intellectual property

US solar PV manufacturer T1 Energy has bought a set of patents for tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar cell and module technology which it said will “differentiate” its position in the US market.

The US International Trade Commission (ITC) has begun an investigation into tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar products in the US, following a complaint by US thin-film module manufacturer First Solar.

Chinese solar PV manufacturer Aiko Solar will license a raft of solar cell technology patents from Singapore-based manufacturer Maxeon.

The Chinese government has released a range of policy measures to strengthen intellectual property (IP) protections in the country’s solar PV industry.

The European Patent Office (EPO) has revoked a patent for a key solar cell manufacturing process, which has been hailed as “good news” for European solar PV manufacturing.

Maxeon opened the case in June 2023. The case concerns shingled solar cell technology patents used in Maxeon’s Performance line modules

Chinese solar manufacturer Trinasolar is engaged in two legal proceedings with the US government over patents and import tariffs.

The cases are being pursued against JinkoSolar, Canadian Solar, JA Solar, and Trinasolar, some of the world's largest PV manufacturers.

A new research project, announced this week, will seek to bolster intellectual property (IP) and patent protection for European companies developing new solar cell technologies.