• China is one of the world's leading economies.Wilfred Y Wong/Photodisc/Getty Images
  
  Chinese solar companies are on a huge upswing. Around the world, renewable energy is taking hold as not only an environmentally intelligent option, but also an economically intelligent one. As less energy comes from natural gas, the price of solar power is dropping. China is the center of this coming boom.
  
  

Large Solar Companies

• China is a home to a number of large and successful solar companies. Perhaps the most successful of this group is Suntech Power, who has recently become the world's leading producer of photovoltaic cells. With a staff of 12,000, Suntech is one of the world's largest solar companies. Other notable large solar operations based in China include Trina Solar, Canadian Solar, Yingli Green Energy and Solarfun Power.
  
  

Medium-Sized Companies

• One of China's most unique solar companies is ET Solar, a modestly sized company with a dynamic environmental philosophy, committed not only to providing solar power for the sake of alternative energy, but also to responsible and sustainable business practices. Other medium-sized solar companies in China include Eoplly, Chaori Solar, Ningbo Solar and Z.K. Solar.
  
  

Smaller Companies

• Though struggling in sales during the past fiscal year, China Sunenergy is one of the leading national companies in its size range. The CEEG Solar Energy Research Institute employs about 500 people. Bluesun Solar Energy, ERA Solar and Rene Sola are other well-known small companies which turn significant profits.