China has announced the launch of a patent pool for solar PV technology, a joint initiative of Trinasolar, JA Solar, and JinkoSolar
It currently includes 54 TOPCon solar cell and module patents in mainland China
The initiative is designed to simplify licensing, reduce patent disputes, and improve coordination in the Chinese solar industry
On April 21, 2026, China unveiled a patent pool for solar PV technology in Beijing to promote the sharing and licensing of intellectual property (IP) for this technology in a legally compliant manner. It currently covers 54 TOPCon solar PV cell- and module-related patents within mainland China.
The patent pool was jointly initiated by leading manufacturers Trinasolar, JA Solar, and JinkoSolar, with support from companies across the industrial chain, research institutions, and IP service agencies. As of now, 2 companies have already obtained patent pool licenses.
Trinasolar Chairman and the Honorary Chairman of the China Photovoltaic Industry Association (CPIA), Gao Jifan, announced that all of its TOPCon patents will be placed into the patent pool. The patent pool could be expanded to include other technologies, such as back contact (BC) and heterojunction (HJT), as they advance.
According to local media reports, the patent pool initiative is designed to improve access to key technologies by enabling companies to share and license IP and to promote the healthy development of the industry while avoiding a ‘patent jungle’.
Backed by government agencies and supported by industry, research institutions, and IP service providers, the platform will be managed by an expert advisory committee that oversees the development and operation of patent pools. The administration stressed that this platform will ensure compliance and standardization.
The committee comprises 14 experts from fields such as IP, solar R&D, legal affairs, and competition policy who were selected following a preliminary solicitation. This cohort will be responsible for compliance oversight and guidance.
According to Trinasolar, this patent pool follows government guidance to improve the protection and use of IP. It aims to reduce ‘involution’ (unhealthy competition where companies keep lowering prices or putting in more effort without gaining much) by encouraging better sharing and use of patents.
It is aligned with the government’s 15th Five-Year Plan (15th FYP) as it pertains to improving the IP protection system in emerging fields.
The fee rates will be set using official data from the State Intellectual Property Office, and similar market deals, in a way that is fair to everyone involved.
In the last few years, the solar PV industry has seen an increase in IP disputes, particularly over TOPCon technology, leading to lengthy and costly legal battles for many companies.
A major threat is the patent lawsuits filed by US-based cadmium telluride (CdTe) manufacturer First Solar, which acquired certain silicon and TOPCon-related patents with its TetraSun acquisition. The company launched patent infringement investigations against several manufacturers in 2024 (see First Solar Initiates Infringement Investigation).
Earlier this year, the USITC also launched a Section 337 investigation following First Solar’s petition, which could become a key source of external pressure.
Such cases could potentially affect market access to the United States, depending on the outcome (see First Solar Complaint Prompts USITC Section 337 Probe).
At the same time, more companies are settling disputes and signing cross-licensing deals, indicating a shift toward greater cooperation. In this context, a patent pool can reduce internal disputes, lower legal risks, and make it easier to access licenses while promoting innovation (see Astronergy & JA Solar End Global TOPCon Patent Dispute).
