First Solar, a manufacturer of thin-film solar panels, is launching a patent infringement investigation based on tunnel oxide passivated contact technology (TOPCon) used in crystalline silicon solar energy production.
First Solar acquired TOPCon patents through the acquisition of TetraSun in 2013. Before the acquisition, the California-based startup had developed a proprietary cell architecture and manufacturing processes for large-format crystalline silicon wafers. First Solar had already produced a number of silicon-based designs a few years earlier stop that line in 2016. First Solar still retains the TOPCon-related patents issued in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Japan and Australia, among others, valid until 2030. The company also has patent applications pending applications in the European Union and Japan.
“These patents are First Solar’s intellectual property, which we continue to leverage as part of our ongoing efforts to develop next-generation PV technologies,” said Jason Dymbort, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of First Solar. “While First Solar is a global leader in the development and commercialization of advanced thin-film solar photovoltaics, our R&D and intellectual property portfolio includes several semiconductor platforms, including crystalline silicon, as we pursue multiple paths toward our goal of developing the next transformative, disruptive technology. solar technology.”
Dymbort added: “We are investigating several leading manufacturers of crystalline silicon solar panels for possible infringement of our patents. If infringement is discovered, we intend to challenge the ability of potential infringers to legally manufacture, assemble and sell infringing TOPCon technology by pursuing enforcement, licensing and/or other measures to protect our rights. ”
