Patent Battles: Legal conflicts over TOPCon technology now span the US, EU, and Asia, involving both global and Chinese solar firms. (Source: Fraunhofer ISE) 
Technology

Rising IP Disputes Complicate TOPCon Expansion

Patent litigation is shifting from global conflicts to domestic rivalries, with legal uncertainty now influencing technology choices across the solar industry

Shravan Chunduri

  • The focus of IP disputes has moved beyond Western firms targeting Chinese companies, with Chinese manufacturers now engaging in legal action against domestic competitors

  • Legal concerns around TOPCon are prompting some companies, especially new entrants, to fall back on older PERC technology to avoid potential infringement

  • As IP issues grow more complex, companies now see legal strategy as just as important as technical improvements in solar cell development.

Once a battleground dominated by Western companies targeting Chinese manufacturers, the IP landscape in solar cell technology is rapidly evolving. The spotlight is now on TOPCon, not just for its performance edge, but for the flurry of intellectual property disputes it’s igniting across borders – and increasingly within China itself. As seen in the chart, litigation is no longer a West-versus-East affair; Chinese firms are now actively pursuing legal claims against their own domestic rivals, signaling a maturing and fiercely competitive market.

This wave of patent battles is proving to be more than just courtroom drama. It’s directly impacting strategic decisions: several companies, particularly newcomers trying to establish cell production lines, are opting for older PERC technology instead, despite its lower efficiency, just to steer clear of the legal uncertainties surrounding TOPCon. The web of active claims spans the US, EU, and Asia-Pacific regions, and touches nearly all major players – from JA Solar, Trina, and Jinko to Maxeon, Qcells, and Canadian Solar.

As this IP heatwave continues, it underscores a crucial shift in the solar sector: innovation now comes with a legal price tag, and navigating the fine print of patents is becoming as critical as optimizing cell efficiency.

This text is an excerpt from the TaiyangNews Cell & Module Technology Trends 2025 report, which can be downloaded for free here.