First Solar Takes Ownership of TOPCon Patents Through Acquisition

First Solar says it owns U.S. patents related to the manufacturing of tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) crystalline-silicon PV solar cells.

First Solar secured the patent and related international counterparts through its acquisition of TetraSun, and has initiated an investigation of several solar manufacturers for potential infringement of its patents. 

The patents include issued patents in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Japan and Australia. It also includes pending patent applications in the European Union and Japan.

“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,” says First Solar’s Jason Dymbort. 

“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.”