H02S GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
Introduced: January 2014
Classification Context
- Section:
- ELECTRICITY
- Class:
- GENERATION, CONVERSION, OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- Subclass:
- GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
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
IPC subclass H02S recorded 178,704 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 3,332 in 2013 to 30,129 in 2023 (+804%). The most active applicants in class H02 are SGCC(STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA) (54,496 applications), MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION (10,495 applications) and TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (9,464 applications).
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
In class comparison
H02S ranks 6th of 9 subclasses with filings in H02, with 178,704 applications between 2013 and 2023, 7.8% of the class. Annual filings grew 804% from 2013 to 2023, above the class as a whole (+132%).
| Rank | Subclass | Title | Applications | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | H02J, Electric Power Networks; Circuit Arrangements or Systems for Supplying or Distributing Electric Power; Systems for Storing Electric Energy | Electric Power Networks; Circuit Arrangements or Systems for Supplying or Distributing Electric Power; Systems for Storing Electric Energy | 623,631 | 27.2% |
| 2 | H02K, Dynamo-Electric Machines | Dynamo-Electric Machines | 426,168 | 18.6% |
| 3 | H02G, Installation of Electric Cables or Lines, or of Combined Optical and Electric Cables or Lines | Installation of Electric Cables or Lines, or of Combined Optical and Electric Cables or Lines | 280,513 | 12.3% |
| 4 | H02M, Apparatus for Conversion Between Ac and Ac, Between Ac and Dc, or Between Dc and Dc, and for Use With Mains or Similar Power Supply Systems; Conversion of Dc or Ac Input Power Into Surge Output Power; Control or Regulation Thereof | Apparatus for Conversion Between Ac and Ac, Between Ac and Dc, or Between Dc and Dc, and for Use With Mains or Similar Power Supply Systems; Conversion of Dc or Ac Input Power Into Surge Output Power; Control or Regulation Thereof | 261,349 | 11.4% |
| 5 | H02B, Boards, Substations or Switching Arrangements for the Supply or Distribution of Electric Power | Boards, Substations or Switching Arrangements for the Supply or Distribution of Electric Power | 228,580 | 10.0% |
| 6 | H02S | Generation of Electric Power by Conversion of Infrared Radiation, Visible Light or Ultraviolet Light, e.g. Using Photovoltaic [PV] Modules | 178,704 | 7.8% |
| 7 | H02H, Emergency Protective Circuit Arrangements | Emergency Protective Circuit Arrangements | 123,243 | 5.4% |
| 8 | H02P, Control or Regulation of Electric Motors, Electric Generators or Dynamo-Electric Converters; Controlling Transformers, Reactors or Choke Coils | Control or Regulation of Electric Motors, Electric Generators or Dynamo-Electric Converters; Controlling Transformers, Reactors or Choke Coils | 122,940 | 5.4% |
| 9 | H02N, Electric Machines Not Otherwise Provided for | Electric Machines Not Otherwise Provided for | 44,586 | 1.9% |
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
Additional Content
Arrangements for obtaining electrical energy from radioactive sources Light sensitive inorganic semiconductor devices Thermoelectric devices Pyroelectric devices Light sensitive organic semiconductor devices
6 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
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- H02S 10/00 PV power plants; Combinations of PV energy systems with other systems for the generation of electric power
- H02S 20/00 Supporting structures for PV modules
- H02S 30/00 Structural details of PV modules other than those related to light conversion
- H02S 40/00 Components or accessories in combination with PV modules, not provided for in groups
- H02S 50/00 Monitoring or testing of PV systems, e.g. load balancing or fault identification
- H02S 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class H02, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- SGCC(STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA) 54,496
- MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION JP 10,495
- TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION 9,464
- GUANGDONG POWER GRID CORPORATION 9,339
- ROBERT BOSCH DE 8,226
- SIEMENS DE 8,218
- DENSO CORPORATION 7,063
- MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION 6,619
- SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS COMPANY KR 5,826
- GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES 5,094