GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES (obtaining electrical energy from radioactive sources G21H1/12; light sensitive inorganic semiconductor devices H10F; light sensitive organic semiconductor devices H10K30/00; thermoelectric devices H10N10/00; pyroelectric devices H10N15/00)

Description

H02S covers technologies for direct conversion of electromagnetic radiation in the infrared, visible, and ultraviolet spectrum ranges into electrical power, primarily through photovoltaic devices and modules. This subclass includes solar cells, photovoltaic arrays, related conversion mechanisms, and systems integrating such components for electricity generation. The scope encompasses both the fundamental semiconductor structures enabling light-to-electricity conversion and the practical applications of photovoltaic technology across residential, industrial, and utility-scale installations. Adjacent classes address other renewable energy generation methods (H02S complements but excludes thermal solar systems and thermoelectric conversion covered elsewhere in H02).

Filing statistics

CPC subclass H02S recorded 85,730 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 3,744 in 2013 to 10,869 in 2023 (+190%). The most active applicants in class H02 are SGCC(STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA) (24,515 applications), MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION (11,346 applications) and SIEMENS (9,026 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings