The solar energy research and development industry is a rapidly growing sector committed to harnessing the potential of the sun's power. These companies specialize in creating technologies and products such as photovoltaic modules and solar cells, dedicated to converting sunlight into useful energy. Innovation is key in this industry, with a significant focus on enhancing efficiency and cost-effectiveness. This sector is driving towards a more sustainable future, contributing radical solutions to the world's increasing energy demands. The future of this industry points towards accelerated growth, influenced by substantial investment, government initiatives supporting renewable resources, and increasing public awareness about clean energy.


Top 23 Solar Energy Research and Development Companies

1. Suntech

  • Website: suntech-power.com
  • Headquarters: Wuxi New District, Jiangsu Province, China
  • Founded: 2001
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Latest funding type: Acquired
  • LinkedIn

Suntech Power is a leading photovoltaic manufacturing company that specializes in the research and production of crystalline silicon solar cells and modules. With over 22GW of photovoltaic modules supplied to more than 100 countries, Suntech aims to become the most trusted PV company through continuous innovation and excellent management.


2. Hanergy Mobile Energy Holding Group

  • Website: hanergy.com
  • Headquarters: Beijing, Beijing, China
  • Founded: 1989
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • LinkedIn

Hanergy is a company focused on the development and production of renewable energy solutions. They specialize in thin-film solar power technology and offer a range of products and solutions for clean energy generation. With a strong emphasis on innovation and efficiency, Hanergy aims to contribute to a sustainable and greener future.


3. Meyer Burger Technology AG

Meyer Burger is a leading company in the development and industrialization of innovative technologies that make photovoltaics more cost-effective and efficient. With a focus on emission-free energy generation from sunlight, they research and produce tandem solar modules. Their offerings include research and development, industrialization, and production of high-performance solar modules.


4. Kubota Corporation

  • Website: kubota.com
  • Headquarters: Osaka, Osaka, Japan
  • Founded: 1890
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • LinkedIn

Kubota is a global corporation specializing in various industries such as agriculture, construction, and energy. They offer a wide range of products and solutions to meet the needs of their customers worldwide.


5. Southwest Research Institute

  • Website: swri.org
  • Headquarters: San Antonio, Texas, United States
  • Founded: 1947
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Latest funding type: Series Unknown
  • LinkedIn

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is a leading applied research and development organization in the fields of science and technology. Their expertise includes automotive and transportation, biomedical and health, defense and security, energy and environment, manufacturing and construction, and space systems. SwRI offers innovative solutions and advanced technology to various industries and government agencies.


6. Cepel

  • Website: cepel.br
  • Headquarters: Rio De Janeiro, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
  • Founded: 1974
  • Headcount: 501-1000
  • LinkedIn

Cepel is a company that provides research and testing services in the electrical sector. They offer high-quality and impartial services based on national and international standards. Their services can be conducted in their state-of-the-art laboratory or on-site at the client's facility. Cepel specializes in the development of technological solutions for the Brazilian electrical sector and other industries, with a focus on adaptability and innovation.


7. Micoe

  • Website: micoe.com
  • Headquarters: Lianyungang City, Jiangsu, China
  • Founded: 2000
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • LinkedIn

Micoe is a leading clean energy company in China, specializing in the development, production, and distribution of innovative energy solutions. With a focus on heat pumps, solar water heaters, and water purification systems, Micoe offers comprehensive products and services for residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Their solutions provide efficient and sustainable heating, cooling, and hot water solutions, helping clients reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.


8. China South Glass

  • Website: csgholding.com
  • Headquarters: Shekou, Guangdong, China
  • Founded: 1984
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • Latest funding type: Ipo
  • LinkedIn

CSG Holding Co., Ltd. is a global company specializing in the manufacturing and distribution of high-end energy-saving glass and solar glass products. With over 30 years of experience, CSG has become a leader in the industry, offering innovative solutions and exceptional customer value.


9. Csem

  • Website: csem.ch
  • Headquarters: Neuchâtel, Neuchatel, Switzerland
  • Founded: 1984
  • Headcount: 501-1000
  • LinkedIn

CSEM SA is an internationally recognized innovation specialist that develops disruptive technologies with high societal impact. With a focus on precision manufacturing, digitalization, ultra-low-power electronics, optical elements, AI, and sustainable energy, CSEM transfers these innovations to industry partners in various sectors including renewable energy, healthcare, watchmaking, and aerospace.


10. CEA Tech

  • Website: cea-tech.fr
  • Headquarters: Grenoble, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • LinkedIn

CEA TECH is a research and technology organization that focuses on various sectors including renewable energy, healthcare, defense, and smart cities. They offer advanced manufacturing solutions, innovative technologies for imaging, and materials research. With a wide range of expertise in sectors such as nanotechnology, electronics, and energy storage, they provide cutting-edge solutions to their customers.


11. Sacred Sun Power Sources Co., Ltd.

  • Website: sacredsun.com
  • Headquarters: Qufu, Shandong Province, China
  • Founded: 1991
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Latest funding type: Ipo
  • LinkedIn

Sacred Sun is a green energy solution provider that offers a wide range of products and solutions for various industries. They specialize in energy storage systems, including lithium-ion and lead acid batteries, and provide power system integration solutions. With a focus on smart energy, Sacred Sun has been dedicated to green energy for 30 years.


