First Solar Initiates Legal Action Against JinkoSolar for Infringement of TOPCon Technology Patents

$FSLR
Semiconductors
Technology
Get the next $FSLR alert in real time by email

First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) ("First Solar") today announced the filing of a lawsuit against Shanghai-headquartered JinkoSolar and its related entities alleging infringement of First Solar's US Patent No. 9,130,074 (the "‘074 Patent"). The ‘074 Patent covers methods of manufacturing Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact ("TOPCon") crystalline silicon ("c-Si") photovoltaic (PV) solar cells. The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware.

First Solar obtained the US TOPCon patents and related international counterparts through its 2013 acquisition of TetraSun, Inc. The patents include issued patents in the United States, Australia, Canada, China, the European Union, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam with validities extending to 2030 and beyond. The portfolio also includes pending patent applications in the European Union, Japan, Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. In July 2024, First Solar announced its ownership of the TOPCon technology patent portfolio and the launch of infringement investigations against several leading crystalline silicon solar cell manufacturers.

"We've been clear that we will actively defend our intellectual property rights in the US and internationally. Unfortunately, our interaction with JinkoSolar has been unproductive and left us with no choice but to enforce our patent rights through legal action," said Jason Dymbort, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, First Solar. "Given the responses we received from other solar cell manufacturers in connection with our infringement investigations, we believe we have a strong TOPCon technology patent portfolio. We expect that our lawsuit against JinkoSolar will reiterate the need for TOPCon solar cell manufacturers to operate within the well-defined framework of intellectual property law."

About First Solar, Inc.

First Solar, Inc. is America's leading PV solar technology and manufacturing company. The only US-headquartered company among the world's largest solar manufacturers, First Solar is focused on competitively and reliably enabling power generation needs with its advanced, uniquely American thin film PV technology. Developed at research and development (R&D) labs in California and Ohio, the Company's technology represents the next generation of solar power generation, providing a competitive, high-performance, and responsibly produced alternative to conventional crystalline silicon PV modules. For more information, please visit www.firstsolar.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains various "forward-looking statements" which are made pursuant to safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning: (i) the validities extending to 2030 of patents including issued patents in the United States, Australia, Canada, China, the European Union, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam; (ii) that we will actively defend our intellectual property rights, (iii) our future plans and areas of focus in relation to patent rights, (iv) the perceived value of patent rights, (v) our positioning to enforce patent rights, and (vi) our investigation of potential infringers. 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 First Solar's current expectations and First Solar's 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. First Solar undertakes 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 First Solar's 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.

Media

Reuven Proença

First Solar Media

media@firstsolar.com

Investors

Byron Jeffers

First Solar Investor Relations

investor@firstsolar.com

Get the next $FSLR alert in real time by email

Chat with this insight

Save time and jump to the most important pieces.

Recent Analyst Ratings for
$FSLR

DatePrice TargetRatingAnalyst
3/3/2025Neutral
Redburn Atlantic
2/11/2025$218.00 → $259.00Neutral → Outperform
Mizuho
1/16/2025$274.00Neutral → Buy
Seaport Research Partners
11/5/2024Neutral
Seaport Research Partners
10/29/2024$260.00Neutral → Buy
Janney
10/22/2024$200.00 → $254.00Neutral → Buy
Citigroup
9/26/2024$300.00Buy
Truist
8/29/2024Mkt Perform
William Blair
More analyst ratings

$FSLR
Press Releases

Fastest customizable press release news feed in the world

See more
  • First Solar, Inc. to Announce First Quarter 2025 Financial Results on April 29, 2025

    First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) (the "Company") will report financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, after the market closes on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. Conference Call Details are as follows: Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Time: 4:30 PM ET Live Webcast: investor.firstsolar.com Webcast Replay: Available through Thursday, May 29, 2025 Investors section of the Company's website approximately two hours after the call About First Solar, Inc. First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) is America's leading photovoltaic (PV) solar technology and manufacturing company. The only US-headquartered company among the world's largest solar manufacturers, First Solar is focused on compe

    $FSLR
    Semiconductors
    Technology
  • Shoals Technologies Group and First Solar Continue Partnership

    PORTLAND, Tenn., March 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. ("Shoals") (NASDAQ:SHLS), a global leader in electrical balance of systems ("EBOS") solutions for the energy transition market, announced its continued commitment to investment in domestic manufacturing in Alabama with First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR). This partnership enables the two companies to support the continued reshoring of domestic supply chains for the U.S. solar industry. "Our longstanding partnership with First Solar is something we are really proud of at Shoals," Brandon Moss, CEO of Shoals stated. "We appreciate First Solar's confidence in our commitment to quality products to support the re-s

    $FSLR
    $SHLS
    Semiconductors
    Technology
  • First Solar Selects Everstream Analytics to Enhance Risk Mitigation and Multi-Tier Supply Chain Visibility

    Everstream provides First Solar with an end-to-end supply chain solution to identify potential risks, meet market demand fluctuations, and reduce disruptions Everstream Analytics, the global leader in supply chain insights and risk analytics, today announced that First Solar, Inc., America's leading photovoltaic (PV) solar technology and manufacturing company, has selected Everstream as an end-to-end supply chain solution for enterprise risk insight and mitigation and supplier data management. Headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, First Solar was founded in 1999 and is the Western Hemisphere's largest solar manufacturer. The company's advanced thin film PV modules represent the next generation

    $FSLR
    Semiconductors
    Technology

$FSLR
Analyst Ratings

Analyst ratings in real time. Analyst ratings have a very high impact on the underlying stock. See them live in this feed.

