The short answer is that approximately 80% of the world’s solar panels are made in China. Chinese manufacturers dominate every stage of the supply chain, from polysilicon production through to finished modules. The top four manufacturers globally are all Chinese companies: JinkoSolar, LONGi, JA Solar, and Trina Solar, which together account for nearly half of all panels shipped worldwide.
This concentration has developed over the past two decades. In 2004, Chinese companies produced less than 2% of global solar cells. By 2024, they controlled over 80% of manufacturing at every key stage. China invested over £40 billion in solar manufacturing capacity between 2011 and 2023, roughly ten times more than Europe, enabling massive economies of scale that drove down costs by more than 80%.
For UK homeowners, this means the panels on your roof were almost certainly manufactured in Asia, even if they carry a European or American brand name. This guide explains where panels are made, who the major manufacturers are, what UK-made options exist, and why manufacturing location matters for quality, cost, carbon footprint, and ethics.
Quick Overview
| China’s share of module production | ~80% |
| China’s share of polysilicon | ~90% |
| China’s share of wafers | ~97% |
| Top manufacturer (2024) | JinkoSolar (93-100 GW shipped) |
| Only UK factory manufacturer | GB-Sol (South Wales) |
| European production share | ~2-3% |
Global Manufacturing by Country
Market Share by Country
| Country | Share of Global Module Production | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| China | 77-80% | Dominates entire supply chain |
| Vietnam | ~5% | Many Chinese-owned factories |
| India | ~3% | Rapidly expanding; targeting self-sufficiency |
| Malaysia | ~2% | Chinese and international factories |
| United States | ~2% | Growing with Inflation Reduction Act incentives |
| South Korea | ~1% | High-quality; Hanwha Q Cells |
| Thailand | ~1% | Southeast Asian manufacturing hub |
| Europe | ~2-3% | Mostly assembly; limited cell production |
| Other | ~3-4% | Taiwan, Japan, others |
Regional Concentration
| Region | Share | Key Countries |
|---|---|---|
| Asia | ~93% | China, Vietnam, Malaysia, India, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan |
| North America | ~2-3% | USA, Canada |
| Europe | ~2-3% | Germany, others |
| Rest of World | ~1-2% | Various |
China’s Supply Chain Dominance
For a direct comparison of Chinese vs Western panels on quality, warranty and technical specifications, see our American vs Chinese solar panels guide.
Control by Manufacturing Stage
| Stage | China’s Share | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Polysilicon | ~90% | Approaching 95% |
| Ingots | ~95% | Near total control |
| Wafers | ~97% | Near total control |
| Cells | ~85% | Some production in SE Asia |
| Modules | ~80% | Assembly more distributed |
Key Chinese Manufacturing Provinces
| Province | Specialisation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Xinjiang | Polysilicon | ~40% of global polysilicon; ethical concerns |
| Jiangsu | Full supply chain | Major manufacturing hub |
| Zhejiang | Modules, cells | Multiple large manufacturers |
| Anhui | Full supply chain | Growing capacity |
| Guangdong | Modules | Southern manufacturing centre |
| Inner Mongolia | Polysilicon | Expanding capacity |
How China Achieved Dominance
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Government support | Over £40 billion in subsidies (2011-2023) |
| Low electricity costs | ~30% below global industrial average |
| Vertical integration | Control of entire supply chain |
| Scale | Massive factories; economies of scale |
| Labour costs | Lower than Western countries |
| Infrastructure | Purpose-built manufacturing clusters |
Top Global Manufacturers
2024 Module Shipments
| Rank | Manufacturer | 2024 Shipments | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JinkoSolar | 93-100 GW | Shanghai, China |
| 2 | LONGi | 78-82 GW | Xi’an, China |
| 3 | JA Solar | 77-79 GW | Beijing, China |
| 4 | Trina Solar | 70-77 GW | Changzhou, China |
| 5 | Tongwei (TW Solar) | ~49 GW | Chengdu, China |
| 6 | Astronergy (Chint) | ~40 GW | Hangzhou, China |
| 7 | Canadian Solar | ~31 GW | Ontario, Canada (Chinese-founded) |
| 8 | GCL | ~28 GW | Suzhou, China |
| 9 | Risen Energy | ~25 GW | Ningbo, China |
| 10 | DAS Solar | ~20 GW | Quzhou, China |
Top Four Market Share
| Manufacturer | Market Share (2024) |
|---|---|
| JinkoSolar | ~13% |
| LONGi | ~11% |
| JA Solar | ~11% |
| Trina Solar | ~11% |
| Top 4 combined | ~46-48% |
| Top 10 combined | ~70% |
Non-Chinese Major Manufacturers
| Manufacturer | Headquarters | 2024 Shipments | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Solar | USA | ~14 GW | Thin-film (CdTe); US factories |
| Hanwha Q Cells | South Korea | ~12 GW | Factories in Korea, Malaysia, USA, Germany |
| REC Group | Norway | ~3 GW | Manufacturing in Singapore |
| SunPower/Maxeon | USA/Singapore | ~3 GW | Premium panels; Singapore/Mexico factories |
For a side-by-side feature comparison of the major residential brands sold in the UK, try our solar panel brand comparison tool.
