Unveiling the Future:
Exploring the Latest
Solar Innovations
and Patents
Energy, Utilities, Mining and COP28
Ahmad SalehPartner,Head of Innovation, Patents& Industrial Property
Jincy ThomasAssociate,Innovation, Patents& Industrial Property
In the quest for sustainable energy solutions, solar power has emerged as a frontrunner. Solar technologies have made significant strides in recent years, thanks to a surge in research and development efforts, leading to groundbreaking innovations. This article delves into the world of solar technologies, exploring the latest advancements and their connection to patents and innovations.
Solar power has long been hailed as a clean, renewable energy source with vast untapped potential. Its environmental benefits and inexhaustible nature have driven scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs to continuously push the boundaries of solar technology. Today, we are witnessing a solar revolution, characterized by rapid advancements in solar panel efficiency, energy storage, and many other ground-breaking applications.
High-Efficiency Solar Cells: Silicon solar cells have dominated the solar market for decades, but recent innovations have introduced higher efficiency materials such as perovskite solar cells. These cells offer the potential to convert sunlight into electricity at unprecedented rates.
Flexible and Transparent Solar Panels: Solar panels no longer have to be bulky, rigid structures. Flexible and transparent solar panels are making their way into building-integrated photovoltaics, solar windows, and even clothing & accessories. They are designed to be lightweight, bendable, and see-through, making them suitable for a variety of applications where traditional rigid solar panels may not be practical.
Bifacial Solar Panels: Bifacial solar panels can capture sunlight from both sides, increasing energy production. This technology is being actively explored by various companies, leading to patent filings for unique designs and configurations.
Solar Paint and Solar Tiles: Researchers are developing paints and tiles with embedded solar cells, turning every surface into a potential energy generator.
Energy Storage Solutions: Efficient energy storage is crucial for making solar power available around the clock. Advancements in battery technologies, such as lithium-ion and solid-state batteries, are closely tied to the solar industry. Companies are actively patenting new energy storage solutions that complement solar installations.
Patents play a fundamental role in driving solar innovation. They grant inventors exclusive rights to their creations, incentivizing companies, and individuals to invest in research and development. By protecting intellectual property, patents encourage competition, which, in turn, leads to rapid advancements in technology. The solar industry has seen a surge in patent filings, reflecting the intense innovation happening in the sector.
Moreover, patents help secure funding and partnerships for solar startups and established companies alike. Investors are more likely to back projects with strong patent portfolios as they offer a competitive advantage in the market. This influx of capital accelerates the development and commercialization of new solar technologies.
In the race to harness solar power more efficiently and sustainably, international collaboration and open innovation have become increasingly important. Governments, research institutions, and private companies are working together to share knowledge and resources. These collaborative efforts often lead to groundbreaking discoveries and innovations. Patents resulting from international collaboration help facilitate the global dissemination of solar technologies, ensuring that they benefit communities worldwide, in addition to the following benefits:
Transfer of Knowledge and Expertise: When different countries collaborate on solar technology research and development, they bring together their unique expertise and resources. This collaborative effort often leads to the exchange of knowledge and best practices, which can accelerate the development and dissemination of solar technologies worldwide.
Joint Research Projects: Many international collaborations involve joint research projects aimed at improving solar technologies. These projects bring together researchers from different countries to work on cutting-edge solar technologies. Initiatives like the Solar Energy Research Institute for India and the United States (SERIIUS) and the European Union's Horizon 2020 program promote cross-border cooperation in solar research. The International Solar Energy Society (ISES) promotes international cooperation and knowledge exchange in the field of solar energy. Additionally, initiatives like the Solar Technology and Renewable Energy Applications Mission (STREAM) in India have involved collaborations with various countries to develop and deploy solar technologies.
Patent Sharing: International collaborations lead to the sharing of patents and intellectual property. For instance, the International Solar Alliance (ISA) encourages member countries to share solar technology patents and know-how to promote solar energy adoption in solar-rich regions.
Scaling-Up and Market Access: Collaboration can help companies scale up production and gain access to international markets. For example, companies from different countries may collaborate to manufacture solar panels in one location and export them worldwide, benefiting from economies of scale.
Policy Alignment: Collaborations often involve discussions on policy and regulatory frameworks for solar energy. When countries align their policies and incentives, it creates a more favorable environment for the adoption of solar technologies.
Statistics show that solar energy technology has by far more patents than any another renewable energy worldwide.
