Built on independent, proprietary data
SMM's classification draws on the long-term tracking of material prices, manufacturing cost, capacity, shipments, customer mix and supply-chain risk — setting the standard for objectivity in the market.
SMM Tier 1
SMM Tier 1 is independent assessment across BESS & PV market - with dedicated research, publishing twice a year.
What is SMM Tier 1
2026 H1 · Officially launchedSMM Tier 1 BESS & PV Supplier List is SMM's independent classification of battery energy storage system (BESS) & PV suppliers — including system integrators and cell manufacturers that deliver complete system solutions. Suppliers are assessed at the system level and organized into four parallel lists by application scenario. Its purpose is to identify the BESS & PV suppliers that demonstrate real, deliverable and sustainable competitiveness, giving buyers, investors, project owners and channel partners a trusted reference for supplier shortlisting and brand identification. Publicly, SMM releases the list of names only — never rankings or scores.
- 4 parallel supplier lists
- System-level suppliers
- Names only — no rankings or scores
- Published twice yearly
Meet the SMM Tier 1 BESS & PV Suppliers of 2026 H1
SMM Tier 1 BESS & PV Supplier List organizes battery energy storage & PV suppliers into four parallel lists by application scenario. Each list is built on the same transparent, evidence-based methodology.
Utility-Scale & C&I
Utility-scale and C&I project delivery, adoption, safety, and grid-connection capability
- AESC
- BYD
- CALB
- CATL
- CNET
- CORNEX
- EVE Energy
- Ganfeng Lithium Battery
- Gotion
- GreatPower
- HiTHIUM
- REPT BATTERO
- Sunwoda
- SVOLT
Need the complete Tier 1 list?
The full supplier lists across all four categories — with the complete published names — are available on request. Leave your details and our team will share access.
A trusted, independent reference
A trusted reference for procurement
Global buyers, investors, project owners and channel partners rely on the list to shortlist suppliers, confirm brand identity and benchmark the energy storage & PV market.
Earned through verified evidence
Inclusion reflects real delivered projects, bankability and a proven track record — qualifying suppliers demonstrate capability, not claims.
SMM Tier 1 BESS & PV Methodology
Every published name clears the same transparent 100-point model. Five scoring dimensions apply to all lists — with weights tuned to each application scenario. A supplier is published as Tier 1 only by clearing both the percentile and the score floor. If you have any questions about SMM Tier 1, please send your request to tier1@smm.cn
DIM 01 · 20 ptsEnterprise Scale & Shipment
Manufacturing scale and verified delivered shipment volume (MWh / MW).
Financial Health & Bankability
Balance-sheet strength, financing access and project-financing track record.
Project Delivery & Track Record
Reference deployments, on-time delivery and proven operational uptime.
Technology & R&D
Cell chemistry, safety certification, product maturity and R&D depth.
ESG & Sustainability
Environmental, social and governance compliance and disclosure.
Note: Specific weights of each dimension of Tier 1 award vary.
Utility-Scale & C&I ESS Battery Supplier
Utility-scale and C&I project delivery, adoption, safety, and grid-connection capability
Residential ESS Battery Supplier
Residential stationary products, certifications, channels, brand, and after-sales capability
BESS Integrator
Complete system solutions, integration, delivery, commissioning, and O&M responsibility
PV Module Supplier
Module product quality, overseas shipments, project adoption, and compliance capability
- 100 ptsTotal model across all five scoring dimensions.
- Semi-Annual RefreshSMM Tier 1 refreshes every six months. Each indicator is re-scored against the latest evidence at the semi-annual cutoff — no score carries over indefinitely. Dynamic markets require dynamic methodology.
- ≥ 60 floorA hard minimum score — percentile alone is never enough.
- Eligibility CriteriaEvidence tiers: published, monitored, pipeline / emerging.
Stay Tuned with Energy Storage & PV Market Insights
Get the latest on Tier 1 editions, methodology and energy storage, PV, and renewable market intelligence.
Contact us4-week review window
Each edition opens a four-week data-collection and verification window before the published lists are finalized.
Twice a year
We publish a fresh edition every half year — H1 and H2. You're viewing the H1 2026 edition.
Continuous monitoring
SMM tracks the published Tier 1 suppliers on an ongoing basis — shipments, deliveries, financial health and project status — so the lists stay accurate between editions.
2026 H2 SMM Tier 1 Application
2026 H1 Awards Ceremony
The 2026 SMM Tier 1 & Glow Cup dual-list awards ceremony is held on 13 August 2026, within NET ZERO CHINA 2026 — SMM's 5th PV & Energy Storage Industry Conference. The H1 2026 SMM Tier 1 lists (PV modules, storage systems, cells, inverters) are unveiled live on stage.
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