Manufacturing in the UK
UK-Based Manufacturers
| Company | Location | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB-Sol | Treforest, South Wales | Active factory | Only UK conventional panel manufacturer |
| UKSOL | Chalfont St Peter, England | Design in UK; manufacture overseas | British brand; EU manufacturing |
| Viridian Solar | Cambridge | Design in UK; manufacture in Far East | Roof-integrated systems |
| BIPVCo | Wales | Research/development | Building-integrated PV |
| AES Solar | Scotland | Installer; some thermal manufacturing | Established 1979 |
GB-Sol: The UK’s Only Factory Manufacturer
GB-Sol has operated out of Treforest Industrial Estate since spinning out of Cardiff University in 1994. It remains the only UK-based factory producing conventional PV panels, and the company’s specialist PV Slate and Infinity roof products have become well-known alternatives to standard rooftop panels.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1994 (spin-out from Cardiff University) |
| Location | Treforest Industrial Estate, South Wales |
| Products | Conventional panels, PV Slate, Infinity roofs, marine applications |
| Certifications | ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001; Made in Britain |
| Warranty | 25 years |
| Ethical rating | Top-rated by Ethical Consumer magazine |
| Closed UK factories | Romag (County Durham), Sharp UK (no longer operating) |
Why So Little UK Manufacturing?
| Factor | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Cost competition | Chinese panels 20-40% cheaper |
| Scale | Chinese factories vastly larger |
| Supply chain | Raw materials (polysilicon, wafers) come from China |
| Energy costs | Higher industrial electricity prices in UK |
| Investment | Limited government support compared to Asia |
European Manufacturing
European Production
| Country | Notable Activity |
|---|---|
| Germany | Some cell and module production; declining |
| France | New factories announced (e.g., Trina) |
| Norway | REC Group headquarters; some production |
| Italy | Limited module assembly |
| Poland | Some module assembly |
European Market Position
| Metric | Status |
|---|---|
| Share of global production | 2-3% |
| Share of global demand | ~15-20% |
| Carbon footprint vs China | ~23% lower |
| Cost premium | 20-40% higher |
Manufacturing Locations of Popular Brands
Where Panels Are Actually Made
| Brand | Manufacturing Locations | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| JinkoSolar | China, Malaysia, Vietnam, USA | Most volume from China |
| LONGi | China, Malaysia, Vietnam | Vertically integrated |
| Trina Solar | China, Thailand, Vietnam; France planned | Expanding globally |
| JA Solar | China, Vietnam, Malaysia | Major Chinese producer |
| Canadian Solar | China, Vietnam, Thailand, USA | Despite name, mostly Asian production |
| Q Cells | South Korea, Malaysia, USA, Germany | Korean-owned; diversified |
| REC | Singapore | Norwegian brand; Asian manufacturing |
| SunPower/Maxeon | Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines | Premium US brand; overseas production |
| First Solar | USA, Malaysia, Vietnam, India | Only major US manufacturer; thin-film |
Why Manufacturing Location Matters
Beyond the headline country-of-origin, panels differ meaningfully in embodied carbon, supply chain complexity and materials sourcing. Our guides to the carbon footprint of solar manufacturing and rare earth metals in solar panels cover these topics in more depth.
