First Solar announced on July 19th that it holds patents for the manufacturing of Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (TOPCon) crystalline-silicon (c-Si) photovoltaic (PV) solar cells.
These patents, acquired through the purchase of TetraSun, Inc. (TetraSun), cover a range of international jurisdictions, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Japan, and Australia, with validity extending to 2030. There are also pending applications in the European Union and Japan.
First Solar has begun investigating several c-Si solar manufacturers for potential patent infringement. The company said in a statement that it is confident in the strength and value of its patents and intends to conduct a comprehensive investigation into potentially infringing products.
In 2013, First Solar acquired TetraSun and its intellectual property portfolio. Before this acquisition, TetraSun had developed proprietary cell architecture and manufacturing processes for large-format crystalline silicon wafers.
“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,” explains Jason Dymbort, Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary of First Solar.
“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.”
Dymbort also noted, “We are investigating several leading crystalline silicon solar manufacturers for potential infringement of our patents.
“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.”
