- Capability group
- Energy Technologies
- Domain
- Critical Technology · Hard Power
- Identifier
- factbase.org/cap/DYT5KB3F1Z
- Reference
- Photovoltaics Wikipedia
Papers
30.8k
2020–2024
Paper growth
+8%
2020–24 on 2015–19
Patent families
71.9k
2020–2024
Filed abroad
21%
families in more than one office
What it covers
What the capability covers and what it leaves to others, and the indicators it will be measured by.
Bounds
Covers generation technology; the installed renewable fleet belongs to Strategic Infrastructure, and manufacturing scale reads at this capability's make and control layers.
Lineage
Carried from v0.0 (formerly Photovoltaics) with the same identifier; broadened from one technology to the renewable-generation frontier and recast from a definition to the capacity to advance and manufacture it.
Indicators
- research publication share in photovoltaicsResearch
- solar module manufacturing capacity sharePending
- record cell efficiency holdingsPending
Who publishes it
Papers classified to the capability, by year and by the nation of their authors' institutions, 2020–2024. Read from the v0.0 research topic Photovoltaics.
Papers by year
The five leading nations, papers by year
Share of papers, 2020–2024
Of papers with a known author nation; 22% have none and are left out.
- 1China23.0%7,620 papers
- 2India9.7%3,202 papers
- 3United States8.2%2,704 papers
- 4South Korea4.2%1,385 papers
- 5Germany3.7%1,239 papers
- 6Japan3.5%1,165 papers
- 7United Kingdom3.1%1,026 papers
- 8Saudi Arabia3.1%1,012 papers
- 9Spain2.0%672 papers
- 10Italy1.9%618 papers
Leading institutions, 2020–2024
By fractional count: each paper divided among its authors' institutions.
- 1National Renewable Energy Laboratory176fractional papers
- 2Chinese Academy of Sciences157fractional papers
- 3Soochow University147fractional papers
- 4Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie103fractional papers
- 5École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne100fractional papers
- 6Sungkyunkwan University94fractional papers
- 7Northwestern Polytechnical University92fractional papers
- 8Huazhong University of Science and Technology91fractional papers
- 9Chitkara University90fractional papers
- 10University of Science and Technology of China75fractional papers
Who patents it
Patent families by the nation of origin of their applicants and their earliest priority year, from the CPC and IPC classes the capability is read from. 2025 onwards is incomplete: families are published 18 months after priority.
Families by priority year
The five leading origins, families by year
15,290 applicants filed here in 2015–2024; the five largest held 8% of families (HHI 22 of 10,000: unconcentrated).
Share of families by origin, 2020–2024
- 1China72.5%52,140 families
- 2South Korea6.3%4,522 families
- 3Japan5.1%3,693 families
- 4United States3.1%2,238 families
- 5Germany2.5%1,773 families
- 6Denmark2.1%1,537 families
- 7Taiwan1.1%788 families
- 8France0.9%648 families
- 9Spain0.8%609 families
- 10United Kingdom0.6%405 families
Applicants filing most internationally, 2015–2024
Families filed in more than one office, by applicant as the offices name them.
- 1VESTAS WIND SYS AS1,218international families
- 2SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY AS1,072international families
- 3GEN ELECTRIC564international families
- 4WOBBEN PROPERTIES GMBH495international families
- 5GENERAL ELECTRIC RENOVABLES ESPANA SL421international families
- 6COMMISSARIAT ENERGIE ATOMIQUE386international families
- 7SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD310international families
- 8SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD298international families
- 9PANASONIC IP MAN CO LTD268international families
- 10LM WIND POWER AS267international families
Classification read
- H10F10/00 Solar cells · 145.2k documents
- H10F19/00 Photovoltaic modules and integrated cell assemblies · 180.4k documents
- H10F71/00 Manufacture of solar cells and other light-sensitive devices · 224.4k documents
- H10K30/00 Organic and perovskite solar cells and photodetectors · 167.3k documents
- H10K85/50 Perovskite absorber materials · 13.3k documents
- H01G9/20 Dye-sensitised solar cells · 55.3k documents
- F03D Wind turbines · 607.9k documents
- F03B13/12 Wave and tidal power · 62.8k documents
Shares inventions with
Capabilities whose classes the same families also fall in, by overlap (Jaccard).
- Advanced Imaging & Photonic Sensing2,881 families · 0.034
- Nanomaterials & Metamaterials652 families · 0.012
- Advanced Semiconductor Fabrication1,941 families · 0.011
- Functional Materials & Coatings588 families · 0.010
Who makes it
The companies that research, design, make, supply and operate the technology, the global leaders and the leading firms of every region.
50 companies in this capability, from 22 nations across 8 regions. Sorted by how experts see each company's global relevance in the field, from very high to very low.
