PERC Cell Interconnection Patent Landscape 2026
The PERC cell interconnection patent space is tightly concentrated, with Aiko Solar entities and Tongwei Solar affiliates commanding the dominant positions across a corpus that peaked in 2018 and has since declined sharply. New entrants face a mature, contracting filing environment where semiconductor-device claims (H01L) account for the overwhelming majority of activity.
Aiko Solar leads a highly concentrated field with limited new challengers
Zhejiang Aiko Solar Energy Tech and Guangdong Aiko Solar Energy Tech jointly hold the top position in the applicant ranking, followed by Resonac Corporation in third place and a cluster of Tongwei Solar regional entities sharing the fourth tier. The top five filers account for 79% of the combined patent records of the hundred largest filers, signaling an unusually tight competitive structure.
The tier gap between Aiko Solar and the rest of the field is pronounced. Resonac is the only non-Chinese-manufacturing entity in the upper tier, bringing a distinct materials-science angle. Beyond these players, portfolio sizes drop to single digits, leaving very little mid-tier density.
| # | Applicant | Patent records | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zhejiang Aiko Solar Energy Tech Co Ltd | 34 | |
| 2 | Guangdong Aiko Solar Energy Tech Co Ltd | 34 | |
| 3 | Resonac Corporation | 24 | |
| 4 | Tongwei Solar (Anhui) Co Ltd | 6 | |
| 5 | Tongwei Solar Energy (Chengdu) Co Ltd | 6 | |
| 6 | Tongwei Solar (Hefei) Co Ltd | 6 | |
| 7 | Tongwei Solar (Jintang) Co Ltd | 6 | |
| 8 | Tongwei Solar Energy (Meishan) Co Ltd | 6 |
| # | Applicant | Patent records | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Avalon Solar Tech Pty Ltd | 3 | |
| 10 | Meyer Burger (Germany) GmbH | 2 | |
| 11 | SolarWorld Innovations GmbH | 1 | |
| 12 | EI DU PONT DE NEMOURS & CO | 1 | |
| 13 | Inventec Solar Energy Corporation | 1 | |
| 14 | SolarWorld Industries GmbH | 1 | |
| 15 | TP Solar Ltd | 1 |
Aiko Solar’s dual-entity structure (Zhejiang and Guangdong) suggests coordinated IP filing across production sites, which consolidates their legal coverage. Resonac’s presence points to a materials supply-chain angle — specifically conductor and photovoltaic systems — rather than cell-level manufacturing know-how.
Filing counts for the most recent 18–24 months are subject to publication lag and should be treated as provisional; the apparent near-zero activity in 2024–2025 partly reflects incomplete publication records. Longer-window growth, applicant concentration, and technology-route coverage are therefore more reliable signals than the latest-year bar alone.
Filings peaked in 2018 and have declined sharply; H01L dominates the technology mix
The annual filing trend reveals a field that surged to its peak in 2018 and has contracted substantially since. The technology composition is dominated by semiconductor-device claims, with a long tail of adjacent branches that remain comparatively sparse.
Annual filing trend
Activity climbed from 16 records in 2017 to a peak of 22 in 2018, then fell steeply through 2020 and has remained at near-zero levels since. The multi-year window shows an 86% decline from the peak period. Years 2024–2025 should be read cautiously given publication lag.
↗ Hover for values · click a bar to ask EurekaTechnology composition
H01L (Semiconductor devices) is the dominant class, reflecting that interconnection innovations are primarily claimed at the device-architecture level. H02S (Photovoltaic / solar power generation), B22F (Powder metallurgy), and H10N (Other electric solid-state devices) each appear at lower shares, indicating that materials-process and system-level angles are present but secondary. C09D and C23C together suggest some coating-chemistry activity around conductive pastes and surface deposition.
↗ Hover for values · click a bar to ask EurekaHighly cited patent families surfaced by the query
Citation-heavy patent families returned by the query. Use this section as citation context, not as a curated list of the most topic-specific patents.
Bifacial punched PERC solar cell and module, syste…
A bifacial punched PERC solar cell comprises a rear silver busbar (<b>1</b>), a rear aluminum finger (<b>2</b>), a rear passivation layer (<b>3</b>), a P-type silicon (<b>4</b>), an N-type emitter (<b>5</b>), a front passivation layer (<b>6</b>), a front silver finger (<b>7</b>), and a front silver busbar (<b>8</b>), a laser grooving region (<b>9</b>) is… (excerpt from the patent abstract)
| # | Patent | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 一种高效高可靠性PERC太阳能电池及其正面电极和制作方法 | 18 |
| 2 | 管型PERC両面受光型太陽電池、その製造方法及びその専用装置 | 18 |
| 3 | Solarzellenanordnung | 15 |
| 4 | Solar cell array | 14 |
| 5 | Monofacial tube-type PERC solar cell, preparation … | 9 |
| 6 | Multi-layer metal film stacks for shingled silicon… | 8 |
| 7 | Process for the formation of a silver back electro… | 7 |
| 8 | Solar cell and front electrode thereof, and manufa… | 6 |
Ranked by total forward citations. Citation counts favour older and broadly cited patent families, and broad or adjacent patents may appear when they match the search scope. Treat this section as citation context, not as a curated list of the most topic-specific patents. Some patent titles may be shown in their original, non-English language where an accurate translation could not be guaranteed.