Impact on Different Factors
| Factor | Chinese Manufacturing | European/US Manufacturing |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Lowest cost | 20-40% premium |
| Carbon footprint | Higher (coal-powered grid) | Lower (cleaner grids) |
| Quality | Top-tier matches international standards | Consistent high standards |
| Supply chain security | Concentration risk | More diverse |
| Labour standards | Concerns in some regions | Stronger regulations |
| Transport emissions | Higher (shipping) | Lower for local markets |
Carbon Footprint Comparison
| Manufacturing Location | Relative Carbon Footprint | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Xinjiang/Jiangsu, China | Highest | 75%+ coal-fired electricity |
| China (average) | High | 63% coal in grid mix |
| Southeast Asia | Moderate-High | Mixed energy sources |
| Germany | ~50% lower than China | Renewable-heavy grid |
| Norway/hydropower regions | Lowest | Near-zero carbon electricity |
Quality Considerations
| Aspect | Reality |
|---|---|
| Top Chinese brands | Match or exceed Western quality standards |
| Tier 1 certification | JinkoSolar, LONGi, Trina, JA all Tier 1 |
| Variation within China | Quality varies by manufacturer, not just country |
| Testing and certification | International standards (IEC, MCS) apply globally |
Ethical Concerns
For a deep dive into the ethical sourcing picture – including how to identify Xinjiang-free supply chains and which brands publish transparency reports – see our ethical solar panel sourcing guide. Ethical Consumer magazine also publishes regular scored rankings of solar panel brands against labour, environment and corporate governance criteria.
Xinjiang Region Issues
| Issue | Details |
|---|---|
| Share of global polysilicon | ~40% from Xinjiang |
| Concerns | Reports of forced labour involving Uyghur workers |
| US response | Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act restricts imports |
| Industry response | Some companies moving away from Xinjiang suppliers |
| Traceability | Challenging due to complex supply chains |
How to Choose Ethically
| Option | Notes |
|---|---|
| UK-manufactured (GB-Sol) | Ethical Consumer top-rated; full UK production |
| European assembly | Often still uses Asian cells/wafers |
| First Solar (US) | Thin-film; different supply chain (no polysilicon) |
| Transparent brands | Ask suppliers about polysilicon sourcing |
| Certifications | Look for supply chain audits and transparency reports |
Supply Chain Structure
For the full technical breakdown from quartz to finished panel, see our how solar panels are made guide.
Materials to Finished Panel
| Stage | Process | Typical Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Raw silicon | Quartz mining and initial processing | Various (China, Brazil, Norway, US) |
| 2. Polysilicon | Purification to 99.9999%+ purity | ~90% China |
| 3. Ingots | Melting and crystallisation | ~95% China |
| 4. Wafers | Slicing ingots into thin wafers | ~97% China |
| 5. Cells | Processing wafers into solar cells | ~85% China |
| 6. Modules | Assembling cells into panels | ~80% China |
Other Panel Components
| Component | Share of Panel | Main Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Glass | 70-75% by weight | China (majority); some local production |
| Aluminium frame | 10-15% by weight | China; global aluminium supply |
| Silver | ~0.05-0.1% | Various (Mexico, Peru, China, Russia) |
| Copper | ~1% | Chile, Peru, China, others |
| EVA encapsulant | 5-7% | China; global chemical supply |
Trade and Tariffs
Trade Measures Affecting Solar
| Measure | Details |
|---|---|
| US tariffs | Various duties on Chinese solar imports |
| Anti-dumping duties | 16 different measures globally (as of 2025) |
| Circumvention rules | Restrictions on Chinese factories in SE Asia |
| EU investigations | Ongoing scrutiny of Chinese subsidies |
| US UFLPA | Blocks imports linked to Xinjiang |
Impact on Prices
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Chinese overcapacity | Prices at historic lows (module ~£0.08-0.10/W wholesale) |
| 2023-2024 price drop | Wholesale prices fell ~50% |
| Tariffs | Increase prices in protected markets |
| UK impact | Benefits from low Chinese prices; no major tariffs |
For more on the cost side and whether Chinese overcapacity will continue to drive prices down, see our are solar panel prices going down guide.
