Maxeon, Qcells settle patent dispute

Singapore-based solar manufacturer Maxeon Solar Technologies and Korea-based solar cell and module maker Qcells have announced a global settlement resolving all ongoing patent litigation between the two companies.

“We welcome Maxeon’s decision to withdraw all claims with prejudice and are pleased to put this matter behind us. We have always been confident in the originality of our TOPCon technology, and this outcome reflects that. We look forward to focusing our full attention on expanding American solar manufacturing and delivering best-in-class products to our customers across North America,” Qcells spokesperson Marta Stoepker told pv magazine.

The settlement was concluded at the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, where Maxeon Solar Technologies initiated patent litigation in April 2024. The alleged infringements related to unspecified TOPCon solar cell technology. In the same proceedings, Maxeon also sued Norway-headquartered REC Solar Holdings AS.

Earlier, Maxeon also brought a separate patent infringement case against Canadian Solar in Japan in 2020, alleging infringement of Japan Patent No. JP6642841B2 related to its shingled module technology. The companies reached a settlement in April 2022.

In November 2023, Maxeon sued Chinese manufacturer Aiko Solar, as well as German wholesaler Memedo GmbH, over alleged infringement of a design patent related to back-contact solar cell architecture. The companies settled the dispute in February this year.