Patent Lawsuit Against SMA Solar Technology

Tigo Energy Accuses SMA Solar Of Infringing On Its Solar Rapid Shutdown Technology

Patent Lawsuit Against SMA Solar Technology

MLPE supplier Tigo Energy of the US claims SMA Solar Technology America of infringing on its patented technology that enables rapid shutdown of solar modules in the recent of any emergency. (Photo Credit: Tigo Energy, Inc)

  • Tigo Energy has accused SMA Solar Technology America of infringing on its patent for module level solar rapid shutdown technology
  • The lawsuit includes all SMA legal entities in the US as well as around the world
  • Tigo has filed the lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware

US based module level power electronics (MLPE) supplier Tigo Energy has approached the United States District Court for the District of Delaware and filed a patent infringement lawsuit against SMA Solar Technology America regarding its module level solar rapid shutdown technology.

Tigo says the patent infringement is related to 6 claims out of which 4 got it license agreements with multiple suppliers. It has accused infringement by SMA products compliant with SunSpec Alliance. SMA and some of its suppliers are accused of copying Tigo innovations that enable rapid shutdown requirements of solar modules, in compliance with the National Electric Code.

According to Tigo, these devices are required to be attached to PV panels to ensure rapid shutdown of PV systems to reduce shock hazard for emergency responders. The lawsuit includes all SMA legal entities in the US and around the world.

SMA Solar is yet to respond to the accusation in public. Interestingly, in 2016 Germany headquartered SMA Solar acquired 27% stake in Tigo Energy under a strategic partnership that also had the latter granting SMA exclusive rights for the worldwide sales of its smart module technology TS4 Retrofit.

TaiyangNews contacted SMA Solar for its reaction, but till the time of this story being published, we had not heard back.

About The Author

Anu Bhambhani

SENIOR NEWS EDITOR Anu is our solar news whirlwind. At TaiyangNews, she covers everything that is of importance in the world of solar power. In the past 9 years that she has been associated with TaiyangNews, she has covered over thousands of stories, and analysis pieces on markets, technology, financials, and more on a daily basis. She also hosts TaiyangNews Conferences and Webinars. Prior to joining TaiyangNews, Anu reported on sustainability, management, and education for leading print dailies in India. [email protected]

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