Core Viewpoint - The patent dispute between Longi Green Energy and JinkoSolar has been resolved, marking a shift from price competition to technology-driven high-quality development in the photovoltaic industry [1][2]. Group 1: Patent Dispute Resolution - Longi Green Energy and JinkoSolar announced a joint statement on September 19, 2023, confirming the settlement of their global patent litigation [1]. - The agreement includes the cessation of all ongoing patent disputes and a cross-licensing arrangement for certain core patents [1]. - The resolution reflects both companies' commitment to intellectual property respect and a willingness to explore deeper cooperation in technology development [1][2]. Group 2: Industry Context - The photovoltaic industry is transitioning from price competition to a focus on technological innovation, which is crucial for breaking through intense market competition [2]. - The patent disputes between the two companies began in the second half of the previous year and escalated in early 2023, with multiple lawsuits filed across various jurisdictions [6][7][8][9]. - The increase in patent disputes in the photovoltaic sector is attributed to the growing importance of intellectual property and the strategic use of patents to limit competitors' market power [11]. Group 3: Technological Focus - Both companies are likely to have reached an agreement regarding the TOPCon and BC technologies, which are key areas of focus for innovation in the photovoltaic sector [12]. - JinkoSolar has applied for over 5,500 patents, with 75% being invention patents, and reported a nearly 50% year-on-year increase in patent fees [13]. - Longi Green Energy has over 3,500 authorized patents and 480 patents related to BC technology, with a production capacity of 24 GW for HPBC2.0 batteries [17]. Group 4: Market Position and Financial Performance - In terms of shipment volume, JinkoSolar led the market with 41.84 GW of photovoltaic module shipments in the first half of the year, surpassing Longi Green Energy's 39.57 GW [17]. - However, JinkoSolar reported a loss of 2.909 billion yuan, while Longi Green Energy's loss was 2.569 billion yuan, indicating a smaller loss compared to its competitors [17]. - As of September 19, 2023, Longi Green Energy's stock price increased by 0.48% to 16.9 yuan per share, with a market capitalization of approximately 128.1 billion yuan, while JinkoSolar's stock price remained stable at 5.35 yuan per share, with a market capitalization of about 53.5 billion yuan [17].
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