Shopping for a solar panel by the manufacturer alone is quite like shopping for a car by the manufacturer alone. The differences are often enormous between models (A Toyota Landcruiser is not the same as a Toyota Prius). Nonetheless, questionable marketing tactics towards investors would have you believe the term “Tier-1” is all you need to know when choosing the ideal solar module.
Not to discredit module tiering systems such as the Bloomberg Module Tiering List or the PV Moduletech Bankability Report, as these reports have their place in the solar industry. Such place, however, is reserved for those seeking specific manufacturer financial qualifications, usually the likes of financiers when investing in large-scale solar projects. Research criteria deemed a fraction of the overall project feasibility. Fortunately, the Solar Analytica Assessment Criteria (solar modules) considers both Bloomberg and PV Moduletech module tiering reports as a portion of the assessment criteria towards an individual module (Guarantee Classification). Similarly, a project developer for a large-scale project would use the mispronounced Tier-1 solar panels list (module tiering list/report).
After years of misuse by unscrupulous marketers using deceiving sales tactics and amid a backlash by industry professionals, Bloomberg New Energy Finance responsibily inserted the following statement within the application to subscribe to the Bloomberg Module Tiering List:
We strongly recommend that module purchasers and banks do not use this list as a measure of quality, but instead consult a technical due diligence firm such as RINA (formerly OST Energy), ATA Renewables, Wood Plc, PVEL, Black & Veatch, TUV, E3, STS Certified, Clean Energy Associates, PI Berlin, Pvbuyer, Enertis, Oravia, Leidos Engineering, the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) or Phoventus. These would usually consider what factory the module comes from, as well as the brand, and give an informed opinion on whether the modules will perform as expected.
The above could be an arduous task for smaller project developers and module purchasers. In such an instance, the Solar Analytica Assessment Criteria (solar modules) considers either the Bloomberg NEF or PV Moduletech module tiering reports plus the above due diligence firm verifications as part of the overall criteria towards individual product ranking analysis.
RECOMMENDED: If you would like to legally obtain a copy of the latest Bloomberg New Energy Finance PV Module Tiering System report for manufacturer bankability purposes, download this PDF. Another excellent reporting platform for assessing manufacturer bankability is the PV ModuleTech Bankability Ratings Quarterly report, accessed here. Respectfully, neither is free, and a subscription is required to access the complete information.
Tier-1 Solar MODULE MANUFACTURES LIST 2022.
Listed below are the solar module manufacturers classified as a Tier-1 module manufacturer on either tiering system platform in 2022 used for ranking purposes towards Solar Analytica Data and reports. An alternative perspective, the table below is a manufacturer’s combined product-suite interpretation of either list (intentionally not specified) factoring the Solar Analytica Assessment Criteria (solar modules) for gauging order. This list should not be used for bankability purposes. It is recommended solar module purchasers subscribe to either Bloomberg NEF or PV Moduletech to assist in determining manufacturer bankability for projects.
