Talon PV, a new silicon solar cell manufacturer currently under construction in Texas, has secured the license for TOPCon cell manufacturing patents from First Solar. Talon intends to make n-type TOPCon solar cells at its 4-GW manufacturing site, which is expected to commence operations in Q1 2026.
First Solar, which makes cadmium-telluride (CdTe) thin-film solar panels in Ohio, owns patents related to TOPCon silicon solar cell manufacturing due to its acquisition of a silicon technology company in 2013. Many global panel manufacturing companies are suing each other over alleged TOPCon patent infringement. This Talon PV/First Solar deal is the first such licensing deal made in the United States.
“We’re thrilled to partner with First Solar, America’s flagship solar technology company, to ensure that we can differentiate ourselves from other cell manufacturers not just by manufacturing in the United States but also in offering our customers the peace of mind that comes with procuring cells that don’t infringe on other companies’ intellectual property,” said Adam Tesanovich, CEO of Talon PV. “Securing this license keeps us on track to produce American-made TOPCon cells next year, enabling the onshoring of a critical component of the crystalline silicon solar value chain.”
Earlier today, First Solar also announced it had filed a patent infringement claim against JinkoSolar for alleged unlicensed use of First Solar’s TOPCon patent.
“We have long advocated for the development of a diverse, competitive American solar manufacturing industry, and we’re pleased to support a fellow American company’s efforts to produce crystalline silicon solar cells in the U.S.,” said Jason Dymbort, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, First Solar. “We are encouraged to find that manufacturers like Talon PV are committed to ensuring their freedom to manufacture by operating within the framework of the law and ensuring that their products don’t infringe on our patents. Our decision to license our intellectual property reflects our willingness to work with companies that respect the law.”
Talon PV has in recent days signed cell supply agreements with SEG Solar, a panel assembler in Houston, and Trina Solar, the technology partner behind T1 Energy’s panel assembly outfit in Dallas. Those supply agreements were only for n-type solar cells and not TOPCon specifically.
