2026 Top Solar Contractors List showcases veterans of dominant energy industry

An industry publication has released its 15th annual list ranking the top solar and energy storage installation companies across the country. The U.S. has now passed 6 million individual solar installations, and solar remains the most-installed source of new electricity. Most companies on the list are experienced, with over 72% having at least 10 years in solar work.

For homeowners, the notable trend is on the residential side: more listed companies are doing residential work than in any previous year, and the "installer" category grew 10%, meaning more of these top companies are completing smaller, non-utility jobs like home solar systems rather than only large commercial or utility projects. California, Illinois, Texas, New York and Pennsylvania remain the top states for installations, while Maryland, Ohio and Wisconsin saw notable growth in both large-scale and residential markets. A survey of these companies found that half of residential installers are primarily doing direct-ownership projects this year, meaning the homeowner owns the system outright, while 21% mainly offer third-party ownership arrangements, and the rest do a mix of both.

None of this changes any specific rebate or incentive available to you, but it does suggest that if you're considering solar, there are more experienced companies actively working in the residential market than in past years, and ownership options like direct purchase versus third-party arrangements are both common paths installers are offering.