First Solar Initiates Infringement Investigation

Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) solar panel manufacturer First Solar has claimed ownership of patents related to the manufacturing of Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (TOPCon) crystalline silicon (C-Si) solar cells through its acquisition of TetraSun in 2013.  

It has also initiated an investigation of several crystalline silicon (C-Si) solar manufacturers for potential infringement of its patents.  

According to the US manufacturer, it acquired TetraSun and its intellectual property portfolio in 2013. Before that, the latter had pioneered proprietary cell architecture and manufacturing processes for large-format crystalline silicon wafers.  

Back then, First Solar had said that the TetraSun cell architecture was capable of conversion efficiencies exceeding 21% with commercial-scale manufacturing costs comparable to conventional multicrystalline silicon solar cells.  

“These patents are First Solar’s intellectual property, which we continue to leverage as part of ongoing efforts to develop the next generation of PV technologies,” said Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of First Solar, Jason Dymbort. “While First Solar is a world leader in the development and commercialization of advanced thin film photovoltaics, our R&D and intellectual property portfolio spans several semiconductor platforms, including crystalline silicon, as we pursue multiple pathways towards our goal of developing the next transformative, disruptive solar technology.” 

While it has not revealed the names of any specific companies against whom it has launched the investigations, First Solar said the patents include issued patents in the US, Canada, Mexico, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Japan, and Australia, among other jurisdictions. Their validities extend to 2030. It also includes patent applications in the European Union (EU) and Japan.   

Dymbort added, “If infringement is discovered, we intend to challenge the ability of potential infringers to legally manufacture, assemble, and sell infringing TOPCon technology by pursuing enforcement, licensing, and/or other measures to safeguard our rights.”  

First Solar’s TOPCon solar cell patent infringement call follows SunPower spin-off Maxeon Solar Technologies, which is pursuing TOPCon patent infringement lawsuits against several companies including Hanwha Q CELLS, Canadian Solar and REC Solar Holdings (see Maxeon Solar Technologies Launches Another Patent Lawsuit).