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					</table><p>As the solar industry transitions from Mono PERC to TOPCon technology and countries emphasize domestic manufacturing, we have seen a surge in intellectual property disputes related to TOPCon solar technology in recent months, particularly in China, Europe, and the U.S.</p>
<p>TOPCon (tunnel oxide passivated contact) technology is an advanced solar cell architecture that has gained popularity rapidly because it enhances energy yield and efficiency compared to Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell (PERC) technology.</p>
<p>The increasing adoption of TOPCon technology has also given rise to patent infringement claims by TOPCon cell manufacturers.</p>
<p>Recently, the European Patent Office (<a href="https://www.epo.org/en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EPO</a>) confirmed the validity of <a href="https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&amp;&amp;p=300bcb0569a80a48JmltdHM9MTcyOTcyODAwMCZpZ3VpZD0yNWI2Mzg0My1hMWM3LTZlZWQtMjgyOC0yYWVmYTA3NTZmZGImaW5zaWQ9NTIwNw&amp;ptn=3&amp;ver=2&amp;hsh=3&amp;fclid=25b63843-a1c7-6eed-2828-2aefa0756fdb&amp;psq=ja+solar&amp;u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuamFzb2xhci5jb20vaHRtbC9lbi8&amp;ntb=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">JA Solar&#8217;</a>s patents concerning TOPCon solar cell technology, strengthening its position in its ongoing litigation against Astronergy, another Chinese solar manufacturer.</p>
<p>JA Solar filed two lawsuits in the European Unified Patent Court. The first patent relates to tunneling silicon oxide layers and the doped polysilicon layer used on the back surface of TOPCon solar cells. JA Solar claims this patent is enforceable until 2034 across several European countries, including Germany, the UK, and France.</p>
<p>The second patent relates to the design of the electrodes and lead structures used in these products has an expiry date of 2035, according to JA Solar.</p>
<p>Several similar lawsuits were filed earlier this year. In April, Maxeon Solar Technologies initiated three patent infringement lawsuits related to its TOPCon technology. Filed in the Eastern District of Texas, these lawsuits target Hanwha Q CELLS, Canadian Solar, and REC Solar Holdings and allege unauthorized use of its patents.</p>
<p>U.S.-based First Solar has also been considering legal action against competitors found to be infringing its patents acquired through its 2013 purchase of TetraSun. The patents, covering proprietary cell architecture and manufacturing processes, are valid in various countries, including the U.S., Canada, and Japan, with expiration dates extending to 2030.</p>
<p>More recently, Chinese module manufacturer Trina Solar filed a patent infringement lawsuit against three U.S. subsidiaries of Canadian Solar in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. The lawsuit claims that Canadian Solar&#8217;s subsidiaries violated two of Trina’s U.S. patents pertaining to TOPCon technology. Canadian Solar has dismissed the lawsuit as frivolous.</p>
<p>Trina Solar has also lodged a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission against two other companies – China-headquartered Runergy and India-based Adani Green Energy, alleging that they have imported and sold products in the U.S. that infringe on Trina&#8217;s TOPCon patents. Trina is seeking a limited exclusion order and cease-and-desist orders to halt the import of these products.</p>
<p>In a counter move, Runergy has initiated legal proceedings at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to challenge the validity of two of Trina Solar&#8217;s patents, claiming they are unpatentable. Runergy argues that these patents, purchased by Trina in February 2024, attempt to cover technology already disclosed in a 2013 publication by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy.</p>
<p>Indian solar module manufacturers have also <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/topcon-module-trumps-hjt-indian-solar-market" target="_blank" rel="noopener">leaned</a> towards TOPCon module technology over its other mainstream rival HJT (Heterojunction) because the former performs better in terms of degradation rate and temperature coefficient. However, companies need to exercise caution and make sure intellectual properties are not infringed in a rapidly evolving chaotic market.</p>
<p>JA Solar and Trina Solar were among the top solar module suppliers in the calendar year 2023, according to Mercom’s <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/product/mercoms-india-solar-market-leaderboard-2024-market-shares-and-profiles" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India Solar Market Leaderboard 2024</a>.</p>