What the patent structure means for R&D investment decisions
The combination of a declining filing trend, high concentration, and an aging peak year shapes the strategic calculus for any new entrant or incumbent considering further investment in PERC interconnection IP.
Field is in decline from a 2018 peak
The lifecycle stage is Decline, with annual filing volume easing back from the 2018 peak and the recent-window growth at –86%. This indicates that the core PERC interconnection design space has been substantially explored and that incremental claims in the dominant H01L class are unlikely to secure broad protection. R&D resources may yield better IP returns in adjacent or successor cell architectures.
Decline stageTop five hold 79% of leading-filer records
The top five filers account for 79% of the combined patent records of the hundred largest filers, a level of concentration that makes organic entry into the core claim space difficult. Aiko Solar’s dual-entity structure further consolidates their position. New entrants would need to identify narrow, unclaimed sub-routes — particularly outside H01L — to build defensible positions.
High concentrationCo-filing is intra-group, not cross-industry
The most active co-filing relationship is between Zhejiang Aiko Solar Energy Tech and Guangdong Aiko Solar Energy Tech, sharing 34 co-filed records — a corporate group coordinating across manufacturing locations. Tongwei Solar’s five regional entities similarly co-file with one another across all pairwise combinations at 6 records each. No cross-industry or university collaboration is evident in the evidence, suggesting the field has not attracted open-innovation partnerships.
Intra-group onlyEurope (EPO) leads filings; China and US follow
Europe via the EPO is the leading jurisdiction with 18 patent records, ahead of the United States at 14 and China at 9. Germany and India each carry 7 records, and Taiwan, WIPO (PCT), and Japan are also represented. The EPO lead is notable given that Aiko Solar and Tongwei are Chinese manufacturers, implying deliberate international protection strategies aimed at European solar markets.
EPO-led coverageGo beyond the landscape: Eureka’s TRIZ Solution agent breaks down an R&D problem and returns patented concept solutions, each with a technical approach and cited patent & literature evidence.
| Applicant | Collaborator | Co-filings |
|---|---|---|
| Zhejiang Aiko Solar Energy Tech Co Ltd | Guangdong Aiko Solar Energy Tech Co Ltd | 34 |
| Tongwei Solar (Jintang) Co Ltd | Tongwei Solar Energy (Meishan) Co Ltd | 6 |
| Tongwei Solar (Jintang) Co Ltd | Tongwei Solar Energy (Chengdu) Co Ltd | 6 |
| Tongwei Solar (Jintang) Co Ltd | Tongwei Solar (Anhui) Co Ltd | 6 |
| Tongwei Solar (Jintang) Co Ltd | Tongwei Solar (Hefei) Co Ltd | 6 |
| Tongwei Solar Energy (Meishan) Co Ltd | Tongwei Solar Energy (Chengdu) Co Ltd | 6 |
| Tongwei Solar Energy (Meishan) Co Ltd | Tongwei Solar (Anhui) Co Ltd | 6 |
| Tongwei Solar Energy (Meishan) Co Ltd | Tongwei Solar (Hefei) Co Ltd | 6 |
| Tongwei Solar Energy (Chengdu) Co Ltd | Tongwei Solar (Anhui) Co Ltd | 6 |
| Tongwei Solar Energy (Chengdu) Co Ltd | Tongwei Solar (Hefei) Co Ltd | 6 |
Co-filing pairs, ranked by the number of jointly-filed patent families.
Aiko Solar dominates device-level claims; Resonac brings a materials-science angle
Two corporate groups account for the bulk of activity: the Aiko Solar dual-entity structure focused on H01L semiconductor-device and surface-deposition claims, and Resonac Corporation with a broader systems and conductors emphasis. Applicant momentum data is not available for this corpus.
