What to Look for in a Solar Manufacturing Company

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimated that 260 gigawatts of renewable electricity were added to the grid in 2020 — 126 of which came from solar. This record-breaking spike in demand occurred despite the COVID-19 pandemic, proving that solar energy is here to stay. 

Most of the solar energy we use comes from photovoltaics (PV), or solar panels that make use of the photoelectric effect to produce electricity. This demand for PV technology is only rising, but which suppliers are best equipped to handle such an increase in PV production, and what distinguishes one solar manufacturing company from the next? 

What to Look for in a Solar Manufacturing Company

There are several solar manufacturing companies out there, but they don't all provide solar lighting solutions. Some solar manufacturers solely produce PV panels for residential, commercial, and utility-scale use, but only a few incorporate module production and lighting designs. Because of that, it's important to distinguish between solar manufacturing companies and those who use their solar expertise for street lighting solutions.

With that, here's what you should look for in a solar lighting manufacturing company:

• Licensure and certification. There are two licensing agencies that serve as the authority on all things solar: the North American Board of Certified Energy Professionals (NABCEP), and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). Any solar manufacturing company should be approved by these two boards, so don't entrust your lighting needs to anyone without these credentials.

• Panel efficiency. There are two major types of PV cells: monocrystalline (mono) and polycrystalline (poly). Mono cells have an efficiency of around 15–20%, while poly cells have an efficiency of between 13–16%. The superior efficiency results in greater power output for your solar-powered lights, so you should only rely on suppliers that make the most efficient panels.   

• Lighting design. Your solar-powered light will likely consist of four main subsystems:  the solar panel, the light and fixture assembly, a battery, and a stand. Wind shear, battery degradation, and color rendition are just a few factors engineers will have to consider, and your lighting manufacturing company should be able to design for them all. 

• Environmental considerations. In some areas, the cost of trenching a new electrical line is more expensive than simply installing a solar-powered lighting system. Whether it's marine life considerations or the economics of installing a new light post, a quality solar light company should account for the environmental impact of its product in every stage of design.

Encompassing all these requirements, experience may be the most important thing to look for in a solar manufacturing company. There are many details that go into designing the perfect lighting solution, and those with the most background are likely to be best equipped to deliver.

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How Many Solar Panel Manufacturing Companies Are in the United States?

As many factors as there are to consider when choosing a solar lighting manufacturing company, there are even more variables on the solar panel production side — some of which exceed the scope of manufacturing processes altogether. For example, in January 2018, then-President Trump issued a four-year tariff on solar panels imported from China — a leading solar panel manufacturer. This has prompted some solar manufacturing companies to open facilities in the US, though some panels were already American-made.

The influx of overseas solar panel manufacturing companies has led to a mixture of American-owned and Asian PV producers, with varying degrees of annual panel output. So, while several other companies produce smaller (or undisclosed) amounts of solar panels, some of the most prominent PV companies in the US are:

• LG Solar

• Hanwha Q Cells

• SunPower

• Panasonic

• Tesla

• Jinko Solar

• First Solar

There are certainly plenty of other solar manufacturing companies in the market today — Auxin Solar, Heliene, and SunRun to name a few — but these make up the majority of annual US solar production.

Who is the best solar panel company?

When comparing solar panel manufacturing companies, it is important to consider the standards by which they are measured. For instance, the company with the greatest annual wattage production is First Solar at 1.9 gigawatts, while the company with the highest cell efficiency is SunPower at over 22%. 

Similarly, Hanwha Q Cells has announced its plans to build what would be the largest solar manufacturing facility in the US, but Tesla has displayed a greater commitment to US jobs in both its solar panel and battery sectors. Because of this, sourcing the right solar panel manufacturing company depends on your project's needs, and your company's values.

Top Solar Lighting Companies in the US in 2021 

Just as there's no shortage of solar panel manufacturing companies, there are also many solar lighting companies in the US today. Some focus their services more on subsystems like lights or batteries, while others provide custom solutions for individual product needs.

Recently, Solar Feeds released a list of the best US solar lighting companies, and both Greenshine and Carmanah were first in line. Though not intended to be a ranking, Greenshine was lauded for 30+ years of experience, 5,000 installations worldwide, highly customizable, cost-effective, lighting solutions, and high efficiency monocrystalline cells. They were heralded as the "the most budget-friendly lighting corporation in existence."

Light Up Your World With Greenshine

Whether it's the rising global demands for solar energy or the complexities of finding the right lighting solutions for your project, there are many variables that go into assessing the merits of a solar manufacturing company. 

At Greenshine, our engineers are experts both at using industry-leading components at each level of your product, and at designing a custom solution at a cost you can afford. Contact us today, and we'll show you why we make the top of any solar lighting list.

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SOURCES:

1. International Renewable Energy Agency: "World Adds Record New Renewable Energy Capacity in 2020."

2. American Solar Energy Society: "Monocrystalline vs. Polycrystalline Solar Cells."

3. Solar Energy Industries Association: "Section 201 Solar Tariffs."

4. Greenshine: "What Are the Best Outdoor Solar Lights?"

5. Solar Reviews: "Top 5 American Solar Panel Manufacturers in 2020."

6. Solar Feeds: "Top 12 Solar LED Lights Manufacturers in the US."