First Solar Sues JA Solar and American Panel Solutions Over Patents

United States solar manufacturer First Solar, Inc. filed a patent infringement lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware on October 5, 2026. The lawsuit targets Chinese manufacturer JA Solar Technology Co., Ltd., four of its affiliates, and United States distributor American Panel Solutions, LLC. PV Magazine reported the filing. [1]

According to PV Magazine, First Solar alleges that the defendants infringed on United States Patent Number 9,130,074. The patent covers specific manufacturing methods for tunnel oxide passivated contact, known as TOPCon, solar cell technology. First Solar claims the companies improperly used this patented technology in imported solar components. [1]

First Solar is a publicly traded American solar panel manufacturer that produces thin-film solar modules using cadmium telluride semiconductors. JA Solar Holdings is based in the People's Republic of China, where it manufactures and sells monocrystalline and multicrystalline solar cell products to international markets. [9][10]

United States solar manufacturers say they are close to perfecting new, more efficient solar panel designs. According to the New York Times Climate report, domestic producers hope these technological advancements will help the United States reclaim market position previously lost to foreign competitors. [2]