Singapore-based solar solutions provider Maxeon Solar Technologies has expanded its patent infringement actions against Aiko Solar by filing a new lawsuit before the Munich Regional Court I in Germany, alleging infringement of its core back-contact (BC) solar technology.

The complaint targets Aiko’s second-generation (Gen 2) and third-generation (Gen 3) BC solar modules sold in the European market. The Munich filing marks the latest step in a series of legal actions Maxeon has taken to protect its intellectual property.

The alleged infringement concerns European patent EP2297789B1, referred to as EP789, which is part of Maxeon’s BC solar technology patent portfolio.

Maxeon had filed a complaint before the Mannheim Regional Court alleging infringement of patent EP2297788. This was followed in 2024 by a complaint filed with the Unified Patent Court Local Division in Düsseldorf alleging infringement of patent EP3065184.

All three patents cited in the legal actions are part of the same BC solar technology family developed by Maxeon.

In the latest lawsuit, Maxeon is seeking a permanent injunction to prevent further infringing activities, an order requiring disclosure of sales data related to the accused products, and compensation for damages.

The company is also requesting the destruction of infringing inventory held in Germany. No financial amounts related to damages or potential liabilities have been disclosed. In addition to naming Aiko’s manufacturing and sales entities as defendants, Maxeon has also named four German solar product distributors, Wattkraft, DWH Solutions, Memodo, and Tepto as co-defendants, citing their role in distributing the allegedly infringing products in the German market.

Maxeon stated that its enforcement strategy extends beyond manufacturers to include distributors, emphasizing that entities involved in selling infringing products may face.

Last April, Maxeon filed infringement claims against Canadian Solar, REC Solar, and Hanwha for violating three patents relating to the TOPCon technology it holds.

In November 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said it would continue detaining solar panels manufactured by Maxeon in Mexico.