First Solar sues China's JA Solar for patent infringement
FSLR•First Solar sued JA Solar and Corning subsidiary American Panel Solutions, alleging they infringed a US patent covering the manufacture of high-efficiency TOPCon solar cells.
1. Patent infringement claims
First Solar filed the lawsuit in US District Court in Delaware, accusing JA Solar and American Panel Solutions of manufacturing, importing and selling solar cells and modules using processes covered by its patent. The patent relates to high-efficiency TOPCon solar cells.
2. Broader litigation campaign
First Solar acquired the patents through its 2013 purchase of TetraSun. Last month, it said it would withdraw a patent complaint before the US International Trade Commission and pursue infringement claims through federal litigation. The company has also said it is pursuing cases involving affiliates of Canadian Solar, Jinko Solar, T1 Energy and Trina Solar.
