JinkoSolar and Longi, two of the biggest names in the solar industry, have struck a wide-ranging settlement that brings their long-running patent disputes to a close. The deal covers lawsuits in China, the United States, Europe, Japan, and Australia, and sets up a commercial framework that includes cross-licensing of core technologies.
In a joint statement, the companies called the truce a step toward balancing competition with collaboration. “This settlement reflects our commitment to protecting intellectual property while building a healthier solar industry,” the statement read.
Both sides also hinted at what is to come next. A Jinko spokesperson said the company will “continue to invest heavily in R&D and speed up the rollout of advanced solar products.” Longi echoed that message, noting that the agreement “opens the door to deeper cooperation in the future.”
The settlement caps more than a year of courtroom battles that exposed a new reality in solar: competition is no longer only about price but also about who owns the most valuable technologies. The clash centered on two rival cell designs—Jinko promoting tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) and Longi advocating back contact (BC) technology.
The dispute escalated in 2022 after Jinko bought 745 patents from South Korea’s LG Group, strengthening its hand in both TOPCon and BC. That move triggered a wave of lawsuits against Longi in several countries. Longi fired back with counterclaims tied to its nearly 200 BC patents and challenged Jinko’s claims in Europe and the U.S.
Meanwhile, Longi pressed ahead with its BC modules, gaining ground in European markets even as the lawsuits dragged on.
Industry watchers say the truce makes sense. “Cross-licensing reduces risk for both sides and could be the start of a more pragmatic approach to competition in solar,” said one analyst. The companies themselves left the door open, suggesting they may explore joint efforts in next-generation technologies—a possibility that could reshape the race at the top of the global solar market.
