Perovskite Solar Cell Tandem Cell Patent Landscape 2026
Perovskite Solar Cell Tandem Cell Patent Landscape in 2026
The perovskite tandem solar cell patent space is in active growth, with 353 patent families filed across a moderately concentrated field where Hanwha Solutions holds the clear lead. Chinese solar manufacturers and South Korean conglomerates dominate the top tier, while US universities and a handful of deep-tech startups form a competitive second tier.
Hanwha Solutions leads a moderately concentrated field
Hanwha Solutions Corp ranks first with 46 patent families, nearly double the second-ranked Shangrao Jinko Solar Tech Dev Co. with 24 patent families. The top five filers account for 35% of the combined output of the hundred largest filers, signaling a moderately concentrated field with meaningful room for challengers.
A clear tier gap separates Hanwha Solutions from the rest of the ranking. Ranks two through five — Shangrao Jinko Solar, Caelux Corp, Trina Solar, and LG Electronics — are clustered in the 16–24 patent family range, forming a competitive second tier. Below rank five, counts fall sharply to single digits, suggesting the mid-field is accessible to new entrants.
| # | Applicant | Patent families | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hanwha Solutions Corp | 46 | |
| 2 | Shangrao Jinko Solar Tech Dev Co. Ltd | 24 | |
| 3 | Caelux Corp | 21 | |
| 4 | Trina Solar Co. Ltd | 17 | |
| 5 | LG Electronics Inc | 16 | |
| 6 | SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO KG | 14 | |
| 7 | LONGi Green Energy Technology Co. Ltd | 12 | |
| 8 | The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | 12 | |
| 9 | Swift Solar Inc | 10 | |
| 10 | Jingao Solar Co. Ltd | 10 |
| # | Applicant | Patent families | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Jinko Solar Co. Ltd | 9 | |
| 12 | Zhejiang Jinko Solar Co. Ltd | 9 | |
| 13 | The Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the University of Arizona | 8 | |
| 14 | University of Pittsburgh of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education | 7 | |
| 15 | IBM Corporation | 6 | |
| 16 | Industrial Technology Research Institute | 5 | |
| 17 | Joint Stock Company Krasnoyarsk Hydropower Plant | 5 | |
| 18 | Nankai University | 5 | |
| 19 | Kunshan GCL Optoelectronic Material Co. Ltd | 4 | |
| 20 | Chint New Energy Technology Co. Ltd | 4 |
Hanwha Solutions’ lead, reinforced by its ‘new entrant’ momentum trend, implies the company is executing an aggressive build-out strategy rather than defending a legacy position. Chinese solar manufacturers (Jinko Solar group, Trina Solar, LONGi) collectively represent a formidable bloc, reflecting. China’s broader push to dominate next-generation photovoltaics.
Filings from 2025 and 2026 are understated due to typical patent publication lag; the apparent slowdown in those years does not reflect actual inventor activity. Longer-window growth, applicant concentration, and technology-route coverage are therefore more reliable signals than the latest-year bar alone.
Accelerating filings and organic-semiconductor-dominated technology mix
The annual filing trend and the IPC technology composition together reveal a field still expanding rapidly, with the device-physics layer (H10K organic semiconductors and H01L semiconductor devices) absorbing the vast majority of inventive effort.
Annual filing trend
Annual filings climbed from 28 in 2017 to 61 in 2024, representing 81% growth over the recent window. The visible drop in 2025 and the near-zero count for 2026 are artifacts of publication lag and should not be read as a slowdown; the lifecycle assessment confirms the field remains in a growth stage.
↗ Hover for values · click a bar to ask EurekaTechnology composition
H10K (organic semiconductors) and H01L (semiconductor devices) together account for the dominant share of IPC classifications, reflecting the field’s concentration on photoactive layer and device-architecture innovation. Branches such as H01G (capacitors), H10F (photovoltaic and light-sensitive devices), and B23K (welding, soldering and brazing) each hold notably smaller shares, pointing to under-served areas in energy storage integration, dedicated photovoltaic device design, and cell interconnection engineering.
↗ 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.
