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					</table><p>U.S.-based solar module manufacturer <a href="https://www.firstsolar.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">First Solar</a> has filed a lawsuit against Shanghai-headquartered <a href="https://www.jinkosolar.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">JinkoSolar</a>, alleging patent infringement of its tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) modules.</p>
<p>The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware.</p>
<p>First Solar alleged infringement of its U.S. patent number 074, which covers methods of manufacturing TOPCon crystalline silicon solar cells.</p>
<p>The company obtained the U.S. TOPCon patents and related international counterparts by acquiring silicon cell developer TetraSun in 2013.</p>
<p>The patents are recognized in the U.S., Australia, Canada, China, the European Union, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. The patent validity has been extended beyond 2030.</p>
<p>It also includes pending patent applications in the European Union, Japan, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam.</p>
<p>The solar industry is <a href="https://mercomindia.com/patent-disputes-soar-topcon" target="_blank" rel="noopener">transitioning</a> from monocrystalline passivated emitter and rear contact cells to TOPCon technology, and countries are increasingly emphasizing domestic solar manufacturing. This change drove a recent surge in TOPCon-related intellectual property disputes, particularly in China, Europe, and the U.S.</p>
<p>In July 2024, First Solar announced its ownership of the TOPCon technology patent portfolio and the launch of its infringement investigations against multiple crystalline silicon solar cell manufacturers.</p>
<p>Jason Dymbort, Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary of First Solar, said, “We’ve been clear that we will actively defend our intellectual property rights in the U.S. and internationally. Unfortunately, our interaction with JinkoSolar has been unproductive and left us with no choice but to enforce our patent rights through legal action,”</p>
<p>He added that First Solar believes it has a strong TOPCon technology patent portfolio after considering the responses from other solar cell manufacturers in connection with the infringement investigations.</p>
<p>“We expect that our lawsuit against JinkoSolar will reiterate the need for TOPCon solar cell manufacturers to operate within the well-defined framework of intellectual property law,” he said.</p>
<p>Recently, US-based crystalline silicon solar cell manufacturer Talon PV secured the license for TOPCon cell manufacturing patents from First Solar.</p>
<p>In January 2025, the U.S. International Trade Commission <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/us-itc-rules-voltage-not-guilty-in-patent-infringement-case" target="_blank" rel="noopener">terminated</a> an investigation into the global provider of utility-scale wire (solar, electrical balance of systems) solutions company Voltage’s patent infringement through its LYNX trunk bus solution.</p>


First Solar Alleges TOPCon Module Patent Infringement by JinkoSolar


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					</table><p>Chinese solar module manufacturer <a href="https://www.longi.com/in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">LONGi</a> has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against <a href="https://www.jinkosolar.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jinko Solar</a> and its subsidiaries in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.</p>
<p>The lawsuit alleges that Jinko Solar&#8217;s tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) and multiple other photovoltaic module products infringe LONGi&#8217;s U.S. patents.</p>
<p>TOPCon technology is an advanced solar cell architecture that has gained popularity rapidly because it enhances energy yield and efficiency compared to the passivated emitter and rear cell (PERC) technology.</p>
<p>LONGi is seeking a court order to prohibit Jinko from selling the alleged infringing products in the U.S. and is also demanding financial compensation for damages.</p>
<p>The lawsuit follows Jinko&#8217;s infringement lawsuit against LONGi, making it a legal countermeasure in the ongoing patent dispute between the solar manufacturers.</p>
<p>LONGi held 3,166 authorized patents as of June 2024. The company has established patent portfolios across multiple technological fields, including TOPCon.</p>
<p>Patent disputes among solar companies have become more frequent recently, with intellectual property rights protection emerging as a key topic at major industry conferences.</p>
<p>The solar industry&#8217;s transition from Mono PERC technology to TOPCon has <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/patent-disputes-soar-topcon" target="_blank" rel="noopener">resulted</a> in a recent surge of intellectual property disputes related to TOPCon, particularly in China, Europe, and the U.S.</p>
<p>Last year, 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 claimed that Canadian Solar&#8217;s subsidiaries violated two of Trina&#8217;s U.S. patents on TOPCon technology. Canadian Solar has dismissed the lawsuit as frivolous.</p>
<p>Jinko Solar and LONGi Green Energy Technology were among the top solar module suppliers in 1H 2024, according to Mercom&#8217;s <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/product/mercoms-india-solar-market-leaderboard-1h-2024-market-shares-profiles" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India Solar Market Leaderboard 1H 2024.</a></p>


