Every quarter, Bloomberg publishes a Tier 1 Solar Panels list that ranks solar panel manufacturers based on demonstrated bankability. To be named on the Tier 1 list, manufacturers must satisfy these requirements:
- Manufacture their own brand panels
- Supply those panels to at least six different projects
- Have those projects be recently financed by at least six different commercial banks with non-recourse financing
- Have no major insolvency issues or current bankruptcy concerns
Bloomberg generally only considers projects over 10 MW (megawatts) in size to qualify for tiering. Overall, the Bloomberg tier list is a measure of manufacturer bankability, not overall product quality. It means that the company does enough business and is accepted in financing with a degree of confidence.
We expanded upon this with Solar Insure’s Approved Vendor List, which is dedicated to elevating the solar industry’s standards for safety, reliability, and financial stability.
Through rigorous evaluation and a commitment to continuous improvement, we aim to be the industry standard that informs and educates the sector about the most trustworthy and high-quality solar components available.
We believe that by fostering transparency and upholding the strictest criteria for inclusion, we can cultivate trust and ensure our recommendations are acknowledged and revered.
By upholding the strictest criteria for inclusion, we cultivae trust – and sure our reccomendations are revered.
Tier 1 Solar Panel List
- Adani / Mundra
- AE Solar
- AKCOME
- AMPS Solar
- AU Optronics
- Beyond Sun
- Boviet
- BYD
- Canadian Solar
- CECEP
- CGS
- Chint / Astronergy
- Dehui
- DMEGC
- Dongfang
- Eging
- ET Solar Inc
- Exiom Group
- First Solar
- Greenwatts Solar
- GCL System
- Goldi Solar
- Green Wing
- Haitai
- Hanersun
- Hansol Technics
- Q Cells
- Heliene
- Hevel
- HT-SAAE
- HuaSun Energy
- Hyperion Solar
- Hyundai
- JA Solar
- Jetion
- Jinneng / Jinergy
- Jinko
- Jolywood
- Kosol Energy
- LA Solar
- Leapton Energy
- LONGi Solar
- Lucid Solar
- Luxen Solar
- M Solar
- Maxeon
- Motech
- Neo Solar Power (NSP) / URE
- New East Solar Energy
- Peimar
- Philadelphia Solar
- Phono
- REC Group
- Recom
- Renesola Yixing
- Renewsys
- Risen Energy
- S-Energy
- SEG
- Sharp
- Shinsung
- Sirius PV
- Solargiga
- SolarSpace
- Star Solar
- Sumec / Phono Solar
- Sunport
- Sunpro Power
- Suntech
- Swelect
- Talesun
- Tesla
- Tongwei
- Trina Solar
- TSEC
- Ulica Solar
- UREC
- Vikram
- VSUN Solar
- Waaree
- Yingli Silfab
- ZNShine
Solar Insure’s Core Approved Vendor List Priorities
At Solar Insure, our guiding principles for the AVL project center on three pillars: safety, reliability, and financial stability.
Safety
Any safety misstep could result in harm, property damage, or even more severe consequences. The prominence of safety isn’t just about avoiding potential hazards but also ensuring the well-being of those who entrust the solar energy sector with their energy needs. For instance, the solar industry has experienced battery and inverter products causing fires. This is why we emphasize certifications like UL listings, recognized as the gold standard in product safety.
Reliability
Beyond safety, a solar product’s reliability ensures customers receive the consistent energy production they expect. An unreliable product might lead to frequent outages, costly repairs, or a shortened installation lifespan. Additionally, new products or ones from companies trying to integrate vertically may not have undergone rigorous testing. Therefore, we monitor products closely to ensure they perform consistently in real-world conditions. It’s not just about meeting expectations but providing peace of mind.
Stability
Manufacturers facing financial challenges or at risk of bankruptcy may discontinue products or renege on warranty claims. We desire to work with companies that stand behind their products and will be there to support any issues in the future. Our partnerships should be built on mutual trust and stability.