12. Beghelli S.p.A.

  • Website: beghelli.it
  • Headquarters: Valsamoggia, Emilia Romagna, Italy
  • Founded: 1982
  • Headcount: 501-1000
  • Latest funding type: Ipo
  • LinkedIn

Beghelli is a company that specializes in emergency lighting and industrial lighting solutions. They offer a wide range of products such as emergency luminaires, spot lights, exit signs, and inverter systems. They also provide household products like portable lamps and batteries. Beghelli serves various customer groups and operates in the manufacturing and retail sectors. Their business model is focused on the production and sale of innovative lighting solutions. They cater to customers in industries such as healthcare, hospitality, and commercial buildings.


13. INES - Institut National de l'Energie Solaire

  • Website: ines-solaire.org
  • Headquarters: Le Bourget Du Lac, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France
  • Founded: 2006
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • LinkedIn

INES is the National Institute of Solar Energy, specializing in research and innovation in the field of solar energy. They offer expertise in various applications of solar energy, including the design, maintenance, and evaluation of photovoltaic systems. INES organizes events and conferences, provides training programs, and facilitates networking opportunities for professionals in the solar energy industry.


14. Princess of Naradhiwas University

PNU is a research and innovation organization that focuses on various projects such as establishing solar power generation systems and transferring agricultural technology. They provide funding and support for research and offer resources for researchers. PNU aims to improve the quality of education and drive agricultural development at the local level.


15. Jetion Solar

Jetion Solar is a global photovoltaic manufacturer that specializes in the production of single-crystal double-sided solar cells and modules. They offer a comprehensive range of solar products and solutions, including ground-mounted and commercial solar power systems. With a focus on innovation and quality, Jetion Solar provides customers with a one-stop solution for designing, financing, constructing, and maintaining solar projects.


16. Smart Group

  • Website: smartgroup.com
  • Headquarters: Singapore, Central Region, Singapore
  • Founded: 1980
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • LinkedIn

Smart Group is a global business leader in office automation, telecom, healthcare, electric vehicles, and global citizenship. They bring new technologies in various fields to improve the lives of consumers. With a focus on healthcare and wellness, their ventures aim to help people live beyond 100. They also work on end-consumer technologies to make luxurious living affordable for new age millennials and the Ultra High Net Worth individuals.


17. Energypac Electronics Ltd

Energy Pace Electronics is a company that offers a range of electronic products and solutions. They provide innovative and efficient devices for various industries, focusing on energy management and sustainable solutions.


18. INL - International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory

  • Website: inl.int
  • Headquarters: Braga, Braga, Portugal
  • Founded: 2008
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • LinkedIn

INL International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory is a leading research institution located in Braga, Portugal. Their research focuses on six clusters: Health, Food, Energy, Environment, ICT, and Future Emerging Technologies. They aim to address society's grand challenges through interdisciplinary nanotechnology research. INL offers state-of-the-art facilities and collaborates with partners to deploy and articulate nanotechnology for the benefit of society.


19. Aisin World Corp. of America

  • Website: aisinworld.com
  • Headquarters: Northville, Michigan, United States
  • Founded: 1970
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • LinkedIn

Aisin World Corp. of America offers aftermarket products, technology capability, powertrain, chassis and vehicle safety systems, body ICT and electronics, and energy solutions. They are known for their dedication to research and development, providing innovative products and technologies for clients, and contributing to the enrichment of society.


20. BM Holding

BM Holding is a corporate group that operates in various industries such as construction, land development, hydropower, geothermal, and oilfield. The company values social responsibility and implements R&D to enhance its operations.


21. Silicon Austria Labs (SAL)

Silicon Austria Labs (SAL) is a research center that offers contract research and development (R&D) services. They focus on high-tech projects and collaborations, providing expertise in various industries.


22. Suniva

  • Website: suniva.com
  • Headquarters: Norcross, Georgia, United States
  • Founded: 2007
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Latest funding type: Grant
  • LinkedIn

Suniva is an American leader in high-quality, low-cost PV manufacturing. They are known for insuring some of the highest quality, highest powered solar cells on the market and offer a 25-year linear power warranty. With the largest solar cell manufacturing facility in North America, Suniva has established themselves as an innovation leader, introducing four generations of efficient and cost-effective cell technology.


23. GPTech

  • Website: greenpower.es
  • Headquarters: Bollullos De La Mitación, Sevilla, Spain
  • Founded: 2002
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Latest funding type: Grant
  • LinkedIn

Green Power Technologies is an energy solutions company that offers a range of products and services. They specialize in renewable energy solutions and provide solutions for the energy challenges faced by businesses and individuals.


Want to find more solar energy research and development companies?


If you want to find more companies that offer state-of-the-art renewable energy solutions and technologies you can do so with Inven. This list was built with Inven and there are hundreds of companies like these globally.


With Inven you'll also get to know the company's:


  • Ownership: Which of these are private equity backed? Which are family-owned?
  • Contact data: Who are the owners and CEO's? What are their emails and phone numbers?
  • Financials: How do these companies perform financially? What are their revenues and profit margins?

...and a lot more!