Tandem cell
A tandem cell is provided in the present disclosure, which relates to the technical field of photovoltaics, so as to form a functional layer with high film ordering on a bottom cell, thereby improving photoelectric conversion efficiency of the tandem cell. The tandem cell includes: a bottom cell with a textured surface; a hole transport layer formed on the… (excerpt from the patent abstract)
| # | Patent | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tandem solar cell, tandem solar cell module compri… | 55 |
| 2 | Tandem solar cell and method for manufacturing the… | 47 |
| 3 | Monolithic Tandem Chalcopyrite-Perovskite Photovol… | 43 |
| 4 | Tandem solar cell, tandem solar cell module includ… | 38 |
| 5 | Interconnection structures for perovskite tandem s… | 34 |
| 6 | Tandem Kesterite-Perovskite Photovoltaic Device | 33 |
| 7 | Tandem solar cell and method of manufacturing the … | 31 |
| 8 | Method for manufacturing perovskite silicon tandem… | 29 |
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 strategy
Four structural observations shape where investment is likely to yield differentiation: lifecycle stage, competitive concentration, collaborative networks, and geographic coverage.
Growth stage with annual filings still rising
The lifecycle assessment classifies perovskite tandem solar cell patenting as Growth, with annual filings rising through 2024 and the 81% recent-window growth rate confirming the field has not yet plateaued. This means freedom-to-operate is narrowing in core device-architecture claims, but adjacent process and integration spaces remain relatively open. Early movers filing now in those adjacent areas can still establish blocking positions before the field matures.
Growth stageModerate concentration with an accessible mid-field
The top five filers hold 35% of the hundred largest filers’ combined output, a level that indicates leadership is established but not insurmountable. A two-tier structure is visible: Hanwha Solutions sits clearly apart, while ranks two through five are tightly clustered. Below rank five, counts drop sharply, meaning a focused filing campaign of 10–20 patent families in a differentiated sub-area could move a new entrant into a visible position.
Moderate concentrationUniversity consortia and supply-chain partners are the dominant co-filers
The most active co-filing pair is the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill together with the Arizona Board of Regents (University of Arizona), with 8 jointly filed patent families — the strongest collaboration signal in the dataset. Zhejiang Jinko Solar and Jinko Solar Co. also co-filed 8 patent families, reflecting coordinated IP strategy within the Jinko Solar group. Swift Solar and the Alliance for Sustainable Energy co-filed 3 patent families. These patterns suggest that university-industry consortia and vertically integrated manufacturer sub-entities are the primary collaboration vehicles in this space.
University-industry linksChina leads filings; PCT and EPO coverage signals commercial ambition
China is the lead filing jurisdiction, followed by the United States, South Korea, WIPO (PCT), and Europe (EPO). The strong PCT and EPO counts indicate that leading applicants are pursuing international protection, not just domestic registration. India and Taiwan also appear, pointing to emerging manufacturing ecosystems. Jurisdiction gaps in Japan and Germany — despite being significant solar markets — may represent freedom-to-operate opportunities for applicants willing to file there.
China-led, globally filedGo 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 |
|---|---|---|
| The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | The Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the University of Arizona | 8 |
| Zhejiang Jinko Solar Co. Ltd | Jinko Solar Co. Ltd | 8 |
| Swift Solar Inc | Alliance for Sustainable Energy LLC | 3 |
| Trina Solar Co. Ltd | Trina Solar (Changzhou) Science & Technology Co. Ltd | 1 |
| Zhejiang Jinko Solar Co. Ltd | Jinko Solar (Shangrao) Co. Ltd | 1 |
Co-filing pairs, ranked by the number of jointly-filed patent families.
Hanwha Solutions and Caelux Corp lead with contrasting trajectories
The top of the ranking is defined by Hanwha Solutions’ aggressive entry and a cluster of Chinese solar manufacturers, while Caelux Corp represents a deep-tech startup approach focused on semiconductor device architecture and laser-based interconnection.
Hanwha Solutions Corp
Hanwha Solutions Corp holds 46 patent families and is classified as a new entrant by momentum trend, meaning its entire portfolio has been built in the recent filing window — a rapid, concentrated push rather than a legacy accumulation. Its technology focus is firmly on H10K organic semiconductor subclasses (device structure and materials), covering both photoactive layer design and multi-junction stack architecture. This positions Hanwha as the dominant force in perovskite tandem device fundamentals.
families: 46Caelux Corp
Caelux Corp holds 21 patent families and shows a –18% recent trend, suggesting its initial burst of foundational filings is moderating. Its technology profile is distinctive: primary focus on H01L 31 semiconductor devices, with a significant secondary cluster in B23K 26 (laser welding and soldering), reflecting a specialization in cell interconnection and laser-scribing processes rather than photoactive layer chemistry. This process-engineering orientation differentiates Caelux from the materials-focused Chinese and Korean players and gives it a defensible niche in tandem module manufacturing.
