First Solar Patent Challenges Denied, Strengthening TOPCon Technology Position

Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst

CSIQ-2.23%

FSLR-0.01%

JKS-10.37%

Source: Newsfilter

Updated: 1h ago

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Source: Newsfilter

Patent Challenges Denied: The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office rejected three applications aimed at invalidating First Solar's patents related to its tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) technology, thereby securing the company's technological leadership in the solar sector.
Ongoing Legal Actions: First Solar has initiated patent infringement lawsuits against JinkoSolar, Mundra Solar, and Canadian Solar in the Delaware District Court, indicating a strong commitment to protecting its intellectual property, which may influence competitors' market strategies.
Technological Advantage: TOPCon technology is increasingly surpassing traditional crystalline silicon due to its superior efficiency in converting sunlight to electricity, and First Solar's patent protection will further solidify its market share and drive future growth.
Acquisition Context: First Solar acquired U.S. TOPCon patents and related international counterparts through its 2013 acquisition of TetraSun, demonstrating the company's proactive approach to technological innovation and competitive positioning.

CSIQ

$21.255+Infinity%1D

Analyst Views on CSIQ

Wall Street analysts forecast CSIQ stock price to fall over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for CSIQ is 20.14 USD with a low forecast of 5.58 USD and a high forecast of 37.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.

9 Analyst Rating

2 Buy

2 Hold

5 Sell

Moderate Sell

Current: 21.740

Low

5.58

Averages

20.14

High

37.00

Current: 21.740

Low

5.58

Averages

20.14

High

37.00

Daiwa

Neutral -> Outperform

upgrade

$13 -> $30

Al Analysis

2025-12-02

Reason

Daiwa

Price Target

$13 -> $30

Al Analysis

2025-12-02

upgrade

Neutral -> Outperform

Reason

Daiwa upgraded Canadian Solar to Outperform from Neutral with a price target of $30, up from $13, after the company announced plans to establish two new Joint Ventures to run the U.S. solar PV business and the U.S. energy storage business with a controlling 75.1% stake. Daiwa thinks this move will enable Canadian Solar to remain compliant with potential U.S. foreign entity of concern requirements for solar and ESS imports, calling the stock the firm's "preferred China player in the promising US ESS market."

Mizuho

Outperform -> Underperform

downgrade

$15 -> $21

2025-11-19

Reason

Mizuho

Price Target

$15 -> $21

2025-11-19

downgrade

Outperform -> Underperform

Reason

Mizuho double downgraded Canadian Solar to Underperform from Outperform with a price target of $21, up from $15. The stock's recent rally reflects a higher growth multiple for Canadian Solar's battery storage business and solar multiple expansion, the analyst tells investors in a research note. However, the firm says the impact of U.S. factory resolution remains uncertain. Mizuho points out the stock has rallied 108% in the last three months, outperforming peers, due to expectations for battery storage demand to meet load growth and solar multiples bottoming out. "This seems overdone," the firm contends. It believes Canadian Solar's U.S. expansion remains on track, but adds that its Foreign Entity of Concern compliance is still pending.

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UBS

Buy

upgrade

$15 -> $37

2025-11-19

Reason

UBS

Price Target

$15 -> $37

2025-11-19

upgrade

Buy

Reason

UBS raised the firm's price target on Canadian Solar to $37 from $15 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. UBS is increasingly positive on Chinese policy as Beijing intends to curb oversupply, a likely tailwind for Canadian Solar from potential module market share gain or higher average selling prices, the analyst tells investors in a research note.

Mizuho

Outperform -> Underperform

downgrade

$21

2025-11-19

Reason

Mizuho

Price Target

$21

2025-11-19

downgrade

Outperform -> Underperform

Reason

Mizuho downgraded Canadian Solar to Underperform from Outperform with a $21 price target.

About CSIQ

Canadian Solar Inc. is a Canada-based solar technology and renewable energy company. It is a manufacturer of solar photovoltaic modules, a provider of solar energy and battery energy storage solutions, and a developer of utility-scale solar power and battery energy storage projects with a geographically diversified pipeline in various stages of development. It operates through two segments: Recurrent Energy, and CSI Solar. The Recurrent Energy segment is vertically integrated and focuses on greenfield origination, development, financing, execution, operations and maintenance, and asset management. The CSI Solar segment consists of solar module and battery energy storage manufacturing, and delivery of total system solutions, including inverters, solar system kits, and engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services. It has developed, built, and connected around 10 Giga Watt peak (GWp) of solar power projects and 3.3 GWh of battery energy storage projects across the world.

About the author

Emily J. Thompson

Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.