First Solar to investigate rivals over possible TOPCon patent infringement

First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) said Friday it now owns patents on a leading solar technology that it does not produce and is evaluating options including possible infringement by rival manufacturers.

The company said it secured the U.S. patent and related international counterparts related to the manufacturing of Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact – TOPCon – crystalline silicon photovoltaic solar cells through its 2013 acquisition of TetraSun Inc. and has initiated an investigation of several c-Si solar manufacturers for potential infringement of its patents.

First Solar (FSLR) did not specify which companies it would investigate; many of the largest global solar manufacturers produce TOPCon products, including Canadian Solar (CSIQ), JinkoSolar (JKS), Trina Solar and Longi.

TOPCon is overtaking rival crystalline silicon technologies because it is more efficient at turning sunlight into electricity, and it is also more efficient than thin film, which is First Solar’s (FSLR) primary offering.