The two disputed patents were acquired by Trina Solar in 2024 and were filed over a year after key research by Fraunhofer. (Image Source: Runergy)
Solar technology company Runergy has asked the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to invalidate two patents (US9,722,104 and US10,230,009) owned by Trina Solar, claiming they are unpatentable. According to Runergy, these patents, which Trina Solar purchased in February 2024, are based on well-known principles related to TOPCon cell technology, described as early as 2013 by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy. Runergy argues that these patents were filed after the Fraunhofer publication, making them invalid under US patent laws. As a leading solar manufacturer, Runergy says that it respects both its intellectual property and that of others and asserts that it has developed its own unique TOPCon solar cell manufacturing process. Runergy has also expanded its operations by starting production at a new solar module facility in Huntsville, Alabama.
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Enphase ensures compliance with IRA tax credits by providing US-made microinverters to IGS Solar. (Image Source: Enphase Energy)
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