Manufacturer | Solar Analytica Combined Product Ranking Points /100 | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sunpower/ Maxeon | 90 | – | – | – | |
LG Solar | 82 | – | – | – | |
Hanwha QCells | 80 | – | – | – | |
Jinko Solar | 78 | – | – | – | |
LONGi | 78 | – | – | – | |
First Solar | – | – | – | – | |
Trina Solar | – | – | – | – | |
Canadian Solar | – | – | – | – | |
Risen Energy | – | – | – | – | |
JA Solar | – | – | – | – | |
Astronergy | – | – | – | – | |
Suntech | – | – | – | – | |
REC Group | – | – | – | – | |
Hyundai | – | – | – | – | |
Phono Solar | – | – | – | – | |
BYD | – | – | – | – | |
Seraphim | – | – | – | – | |
EGing PV | – | – | – | – | |
HT-SAAE | – | – | – | – | |
Jinergy | – | – | – | – | |
Talesun | – | – | – | – | |
Jolywood | – | – | – | – | |
ZNShine | – | – | – | – | |
Haitai | – | – | – | – | |
Jetion | – | – | – | – | |
Boviet | – | – | – | – | |
Adani | – | – | – | – | |
DMEGC | – | – | – | – | |
GCL System | – | – | – | – | |
AU Optronics | – | – | – | – | |
Beyond Sun | – | – | – | – | |
Tongwei | – | – | – | – | |
TSEC | – | – | – | – | |
UREC | – | – | – | – | |
Waaree | – | – | – | – | |
VSUN Solar | – | – | – | – | |
Ulica Solar | – | – | – | – | |
Swelect | – | – | – | – | |
Sharp | – | – | – | – | |
S-Energy | – | – | – | – | |
Renesola Yixing | – | – | – | – | |
Recom | – | – | – | – | |
Neo Solar Power / URE | – | – | – | – | |
Leapton Energy | – | – | – | – | |
Hansol Technics | – | – | – | – | |
Exiom Group | – | – | – | – | |
ET Solar Inc | – | – | – | – | |
AE Solar | – | – | – | – |
No ranking points nominated: Please note that a nil (-) figure indicates that the nominated manufacturer is considered a Tier-1 solar module manufacturer on either list, however, insufficient product suite data or minimal transparent consumer information exists for Solar Analytica product ranking purposes. Manufacturers or a manufacturer representative should submit the full product suite data for 2022 to Solar Analytica Editorials.
Solar Analytica Ranking: Solar Analytica gauges various data point indicators of combined product specifications for greater consumer transparency. Above are the currently assessed Tier-1 listed module manufacturers and their combined average product specifications essential to most module purchasers. To ensure a Tier-1 solar module manufacturer is listed with a Solar Analytica overall product suite ranking, follow this link >
Learn more about the Solar Analytica Assessment Criteria (solar modules).
Poll:
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Intrigued by public opinion? It takes 1-second to anonymously discover the most popular Tier-1 solar module brands like-minded people are researching globally with Solar Analytica Polls;
Tier-1 Solar Panels List Myths & Facts.
For the purpose of internet indexing of common user search terms, we’ve used the term Tier-1 Solar Panels List. Although technically incorrect, the aim of the article is to educate module purchasers around unscrupulous sales tactics towards a term that has no real substance amongst industry professionals.
1. There is no such thing as a Tier-1 solar panel. TRUE.
Only Tier-1 module manufacturers exist per the Bloomberg New Energy Finance Report or the PV Moduletech Bankability Ratings Quarterly Report.
2. The term Tier-1 is a measure of quality. FALSE.
The term Tier-1 in the solar energy industry is used for gauging manufacturer bankability within a nominated period predominantly for large-scale projects
3. Module manufacturers not present on a Tier-1 report are inferior. FALSE.
Some of the most innovative or respected module manufacturers globally aren’t on module tiering reports. Solar Analytica data reveals some of the most robust specifications by manufacturers not listed on either Bloomberg NEF or PV Moduletech. Consider well-respected brands such as Panasonic, Solaria, Winaico, Solarwatt, Meyer Burger, Peimar, Tindo, Aleo and Tesla.
4. Tier-1 qualification is a label that will stay with a module for life. FALSE.
A manufacturers ability to qualify for Tier-1 status exists for a nominated quarter. It is not an endorsement or certification that will accompany a particular module throughout its existence.
5. Be wary of advertisers promoting Tier-1 solar panels. TRUE.
The astute investor in you now knows that there are no such modules as Tier-1 solar panels. Only Tier-1 solar module manufacturers exist, with little bearing on the overall product integrity. These are often advertisers exploiting a consumers lack of knowledge with a rather distasteful sales style using buzz words to sound superior.
6. Using a module tiering report to assist financial qualification for specific projects has merit. TRUE.
Module tiering reports provide module purchasers with a financial and volume insight of selected module manufacturers to financiers seeking to fund large or more usually utility-scale projects. However, this is only a fraction of the consideration towards any project. If you are a large-scale project developer or financier, it is recommended to obtain a quarterly report from either Bloomberg NEF or PV Moduletech.
7. The Solar Analytica Tier-1 Solar Module Manufacturers List should be used as a measure of quality. FALSE.
Solar Analytica accumulates and commentates on available industry data that purchasers seek, assembling this information to assist improved research, knowledge and education.
