Panasonic, a long-time player in the global solar industry, has announced its decision to wind down its residential solar and battery storage business. After more than 25 years of producing solar panels, inverters, and energy storage systems, the company is shifting its focus to other areas it considers more strategically aligned with its future goals.

While Panasonic will no longer be producing or selling new solar and storage products, it has assured customers that all existing product warranties will remain in effect. Support will continue to be available through the company’s website and a dedicated solar and storage support email: panasonicsolar@us.panasonic.com.

“This strategic decision allows us to focus on areas where we see the greatest long-term potential,” the company shared in a public statement. “We are grateful to our customers and partners for their ongoing support, and we remain committed to a smooth transition.”

Panasonic’s solar journey dates back over four decades. The company inherited advanced heterojunction technology (HJT) through its acquisition of SANYO in 2009, which had pioneered the "HIT" panel design in the 1980s. For years, Panasonic HIT panels were a leading choice in the U.S. residential solar market.

The company once operated solar manufacturing facilities in Japan, Malaysia, and even the U.S., but began outsourcing panel production in recent years to keep up with market changes. As solar panel prices dropped and larger cell technologies became standard, Panasonic opted to exit the increasingly low-margin manufacturing segment.

“Our focus has always been on quality and innovation,” said Mukesh Sethi, Director of Solar at Panasonic. “But the industry has changed significantly—prices have fallen, and the need for constant reinvestment in new production lines has made in-house manufacturing unsustainable. That’s why we shifted to a design-and-sell model, and now, ultimately, we’ve decided to step back from the category.”

Before this exit, Panasonic had introduced the EverVolt line of solar panels and energy storage systems, even gaining high-profile endorsements such as Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, who installed a Panasonic system at his Arizona home and represented the brand at industry events.

The company also built a strong network of certified installers, offering them access to exclusive products and business development resources. However, with this latest move, Panasonic joins LG and SunPower as the third major player from the 2010s to leave the residential solar scene—LG closed its solar division in 2022, while SunPower exited manufacturing in 2020 and filed for bankruptcy in 2024.

As the industry continues to evolve, this marks the end of an era—but also opens the door for new innovation and partnerships in the solar space.