Solar Panel Maker First Solar Seeks Patent Rights Against Chinese Rival
First Solar forecasted higher 2025 sales and reported a rise in fourth-quarter profit on Tuesday, as the Biden administration's tariffs on solar panel imports from four Southeast Asian nations boosted demand for domestic production. The company posted net income of $393 million for the quarter ended December 31, up about 13% from last year, and said it has initiated legal action against JinkoSolar for patent infringement. Solar-generated electricity is one of the fastest-growing segments of the U.S. energy industry due to strong demand from corporations and governments to adopt cleaner sources of power and combat climate change.
- The move by First Solar reflects a broader trend in the solar panel industry, where domestic manufacturers are seeking to protect their intellectual property against low-cost imports.
- What implications will these patent disputes have on global trade agreements aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions through clean energy production?