First Solar sues Adani Group firm over alleged patent infringement

US solar cell manufacturer First Solar has filed a lawsuit against Adani Group’s Mundra Solar PV Ltd (MSPVL) in a Delaware court, alleging infringement of two patented solar panel manufacturing technologies. The company has sought compensation but has not disclosed the amount.

According to Mint, First Solar contacted the Adani Group on April 1, claiming the technologies had been copied. MSPVL denied the allegations and, on April 15, asked the court to rule that it had not violated patent laws. The firm argued that its production process is different from First Solar’s, citing variations such as heat treatment methods.

On August 1, First Solar reaffirmed its claims. The US company has also pursued similar patent cases against several Chinese solar manufacturers.

The dispute comes as the US market accounts for about half of MSPVL’s business. The case also follows unrelated legal action by the US Securities and Exchange Commission and Department of Justice against Gautam Adani and Sagar Adani over alleged bribery, which the group has denied.