See more

$FSLR
Insider Trading

Insider transactions reveal critical sentiment about the company from key stakeholders. See them live in this feed.

See more

$FSLR
SEC Filings

See more

$FSLR
Leadership Updates

Live Leadership Updates

See more
  • Verde Clean Fuels, Inc. Announces Appointment of Chief Financial Officer

    George Burdette joins Verde leadership team bringing more than 15 years of financial, commercial, corporate development, and investment management experience Verde Clean Fuels, Inc. ("Verde" or "the Company") (NASDAQ:VGAS) announces the appointment of George Burdette as Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"). "We are pleased to announce the appointment of George Burdette as CFO. George brings a wealth of experience and expertise in all aspects of finance and will be instrumental as we advance our plans to deploy our proprietary liquid fuels processing technology through the development of commercial production plants," said Ernie Miller, Verde's Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Burdette will be res

    $FSLR
    $VGAS
    Semiconductors
    Technology
    Major Chemicals
    Industrials
  • Responsible Solar: First Solar Leads Industry with Validated Environmental and Social Performance and Transparent Reporting

    Series 6 Plus and Series 7 TR1 are world's first EPEAT Climate+ ultra low-carbon modules World's largest high-value solar recycler achieves 95% global average material recovery rate Top rated solar manufacturer in 2023 Renewable Energy Human Rights Benchmark report According to its 2024 Sustainability Report, which was released today, First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) has established new industry benchmarks including verifiable leadership in ultra low-carbon solar technology, high-value recycling, respect for human rights, and transparent reporting. Headquartered in the United States, First Solar is the largest solar manufacturer in the Western Hemisphere and the world's largest high-v

    $FSLR
    Semiconductors
    Technology
  • First Solar Appoints Anita Marangoly George to Board of Directors

    TEMPE, Ariz., July 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) has appointed Anita Marangoly George, a senior executive with almost four decades of diverse global experience in institutional finance and sustainable infrastructure investing, to its board of directors, effective July 15, 2021. Ms. George will serve on First Solar's Nominating and Governance, and Technology Committees. Ms. George has held various positions at la Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec (CDPQ), a global investment group managing funds for public retirement and insurance plans. She is currently a strategic advisor and served as executive vice president and deputy head of CDPQ's global investment

    $FSLR
    Semiconductors
    Technology

$FSLR
Financials

Live finance-specific insights

See more
  • First Solar, Inc. to Announce First Quarter 2025 Financial Results on April 29, 2025

    First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) (the "Company") will report financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, after the market closes on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. Conference Call Details are as follows: Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Time: 4:30 PM ET Live Webcast: investor.firstsolar.com Webcast Replay: Available through Thursday, May 29, 2025 Investors section of the Company's website approximately two hours after the call About First Solar, Inc. First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) is America's leading photovoltaic (PV) solar technology and manufacturing company. The only US-headquartered company among the world's largest solar manufacturers, First Solar is focused on compe

    $FSLR
    Semiconductors
    Technology
  • First Solar, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results and 2025 Guidance

    Net sales of $4.2 billion for 2024 and $1.5 billion for the fourth quarter Net income per diluted share of $12.02 for 2024 and $3.65 for the fourth quarter 2024 year-end net cash balance of $1.2 billion 2024 net bookings of 4.4 GW with an average selling price of 30.5 cents per watt, excluding adjusters, India domestic volume, and terminations 2025 net sales guidance of $5.3 billion to $5.8 billion 2025 earnings per diluted share guidance of $17.00 to $20.00 2025 year-end net cash balance guidance of $0.7 billion to $1.2 billion First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) (the "Company") today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024. N

    $FSLR
    Semiconductors
    Technology
  • First Solar, Inc. to Announce Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results and 2025 Financial Guidance on February 25, 2025

    First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) (the "Company") will report financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024, and discuss its 2025 financial guidance and outlook, after the market closes on Tuesday, February 25, 2025. Conference Call Details are as follows: Date: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 Time: 4:30 PM ET Live Webcast: investor.firstsolar.com Webcast Replay: Available through Thursday, March 27, 2025 Investors section of the Company's website approximately two hours after the call About First Solar, Inc. First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) is America's leading photovoltaic (PV) solar technology and manufacturing company. The only US-headquartered

    $FSLR
    Semiconductors
    Technology

$FSLR
Large Ownership Changes

This live feed shows all institutional transactions in real time.

See more