Patent Disputes Soar Amid Solar Industry’s Shift from Mono PERC to TOPCon


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					</table><p>In a significant move to address challenges in solar module manufacturing, nine leading manufacturers have agreed on the standard dimensions for rectangular silicon wafer modules.</p>
<p>The nine manufacturers &#8211; <a href="https://www.canadiansolar.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Canadian Solar</a>, <a href="https://en.risenenergy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Risen Energy</a>, <a href="https://www.jasolar.com/html/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">JA Solar</a>, <a href="https://www.jinkosolar.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">JinkoSolar</a>, <a href="https://www.longi.com/in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">LONGi</a>, <a href="https://en.tw-solar.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TW Solar</a>, <a href="https://www.trinasolar.com/us" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trina Solar</a>, <a href="https://www.astronergy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Astronergy</a>, and <a href="https://www.das-solar.com/en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DAS Solar</a>, agreed on the following specifications:</p>
<ul>
<li>Module size: 2,382mm*1,134mm</li>
<li>Module long side vertical hole distance: 400 mm/ 790 mm/ 1,400 mm</li>
</ul>
<p>The new standards are expected to help increase module power, optimize container utilization, and reduce system costs while tackling issues related to supply chain disruptions, material wastage, and customer system design complexities.</p>
<p>To ensure uniformity and adherence to these standardized dimensions, it is proposed that both current and future designs for 182 and 210 series modules align with the specifications outlined in the &#8220;T/CPIA 0003-2022 Technical Specification for Crystalline Silicon Terrestrial Photovoltaic Module Dimensions and Mounting Holes&#8221; document issued by the China Photovoltaic Industry Association (CPIA).</p>
<p>Additionally, manufacturers will comply with existing agreed industry dimensions. The flexible approach would allow each manufacturer to work within the specified dimension ranges based on its unique circumstances, thus catering to the diverse needs of their customers.</p>
<p>The nine companies will collectively advocate and promote the acceptance of these standardized dimensions by other industry manufacturers. They have urged incorporating these rectangular silicon wafer module dimensions into the industry standards published by the CPIA.</p>
<p>To foster ongoing collaboration and communication in advancing dimension standardization for other variants of rectangular silicon wafer modules, the companies have agreed to establish the &#8220;Photovoltaic Module Dimension Standardization Seminar Group.&#8221;</p>
<p>Jinko Solar, Trina Solar, LONGi Solar, and JA Solar were among the top solar module suppliers in the calendar year 2022, according to Mercom&#8217;s recently released <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/product/mercoms-india-solar-market-leaderboard-2023-market-shares-and-profiles" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India Solar Market Leaderboard 2023</a>.</p>
<p>China&#8217;s annual export of solar products, such as polysilicon wafers, cells, and modules, <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/chinas-solar-exports-jump-80-2022" target="_blank" rel="noopener">surpassed</a> $51 billion in 2022, a year-over-year increase of 80.3%. China&#8217;s export performance is noteworthy as it has come despite the import barriers erected by several countries to restrict the entry of Chinese products last year.</p>