- Very high5 companies
- 1Very highComponents & subsystemsXi'anChina2000–601012
World's largest monocrystalline wafer and module maker and holder of multiple certified silicon and silicon-perovskite tandem cell efficiency records, including HIBC back-contact cells.
Very high relevance · Components & subsystems · China, Xi'an · founded 2000
- 2Very highHardware & devicesAarhusDenmark1898–VWS
Largest western wind turbine maker and top international patent applicant in this capability, supplying onshore and V236-15MW offshore turbines.
Very high relevance · Hardware & devices · Denmark, Aarhus · founded 1898
- 3Very highComponents & subsystemsShanghaiChina2006–JKS
Among the top-shipping module makers globally and the leading volume producer of n-type TOPCon (Tiger Neo) modules.
Very high relevance · Components & subsystems · China, Shanghai · founded 2006
- 4Very highComponents & subsystemsChangzhouChina1997–688599
Top-four global module maker whose State Key Laboratory of PV Science and Technology has set dozens of cell and module efficiency records, including perovskite-silicon tandem modules.
Very high relevance · Components & subsystems · China, Changzhou · founded 1997
- 5Very highHardware & devicesBeijingChina1998–002202
China's largest and the world's top wind turbine maker by annual installations, known for permanent-magnet direct-drive and medium-speed turbines.
Very high relevance · Hardware & devices · China, Beijing · founded 1998
- High13 companies
- 6HighHardware & devicesMunichGermany2020–ENR
Siemens Energy (Siemens Gamesa)Owner of Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, the world's leading offshore wind turbine maker and the second-largest international patent applicant in this capability.
High relevance · Hardware & devices · Germany, Munich · founded 2020
- 7HighComponents & subsystemsBeijingChina2005–002459
Top-four global module supplier with vertically integrated wafer-to-module production of n-type DeepBlue 4.0 modules.
High relevance · Components & subsystems · China, Beijing · founded 2005
- 8HighHardware & devicesCambridge, MassachusettsUnited States202475kGEV
GE Vernova (GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy)Spun off from General Electric, it builds onshore and Haliade-X offshore wind turbines and owns blade maker LM Wind Power, both major patent filers in this capability.
High relevance · Hardware & devices · United States, Cambridge, Massachusetts · founded 2024 · 75k staff
- 9HighAdvanced materialsChengduChina1995–600438
World's largest polysilicon and solar cell producer, also developing HJT, TNC and perovskite tandem cell technology.
High relevance · Advanced materials · China, Chengdu · founded 1995
- 10HighComponents & subsystemsTempe, ArizonaUnited States1999–FSLR
The leading thin-film (CdTe) module maker and largest US solar manufacturer, holding CdTe cell efficiency records and developing perovskite technology since it acquired Evolar.
High relevance · Components & subsystems · United States, Tempe, Arizona · founded 1999
- 11HighHardware & devicesShanghaiChina2007–Private
Top-three global wind turbine maker that also runs smart-energy software platforms and green hydrogen and ammonia projects.
High relevance · Hardware & devices · China, Shanghai · founded 2007
- 12HighHardware & devicesShenzhenChina1987208kPrivate
World's largest PV inverter supplier by shipments, through its Digital Power unit making string inverters and grid-forming smart PV systems.
High relevance · Hardware & devices · China, Shenzhen · founded 1987 · 208k staff
- 13HighHardware & devicesHefeiChina1997–300274
One of the two largest global PV inverter makers and a leading supplier of utility-scale storage systems.
High relevance · Hardware & devices · China, Hefei · founded 1997
- 14HighHardware & devicesZhongshanChina2006–601615
Leading Chinese offshore wind turbine maker, developer of typhoon-resistant and 16-20MW-class turbines and floating wind platforms.
High relevance · Hardware & devices · China, Zhongshan · founded 2006
- 15HighHardware & devicesKitchener, OntarioCanada2001–CSIQ
Top-ten global module maker with TOPCon and HJT lines in China, Southeast Asia and the US, alongside its Recurrent Energy project business.
High relevance · Hardware & devices · Canada, Kitchener, Ontario · founded 2001
- 16HighAdvanced materialsSuzhouChina2006–3800
Top polysilicon producer that leads in low-energy FBR granular silicon and runs GCL Optoelectronics' GW-scale perovskite module line.
High relevance · Advanced materials · China, Suzhou · founded 2006
- 17HighComponents & subsystemsSeoulSouth Korea1965–009830
Parent of Qcells, the largest non-Chinese module maker, which builds the US ingot-to-module Cartersville plant and is commercialising perovskite-silicon tandem cells.
