Energy, Automobile, EV, Renewable News | Tigo Files Intellectual Property Infringement Lawsuit Against SMA

Tigo Files Intellectual Property Infringement Lawsuit Against SMA

July 15, 2022

Tigo Energy, Inc., the solar industry’s leading Flex MLPE (Module Level Power Electronics) supplier, has filed a lawsuit against SMA Solar Technology America LLC. The complaint includes six patent infringement claims, four of which have resulted in multiple suppliers signing license agreements with Tigo Energy. The complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware and includes all SMA legal entities in the U.S. and around the world.

The Tigo complaint alleges that SMA products compliant with SunSpec Alliance specifications infringe U.S. patents 8,823,218, 8,933,321, 9,584,021, 9,966,848, 10,256,770, and 10,333,405. The complaint is focused on various systems and methods used in module-level rapid shutdown units that are attached to photovoltaic (PV) panels. Specifically, the complaint alleges that SMA and certain of its suppliers copied Tigo innovations that comply with rapid shutdown requirements of the NFPA 70® National Electric Code®.

According to National Electric Code § 690.12, “Rapid Shutdown of PV Systems on Buildings,” requires that PV system circuits “installed on or in buildings shall include a rapid shutdown function to reduce shock hazard for emergency responders.” Tigo is a leader in rapid shutdown technology and MLPE with more than one hundred patents granted or pending. Millions of Tigo units are installed around the world, where they provide optimized, monitored, and safe solar and protect critical solar energy infrastructure and deliver consistent ROI for the lifetime of renewable energy systems.

Information Source: Read More