Hello solar enthusiasts, today we find ourselves shedding light on a simmering issue within the solar industry, particularly involving some leading solar companies. When considering solar panels for your home it’s not just about the efficiency and cost, but also about the different technologies that these companies bring to our homes.
Maxeon, a Singapore-based solar module manufacturer known for its pioneering efforts in developing solar cell technology, has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Chinese-Canadian counterpart, Canadian Solar, in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The case at hand represents a fascinating intersection between law, technology, and solar advancement – and it’s ripe with implications for folks considering setting up a solar array for their homes.
Steered by an unwavering commitment to innovation, Maxeon’s contention surrounds an undisclosed TOPCon solar cell technology – the term TOPCon being a descriptor for ‘tunnel oxide passivated contact-based solar cell’. Maxeon alleges that years before the term ‘TOPCon’ started to gain industry recognition, the company’s in-house scientists and engineers developed several proprietary ways to integrate TOPCon technology into both back and front contact solar cells.
For those newer to the solar world, TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) themselves are a type of solar cell built with an added layer that improves efficiency by reducing electrical losses. Essentially, it’s a way of getting more bang for your buck from the same solar setup.
The recent legal action follows suit of a previous patent infringement case Maxeon brought against Canadian Solar in Japan in 2020, relating to their shingled solar modules. However, both companies reached an amicable settlement agreement earlier this year.
Now, if you’re a bit perplexed by the term ‘shingled solar modules’, you’re not alone. Shingling in the context of solar panels refers to a method of overlapping solar cell chips (like roof shingles), which increases efficiency and contributes to a sleeker aesthetic. And it seems there’s a bit of a trend here – Canadian Solar has faced similar patent infringement claims in the United States over the process of separating photovoltaic strips from solar cells used in shingled modules.
Maxeon also reportedly filed lawsuits against other solar companies including Aiko Solar Energy, and Tongwei Solar, for related patent infringements. All of this underscores how important product innovation and numerous technological advancements in solar are.
As solar adoption continues crescendoing worldwide, the technology is ever-evolving, and so too are the discussions around its utilization and intellectual property rights. This blog serves as more than an online diary about solar panels for your home, but also a space where we passionately discuss the intricacies and advancements in the solar industry.
For now, keep your eyes peeled to the sun (not literally, of course), and our blog, for continued coverage on the issue as we witness history unfurl in the thriving solar sector. After all, the more we know, the brighter our solar future becomes.
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/03/27/maxeon-sues-canadian-solar-for-alleged-topcon-patent-infringement/
