REC Group downplays German court ruling in favour of Hanwha Q CELLS

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
REC Group launched its Alpha Series Heterojunction cell based modules at Intersolar Europe in 2019, signing a number of European-based distributors at the launch as it planned a 600MW production ramp. Image: REC Group

High-efficiency PV module manufacturer REC Group has downplayed any potential impact its business may have in Europe after the Düsseldorf Regional Court in Germany decided to affirm Hanwha Q CELLS' patent infringement case on solar cell passivation techniques that can be used in PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) technology.

REC Group said that this specific judgment of first instance was not a final judgement and the company would appeal. 

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Cemil Seber, managing director of REC Solar EMEA said, “Basis of this decision of the court is an interpretation of the relevant patent claim which in our view is not correct. The decision is also in contradiction to the finding in the parallel US ITC proceedings between REC Group and Hanwha. We are positive that this decision of the Düsseldorf Regional Court will be corrected in the appeal proceedings by the Düsseldorf Court of Appeal and that, in addition, the patent will be invalidated in the pending opposition proceedings at the European Patent Office.” 

REC Group also noted that a preliminary enforcement has yet to happen as Hanwha Q CELLS would have to provide financial security to REC Group.

However, key to downplaying the impact of the judgement on the company, REC Group noted that its PV module sales in the EU had already been shifting to its higher efficiency products which include its ‘N-Peak’ series and heterojunction cell-based ‘Alpha’ modules that better suit the high-end residential markets across Europe. These products are not included in the litigation cases by Hanwha Q CELLS in the US, Germany and Australia. 

REC Group has also recently filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Q CELLS regarding its split cell and junction box technology.

7 October 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
PV Tech has been running an annual PV CellTech Conference since 2016. PV CellTech USA, on 7-8 October 2025 is our third PV CellTech conference dedicated to the U.S. manufacturing sector. The events in 2023 and 2024 were a sell out success and 2025 will once again gather the key stakeholders from PV manufacturing, equipment/materials, policy-making and strategy, capital equipment investment and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out PV manufacturing in the U.S. out to 2030 and beyond.

Read Next

October 2, 2025
PV products using perovskite technology could assume a dominant position within the next ten years, according to module producer Qcells' CTO.
Premium
October 2, 2025
PV Talk: Qcells’ CTO Danielle Merfeld discusses the imminent opening of America’s first integrated ingot-to-module factory and her belief in solar’s long-term strengths.
September 29, 2025
German renewables developer ABO Energy is looking to begin owning and operating its energy projects in a transition from a “pure play” developer to an independent power producer (IPP) model.
September 29, 2025
Indian solar manufacturer Waaree has said it does not expect to pay additional duties on its solar cell imports to the US, following the start of an antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) investigation by the US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP).
Premium
September 25, 2025
An anticipated uptick in US cell manufacturing presents opportunities for European PV tool producers, says RENA Technologies’ Michael Vees.
September 23, 2025
Boviet Solar has added an additional 1GW of manufacturing capacity to its module manufacturing plant in North Carolina.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
October 21, 2025
New York, USA