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					</table><p>The U.S. International Trade Commission (<a href="https://www.usitc.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USITC</a>) has terminated its investigation against <a href="https://philadelphia-solar.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Philadelphia Solar USA</a> and <a href="https://www.trinasolar.com/en-glb/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trina Solar</a> after <a href="https://www.firstsolar.com/en-IN/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">First Solar</a> withdrew its complaint alleging infringement of its U.S. patent claims related to TOPCon solar cells, modules, and related products.</p>
<p>The Commission decided not to review an administrative law judge’s initial determination granting First Solar’s request to withdraw its complaint against Philadelphia Solar and Trina Solar.</p>
<p>First Solar filed its motion to terminate the investigation against Philadelphia Solar USA and Trina Solar on June 8, 2026. The Office of Unfair Import Investigations supported the motion in a filing dated June 18, 2026.</p>
<p>USITC had<a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/usitc-opens-probe-into-topcon-solar-imports-for-patent-infringement" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> initiated</a> the Section 337 investigation into imports of TOPCon solar cells and modules this March based on First Solar’s complaint.</p>
<p>The complaint alleged violations of Section 337 of the Tariff Act, 1930 related to the importation and sale of certain TOPCon solar cells, modules, panels, components, and products containing them.</p>
<p>The investigation originally named multiple respondents, including manufacturers and subsidiaries associated with Canadian Solar, JA Solar, JinkoSolar, Trina Solar, Runergy, Hanwha Q CELLS, Adani Group companies, Toyo, and VSUN.</p>
<p>The respondents were based across the U.S., China, India, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Germany, Canada, Hong Kong, Jordan, Japan, and South Korea. The Office of Unfair Import Investigations was also named a party to the investigation.</p>
<p>BYD America and Tesla were added to the investigation through intervention during the proceedings. The USITC notice stated that Mundra Solar Energy and Adani Green Energy were previously terminated from the investigation after First Solar withdrew its complaint against those respondents.</p>
<p>Earlier in March, the Office of the United States Trade Representative <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/indian-manufacturing-solar-modules-face-us-section-301-probe/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">initiated</a> a Section 301 investigation into structural excess capacity and manufacturing production, with India among the economies under review. The investigation will examine whether policies or practices in these economies contribute to structural overcapacity in manufacturing sectors, which could distort global markets and harm U.S. commerce.</p>


US Ends TOPCon Patent Probe Against Trina, Philadelphia Solar


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					</table><p>The U.S. International Trade Commission (<a href="https://www.usitc.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USITC</a>) has initiated a Section 337 investigation into imports of Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (TOPCon) solar cells and modules, naming three Indian companies among a broad list of global manufacturers accused of patent infringement.</p>
<p>The investigation stems from a complaint filed by First Solar, a solar manufacturer headquartered in Arizona, alleging that multiple solar manufacturers are importing products that infringe its patents related to TOPCon solar cells.</p>
<p>Among the respondents identified by the USITC are Indian and international entities, such as Mundra Solar PV, Mundra Solar Energy, and Adani Green Energy. Other entities include Philadelphia Solar and Philadelphia Solar USA. The Hanwha group entities comprise Hanwha Q CELLS USA, Hanwha Q CELLS America, Hanwha Q CELLS USA Corp, and Hanwha Solutions.</p>
<p>Also listed are AXITEC, AXITEC Energy, and Axitec Solar; Canadian Solar; CSI Solar; Canadian Solar (USA); Canadian Solar Manufacturing; Canadian Solar US Module Manufacturing; and Canadian Solar International.</p>
<p>JA Solar Technology, JA Solar USA, JA Solar AZ, JA Solar International, and JA Solar Vietnam figure in the list.  JinkoSolar Holding; Jinko Solar; Jinko Solar (Vietnam) Industries; Jinko Solar Technology; Zhejiang Jinko Solar; JinkoSolar (U.S.); JinkoSolar (U.S.) Manufacturing, and JinkoSolar (U.S.) Industries also find mention.</p>
<p>The list also includes Jiangsu Runergy New Energy Technology; Runergy USA; Runergy Alabama; Runergy USA Trading; and Runergy PV Technology. It further covers Trina Solar; Trina Solar (U.S.); Trina Solar Energy Development; Changzhou Trina Solar Energy; and Trina Solar Yiwu Technology.</p>
<p>The USITC has also named T1 Energy, T1 G1 Dallas Solar Module, Vietnam Sunergy, VSUN Solar USA, Toyo, and Toyo Solar Texas.<a href="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/USITC-List.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-92550 size-full" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/USITC-List.png" alt="Respondents Identified in USITC Section 337 Investigation Involving TOPCon Solar Cell, Module, Panel, and Component Imports" width="881" height="1545" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/USITC-List.png 881w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/USITC-List-171x300.png 171w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/USITC-List-768x1347.png 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/USITC-List-876x1536.png 876w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/USITC-List-650x1140.png 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/USITC-List-624x1094.png 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/USITC-List-600x1052.png 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 881px) 100vw, 881px" /></a></p>
<p>The complaint alleges violations of Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, which governs unfair trade practices in the importation of goods, particularly those involving intellectual property infringement.</p>
<p>First Solar has complained that these companies have imported or sold within the U.S. solar cells, modules, panels, and related components that infringe certain claims of its patents.</p>
<p>As part of the complaint, First Solar has requested that the USITC issue either a general exclusion order, which would block the import of infringing products from all sources, or a limited exclusion order targeting specific companies. It has also sought cease-and-desist orders to prevent further sale and distribution of the products within the U.S.</p>
<p>The USITC clarified that it has only instituted the investigation but has not reached any conclusion on the merits of the case. The matter will now be assigned to an administrative law judge, who will conduct proceedings including evidentiary hearings and issue an initial determination on whether a violation has occurred. This determination will subsequently be subject to a USITC review.</p>
<p>Within 45 days of instituting the investigation, USITC is expected to set a target date for completion of the proceedings. Section 337 investigations typically take several months to conclude.</p>
<p>If the USITC ultimately finds a violation, it may issue remedial orders, including import bans. Such orders become effective upon issuance but are subject to a 60-day presidential review period, during which the U.S. Trade Representative may disapprove them on policy grounds.</p>
<p>The case has significant implications for the global solar supply chain, given the wide range of companies involved across multiple jurisdictions, including the U.S., China, India, Southeast Asia, and Europe.</p>
<p>TOPCon technology is among the most advanced and widely adopted cell architectures in the solar industry, and any restrictions on its trade could have ripple effects on module availability, pricing, and project deployment.</p>
<p>The inclusion of Indian manufacturers underscores the increasingly globalized nature of solar manufacturing and the exposure of Indian firms to international trade disputes as they expand their presence in export markets.</p>
<p>Recently, the Office of the United States Trade Representative <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/indian-manufacturing-solar-modules-face-us-section-301-probe/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">initiated</a> a Section 301 investigation into structural excess capacity and production in manufacturing, with India among the economies under review. The investigation will examine whether policies or practices in these economies are contributing to structural overcapacity in manufacturing sectors that could distort global markets and harm U.S. commerce.</p>


USITC Opens Probe into TOPCon Solar Imports for Patent Infringement

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