The Power of Regional Growth: What This Year’s List Reveals About the Clean Energy Industry
Each year, Solar Power World’s Top Solar Contractors List offers a snapshot of the companies accelerating clean energy adoption in the United States. The 2025 edition captures a market in motion, where established leaders continue to consolidate and deliver projects at gigawatt scale, while a new wave of contractors is rising quickly in regional markets.
“The great thing about the annual Top Solar Contractors List is that it showcases all types of solar companies, from utility-scale to residential,” said Kelly Pickerel, Editor in Chief, Solar Power World. “While our leading utility-scale contractors are consolidating and installing gigawatts of solar each year, there’s still a lot of healthy business happening in our regional markets too. Even residential installers managing less than 1 MW each year—to which there are many of those on our list—are incredibly important to the industry, employing hundreds of hardworking Americans getting clean energy to every corner of the country. It’s been great to see companies on our list grow in their individual markets each year.”
This year’s list reflects not only the scale of solar’s growth but also its diversity of players. From multinational firms shaping the utility-scale landscape to emerging contractors carving out niches in community solar and residential installations, the rankings underscore the fact that, big or small, every company on the list is helping expand access to clean energy across the U.S.
The Big Players
At the top of the rankings are the contractors shaping solar at the utility scale. They’re responsible for gigawatts of new capacity each year and often span several states. They typically operate across the full lifecycle of projects, from development and EPC services to long-term O&M. These contractors aren’t just installing projects, they’re influencing how solar gets built, financed, and maintained across the country.
Solar Power World’s Top 5 Solar Installers
1. Quanta Services
Taking the top spot in 2025 is Quanta Services, a powerhouse conglomerate whose solar affiliates installed a staggering 10.1 GW of solar and 4.3 GWh of energy storage across 32 states last year, accounting for roughly 20% of the entire U.S. solar market in 2024. Their unmatched scale enables them to lead consolidation efforts and manage risks across supply chain, labor, and policy shifts.
2. Moss
National, privately held construction firm Moss secured the second spot, deploying 4.175 GW in 2024. The Ohio-based company’s sustained presence signals a growing capability to compete at a scale in the same tier of utility EPC providers.
3. SOLV Energy
SOLV Energy deployed approximately 4.012 GW, totaling just over 4.05 GW including other sectors. The company ran a robust utility-scale pipeline in 2024 and its presence underscores how regional firms are scaling rapidly into national leadership.
4. Kiewit Energy Group
Operating at the scale necessary to deliver 3.11 GW of utility solar capacity in one year, Kiewit continues a legacy of large-scale construction excellence. Its capability to deliver complex, multilayered EPC projects remains a competitive advantage.
5. Primoris Renewable Energy
Primoris, deploying 2.9 GW of solar capacity, rounds out the top five on Solar Power World’s list. Its performance demonstrates the breadth and competitiveness of today’s utility-scale market, where multiple firms deliver massive annual volume.
Honorable Mention – Arevon Energy
Though not in the top five, Arevon ranks among the top 5% of all solar contractors nationwide. It earned the title of #1 Developer in California and 4th Largest Developer nationally. The company operates more than 4.7 GW of solar + storage across 17 states, with 1.5 GW under construction and a 9 GW development pipeline. Its scale and capacity reflect a powerhouse developer strategically bridging construction, finance, and operations.
What This Tells Us
- Gigawatt-scale dominance is now the minimum entry requirement for leading EPC and developer firms.
- Competition among the biggest players is intensifying, with Moss, SOLV, Kiewit, and Primoris all delivering impressive volume.
- Developer strength remains critical: Arevon’s large development pipeline signals that being a “big player” isn’t just about what has been completed, but what is underway and on the horizon.
Emerging Contenders
These are the companies whose momentum in the 2025 rankings signals more than just incremental growth: they’re carving out new spaces and innovating in ways that could shape the next wave of solar development.
Fast Risers to Watch
Catalyze
Catalyze comes in strong as a top 10 solar developer and community solar contractor. Based in Houston, the firm is a fully integrated developer and independent power producer (IPP) for distributed renewables. It currently manages over 200 MW in active solar projects and specializes in site analysis, engineering, and deployment to scale operations efficiently.
GreenSpark Solar
GreenSpark Solar topped the charts in its state and earned the national recognition of #1 EPC for Community Solar. With more than 112 MW installed in 2024, the company brings its total impact to over 350 MW across the Northeast. Its success is grounded in its dedication to community-focused solutions and resilience amid policymaking headwinds.
Freedom Forever
Taking the lead in the residential sector, Freedom Forever secured its spot as the #1 Residential Solar Contractor for the second year in a row, also ranking #25 overall across all solar companies. Freedom Forever leverages tech to enhance quoting accuracy and customer experience, illustrating the power of digital innovation in residential solar.
M Bar C Construction
Structural carport specialist M Bar C Construction earned multiple distinctions, including #1 Commercial-Only Installer in California, #2 Commercial Contractor, and #58 overall, by installing their large-scale solar carport structures that deliver both shade and renewable energy. Their portfolio in 2024 alone included high-profile projects like a 15 MW solar carport for Viejas Casino & Resort and a 12.37 MW installation at Six Flags Magic Mountain.
Solar Landscape
Crowned #1 National Commercial Rooftop Solar Developer, Solar Landscape delivers a full-spectrum service, from development through operations. Headquartered in Asbury Park, NJ, the firm specializes in transforming underutilized rooftops into clean energy assets.
Why These Emerging Contenders Matter
- Operational diversification: Catalyze’s integrated approach and GreenSpark’s community solar leadership underscore how nimble business structures can thrive amid large-scale competition.
- Technological leverage: Use of smart platforms and innovative digital tools highlight how customer-centric technology can democratize solar installations.
- Strategic specialization: M Bar C proves that even highly specialized niches like solar carport structures can yield outsized visibility and impact on the list.
Learn More
Intersolar & Energy Storage North America is a proud sponsor of Solar Power World’s 2025 Top Solar Contractors. Click here to view all winners.