JinkoSolar has filed a patent infringement lawsuit in Japan against LONGi Solar Technology, a subsidiary of LONGi Green Energy
This follows Jinko’s TOPCon patent lawsuit it filed against LONGi in China earlier this month
With over 4,100 registered patents, including 460 for TOPCon technology, JinkoSolar leads the solar industry in innovation and IP ownership
As an extension to its TOPCon patent lawsuit in China, JinkoSolar has now filed a patent infringement lawsuit against LONGi Solar Technology Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of LONGi Green Energy, in Japan's Tokyo District Court.
Initiated by JinkoSolar's subsidiary Shangrao Xinyuan Yuedong Technology Development Co., Ltd., the lawsuit seeks to stop LONGi's alleged infringement activities and demands compensation for economic damages.
While the release doesn’t mention specifics, JinkoSolar says this lawsuit is part of its ongoing efforts to safeguard its intellectual property (IP) globally. Earlier this month, JinkoSolar filed another patent lawsuit against LONGi in China’s Xi’an Intermediate People’s Court (see JinkoSolar Accuses Compatriot LONGi Of TOPCon Patent Infringement). The court has scheduled February 13, 2025 as the date of hearing in the China case.
According to the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC) released in 2024, JinkoSolar holds the highest number of patents in the solar category, with 4,100 registered patents and 2,280 granted. It also holds 460 TOPCon patents, which makes it the largest patent holder in this technology stream.
JinkoSolar stated in the release that its actions reflect its strategy to protect its innovations and maintain a strong position in the global PV market.
Earlier this week, Korean company Qcells announced it issued patent infringement notices to several unnamed ‘major global manufacturers’ for using its proprietary LECO technology, that improves TOPCon cell technology, without its consent (see Qcells Launches Drive Against LECO Technology Patent Infringement).
The JinkoSolar and Qcells’ patent infringement calls join the ever-increasing list of such lawsuits doing the rounds in the solar industry, majorly for TOPCon technology. It is just another escalation of the global patent conflict in the solar industry that is suffering from huge overcapacities and dramatic price declines for around 2 years at a time the sector has moved from PERC to TOPCon cell technology as their new standard.