Maxeon Solar Technologies sues Canadian Solar for Patent Infringement over Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact Technology

Canadian Solar is facing a patent infringement lawsuit from Maxeon Solar Technologies in the Eastern District of Texas. The lawsuit alleges that Canadian Solar has violated Maxeon’s patents related to its tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar cell technology. Maxeon claims that its innovations are protected by a global patent portfolio and that it was at the forefront of developing and commercializing TOPCon technology.

According to Marc Robinson, associate general counsel at Maxeon, the company has a strong history of developing solar cell technology and has been working on implementing TOPCon technology into both back contact and front contact solar cells for years before the term “TOPCon” became widely used in the industry. Maxeon holds numerous patents related to TOPCon technology, with some dating back to the early 2000s.

This lawsuit marks Maxeon’s first effort to enforce its patent rights in the United States, and the company plans to continue vigorously protecting its patents in the US and other markets.