/year
- ELITE Solar – 6,500 MW/year
- Renew Photovoltaics – 6,400 MW/year
- Boviet Solar – 6,000 MW/year
- VSUN – 5,000 MW/year
- Hanersun – 5,000 MW/year
- Sunpro Power – 5,000 MW/year
- ReneSola – 5,000 MW/year
- Tata Power Solar / TP Solar – 4,910 MW/year
- New East Solar – 4,600 MW/year
- Jolywood – 4,000 MW/year
- Sumec / Phono Solar – 4,000 MW/year
- BYD – 4,000 MW/year
- Adani / Mundra – 4,000 MW/year
- Luxen Solar – 3,000 MW/year
- Fellow Energy – 3,000 MW/year
- Horay Solar – 2,500 MW/year
- AESolar – 2,250 MW/year
- Neo Solar Power / URECO – 1,800 MW/year
- Zhonghui / Taoistic – 1,500 MW/year
The combined capacity of the manufacturers included in the list exceeds 1,023 GW annually, reflecting the enormous scale of production that the global photovoltaic industry has reached.
Featured manufacturers within the Tier 1 List Q2 2026
Jinko Solar and LONGi lead the ranking
Jinko Solar and LONGi share the first position with 120,000 MW/year of annual capacity. Both companies remain two of the most relevant manufacturers in the world by volume, international presence, and supply capacity.
Trina Solar maintains the third position
Trina Solar appears with 100,000 MW/year, consolidating itself as another of the great global manufacturers of solar modules.
Tongwei Solar remains among the largest manufacturers in the world
Tongwei Solar reaches 85,000 MW/year, maintaining a prominent position within the Top 5. Its growth is closely linked to its strong vertical integration and its presence in the manufacturing of solar cells and photovoltaic modules.
Canadian Solar continues as one of the great international brands
Canadian Solar is listed with 61,000 MW/year, remaining one of the most recognized Tier 1 manufacturers globally, especially in commercial, industrial, and utility-scale projects.
AIKO Solar consolidates its position in the high-efficiency segment
AIKO Solar appears with 35,500 MW/year, placing itself within the Top 10 Tier 1 manufacturers by annual production capacity.
The brand stands out especially for its technological commitment to high-efficiency modules with Back Contact technology, aimed at installations where performance, aesthetics, and space optimization are key factors.
DMEGC maintains its position within Tier 1
DMEGC appears on the Q2 2026 list with 21,000 MW/year. The brand continues to gain presence in the European market thanks to its portfolio of N-Type modules, bifacial solutions, and a competitive proposal for residential, commercial, and industrial projects.
Why is the Tier 1 List important for installers, EPCs, and developers?
The Tier 1 list is especially relevant in projects involving banks, investment funds, or financial institutions.
In large-scale photovoltaic projects, working with Tier 1 manufacturers can help to:
- Facilitate bank financing.
- Reduce perceived risk for investors.
- Improve project bankability.
- Increase confidence in the supply chain.
- Provide greater stability in international projects.
However, in smaller residential, commercial, or industrial installations, Tier 1 should be analyzed together with other equally important factors.
What should be analyzed in addition to Tier 1
Although the Tier 1 classification is a useful reference, the choice of a solar panel should not be based solely on this criterion.
Before selecting a photovoltaic module, it is advisable to review:
- Module technology: N-Type, TOPCon, Back Contact, HJT, PERC.
- Nominal power and efficiency.
- Temperature coefficient.
- Annual degradation.
- Product warranty.
- Production warranty.
- Compatibility with inverters and structures.
- Certifications.
- Actual stock availability.
- Technical support and after-sales service.
- Logistics conditions.
A manufacturer can be Tier 1 and still have different product ranges with very different performance levels. Therefore, technical analysis of the module remains essential.
Tier 1 manufacturers available at Vico Export Solar Energy
At Vico Export Solar Energy, we work with different manufacturers included in the BloombergNEF Tier 1 List, offering solutions adapted to residential, commercial, industrial, and large-scale projects.
Among the Tier 1 brands present in our catalog are:
The new BloombergNEF Tier 1 List Q2 2026 confirms the strength of the major international photovoltaic manufacturers and shows how the solar industry continues to grow in capacity, technology, and bankability.
The list increases from 40 to 42 manufacturers, incorporates new brands such as Vikram Solar and Jolywood, and maintains the dominance of manufacturers like Jinko Solar, LONGi, Trina Solar, JA Solar, and Tongwei Solar.
However, being Tier 1 should not be interpreted as an absolute guarantee of quality. To correctly choose a solar panel, it is essential to also analyze the technical datasheet, technology, warranties, performance, logistics, and manufacturer support.
At Vico Export Solar Energy, we help installers, engineering firms, and professionals in the photovoltaic sector to select the most suitable solar module for each project.
If you would like more information about Tier 1 solar panels, you can contact our team at comercial@vicoexport.com or call us at +34 960 07 44 87.