High relevance · Components & subsystems · South Korea, Seoul · founded 1965
- 18HighAdvanced materialsTianjinChina1999–002129
TCL Zhonghuan Renewable EnergyOne of the two largest monocrystalline wafer suppliers worldwide (G12 large-format wafers) and controlling shareholder of Maxeon.
High relevance · Advanced materials · China, Tianjin · founded 1999
- Moderate12 companies
- 19ModerateHardware & devicesZhuhaiChina2009–600732
Major cell maker that pioneered mass production of ABC all-back-contact cells and modules with market-leading commercial efficiencies.
Moderate relevance · Hardware & devices · China, Zhuhai · founded 2009
- 20ModerateChemicals & gasesMunichGermany1914–WCH
Leading non-Chinese producer of hyperpure polysilicon for high-efficiency n-type solar wafers, through its Wacker Polysilicon division.
Moderate relevance · Chemicals & gases · Germany, Munich · founded 1914
- 21ModerateHardware & devicesHamburgGermany1985–NDX1
Major European onshore wind turbine maker (Delta4000 series) with Spain's Acciona as its main shareholder.
Moderate relevance · Hardware & devices · Germany, Hamburg · founded 1985
- 22ModerateHardware & devicesAurichGermany1984–Private
Pioneer of gearless direct-drive wind turbines, whose IP-holding affiliate Wobben Properties is a top-four patent applicant in this capability.
Moderate relevance · Hardware & devices · Germany, Aurich · founded 1984
- 23ModerateHardware & devicesHerzliyaIsrael2006–SEDG
Inventor and leading supplier of DC-optimised inverter systems for residential and commercial PV.
Moderate relevance · Hardware & devices · Israel, Herzliya · founded 2006
- 24ModerateComponents & subsystemsOxfordUnited Kingdom2010––
Oxford University spin-out leading perovskite-on-silicon tandem cells, with record tandem module efficiencies and first commercial shipments from its Brandenburg line.
Moderate relevance · Components & subsystems · United Kingdom, Oxford · founded 2010
- 25ModerateChemicals & gasesOsakaJapan1949–4118
Set the long-standing 26.7% world record for a crystalline silicon cell (heterojunction back-contact) and makes HJT and building-integrated modules.
Moderate relevance · Chemicals & gases · Japan, Osaka · founded 1949
- 26ModerateChemicals & gasesOsakaJapan1947–4204
Japan's national lead for flexible film-type perovskite solar cells, building a 100MW line with government support through Sekisui Solar Film.
Moderate relevance · Chemicals & gases · Japan, Osaka · founded 1947
- 27ModerateEquipment & machinerySuzhouChina2010–300751
Leading supplier of heterojunction (HJT) cell production lines and holder of record HJT cell efficiencies on its equipment.
Moderate relevance · Equipment & machinery · China, Suzhou · founded 2010
- 28ModerateHardware & devicesSingaporeSingapore2020–MAXN
Spun off from SunPower, it holds the IBC (Maxeon) and shingled (Performance) cell technology and patent portfolios; it is now controlled by TCL Zhonghuan.
Moderate relevance · Hardware & devices · Singapore, Singapore · founded 2020
- 29ModerateOperations & infrastructureRiyadhSaudi Arabia2004–2082
Gulf developer behind record-low-tariff PV and frontier CSP projects such as Noor Energy 1 in Dubai and Noor Ouarzazate in Morocco.
Moderate relevance · Operations & infrastructure · Saudi Arabia, Riyadh · founded 2004
- 30ModerateOperations & infrastructureAbu DhabiUnited Arab Emirates2006–State-owned
UAE state clean-energy champion that develops giga-scale solar-plus-storage projects and funds renewable R&D through Masdar City and Khalifa University.
Moderate relevance · Operations & infrastructure · United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi · founded 2006
- Low16 companies
- 31LowComponents & subsystemsChangwonSouth Korea1962–034020
South Korea's only domestic offshore wind turbine maker, which has developed 8MW and 10MW-class turbines.
Low relevance · Components & subsystems · South Korea, Changwon · founded 1962
- 32LowHardware & devicesPuneIndia1995–SUZLON
India's largest wind turbine maker, with over 20GW installed across 17 countries and in-house blade, nacelle and tower manufacturing.
Low relevance · Hardware & devices · India, Pune · founded 1995
- 33LowComponents & subsystemsMumbaiIndia1989–WAAREEENER
India's largest solar module maker, with about 15GW of capacity in India and the US and new cell and ingot-wafer integration.
Low relevance · Components & subsystems · India, Mumbai · founded 1989
- 34LowChemicals & gasesMumbaiIndia1973–RELIANCE
Owner of REC Solar (HJT Alpha modules) and builder of an integrated polysilicon-to-module giga-complex at Jamnagar.