Module Makers to Standardize Dimensions for Rectangular Silicon Wafer Modules


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					</table><p><a href="https://www.jinkosolar.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jinko Solar</a>, <a href="https://www.trinasolar.com/us" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trina Solar</a>, <a href="https://www.jasolar.com/html/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">JA Solar</a>, <a href="https://www.longi.com/in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">LONGi Solar</a>, and <a href="https://www.adanisolar.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adani Solar</a> were the leading module suppliers to the Indian solar market in the first half (1H) of the calendar year (CY) 2022, according to Mercom’s recently released <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/mercoms-india-solar-market-leaderboard-1h-2022-market-shares-and-profiles" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India Solar Market Leaderboard 1H 2022</a>.</p>
<p>The report provides insights into the industry leaders’ market share and shipment rankings across the Indian solar supply chain.</p>
<p>The top five module suppliers accounted for 52% of the market share.</p>
<p>Besides Adani Solar, two other Indian module manufacturers made it to the top 10 module suppliers list.</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Leading-Solar-Module-Suppliers-in-India-1H-2022-Jan-June.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-45428 size-full" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Leading-Solar-Module-Suppliers-in-India-1H-2022-Jan-June.png" alt="Leading Solar Module Suppliers in India 1H 2022 (Jan-June)" width="601" height="409" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Leading-Solar-Module-Suppliers-in-India-1H-2022-Jan-June.png 601w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Leading-Solar-Module-Suppliers-in-India-1H-2022-Jan-June-300x204.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 601px) 100vw, 601px" /></a>The top-ranked companies witnessed some major developments through the year&#8217;s first half.</p>
<p><strong>Jinko Solar</strong>’s module shipments globally <a href="https://mercomindia.com/increased-n-type-module-shipments-push-jinko-revenue/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">doubled</a> in the third quarter of 2022, according to the company. The N-type module shipments were approximately 3 GW, up 160% sequentially. Jinko Solar has built a vertically integrated solar product value chain, with an integrated annual capacity of 40 GW for mono wafers, 40GW for solar cells, and 50GW for solar modules, as of June 2022. The company has nine production facilities globally. The company announced a maximum efficiency of 25.7% for its large-size monocrystalline silicon TOPCon solar cell.</p>
<p><strong>Trina Solar</strong> has announced the groundbreaking of its New Energy Industrial Park project in China to cover almost the entire PV manufacturing chain from polysilicon production to modules based on 210mm and N-type technology. The factory will include production lines with an annual output of 300,000 metric tons of industrial silicon, 150,000 metric tons of high-purity polysilicon, 35 GW of mono silicon, 10 GW of wafer slices, 10 GW of cells, 10 GW of modules, and 15 GW of auxiliaries for modules.</p>
<p>With 12 manufacturing bases and more than 20 branches worldwide<strong>, JA Solar</strong>’s business covers silicon wafers, cells, and modules. JA Solar products are available in 135 countries and</p>
<p>regions and are used extensively in ground-mounted solar projects and rooftop solar installations of commercial, industrial, and residential customers. The company has been listed on Fortune China 500 and Global Top 500 New Energy Enterprises for several consecutive years. In May 2022, JA Solar released its first n-type PV module, DeepBlue 4.0 X, marking its entry into the n-type PV product market. The company announced the maximum power of their n-type module reaching 625W and efficiency of up to 22.4%. The company’s solar modules are used across multiple utility-scale projects in India, including a 130 MW and a 70 MW ground-mounted project in Maharashtra, a 69 MW ground-mounted project in Telangana, and a 53 MW ground-mounted project in Gujarat, among others.</p>
<p><strong>LONGi Solar</strong> has <a href="https://mercomindia.com/daily-news-wrap-up-vestas-supplies-to-vibrant-energys-wind-project/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">introduced</a> the Hi-MO 6, its first module designed exclusively for the global distributed consumer market. Using LONGi’s high-efficiency hybrid passivated back contact (HPBC) cell technology, Hi-MO 6 achieved a maximum efficiency of 22.8% in mass production. In May this year, LONGi <a href="https://mercomindia.com/mahindra-susten-commissions-175-mw-solar-project-rajasthan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">supplied</a> 535 kW bifacial modules to Mahindra Susten, the engineering, procurement, and construction arm of Mahindra Group, for the latter’s 175 MW solar project in Kolayat of Bikaner district in Rajasthan.</p>
<p><strong>Adani Solar</strong> is building a fully integrated and comprehensive 10 GW solar manufacturing ecosystem in Mundra, India. The Mundra plant is expected to play host to the entire solar manufacturing ecosystem, from polysilicon to modules, including ancillaries and supporting utilities. The company currently has a solar cell and module manufacturing capacity of 3.5 GW.</p>
<p>Adani was awarded a performance-linked incentive (PLI) amount of ₹6.63 billion (~$81.06 million) for a capacity of nearly 737 MW of vertically-integrated high-efficiency solar modules.</p>
<p>As the country strives towards developing the domestic module manufacturing capacity, the imports during the third quarter of this year <a href="https://mercomindia.com/bcd-effect-indias-solar-imports-down-exports-surge-in-q3-2022/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">saw</a> a decline of 59%. A detailed list of exporters and importers is available by subscribing to Mercom’s <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/india-solar-export-import-tracker/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India Solar Export-Import Tracker</a>.</p>
<p>A complete list of module suppliers and their market share is available through Mercom’s <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/mercoms-india-solar-market-share-tracker/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India Solar Market Share Tracker</a>.</p>


Jinko, Trina, JA Solar, LONGi, Adani Top Solar Module Suppliers in 1H 2022

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