The solar power industry combines innovation with rapid growth—and that creates real opportunities for people equipped with the right skills. Whether you're interested in hands-on installation work or aiming for a more technical and design-oriented role, training can be your first step into this dynamic sector. A certificate from either the Solar Panel Installer or Solar Energy Technician program at George Brown College can launch you on a satisfying and rewarding career path in renewable energy.

Solar power itself isn’t new, but the pace of new installations is accelerating. This surge is driven by two major factors: the global push to decarbonize electricity generation and ongoing improvements in equipment efficiency, which boost return on investment and make projects more attractive than ever.

These efficiency gains are coming from a range of innovations, particularly in photovoltaic (PV) modules and inverters—the devices that convert DC electricity into usable AC power. Companies across the industry are advancing both technologies, helping to scale solar deployment even further.

To support the growing demand for skilled workers in the solar industry, there are typically two main training paths. One focuses on developing hands-on skills for installing photovoltaic (PV) systems, suited for those aiming to enter the workforce quickly and work on residential or small commercial projects. The other offers more in-depth theoretical knowledge, including .system design, permitting, and regulatory requirements—geared toward individuals preparing for roles on larger or more complex solar projects. As the industry continues to evolve, both practical and technical roles are essential to meeting the demands of the growing solar energy sector.

10 Solar Industry Leaders Worth Knowing

For anyone interested in a career in the Solar PV sector, it’s important to know who the leaders are. These companies have good growth prospects, and many are investing in R&D and bringing exciting new innovations to market. Here’s a list of 10 solar industry companies to follow:

1. Tesla Energy

Revenue: $10 billion

Location: Manufacturing is in Lathrop, CA

Overview:

Part of Tesla, this business serves residential customers with inexpensive solar systems and energy storage(installed by third parties).

2. Canadian Solar

Revenue: $7.88 billion

Location: Recently moved into a new global headquarters in Kitchener, ON, has operations across the globe and is expanding manufacturing in Texas and Indiana.

Overview:

Canadian Solar operates through Recurrent Solar, produces photovoltaic modules, and delivers complete energy solutions (inverters and integration).

3. NextEra Energy Resources

Revenue: $6.4billion

Location: Headquartered in Juno Beach, FL, with operations throughout the USA and Canada.

Overview:

Part of the huge NextEra Energy corporation (owner of Florida Power & Light), NextEra Energy Resources is dedicated to utility-scale solar power generation.

4. Brookfield Renewable Partners

Revenue: $4.7 billion

Location: Headquartered in Toronto, ON with solar generating capacity in multiple US states.

Overview:

A Canadian company, Brookfield has grown primarily through acquisitions. Today the company operates in wind and hydroelectric as well as solar.

5. First Solar

Revenue: $4.6billion

Location: Headquartered in Tempe, AZ, with manufacturing in Ohio and SE Asia.

Overview:

First Solar has an innovative thin-film module technology. This uses cadmium-teluride (CdTe) instead of crystalline silicon to capture sunlight and convert it to electricity. CdTe panels are significantly less expensive to manufacture, and offer advantages in low-light performance, making them significantly more cost-effective.

6. Sunrun

Revenue: $2.0 billion

Location: Headquartered in San Francisco, CA.

Overview:

The largest provider of residential solar and battery storage in the United States, has partnered with Ford and Tesla on the integration of electric vehicles with residential battery storage.

7. Enphase Energy

Revenue: $1.33 billion

Location: Headquartered in Fremont, CA, with operations across the globe

Overview:

Enphase developed microinverter technology. This enables optimization of each panel within an array, and not just the array as a whole.

8. Solar Edge Technologies

Revenue: $900 million

Location: Headquartered in Israel, with U.S. operations based in Milpitas, CA.

Overview:

Operating in the residential solar space, Solar Edge developed the optimized DC inverter that yields higher conversion and operational efficiencies.

9. Silfab Solar

Revenue: $217 million

Location: Headquartered in Mississauga, ON with manufacturing in Burlington, WA, Toronto, ON, and Fort Mill, SC.

Overview:

Silfab manufactures high-efficiency monocrystalline solar panels. These are engineered for cold climates and sold to both residential and commercial customers.

10. Cypress Creek Renewables

Revenue: $100 million (estimated)

Location: Headquartered in Durham, NC, with operations in multiple states.

Overview:

A newer business, Cypress Creek operates in the utility-scale sector, developing, constructing and operating solar facilities across the US.

An omission from this list is SunPower. California-based SunPower was early to solar, and became one of the most well-known companies. However, it lost ground to rivals and filed for bankruptcy in August 2024. Since then many of its assets have been purchased by Complete Solaria.

Careers in the Solar Industry

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), nearly 300,000 people currently work in solar. While not all are in manufacturing, R&D, installation, or maintenance, there’s no doubt many are employed in a variety of solar technician roles.

For anyone interested in getting into the solar industry, perhaps at one of the companies listed above, continued growth means new opportunities. Competition for solar technician and other positions is inevitable of course, so relevant training and education are important factors in being attractive to potential employers. A certificate from a college-level Solar Technician program is an important tool for gaining the attention of industry leaders. It shows a detailed understanding of the scientific and engineering principles underpinning solar power generation and storage, plus well-developed problem-solving skills and the ability to work safely and productively. 

Interested in starting a career in the growing solar industry? Call 1-888-553-5333 to speak with a Program Consultant and learn more about our flexible Solar training programs at George Brown College