Low relevance · Chemicals & gases · India, Mumbai · founded 1973
- 35LowComponents & subsystemsHsinchuTaiwan2019–3576
Taiwan's largest cell and module maker, formed from the merger of Neo Solar Power, Gintech and Solartech.
Low relevance · Components & subsystems · Taiwan, Hsinchu · founded 2019
- 36LowHardware & devicesHangzhouChina2015––
Early commercial perovskite module maker that has repeatedly held certified perovskite mini-module efficiency records and runs a 100MW-class production line.
Low relevance · Hardware & devices · China, Hangzhou · founded 2015
- 37LowHardware & devicesSan Carlos, CaliforniaUnited States2017––
US perovskite-tandem startup founded by Stanford, MIT and NREL researchers that is developing high-efficiency, durable tandem modules for US manufacturing.
Low relevance · Hardware & devices · United States, San Carlos, California · founded 2017
- 38LowResearch & IPKyotoJapan2018––
Kyoto University perovskite spin-out developing film-type and tandem perovskite cells, in partnership with Toyota for vehicle-integrated PV.
Low relevance · Research & IP · Japan, Kyoto · founded 2018
- 39LowEquipment & machineryJaraguá do SulBrazil1961–WEGE3
Latin America's largest electrical equipment maker, producing 4-7MW-class wind turbines and solar inverters in Brazil.
Low relevance · Equipment & machinery · Brazil, Jaraguá do Sul · founded 1961
- 40LowComponents & subsystemsCairoEgypt1938–SWDY
Africa's leading electrical-infrastructure group, which makes wind towers and components and builds wind and solar plants across Africa and the Middle East.
Low relevance · Components & subsystems · Egypt, Cairo · founded 1938
- 41LowOperations & infrastructureRabatMorocco2010–State-owned
Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (Masen)Morocco's state agency that procured and runs the Noor Ouarzazate complex, one of the world's largest concentrated solar power installations, and hosts the Noor R&D testing platform.
Low relevance · Operations & infrastructure · Morocco, Rabat · founded 2010
- 42LowComponents & subsystemsCaucaiaBrazil2010–AERI3
Latin America's largest wind turbine blade maker, supplying major turbine OEMs from its plant in Ceará.
Low relevance · Components & subsystems · Brazil, Caucaia · founded 2010
- 43LowComponents & subsystemsMoscowRussia2009–Private
Russia's largest solar manufacturer, running a heterojunction module plant in Novocheboksarsk with its own HJT cell technology centre; affiliate Unigreen is building the EnCore wafer and HJT cell plant in Kaliningrad.
Low relevance · Components & subsystems · Russia, Moscow · founded 2009
- 44LowResearch & IPSydneyAustralia2015––
UNSW-linked startup that replaces silver with plated copper cell metallisation and has set commercial-size HJT cell efficiency records with Maxwell.
Low relevance · Research & IP · Australia, Sydney · founded 2015
- 45LowHardware & devicesNairobiKenya2007–Private
One of the world's largest off-grid solar product companies, designing solar home systems and lanterns that have reached well over 100 million people, mainly in Africa.
Low relevance · Hardware & devices · Kenya, Nairobi · founded 2007
- 46LowHardware & devicesHyderabadIndia1995–PREMIERENE
Swift-scale Indian cell maker: Premier EnergiesOne of India's largest integrated solar cell and module makers, expanding TOPCon cell capacity under India's ALMM-II cell localisation rules.
Low relevance · Hardware & devices · India, Hyderabad · founded 1995
- Very low4 companies
- 47Very lowComponents & subsystemsAnkaraTürkiye2017–Private
Runs Turkey's first integrated ingot-wafer-cell-module solar factory in Ankara, which added a 1GW TOPCon cell line in 2026 to reach 2.1GW of cell capacity.
Very low relevance · Components & subsystems · Türkiye, Ankara · founded 2017
- 48Very lowHardware & devicesIstanbulTürkiye2014–SMRTG
Smart Güneş Enerjisi Teknolojileri (Smart Solar Technologies)One of Turkey's largest solar module makers, with GW-scale module and new cell capacity at its Kocaeli plant.
Very low relevance · Hardware & devices · Türkiye, Istanbul · founded 2014
- 49Very lowComponents & subsystemsJeddahSaudi Arabia––Private
Saudi Arabia's main domestic module maker, running a Jeddah plant since 2011 and building a 5GW cell and module factory with Modon (announced 2024).
Very low relevance · Components & subsystems · Saudi Arabia, Jeddah
- 50Very lowHardware & devicesDurbanSouth Africa2010–Private
South Africa's largest locally owned module maker, which upgraded its Durban plant to a 340MW line making JA Solar n-type modules in 2025.
Very low relevance · Hardware & devices · South Africa, Durban · founded 2010
