JinkoSolar announced last Friday that it had licensed its TOPCon technology to a rival top 10 module manufacturer. Underpinning its decision was the huge portfolio of over 3,500 global patents already held by the company, including the most TOPCon related patents in the industry, currently standing at 330.
While Jinko did not confirm whether or not associated royalties would represent a major source of revenue, its well-established patent-holding landscape introduces new protection weapons and competition barriers which significantly differentiate the company from its rivals.
“This first important step demonstrates JinkoSolar’s leading position in R&D and the success of its TOPCon patent pool concept, which marks a milestone in managing patents for the whole solar PV industry. We have worked for over five years to develop the concept and feel a sense of pride at witnessing it become a tangible reality, resulting in increased availability of TOPCon solutions,” commented VP Dany Qian.