LONGi Sues Jinko Solar in US over TOPCon Patent Infringement


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					</table><p>The U.S. International Trade Commission (<a href="https://www.usitc.gov/home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ITC</a>) has terminated an investigation into the global provider of utility-scale wire (solar, electrical balance of systems) solutions company <a href="https://www.voltageenergy.com/">Voltage</a>’s patent infringement through its LYNX trunk bus solution.</p>
<p>The investigation cleared Voltage of violating ITC’s Section 337 for importing and selling its trunk bus solution.</p>
<p><a href="https://shoals.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shoals Technologies Group</a> initiated the investigation in May 2023, accusing Voltage of infringing on its patents, including its big lead assembly technology for trunk bus solutions.</p>
<p>The investigation termination follows earlier dismissals of claims that Voltage infringed on two other patents on trunk bus solutions and in-line fuses.</p>
<p>Voltage said it introduced its trunk bus solutions to the market in 2019, four years before Shoals&#8217; patent was issued in June 2023.</p>
<p>In September 2024, Shoals received a favorable ITC ruling in its patent infringement complaint against Voltage. Shoals had issued two new patents covering Shoals’ BLA technology, U.S. Patents 12,015,375 and 12,015,376, in addition to the &#8216;153 (U.S. Patent 11,689,153) patent that Voltage was found to violate.</p>
<p>In November 2024, the Commission issued its notice determining the judge&#8217;s initial determination to review. It declined Shoals&#8217; request to review the finding that Voltage&#8217;s alternative LYNX design does not infringe Shoals&#8217; patent. However, the Commission examined whether Voltage&#8217;s LYNX design can continue to be imported.</p>
<p>According to investment bank ROTH Capital Partners, the decision effectively reversed the administrative law judge’s initial determination and found no violation. It said approximately 87% of similar Section 337 cases result in a final determination that upholds the initial determination.</p>
<p>It added that Shoals recently filed a new Section 337 case to broaden the language to allow new patents to be applied to alternative and existing designs.</p>
<p>The new lawsuit is projected to take 12-18 months to file. The latest trial is expected to begin in October/November 2025, and the initial determination is expected in the first quarter of 2026.</p>
<p>There has recently been a <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/patent-disputes-soar-topcon" target="_blank" rel="noopener">surge</a> in intellectual property disputes involving clean energy companies, especially those related to TOPCon solar technology in recent months, particularly in China, Europe, and the U.S.</p>
<p>In April 2024, Maxeon Solar Technologies, a Singapore-based solar solutions provider, <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/maxeon-patent-infringement-claims" target="_blank" rel="noopener">filed</a> infringement claims against Canadian Solar, REC Solar, and Hanwha for violating three patents on TOPCon technology.</p>


US ITC Rules Voltage Not Guilty in Patent Infringement Case   


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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

<p>Here are some noteworthy cleantech announcements of the day from around the world:</p>
<p><strong>China has </strong><a href="http://www.nea.gov.cn/2020-11/16/c_139519900.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>installed</strong></a><strong> 1.3 GW of residential solar capacity in October 2020, according to the latest data from the National Energy Administration.</strong> Based on the information submitted by 30 provinces, the newly added 1.3 GW capacity is included in the overall national subsidy allocation for 6.61 GW. The province of Shandong recorded the highest installation at 567 MW in October 2020.</p>
<p><strong>Total Eren has </strong><a href="https://www.total-eren.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Total-Eren-enters-Philippines-renewable-energy-market.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>joined</strong></a><strong> hands with Mabalacat Solar Philippines and Sindicatum Renewable Energy to build 135 MW of utility-scale solar projects in Luzon, Philippines.</strong> The 60 MW Tarlac solar project will reach commercial operation in Q1 2021, while the 75 MW Zambales solar project is expected to begin its commercial operation in Q4 2021. Once completed, these projects will produce together over 180 GWh of clean energy annually.</p>
<p><strong>Hanwha Q CELLS </strong><a href="http://koreabizwire.com/hanwha-q-cells-to-build-worlds-largest-floating-solar-power-plant/174391" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>announced</strong></a><strong> that it would develop a 41 MW floating solar power project at Hapcheon dam in Hapcheon, South Korea.</strong> The company received the order to develop a floating solar project from Korea Water Resources Corporation in August 2020. It received the final approval for the project on November 4, 2020. It is expected to start the construction of the project before the end of the year. The project will generate enough clean energy to satisfy the electricity needs of 60,000 households annually.</p>
<p><strong>Zinc8 Energy Solutions </strong><a href="https://www.zinc8energy.com/investors/press-releases/2020/59-zinc8-energy-solutions-announces-update-to-commercialization-milestone-agreement-for-75-house-in-surrey-british-columbia" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>said</strong></a><strong> the company is set to deliver its zinc-energy storage to a low-energy-footprint estate in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, on time by December 21, 2020.</strong> The system will be integrated with an onsite solar array to provide the main source of power to the estate. The energy storage system&#8217;s capacity to be installed by Zinc8 is configured to be 20 kW and 80 kWh, but it can be modified to meet any change in demand. The modular storage system is designed to deliver power in the range of 20 kW to 1 MW or more and energy in the range of 160 kWh to 8 MWh or more.</p>
<p><strong>Aviva, with support from the Scottish Government, has </strong><a href="https://www.aviva.com/newsroom/news-releases/2020/11/aviva-opens-one-of-the-uks-largest-solar-initiatives/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>launched</strong></a><strong> one of the UK&#8217;s largest combined solar carports and energy storage facilities at its Perth office.</strong> The carport covers 342 car park spaces and provides 50 electric vehicle charging stations. The facility will be powered by Tesla Powerpack technology and is expected to contribute to a combined annual carbon emission of nearly 400 tons, equivalent to powering over 500 homes&#8217; electricity for one year.</p>
<p><strong>Enphase Energy, a global supplier of inverter-based solar-plus-storage systems, has </strong><a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/11/16/2127260/0/en/Enphase-Energy-Joins-Forces-with-MSpectrum-to-Provide-Solar-Solutions-in-the-Philippines.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>entered</strong></a><strong> into an agreement with MSpectrum to distribute Enphase products to residential and commercial installers across the Philippines.</strong> The Enphase IQ 7 family of microinverters is expected to be available through MSpectrum in the first quarter of 2021.</p>
<p><strong>Maxeon Solar Technologies </strong><a href="https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/maxeon-solar-technologies-brings-premium-commercial-solar-to-the-headquarters-of-carioca-spa-in-italy-825835986.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>said</strong></a><strong> its solar panels are powering the headquarters of Carioca SpA, located in the northwest of Italy.</strong> The company installed 500 kW of photovoltaic arrays covering a rooftop area of around 2,574 square meters. The installation is expected to generate around 524 MWh of clean electricity while reducing 278,224 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions annually.</p>
<p>Here is our <a href="https://mercomindia.com/daily-news-wrap-up-edf-renewables/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">previous</a> daily news wrap-up.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Image credit: Unsplash</p>


