Hanwha Q CELLS and Chinese Solar Company Settle Patent Dispute Over 'Perk Cell' Technology

License and Patent Assignment Agreement
Production and Sale of Patent-Applied Products

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seoyoon] Hanwha Solutions Q CELLS division (hereinafter Hanwha Q CELLS) announced on the 17th that it has agreed to halt the legal dispute over solar cell technology patents with Chinese solar manufacturer Trina Solar. They also signed a license and patent transfer agreement.

Under this agreement, Hanwha Q CELLS will acquire patents from Trina Solar, and Trina Solar will be able to produce and sell products applying Hanwha Q CELLS' patented technology.

The relevant patent held by Hanwha Q CELLS is for Passivated Emitter Rear Cell (PERC) technology, which forms a reflective layer on the solar cell to allow light to be reflected once more inside the cell, thereby increasing power generation efficiency.

PERC cells currently account for the majority of solar products distributed worldwide. Hanwha Q CELLS applies its self-developed PERC technology to mass-produce high-efficiency, high-quality solar modules.

Hanwha Q CELLS Perk Cell Manufacturing Process
Photo by Hanwha Q CELLS

With this agreement, both companies will cease all legal disputes and administrative procedures related to the patent in Germany and China.

In December last year, Hanwha Q CELLS filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Trina Solar in Germany and obtained an injunction to ban sales. In response, Trina Solar filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Hanwha Q CELLS in China in January this year, and administrative procedures were underway. Both companies will withdraw all measures related to the patent and proceed with smooth product supply.

Meanwhile, Hanwha Q CELLS has protected its solar cell patent technology by engaging in lawsuits with global competitors in Germany, France, the Netherlands, and other countries, and has had the validity of its patents recognized. In September last year, Hanwha Q CELLS won a ruling from the European Patent Office (EPO) in a patent validity trial related to PERC technology filed by three companies: Jinko Solar, LONGi Solar, and REC Solar.

Lee Gu-young, CEO of Hanwha Q CELLS, stated, “Hanwha Q CELLS' excellent technology, acquired through long-term research, development, and investment, is already well known in the global market,” adding, “We will continue to foster a fair competitive environment in the solar research and development field and devote ourselves to future technology development to lead the advancement of the global solar industry.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.