A look at the current leaders of the solar manufacturing race: who they are, how they got so big, and their prospects of staying at the top.
Solar cell modules being produced in a factory in Jiangsu province, China. Credit: Xu ruiping/AP Photo
China dominates global solar production, and it’s not even close. In 2021, eight of the world’s top 10 solar manufacturers were Chinese, accounting for two-thirds of global shipments.
But while China Inc. has maintained a steady stranglehold on global solar output, the identity of the companies involved has been more changeable. Two of the biggest solar producers today, LONGi Green Energy Technology and Tongwei Solar, were just minor players in 2015, failing to break the top ten lis
Exclusive longform investigative journalism, Q&As, news and analysis, and data on Chinese business elites and corporations. We publish China scoops you won't find anywhere else.
A weekly curated reading list on China from Andrew Peaple.
A daily roundup of China finance, business and economics headlines.
We offer discounts for groups, institutions and students. Go to our Subscriptions page for details.
Concrete outcomes are hard to discern, but Xi Jinping will see the treatment he received from Trump as a sign that China is now a peer of the United States.
The Concordia AI founder explains how Beijing is looking to regulate and pace AI's development while making sure it keeps up in the global race, and talks about the prospects of the U.S. and China...
Corporate Risk Intelligence for National Security, Compliance & Due Diligence
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
