Trinasolar has accused Runergy and Adani of infringing on its TOPCon cell technology related patents
It has approached the USITC to temporarily stop the import and sale of such products from the 2 named brands in the US
It is now actively reviewing possible patent infringement by other manufacturers in the US market
Chinese solar PV manufacturer Trinasolar has approached the US International Trade Commission (USITC) to issue a limited exclusion order, cease and desist orders for products from other brands that infringe on 2 of its patents for TOPCon solar cell technology.
The companies it has mentioned in its complaint are Runergy USA Inc. of Pleasanton, CA; Runergy Alabama Inc. of Huntsville, AL; Jiangsu Runergy New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. of China; Adani Solar USA Inc. of Irving, TX; and Adani Green Energy Ltd. of India.
Runergy Alabama recently commissioned its 2 GW solar module factory in the US with n-type technology (see Runergy’s 2 GW Solar Module Manufacturing Fab In Alabama, US).
The USITC shared that the complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1337) in the import and sale of certain TOPCon solar cells, modules, panels, components thereof, and products containing the same. Section 337 of the US Tariff Act refers to the infringement of a US patent, copyright, or registered trademark.
Having received the complaint, the USITC has invited comments from interested parties and other stakeholders to understand whether the issuance of the relief requested by the Chinese manufacturer would affect the public health and welfare, or competition in the US.
Trinasolar wants the commission to impose a bond upon the alleged infringing articles during the 60-day Presidential review period.
“We are committed to defending our innovations and will take decisive action against any infringement on our intellectual property,” said President of Trinasolar US, Steven Zhu. He added, “We are proud of our extensive patent portfolio and invite collaboration with U.S. partners who adhere to proper protocols for utilizing our patented technology.”
Trinasolar has separate patent infringement suits relating to TOPCon technology pending against Runergy in the District of Delaware and the Central District of California. The company claims to have over 2,000 patents including those for TOPCon, PERC and heterojunction (HJT) technologies.
It is now ‘actively reviewing possible patent infringement by other manufacturers supplying the U.S. market.’ Trina is working on a 5 GW DC solar module assembly plant in the US (see Trinasolar Lands $235 Million Green Loan For 5 GW Texas Factory).
TOPCon has of late become the new standard for the solar PV market globally, replacing the current workhorse PERC. With its rise have also risen patent fights over the Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contacts (TOPCon) technology (see TOPCon Patent Ownership War Heating Up, Now Moving To China).
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