Trinasolar has announced launching a patent infringement lawsuit against Canadian Solar in China
The Chinese court has admitted the case where Trinasolar is seeking over RMB 1 billion in damages
It demands Canadian Solar to cease infringement of its patents and destroy all inventories and related production equipment
Canadian Solar calls the accusation unfounded and that it lacks both factual and legal basis
Leading Chinese solar PV manufacturer Trinasolar has filed a patent infringement lawsuit in China against Canadian Solar and its subsidiary Changshu Canadian Solar Energy Technology, demanding RMB 1.058 billion ($144.81 million) in total damages.
The lawsuit filed in the Jiangsu High People’s Court accuses Canadian Solar of infringing on Trinasolar patents titled “Solar Cell Module” (Patent No. ZL201710975923.2) and “Solar Cell and Its Manufacturing Method” (Patent No. ZL201510892086.8).
According to Trinasolar’s announcement, the company has requested the court to order Canadian Solar to cease infringement of its patents and destroy inventories and production equipment. It also wants Canadian Solar to compensate for all economic losses and legal expenses. The court has accepted the case, says Trinasolar.
Trinasolar has already filed a similar complaint against Canadian Solar in the US accusing it of infringing on its 2 TOPCon-related patents. Back then, Canadian Solar dismissed it as a frivolous lawsuit (see TOPCon Patent War Heating Up: Trinasolar & Canadian Solar New Additions).
Trinasolar is also fighting Runergy Alabama and Adani accusing them of infringing on its patents. The USITC has agreed to investigate the concerns (see US To Investigate Runergy & Adani For Solar Patent Infringement).
To Trinasolar’s China lawsuit, Canadian Solar issued a response saying that it believes the former’s claim is unfounded, and that it lacks both factual and legal basis. Based on professional analysis, its products and processes do not infringe upon the patents in question. It believes that the patents themselves may be invalid.
Canadian Solar said it will actively defend itself and disclose developments as the litigation proceeds to safeguard it and its shareholders’ legitimate rights and interests. As for the October 2024 case that Trinasolar filed against the company in the US, Delaware Federal Court has suspended the case pending a decision from the USITC. Final outcome is expected in May 2026. Additionally, India’s Adani and China’s Runergy have filed invalidation requests, stated Canadian Solar.
With this, the patent war among solar PV manufacturers stretches on for the current industry workhorse TOPCon. Recently, JinkoSolar filed similar lawsuits against LONGi in China, Japan,and extending it to Australia (see JinkoSolar Launches Patent Lawsuit Against LONGi In Australia).
Note: This news report was updated to add Canadian Solar’s response to the patent lawsuit filed by Trinasolar.