Future Outlook
Manufacturing Trends
| Trend | Details |
|---|---|
| India expansion | Targeting self-sufficiency; could become #2 by 2026 |
| US reshoring | Over £30 billion invested; 44,000 new jobs |
| European ambitions | New factories announced; challenging economics |
| Chinese overseas plants | Building in Vietnam, Indonesia, USA to avoid tariffs |
| Consolidation | Top 4 increasing share; smaller players struggling |
Chinese Industry Challenges
| Challenge | Status |
|---|---|
| Overcapacity | Capacity exceeds demand by 100%+ |
| Price war | Selling below cost; all top 4 reported losses in Q1 2025 |
| Trade barriers | Growing restrictions in US, potential in EU |
| Industry losses | Top manufacturers lost ~£3 billion in 2024 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Basic Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Where are most solar panels made? | China (~80% of global production) |
| Are there UK-made panels? | Yes; GB-Sol manufactures in South Wales |
| What’s the biggest manufacturer? | JinkoSolar (93-100 GW shipped in 2024) |
| Does manufacturing location affect quality? | Top Chinese brands match international standards |
Buying Decisions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Should I avoid Chinese panels? | Not necessarily; top brands are high quality |
| Are UK panels better? | Lower carbon footprint; higher cost; ethical advantage |
| Does it matter for my warranty? | No; warranty is with manufacturer regardless of location |
| Can I find panels not linked to Xinjiang? | Challenging but possible; ask suppliers |
Summary
| Aspect | Key Point |
|---|---|
| Global leader | China (~80% of production) |
| Supply chain control | China: 97% wafers, 90% polysilicon |
| Top manufacturer | JinkoSolar (93-100 GW in 2024) |
| Top 4 share | ~48% (JinkoSolar, LONGi, JA Solar, Trina) |
| UK manufacturing | GB-Sol (South Wales) only factory producer |
| European share | ~2-3% of global production |
| Quality | Top Chinese brands match international standards |
| Carbon footprint | European panels ~23% lower than Chinese |
| Price | Chinese panels 20-40% cheaper |
| Ethical concerns | Xinjiang polysilicon (40% of global supply) |
The global solar panel manufacturing industry is dominated by China to a degree rarely seen in any major technology sector. Chinese companies control roughly 80% of finished module production and even higher shares of the upstream supply chain, with 97% of wafers and 90% of polysilicon produced in China. This concentration developed over two decades as Chinese manufacturers, backed by substantial government support, built massive production capacity and drove costs down by more than 80%.
For UK homeowners, this means your solar panels were almost certainly manufactured in Asia. Even panels carrying European or American brand names are typically assembled from Chinese cells and wafers, and often manufactured entirely in Chinese factories. The top four global manufacturers are all Chinese: JinkoSolar, LONGi, JA Solar, and Trina Solar, which together shipped over 300 GW of panels in 2024 and control nearly half the market.
The UK has only one factory manufacturer of conventional solar panels: GB-Sol in South Wales, which has been making panels since 1999. Other UK-based brands such as UKSOL and Viridian Solar design panels in Britain but have them manufactured overseas. For homeowners prioritising UK manufacturing for ethical, environmental, or economic reasons, GB-Sol offers a genuine British-made option with top ratings from Ethical Consumer magazine.
Manufacturing location matters for several reasons beyond national pride. Panels made in China have a higher carbon footprint because Chinese manufacturing relies heavily on coal-fired electricity. European-made panels have roughly 23% lower embodied carbon. There are also ethical concerns about forced labour in China’s Xinjiang region, which produces approximately 40% of the world’s polysilicon. However, from a quality perspective, top-tier Chinese manufacturers produce panels that match or exceed international standards, and most carry the same certifications and warranties as panels made elsewhere.
The choice ultimately involves trade-offs. Chinese panels are significantly cheaper, making solar more affordable and accelerating the clean energy transition. UK or European panels have lower carbon footprints and avoid ethical concerns but cost 20-40% more. For most UK homeowners, the practical reality is that high-quality Chinese panels from established Tier 1 manufacturers offer excellent value and reliability, but those with strong ethical preferences have alternatives available. For guidance on the best residential brands currently sold in the UK, see our best solar panels for homes guide.
If you want UK-made panels and are willing to pay a premium, GB-Sol is genuinely the only option in the traditional sense – and their PV Slate and Infinity roof products are particularly good if you’re doing a new-build or re-roof and want integrated panels rather than surface-mounted rooftop modules. Everyone else claiming “British” or “UK brand” designs here but manufactures in Asia. That’s not necessarily a bad thing – but be precise about what you’re paying for.
For most buyers, the pragmatic answer is a top-tier Chinese Tier 1 panel (JinkoSolar, LONGi, JA Solar, Trina) from an installer who can tell you specifically where the polysilicon was sourced. Ask the question – responsible suppliers will know. If you can’t get a clear answer, that itself is useful information. Panels made outside Xinjiang with verified supply chains are available, just not always the default.
