Renewable energy, once a niche segment of the broader energy industry, is growing rapidly to become an important source of power in many regions and nations across the globe. Companies within the sector provide a variety of clean energy solutions including solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biomass. Large renewable energy companies are headquartered in Spain, Denmark, China, the United States, and Canada.
These are the 10 biggest renewable energy companies by 12-month trailing(TTM)revenue. Some companies outside of the U.S. report profits semi-annually, so the 12-month trailing data may be older than it is for companies that report quarterly.
This list is limited to companies that are publicly traded in the U.S. or Canada, either directly or throughADRs. All figures are from Morningstar, as of July 2024. Where necessary, they were converted to U.S. dollars.
In addition, some of the stocks below are only tradedover-the-counter (OTC)in the U.S. OTC stocks often carry higher trading costs than equities listed on exchanges. This can lower or even outweigh potential returns.
Key Takeaways
- Once a niche segment, renewable energy is rapidly becoming an important source of power around the world.
- The largest renewable energy companies are headquartered in Spain and Denmark, but others are based in China, the U.S., and Canada.
- Spain's Iberdrola leads the list of top renewable energy companies, as measured by trailing twelve month revenue.
- Due to the nature of the industry, some companies show net losses rather than net income.
1. Iberdrola SA (IBDRY)
- Revenue (TTM): $50.68 billion
- Net Income (TTM): $6.62 billion
- Market Cap: $79.91 billion
- 1-Year Trailing Total Return: 4.47%
- Exchange: OTC
Iberdrola is a Spain-based multinational electric utility company. The company engages in the generation, distribution, and trading of electricity. It specializes in clean energy, including onshore and offshore wind, pumped hydro, solar photovoltaic, and battery storage. Iberdrola operates in the U.S., U.K., Spain, Mexico, and Brazil and has an international presence in Portugal, Greece, Japan, and Australia, to name a few.
2. GE Vernova (GEV)
- Revenue (TTM): $33.67 billion
- Net Income (TTM): -$355 million
- Market Cap: $44.26 billion
- 1-Year Trailing Total Return: n/a
- Exchange: New York Stock Exchange
General Electric completed the spin-off of its energy business in April 2024. Known as GE Vernova, the new company's focus is on electricity and de-carbonization. Its wind, solar, hydro, gas and other energy businesses are driving more reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity. The company maintains its target of 2030 for complete carbon neutrality in its operations.
3. NextEra Energy (NEE)
- Revenue (TTM): $27.13 billion
- Net Income (TTM): $7.49 billion
- Market Cap: $147.95 billion
- 1-Year Trailing Total Return: -1.92%
- Exchange: New York Stock Exchange
NextEra is a diverse company that provides wholesale power generation while operating power plants. Its customers include retail and municipal electricity providers, industrial corporations, and power cooperatives. The company invests billions in renewable energy sources and is one of the world's largest wind and solar energy generators. This is in conjunction with other energy sources in its portfolio, such as nuclear power and natural gas.
4. Constellation Energy Corp. (CEG)
- Revenue (TTM): $23.51 billion
- Net Income (TTM): $2.41 billion
- Market Cap: $59.13 billion
- 1-Year Trailing Total Return: 120.14%
- Exchange: Nasdaq
Constellation Energy is headquartered in Baltimore and has offices across the U.S. It provides a variety of energy sources, including electrical, nuclear, and natural gas services. The company's client base includes business, residential, and public sector customers. According to its website, Constellation is the largest carbon-free energy producer in the U.S.
5. Vestas Wind Systems A/S (VWDRY)
- Revenue (TTM): $16.58 billion
- Net Income (TTM): -$10 million
- Market Cap: $23.22 billion
- 1-Year Trailing Total Return: -12.84%
- Exchange: OTC
Vestas Wind Systems is a Denmark-based wind energy company. It develops, manufactures, and installs wind turbines. The company also operates a service segment that provides service contracts, spare parts, and related activities. The company has installed wind turbines in scores of countries across the globe.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration that wind and solar energy will be at the forefront of the growth in U.S. power generation for the next two years. Coal power generation will decline 18% by 2025 from 2023 levels.
6. Jinko Solar Holding Co. Ltd. (JKS)
- Revenue (TTM): $16.29 billion
- Net Income (TTM): $450 million
- Market Cap: $1.07 billion
- 1-Year Trailing Total Return: -49.93%
- Exchange: New York Stock Exchange
Jinko Solar is a China-based solar power company. It manufactures solar energy products, including silicon ingots and wafers, solar cells, and solar modules. The company also provides solar system integration services. Jinko sells its products to customers in the U.S., Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
7. Canadian Solar Inc. (CSIQ)
- Revenue (TTM): $7.24 billion
- Net Income (TTM): $203 million
- Market Cap: $1.08 billion
- 1-Year Trailing Total Return: -61.88%
- Exchange: Nasdaq
Canadian Solar is a Canada-based solar energy company. It designs and manufactures solar photovoltaic modules and provides energy solutions. The company also operates solar power projects and offers operation and maintenance services. Canadian Solar serves customers in more than 160 countries.
8. Brookfield Renewable Corp. (BEPC)
- Revenue (TTM): $4.02 billion
- Net Income (TTM): n/a
- Market Cap: $5.11 billion
- 1-Year Trailing Total Return: -5.57%
- Exchange: New York Stock Exchange
Brookfield Renewable is a Canada-based limited partnership that owns and operates renewable power assets. The company owns a portfolio of renewable power-generating facilities throughout the world. It is primarily focused on hydroelectric power operations, but also owns and operates wind, solar, distributed generation, and storage facilities.
- Revenue (TTM): $2.65 billion
- Net Income (TTM): -$339 million
- Market Cap: $4.06 billion
- 1-Year Trailing Total Return: -24.46%
- Exchange: New York Stock Exchange
Based in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, Algonquin Power & Utilities provides rate-regulated utility and renewable energy services to more than one million consumers across North America. Services include natural gas, water, and electricity. This is done through Liberty, Algonquin's operating business. It also invests in clean and renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, hydro, and thermal. The company boasts more than $16 million in assets globally.
10. Daqo New Energy Corp. (DQ)
- Revenue (TTM): $2.01 biilion
- Net Income (TTM): $166 million
- Market Cap: $1.09 billion
- 1-Year Trailing Total Return: -63.22%
- Exchange: New York Stock Exchange
Daqo New Energy provides the solar PV industry with high-purity polysilicon, calling itself one of the world's low-cost producers. Manufacturing takes place in Xinjiang, China, with a production capacity of 70,000 metric tons. Once produced, Daqo's polysilicon is used to make solutions for solar power, such as cells and wafers. Founded in 2008, Daqo New Energy is headquartered in Shanghai.
Are Renewable Energy Companies Profitable?
Some are and some aren't. Given the relative youth of the industry and the spending required for development, investors shouldn't be surprised that some companies may not be profitable or consistently profitable.
What Country Leads the Renewable Energy Effort?
By some accounts, China is a leader. It has a massive presence in solar power, with more solar power installations than that for all other countries combined.
What Is the Biggest Renewable Energy Company by Market Cap?
With a market cap of $147.7 billion on July 19, 2024, NextEra Energy is the largest.
The Bottom Line
Given the changes in the climate, the growth in the number of companies in the renewable energy industry can be expected. These companies are developing a growing variety of clean energy solutions that include solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biomass. The companies in this article and others will continue to drive upward the percentage of power generation that renewable energy represents.
