First Solar Announces Ownership of TOPCon Technology Patents, Undertakes Infringement Investigation
19 Julio 2024 - 7:30AM
Business Wire
- Patents secured through 2013 acquisition of TetraSun include
issued patents in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China,
Malaysia, Vietnam, Japan, and Australia, among other jurisdictions,
and pending patent applications in the European Union and
Japan
- First Solar evaluating options including asserting patent
rights against potential infringers
First Solar, Inc. (“First Solar”) (NASDAQ: FSLR) today announced
its ownership of patents related to the manufacturing of Tunnel
Oxide Passivated Contact (“TOPCon”) crystalline-silicon (“c-Si”)
photovoltaic (“PV”) solar cells.
First Solar secured the U.S. patent and related international
counterparts through its acquisition of TetraSun, Inc. (“TetraSun”)
and has initiated an investigation of several c-Si solar
manufacturers for potential infringement of its patents. The
patents include issued patents in the United States, Canada,
Mexico, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Japan, and Australia, among other
jurisdictions, with validities extending to 2030. It also includes
pending patent applications in the European Union and Japan. First
Solar firmly believes in the value and strength of the patents and
plans to conduct a thorough investigation of potentially infringing
products.
First Solar acquired TetraSun and its intellectual property
portfolio in 2013. Prior to its acquisition, the California-based
startup had pioneered proprietary cell architecture and
manufacturing processes for large-format crystalline silicon
wafers.
“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.”
About First Solar, Inc.
First Solar is a leading American solar technology company and
global provider of responsibly produced eco-efficient solar modules
advancing the fight against climate change. Developed at R&D
labs in California and Ohio, the company’s advanced thin film
photovoltaic (PV) modules represent the next generation of solar
technologies, providing a competitive, high-performance,
lower-carbon alternative to conventional crystalline silicon PV
panels. From raw material sourcing and manufacturing through
end-of-life module recycling, First Solar’s approach to technology
embodies sustainability and a responsibility towards people and the
planet. For more information, please visit www.firstsolar.com.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements which are made
pursuant to safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in this release,
other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not
limited to, statements concerning: our future plans and areas of
focus in relation to patent rights, the perceived value of patent
rights, our positioning to enforce patent rights, our investigation
of potential infringers, our intention to challenge the ability of
infringers to legally manufacture, assemble, and sell infringing
TOPCon technology where our patent rights exist; and our intention
to consider a range of options, including enforcement, licensing,
and other potential means to safeguard our rights. These
forward-looking statements are often characterized by the use of
words such as “estimate,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,”
“plan,” “intend,” “seek,” “believe,” “forecast,” “foresee,”
“likely,” “may,” “should,” “goal,” “target,” “might,” “will,”
“could,” “predict,” “continue” and the negative or plural of these
words and other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements
are only predictions based on our current expectations and
projections about future events and therefore speak only as of the
date of this release. You should not place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update
any of these forward-looking statements for any reason, whether as
a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results,
levels of activity, performance, or achievements to differ
materially from those expressed or implied by these statements.
These factors include, but are not limited to, the results of our
investigation of potential infringers, the costs and other impacts
arising from any subsequent litigation, the results of which are
unpredictable; the validity and scope of claims relating to the
patents; the potential for companies to develop and patent
technology designed to exclude our patented technology; and the
matters discussed under the captions “Risk Factors” and
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations” of First Solar’s most recent Annual Report
on Form 10-K, as supplemented by First Solar’s other filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Investors Richard Romero First Solar Investor
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