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[BUSINESS] · United States, China · 2 sources

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Part of situation: First Solar intellectual property litigation (3 clusters)

First Solar sues JA Solar and American Panel Solutions over TOPCon patents

patent infringement TOPCon technology solar cell manufacturing crystalline silicon intellectual property litigation

First Solar has filed a patent infringement lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware against Chinese manufacturer JA Solar and American Panel Solutions (AMPS). The lawsuit alleges the unauthorized use of U.S. Patent No. 9,130,074, which pertains to manufacturing methods for tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) crystalline silicon solar cells.

The complaint names several JA Solar affiliates and AMPS, a subsidiary of Corning. AMPS operates a module assembly plant in Arizona that was previously associated with JA Solar. Through this litigation, First Solar is seeking monetary damages and permanent injunctive relief to prevent the import, assembly, and sale of the disputed TOPCon modules within the United States.

First Solar acquired the TOPCon patent portfolio in 2013 via its acquisition of TetraSun. The company has recently shifted its legal strategy, moving away from Section 337 proceedings at the U.S. International Trade Commission to pursue direct litigation in district courts. The patents in question are expected to remain valid through 2030 and beyond.

Entities

Corning · First Solar · JA Solar

Sources

First Solar Files Patent Infringement Case Against JA Solar, American Panel [www.mercomindia.com]
First Solar sues JA Solar and American Panel Solutions over TOPCon patents [www.pv-magazine-india.com]