According to EnergyTrend, BloombergNEF (BNEF) recently released the 2026 Q2 Global Tier 1 Energy Storage Manufacturer Ranking.
A total of 66 tier-one energy storage manufacturers made the list this quarter, among which 56 are Chinese enterprises, accounting for nearly 85%. They cover the entire industrial chain from cell manufacturing to system integration, while only 10 overseas giants secured positions on the ranking.
Trend: Deepened Solar-Storage Integration and Diversified Market Development
EnergyTrend’s review shows that photovoltaics and energy storage have become deeply integrated. Leading PV players including LONGi, Trina Storage, Jinko Solar and E-STORAGE are all featured on the list, indicating that solar-storage integration has evolved from strategic layout into substantial in-depth integration.
Leveraging their global channels and customer resources accumulated in the PV sector, top photovoltaic enterprises have rapidly scaled up the deployment of energy storage systems, effectively cutting down market development costs.
In addition, the market is expanding from large-scale power stations to diversified application scenarios. Specialized competition in segmented tracks has intensified. Instead of relying solely on scale advantage, enterprises are building differentiated competitive moats through scenario-based technologies and customized solutions.
From Pylontech’ leading position in residential energy storage, to AlphaESS and WHES ’s in-depth layout in commercial and industrial energy storage, and the rapid rise of emerging players such as JDEnergy and CORNEX, China’s energy storage industry has formed a tiered competitive edge.
Dominance Across the Entire Industrial Chain: Chinese Players Cover Cell to System
Among the 56 listed Chinese companies, there are all-round industry leaders with advanced battery cell R&D capabilities including CATL, BYD and EVE Energy, as well as segment leaders strong in inverters and system integration such as Sungrow Power and Huawei. They span the full industrial chain links of technological R&D, production and manufacturing, and system integration.
Furthermore, emerging players are gaining momentum rapidly. New-generation high-quality enterprises including Hithium, REPT BATTERO and Robestec demonstrate the efficient capital and technology transformation capability of China’s energy storage industry. Many enterprises that have remained on the list for consecutive quarters also show stable delivery performance and robust risk control capabilities.
56 Chinese Firms Listed: Tier 1 Certification as a Key Passport for Global Expansion
While Chinese enterprises occupy the vast majority of ranking seats, the 10 overseas players still maintain leading strengths in core dimensions. Companies such as Tesla, Fluence and Wärtsilä boast decades of experience in international projects. Their localized algorithms and operation & maintenance systems enjoy clear brand premium in high-end European and American markets and large-scale complex projects.
For Chinese enterprises, Tier 1 certification serves as a passport for global market expansion, signifying that their balance sheet health, product reliability and warranty capacity have been recognized by mainstream international institutions.
Nevertheless, amid rising global trade barriers, some enterprises need to shift from pure product export to localized overseas manufacturing and local supply chain collaboration. Going forward, localized delivery, compliance adaptation and local service capabilities will become the core competitiveness for Chinese enterprises to compete in the global market.
Source：EnergyTrend