Click to image enlarge -Number of patents for renewable energy technologies worldwide from 2000 to 2020, by type (www.statista.com)
Over the decade 2010 to 2019, statistics show that Japan tops the leader board with respect to the total number of patent applications for renewables in general, and for both solar and fuel cell technologies. The United States ranks highest for geothermal technology and in wind energy, Denmark is top ranked, followed by Germany.
2010-2019
Japan
9,394
5,360
702
40
U.S.
6,300
3,876
927
106
Germany
3,684
1,534
1,309
28
Republic of Korea
2,695
1,803
360
26
China
2,659
1,892
555
23
Denmark
1,495
52
1,358
4
France
1,226
660
184
34
U.K.
709
208
218
12
Spain
678
341
300
8
Italy
509
316
123
13
Source: Economics and Statistics Division, WIPO
Various patent offices around the world have taken initiatives to promote solar technology, green energy technology, and sustainable inventions. These initiatives aim to incentivize and support innovation in the field of renewable energy and sustainability. Here are some examples of such initiatives taken:
WIPO Green: WIPO Green is an online marketplace created by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to connect owners of green technology with potential users and licensees. It facilitates the sharing and licensing of environmentally friendly technologies, including solar and green energy technologies, to encourage their widespread adoption. WIPO also provides resources and assistance for inventors and innovators in the field of sustainable technologies.
Australia's Accelerated Innovation Patent Program: Australia introduced an Accelerated Innovation Patent (AIP) program to encourage innovation in green technology and sustainability. The AIP program offers expedited processing of patent applications for inventions that support environmentally friendly and sustainable technologies, including those related to solar and green energy.
Japan's Green Patent Program: Japan has a Green Patent Program that provides various incentives to inventors and companies in the green technology sector. This program offers a fast-track examination process for patent applications related to green and sustainable technologies, including solar power and energy efficiency. It also provides reduced patent examination fees to encourage innovation in this field.
USPTO initiative: In March 2023, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced the addition of a new category for its Patents for Humanity Awards Program: Green Energy. The Green Energy category accepts any U.S. patent or patent application directed to green energy technologies, such as wind, solar, green hydrogen, hydropower, geothermal, and biofuel technologies. The program is open to all types of patent holders, patent applicants and licensees. To qualify, applicants must describe how their invention is providing an environmental benefit by making energy renewable, sustainable, cleaner, or greener.
Such initiatives aim to support the development and widespread adoption of green and sustainable technologies, including solar power and other renewable energy solutions, by providing inventors and innovators with the tools and incentives they need to protect their intellectual property and bring their innovations to market.
Many patent offices worldwide, including those in the United States and Europe, offer fast-track examination procedures for patent applications related to green technologies and renewable energy. These programs prioritize the examination of patent applications in these fields, allowing inventors to obtain patents more quickly, which can be crucial in rapidly evolving sectors like solar and green energy technology. Several patent offices also provide support and incentives to startups and small businesses focused on sustainable inventions, including solar and green energy technologies.
In the UAE, the country's leadership has put sustainability and green energy at the top of the national agenda, and the government has taken a number of important initiatives in this regard. Among other things, the country is hosting COP28 - the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference, which will be held in Dubai from 30 November to 12 December 2023. The conference has been held annually since the first UN climate change agreement in 1992 and is seen by governments as important for agreeing policies to limit global temperature rises and adapt to the effects of climate change. In addition, the recently established Ministry of Investment aims to invest heavily in green energy as an important component of both economic diversity and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Ministry of Economy is currently working on a number of initiatives to strengthen the patent system, and we hope to see a new fast-track program tailored to help expedite the registration of green energy-related innovations, and also encourage the establishment of funding program to support the development, commercialization and deployment of such innovations.
The solar industry is experiencing a remarkable transformation, driven by groundbreaking innovations and advancements in technology. Patents play a pivotal role in incentivizing investment, and fostering competition, all of which are essential for the continued growth of the solar sector. As we explore the latest solar technologies, it's clear that the future of sustainable energy is looking brighter than ever. Also, international collaboration plays a significant role in advancing and disseminating solar technologies globally. It promotes knowledge sharing, reduces costs, establishes standards, and facilitates the transfer of technology and expertise, all of which contribute to the widespread adoption of solar energy worldwide. Patents resulting from such collaborations can support these efforts by allowing for the legal protection and sharing of innovative technologies.
For further information,please contact Ahmad Saleh and Jincy Thomas.
Published in November 2023