families: 21| Applicant | Recent (3 yrs) | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Hanwha Solutions Corp | 29 | ▲ new entrant |
| Caelux Corp | 9 | ▼ -18% |
| Jusung Engineering Co. Ltd | 13 | ▲ new entrant |
| LONGi Green Energy Technology Co. Ltd | 2 | ▼ -80% |
| The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | 1 | ▼ -91% |
| Trina Solar Co. Ltd | 8 | ▲ new entrant |
| Swift Solar Inc | 7 | ▲ new entrant |
| Zhejiang Jinko Solar Co. Ltd | 9 | ▲ new entrant |
Under-served branches in interconnection, energy storage integration, and organometallic chemistry
Several IPC branches adjacent to the dominant H10K and H01L core have notably low patent counts relative to their technical relevance in tandem cell manufacturing and system integration, representing areas where targeted filing could establish an early position.
B23K · Laser scribing and cell interconnection
B23K (welding, soldering and brazing) accounts for only 10 patent records in the corpus — roughly 2% of IPC-level activity — despite laser scribing being a critical process step for monolithic tandem cell manufacture. Caelux Corp is the only applicant with a notable B23K cluster, leaving the interconnection process space largely uncontested. A new entrant with laser-processing expertise could file in this branch with limited direct competition and high relevance to manufacturability.
Search this in Eureka →C07F · Organometallic precursor chemistry
C07F (organo-metallic and non-carbon compounds) holds only 8 patent records, representing roughly 1% of IPC activity, yet perovskite absorber layer quality is directly determined by precursor chemistry and additive engineering. The sparsity here suggests that upstream chemical suppliers and specialty materials companies have not yet staked out strong IP positions in precursor design for tandem architectures. This branch has plausible technical value and a realistic entry path for chemical companies or academic spin-outs with organometallic synthesis capabilities.
Search this in Eureka →How leaders differ by technology route
Strength of each leader across the main technology routes.
| Player | H10K 30 · Organic semiconductors (OLED etc.) | H01L 31 · Semiconductor devices | H10K 85 · Organic semiconductors (OLED etc.) | H10K 71 · Organic semiconductors (OLED etc.) | H01L 51 · Semiconductor devices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hanwha Solutions Corp | Strong · 41 | Absent | Strong · 34 | Emerging · 8 | Emerging · 4 |
| LG Electronics Inc | Absent | Strong · 45 | Emerging · 3 | Absent | Moderate · 12 |
| Jusung Engineering Co. Ltd | Strong · 7 | Strong · 9 | Strong · 5 | Strong · 6 | Strong · 7 |
| LONGi Green Energy Technology Co. Ltd | Strong · 5 | Strong · 8 | Absent | Moderate · 4 | Strong · 6 |
| Swift Solar Inc | Strong · 10 | Absent | Strong · 9 | Moderate · 3 | Absent |
| Trina Solar Co. Ltd | Strong · 8 | Moderate · 4 | Moderate · 3 | Strong · 7 | Absent |
| Caelux Corp | Absent | Strong · 18 | Absent | Absent | Absent |
Frequently asked questions
The corpus covers 353 patent families. China is the lead filing jurisdiction, followed by the United States, South Korea, WIPO (PCT), and Europe (EPO).
Hanwha Solutions Corp leads with 46 patent families, classified as a new entrant by momentum trend, meaning its portfolio was built rapidly in the recent filing window. Shangrao Jinko Solar Tech Dev Co. is second with 24 patent families.
The field is classified as Growth. Annual filings rose from 28 in 2017 to 61 in 2024, and the 81% recent-window growth rate confirms the field has not yet plateaued. Apparent declines in 2025 and 2026 data reflect publication lag, not a real slowdown.
H10K (organic semiconductors) and H01L (semiconductor devices) are the two dominant branches, together accounting for the large majority of IPC-level activity. This reflects the field’s concentration on photoactive layer design and multi-junction device architecture.
Yes. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Arizona Board of Regents (University of Arizona) are the most active co-filers with 8 jointly filed patent families. Zhejiang Jinko Solar and Jinko Solar Co. also co-filed 8 patent families, reflecting coordinated IP strategy within the Jinko Solar group.
The most technically relevant under-served branches are B23K (laser scribing and cell interconnection, 10 patent records) and C07F (organometallic precursor chemistry, 8 patent records). Both are sparse relative to their importance in tandem cell manufacturing and represent potential entry points for specialists in process engineering or materials chemistry.
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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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