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Talon PV, a US-based manufacturer of crystalline silicon (c-Si) photovoltaic (PV) solar cells, has secured a license for key Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (TOPCon) cell manufacturing patents from First Solar, Inc., a leader in solar technology and manufacturing. The terms of the agreement remain undisclosed. Talon’s N-type TOPCon cell manufacturing facility, located in the US, is set to begin operations in the first quarter of 2026. By the first quarter of 2027, the facility is expected to add 4 gigawatts (GW) of annual c-Si solar cell production capacity in the US. First Solar acquired the US TOPCon patents, along with related international counterparts, through its 2013 purchase of TetraSun, Inc. These patents cover regions including the United States, Australia, Canada, China, the European Union, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, the UAE, and Vietnam, with validities extending into the 2030s. The portfolio also includes pending applications in the EU, Japan, Hong Kong, UAE, and Vietnam. “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, Chief Executive Officer, 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.” “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 US,” 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.” |
