The Shanghai-based solar energy development company has filed two complaints with the local branches of the Unified Patent Court in Munich and Hamburg.
Chinese solar panel manufacturer JA Solar has initiated patent infringement proceedings against an unnamed rival solar panel manufacturer in the Unified Patent Court (UPC) in Germany.
The two complaints, filed with UPC’s local branches in Munich and Hamburg, are against its competitor’s range of TOPCon solar modules and concern the infringement of JA Solar’s patents EP 2 787 541 B1 and EP 4 092 759 B1, the company said in a statement.
“The abbreviation ‘TOPCon’ stands for the ‘tunnel oxide passivated contact’ technology, which has become the state-of-the-art and market standard for crystalline silicon solar cells,” JA Solar noted.
“The first patent, EP 2 787 541 B1, covers the characteristic layer structure of TOPCon solar cells, including the ultra-thin tunneling silicon oxide layer (SiO2) and a thin, highly doped polysilicon layer applied to the back surface of the silicon wafer, which allows electrons to pass through thanks to quantum tunnel effect, while effectively reducing recombination effects, improving cell efficiency,” it added. “EP ‘541 has a remaining lifespan until 2034 and has been validated in Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and France, as well as in the United Kingdom.”
The second patent, EP 4 092 759 B1, concerns the placement of the electrodes, consisting of finger lines and bus bar lines, on the solar cell and of the wires that connect the individual solar cells of PV panels. “It is part of a larger patent family covering the structure and arrangement of electrodes and connection cables found on most current TOPCon solar panels on the market,” the company explains. “EP ‘759 will not expire before 2035 and has been validated as a unitary patent and is therefore enforceable with effect for all Contracting Member States of the UPC.”
The UPC is a common supranational patent court of 17 EU member states. It was established last year and handles cases involving infringement and revocation proceedings of European patents. A court decision is directly applicable in the Member States that have ratified the UPC Agreement.
“For JA Solar, IP is not just a buzzword; it is a commitment, and our assertive stance on patents keeps our groundbreaking technology at the forefront,” said a JA Solar spokesperson. “We have a responsibility to protect our leadership position and will continue to enforce our patent rights against those who attempt to sell infringing products in Europe and other markets.”
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