Technology Topic
Solar Energy Patent Classification
Photovoltaics as a power technology classifies in H02S, a subclass established in 2014: PV modules, mounting, invert-side integration and hybrid systems.
Solar thermal, collectors and heat systems, got its own subclass F24S in 2018. The semiconductor physics of the cell itself moved in 2025 into H10F for radiation-sensitive semiconductor devices.
The classification codes that matter
GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR…
PV power generation: modules, mounting, monitoring and system integration, since 2014.
2018 → 2023: 16,990 → 30,129 filings (+77 %)
SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
Solar heat: collectors and thermal systems, a dedicated subclass since 2018.
2018 → 2023: 7,414 → 12,271 filings (+66 %)
INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC…
Photovoltaic semiconductors: the cell physics, reorganized into this subclass in 2025.
2018 → 2023: 144 → 2,316 filings (+1,508 %)
Who files here: top applicants
- 1 SGCC(STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA) 54,496
- 2 SAMSUNG DISPLAY (KR) 27,621
- 3 GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES 26,629
- 4 MIDEA 21,834
- 5 GUANGDONG MIDEA REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT COMPANY 20,870
IPC filings 2013–2023, aggregated across the codes above. Source: EPO PATSTAT.
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