The global energy storage system (ESS) market continued its strong growth trajectory in the first quarter of 2026, according to the latest shipment rankings released by InfoLink. Global ESS shipments reached 126.40 GWh during the quarter, representing a significant year-on-year increase of nearly 79%. Although shipments declined slightly by 6.21% compared to the previous quarter, demand remained robust across several key markets.
Residential energy storage emerged as a major growth contributor during the quarter, while international markets outside China recorded broad-based expansion. These developments helped maintain overall shipment volumes at elevated levels despite market fluctuations.
InfoLink’s ranking showed that BYD secured the top position among global ESS suppliers for the first time, followed by Sungrow, Huawei, Tesla, and CRRC Zhuzhou Institute. The market concentration among the top five suppliers reached 41.38%, while the top ten companies accounted for 58.07% of total shipments. This indicates that the industry is entering a phase where leading players are strengthening their positions, while mid-sized companies continue competing aggressively for growth opportunities.
One of the most notable developments in the first quarter was the reshuffling among leading suppliers. BYD’s rise to the top position and Huawei’s entry into the top three disrupted the previously established market structure. Tesla, which had traditionally been among the top three suppliers, slipped to fourth place during the quarter. However, based on shipment forecasts for the full year, BYD, Sungrow, and Tesla are still expected to remain strong contenders for leadership positions.
The report highlighted the importance of core markets in determining supplier success. Companies are pursuing various strategies to strengthen their market positions, including building strong regional presence, securing major customers, and entering premium markets before expanding into broader segments. These approaches help create localized competitive advantages that can later support global expansion.
Utility-scale energy storage remained the largest market segment and the primary growth driver. Global utility-scale ESS shipments reached 103.70 GWh during the quarter, increasing by more than 60% year-on-year. BYD, Sungrow, Huawei, CRRC Zhuzhou Institute, and Tesla were the top five utility-scale ESS integrators. Tesla’s decline to fifth position reflected changing competitive dynamics within the segment.
Meanwhile, the residential energy storage market experienced explosive growth. Residential ESS shipments totaled 20.67 GWh in the first quarter, surging by over 392% compared to the same period last year and rising more than 138% from the previous quarter. Sigenergy, Fox ESS, Deye, Tesla, and Huawei emerged as the leading residential storage suppliers, with the top three companies each shipping more than 2 GWh.
Looking ahead, InfoLink expects residential energy storage demand to remain strong throughout 2026. Australia is projected to maintain high shipment volumes, while Europe is anticipated to experience a broad market recovery. As demand continues to grow, suppliers with strong positions in these regions are likely to play an increasingly important role in shaping the global energy storage industry.
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