US-based NextPower takes top spot in global PV tracker ranking

The US-based company NextPower has claimed the top rank in Wood Mackenzie’s global PV (photovoltaic) tracker manufacturer rankings based on the data for the first half of 2025, with Chinese manufacturer Trina Tracker following in second place and another US-based company, Array, in third. This ranking evaluates 24 leading manufacturers across five countries and highlights a market where adherence to industry best practices has become the main differentiator. 

“Our latest global tracker landscape is led by a group of manufacturers that combine production scale with engineering innovation,” said Timothy Shen, Senior Research Analyst at Wood Mackenzie. “Increasingly, competitive advantage is defined not just by shipment volume, but by capabilities across pioneering Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives, service quality, and resilient supply chains.” 

The global top 10 PV trackers  

Source: Wood Mackenzie, note: If the difference in the score is 0.2 or lower, the company will get the same rank 

The ranking uses a unique score-based methodology evaluating manufacturers across eight weighted criteria: adherence to ESG and CSR (30%), aftersales service and warranty (15%), research and development (15%), supply chain stability (15%), capacity utilization (10%), availability of third-party certifications (5%), financial conditions (5%), and manufacturing experience (5%). 

Highlights from the latest ranking: 

• ESG and service emerge as key differentiators: Six of the top 10 manufacturers achieved an EcoVadis bronze rating or higher, placing them in the top 30% of companies globally for sustainability. Furthermore, the top-ranked manufacturers have established rigorous aftersales and warranty standards to reduce long-term risks for asset owners. 

• Geographic diversification accelerates to mitigate trade risk: Leading manufacturers are increasingly leveraging regionalised assembly to navigate steel price volatility, trade policy uncertainty, and logistics disruptions. This is particularly evident among Chinese OEMs who hold four of the top 10 spots in the ranking as they expand overseas production to maintain supply reliability and strengthen access to North America, Europe, and emerging markets. 

• Innovation remains robust despite market consolidation: All top 10 manufacturers have invested in AI-integrated control systems or high-strength materials to address evolving requirements for wind performance and terrain complexity. 

• Financial stability reinforces market confidence: Eight of the top 10 manufacturers recorded revenue growth in 2024, with listed companies demonstrating particularly strong financial transparency and stability. 

Market concentration and ‘Grade A’ recognition 

A significant finding from the H1 2025 ranking is that 99% of global tracker shipments now come from Grade A manufacturers. Grade A is awarded to manufacturers that meet Wood Mackenzie’s benchmark for industry best practice, satisfying at least five of the defined performance criteria. 

“The Grade A designation serves as a market signal, highlighting suppliers that combine operational robustness with practices aligned to global procurement standards,” added Shen. “We’ve consulted extensively with developers and EPCs to ensure our framework highlights not just current capability, but long-term risk mitigation.” 

Grade A tracker manufacturers

Source: Wood Mackenzie, note: If the difference in the score is 0.2 or lower, the company will get the same rank