BY COMFORT OGBONNA
First Solar announced on Tuesday that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has denied three separate third-party attempts to challenge the validity of its solar cell technology patents. The decisions mark a significant victory for the company as it continues to defend its intellectual property in the competitive solar energy market.
The rejected applications targeted First Solar’s tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) technology, a high-efficiency solar cell design. The challenges were filed in 2025 by JinkoSolar, Mundra Solar, and Canadian Solar, with the USPTO issuing rejections on November 20, December 11, and December 18, respectively.
First Solar currently has ongoing lawsuits against all three companies in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, alleging patent infringement. Representatives from JinkoSolar, Mundra Solar, and Canadian Solar did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
TOPCon technology has been gaining ground over traditional crystalline silicon solar cells because of its superior efficiency in converting sunlight into electricity. First Solar obtained the U.S. patents for TOPCon, along with related international patents, through its 2013 acquisition of TetraSun, a move that strengthened the company’s position in the advanced solar technology sector.
The USPTO rulings reinforce First Solar’s control over key innovations in the solar industry, protecting its competitive advantage and potential future revenue from licensing or manufacturing TOPCon-based panels. Analysts said the decision also signals that the company is prepared to vigorously defend its intellectual property, a critical factor as solar technology continues to evolve rapidly worldwide.
With renewable energy demand rising and efficiency gains increasingly critical for market leadership, First Solar’s victory provides reassurance to investors and stakeholders that its proprietary technology remains secure against competitive challenges.
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