Daily News Wrap-Up: China Adds 1.3 GW of Residential Solar Capacity in October 2020

<p><a href="https://www.dynapower.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dynapower</a>, an energy storage solutions provider, has entered into an agreement with <a href="http://raychemrpg.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Raychem RPG</a> to bring its energy storage inverter technology and know-how to India and other SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries. The two companies have signed a technology transfer and licencing agreement for the same.</p>
<p>Raychem RPG is a joint venture between TE Connectivity and RPG Enterprises, India. The company has been working in the field of grid connection and insulation and according to the company portfolio, RPG Enterprises has an annual revenue of $3.5 billion.</p>
<p>Dynapower, a United States-based company, has a range of products from energy storage inverters, DC-DC Converters, and fully-integrated energy storage systems and supplied over 400 MW of its systems across the world.</p>
<p>The two companies have also announced the commissioning of a 1 MW microgrid at the Central Electronics Limited (CEL) facility in Sahibabad, Uttar Pradesh. It is India’s first microgrid to feature Dynapower’s <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=UJvbt7GuSUcDEWN-fMcX39XXprdKK6wbLDnAa2R0uQMYk0UExYDRs_Q2EKdWjdyIs9R7tuZS1mfskIqiQxbXZYcUEIFQrWD8PQSbU3j3Ic6ZsMxeOH5iOqle5e-OJGdjwPq3KJPc1Tl3KV2i6ITiT_UIXQ_Q3rBOWudKaOCLDZH32pL1ewom65WfX_NStAWxZUMnYXiXj5Ei8wFjIu7wxQ==" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CPS-1000</a> inverter.</p>
<p>Central Electronics Limited (CEL) manufactures solar-photovoltaic (SPV) cells, modules, and systems and the microgrid will help reduce its electricity bill. Microgrid system can work by combining solar and diesel gensets or by energy storage connected to the main grid. It is a locally controllable power system that features Dynapower’s patented dynamic transfer technology.</p>
<p>In <a href="https://mercomindia.com/abb-commissions-indias-first-industrial-solar-microgrid/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">April 2018</a>, Mercom also reported that <a href="http://new.abb.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ABB</a>, a Swedish-Swiss multinational corporation, announced the successful commissioning of the country’s first industrial solar microgrid at its Vadodara manufacturing facility, located in the western state of Gujarat.</p>
<p>India’s renewable energy sector needs a strong backbone in the form of a robust <a href="https://mercomindia.com/energy-storage-industry-buoyant/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">energy storage industry</a> in order to sustain its growth trajectory. Off-grid solar is the solution to secure reliable electricity for vast portions of the country, and both multinationals and the government are supporting the off-grid solar segment through various policies and funding.</p>
<p>Mercom previously <a href="https://mercomindia.com/63-micro-grids-installed-in-india/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> about the Indian government’s seriousness in pursuing the advancement of solar microgrids in the country. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (<a href="http://www.mnre.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MNRE</a>) has financially assisted the installations of microgrids in rural areas where it has provided financial support up to 30 percent of the cost of micro and mini grids systems for installation.</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/india-first-grid-scale-energy-storage/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mercom also reported</a> recently about India’s first utility-scale energy storage system being constructed by <a href="http://www.aes-india.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AES India</a> and <a href="https://www.mitsubishicorp.com/jp/en/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mitsubishi Corporation</a> to serve the grid operated by Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd (<a href="http://www.tatapower-ddl.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TPDDL</a>), located in New Delhi’s Rohini area.</p>
<p>Image credit: Dynapower</p>


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