First Solar, Inc. announced its ownership of patents related to the manufacturing of Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (“TOPCon”) crystalline-silicon (“c-Si”) photovoltaic (“PV”) solar cells. First Solar secured the U.S. patent and related international counterparts through its acquisition of TetraSun, Inc. (“TetraSun”) and has initiated an investigation of several c-Si solar manufacturers for potential infringement of its patents. The patents include issued patents in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Japan, and Australia, among other jurisdictions, with validities extending to 2030. It also includes pending patent applications in the European Union and Japan. First Solar firmly believes in the value and strength of the patents and plans to conduct a thorough investigation of potentially infringing products.
First Solar acquired TetraSun and its intellectual property portfolio in 2013. Prior to its acquisition, the California-based startup had pioneered 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,” said Jason Dymbort, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of First Solar. “While First Solar is a world leader in the development and commercialization of advanced thin film photovoltaics, 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 added, “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.”
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