Maxeon Solar Technologies and Tongwei have settled a global patent dispute over shingled solar cell and module technologies, ending litigation initiated by Maxeon in Germany in 2023.
January 3, 2025
Vincent Shaw and Valerie Thompson
Maxeon Solar Technologies has reached a global settlement with Tongwei, resolving a patent dispute over shingled solar cell and module technologies. Effective Nov. 30, 2024, the agreement ends June 2023 litigation that Maxeon initiated in Germany’s Düsseldorf District Court, where it accused Tongwei of infringing European Patent No. EP3522045 B1. Maxeon uses the technology in its Performance Line solar modules, developed from intellectual property acquired during its 2020 spinoff from SunPower. The settlement concludes the legal conflict between the solar industry rivals.
Jingyuntong (JYT) announced that it has completed the main framework construction of its 22GW high-efficiency monocrystalline silicon rod and wafer production project in Leshan, Sichuan Province. Core production equipment has been installed and is now operational. However, the company has indicated that the exact production schedule for the project remains uncertain due to ongoing market conditions and industry shifts. The company will assess the situation and adjust the construction and production plans accordingly.
Longi has outlined its plans to reduce the costs of its BC (Back Contact) solar cell product by 2025. The company expects to achieve cost reductions through three key strategies: improving cell conversion efficiency, scaling up the production of HPBC2.0 cells, and advancing manufacturing processes. Currently, LONGi’s Hi-MO X10 uses HPBC2.0 cells with a production efficiency exceeding 26.6%. The company anticipates further efficiency gains and cost reductions as it ramps up production and adopts innovative techniques, such as silver reduction and silver-free metallization.
Cloud Live Tech Group (CLTG) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Jiangsu Provincial Power Design Institute to develop a 1 GW solar project in Yancheng, Jiangsu. As part of the agreement, CLTG will be granted project registration for the 1 GW solar farm, with plans to implement it by 2025. Under the terms of the agreement, CLTG will prioritize Jiangsu Power Design Institute as the EPC contractor, and the institute has agreed to source CLTG’s solar modules for the project, provided legal, market, and technical conditions are met.
Risen has announced plans to issue offshore bonds worth up to €500 million (or equivalent foreign currency) to fund its business expansion and diversify its financing channels. The bonds, with a term of no more than five years, have been approved by the company’s board and will soon be submitted for approval by its shareholders. This bond issuance is part of Risen’s strategy to strengthen its capital base and support its growth in the global solar market.
GCL New Energy, a subsidiary of GCL-Poly Energy, has agreed to sell its stake in eight photovoltaic facilities located in North Carolina to Wilson Solar for approximately HK$107 million. The facilities, with a combined capacity of about 83 MW, represent part of GCL’s strategy to streamline its asset portfolio and focus on its core operations.