PVTIME – Qcells, a premier provider of complete energy solutions and a leader in the global solar market, has issued patent infringement notice letters to several major global manufacturers that have been utilizing Qcells’ solar cell manufacturing technology without its consent.
The recipient companies are currently producing and selling products using LECO (Laser Enhanced Contact Optimization) technology, for which Qcells currently holds the patents. LECO is a technology that enhances the efficiency and reliability of solar cells, including PERC (Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell) and TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact), by applying laser scanning. Qcells has successfully commercialized the LECO technology in collaboration with the German solar equipment manufacturing company Cell Engineering (CE), since 2018. In October of 2023, Qcells acquired CE, securing the LECO technology patent.
Qcells has requested global solar manufacturers to discontinue the manufacture, use, offer to sell, sale and marketing of, or importation of the products using the LECO technology in violation of Qcells patents. Qcells is willing to share the benefits of LECO technology exclusively with the parties who have entered into patent licensing agreements. The company plans to continue its investigation to identify other manufacturers infringing on the patent and issue additional warning letters.
Danielle Merfeld, Global CTO at Qcells, stated, “Qcells does not tolerate any unlawful usage of the LECO technology, and is fully committed to defending its intellectual property rights to ensure that the solar industry can continue to pursue its research and development activities with confidence.”