Aiko Solar (Zhejiang & Guangdong)
Zhejiang Aiko Solar Energy Tech and Guangdong Aiko Solar Energy Tech each hold 34 patent records, filed jointly, making them the clear dominant force in this space. Their technology focus is concentrated in H01L 31 (Semiconductor devices), with secondary claims in H10W 10 and C23C 16 (Coating & surface deposition). This profile indicates that Aiko Solar’s IP covers both cell-architecture and thin-film-deposition aspects of PERC interconnection. No momentum trend data is available.
patent records: 34 eachResonac Corporation
Resonac Corporation holds 24 patent records, placing it third in the ranking. Its technology emphasis spans H01L 31 (Semiconductor devices), H02S 40 (Photovoltaic / solar power generation), and H01B 1 (Cables, conductors & insulators), a broader mix than Aiko Solar that reflects Resonac’s role as a materials and components supplier rather than a cell manufacturer. This positioning gives it a differentiated, supply-chain-oriented IP angle. No momentum trend data is available.
patent records: 24Under-served branches adjacent to the dominant H01L core
Several IPC branches appear at low share relative to the dominant H01L class. These are observations of relative sparsity; whether they represent viable entry points depends on technical fit and competitive context.
B22F · Powder Metallurgy
Powder metallurgy (B22F) appears at a low share of the observed records, primarily through Avalon Solar Tech’s filings alongside H10N claims. This branch covers conductive paste feedstock and sintering processes — directly relevant to front- and rear-electrode formation in PERC cells. The sparse claim density suggests that materials-process innovation in silver or copper paste formulation for PERC interconnection is not yet heavily contested, offering a potential angle for paste suppliers or materials-science teams with sintering expertise.
Search this in Eureka →C09D & C23C · Coatings and Surface Deposition
Coating chemistry (C09D) and surface deposition (C23C) each appear at low share, and both are represented in Aiko Solar’s secondary claim set. These branches cover the functional layers — anti-reflection coatings, passivation films, and thin-film conductors — that underpin PERC interconnection reliability. Despite Aiko Solar’s presence, the claim density remains low, and there is no evidence of dedicated filers in these sub-areas. Organizations specializing in ALD, CVD, or ink formulation for photovoltaic applications may find relatively open ground here.
Search this in Eureka →How leaders differ by technology route
Route coverage across the main technology branches in the current evidence set.
| Player | H01L 31 · Semiconductor devices | H02S 40 · Photovoltaic / solar power generation | B22F 1 · Powder metallurgy | H10N 30 · Other electric solid-state devices | C09D 5 · Coatings, paints & inks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avalon Solar Tech Pty Ltd | Strong · 14 | Moderate · 5 | Strong · 9 | Strong · 9 | Moderate · 4 |
| Guangdong Aiko Solar Energy Tech Co Ltd | Strong · 34 | Absent | Absent | Absent | Absent |
| Zhejiang Aiko Solar Energy Tech Co Ltd | Strong · 34 | Absent | Absent | Absent | Absent |
| Resonac Corporation | Strong · 10 | Strong · 6 | Absent | Absent | Moderate · 3 |
| Tongwei Solar (Hefei) Co Ltd | Strong · 6 | Absent | Absent | Absent | Absent |
| Tongwei Solar (Anhui) Co Ltd | Strong · 6 | Absent | Absent | Absent | Absent |
| Tongwei Solar Energy (Chengdu) Co Ltd | Strong · 6 | Absent | Absent | Absent | Absent |
Frequently asked questions
The corpus contains 56 patent families in scope across all jurisdictions analyzed.
Zhejiang Aiko Solar Energy Tech and Guangdong Aiko Solar Energy Tech jointly lead with 34 patent records each, followed by Resonac Corporation with 24 patent records. The Tongwei Solar regional entities each hold 6 patent records.
Europe via the EPO leads with 18 patent records, followed by the United States at 14, China at 9, Germany at 7, and India at 7. Taiwan, WIPO (PCT), and Japan are also represented.
The field is assessed as being in Decline. Annual filing volume peaked in 2018 at 22 records and has eased sharply since, with the recent-window growth at -86% relative to the prior period. The core claim space in H01L appears substantially explored.
H01L (Semiconductor devices) is the dominant branch. H02S (Photovoltaic / solar power generation), B22F (Powder metallurgy), and H10N (Other electric solid-state devices) appear at lower shares, and C09D (Coatings) and C23C (Surface deposition) are also present but sparse.
Collaboration is predominantly intra-group. The strongest co-filing link is between Zhejiang Aiko Solar Energy Tech and Guangdong Aiko Solar Energy Tech at 34 co-filed records. Tongwei Solar’s regional entities co-file with one another across multiple site pairings at 6 records each. No cross-industry or academic collaboration is evident in the evidence.
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Disclaimer. This page is generated from PatSnap Eureka data drawn from a limited snapshot of global patent and scientific-literature records, and is provided for general information and reference only.
Patent data carries inherent limitations: recent filings (typically the most recent 18–24 months) are under-counted due to standard publication lag; counts may be reported at either a patent-family or a patent-record basis and are not always directly comparable; classification, applicant-name, and citation data may contain errors, duplicates, or omissions; and the underlying search query defines and constrains the scope shown. As a result, the analysis may be incomplete or inaccurate and may not reflect the full technology landscape.
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