Hanwha Solutions and Trina Solar Resolve Patent Dispute Through Cross-Licensing Agreement

Hanwha Solutions, the parent company of Qcells, and solar manufacturer Trina Solar have announced a settlement of their ongoing patent dispute through a comprehensive patent licensing and transfer agreement. The companies disclosed the resolution in a joint statement, confirming that all pending lawsuits between them have been dropped.

The dispute centered on patented passivation technology developed by Hanwha Solutions’ Qcells division, which enhances the efficiency and performance of silicon-based solar cells. In December 2023, a German court ruled that Trina Solar had infringed on this technology by unlawfully importing and selling solar modules in Germany that utilized Qcells’ patented innovations.

Initially, Trina Solar denied the infringement allegations and vowed to aggressively defend its position. However, following the court’s decision, the parties engaged in negotiations that culminated in the recent licensing agreement.

Under the terms of the settlement, Hanwha Solutions and Trina Solar have agreed to mutually license their respective solar patents to each other. This arrangement allows both companies to continue operating and supporting their product lines in various international markets without further legal impediments.

This case is part of a broader pattern of patent enforcement by Hanwha Solutions in the solar industry. In 2020, a German court found three other photovoltaic manufacturers—JinkoSolar, LONGi, and REC Group—to be infringing on Hanwha’s patented technology. Additionally, in 2021, Qcells filed patent infringement lawsuits against Astronergy in Germany and France, also related to passivation technologies used in passivated emitter rear contact (PERC) solar cells.

The resolution between Hanwha Solutions and Trina Solar marks a significant development in the solar sector’s intellectual property landscape, promoting collaboration and reducing litigation risks. Both companies reaffirmed their commitment to advancing solar technology and delivering high-performance products to the global market.

This settlement follows a series of positive developments in the US solar policy environment, including the introduction of the OBBBA and adjustments to Section 232 tariffs, which industry observers have described as encouraging for renewable energy growth.

Meanwhile, other industry milestones include Mainstream Renewable Power’s commissioning of a 50MW commercial and industrial photovoltaic facility in Ilikwa and progress by Comstock and OnePlanet on testing and engineering for US solar recycling lines.

The Hanwha-Trina agreement exemplifies how patent disputes in the solar industry can be resolved through licensing arrangements that balance protection of innovation with market access, fostering a more cooperative competitive landscape.