First Solar, a thin-film solar manufacturer, is starting a patent infringement investigation based on tunnel-oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) technology used in crystalline silicon solar manufacturing.

First Solar secured TOPCon patents through its acquisition of TetraSun in 2013. Prior to its acquisition, the California-based startup had developed proprietary cell architecture and manufacturing processes for large-format crystalline silicon wafers. First Solar produced some silicon-based designs for a few years before discontinuing that line in 2016. First Solar still retains the TOPCon-related patents issued in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Japan and Australia, among other jurisdictions, with validities extending to 2030. The company also has 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,” 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.”