(Yicai) Jan. 7 -- A unit of Chinese solar modules giant Jinko Solar has filed a lawsuit against domestic rival Longi Green Energy Technology, demanding it to cease a patent infringement and compensation for economic losses.

The lawsuit was filed at a court in Nanchang, the capital of China's Jiangxi province, with the hearing scheduled for Feb. 13, an insider from Jinko Solar told Yicai.

"Longi has noticed the relevant information about Jinko Solar's lawsuit against it, but it has not yet received any legal documents related to the case," a representative of the defendant said to Yicai. "Longi will respond to the allegations and, if necessary, file counterclaims regarding the use of TOPCon or other technologies by the opposing party."

‌TOPCon, or tunnel oxide passivated contact, is a next-generation photovoltaic cell production technology. It can improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency of solar cells and has become an increasingly adopted technological pathway among cell manufacturers, with Jinko Solar one of the leading PV cell manufacturers utilizing the technology.

Jinko Solar holds most patents for TOPCon technology, so other companies would need to pay fees to use it, Chairman Li Xiande previously noted. "We have reached patent licensing agreements with at least two firms."

Jinko Solar leads the world in solar module shipments, while Longi ranks third. However, Xi'an-based Longi ranks first in solar silicon wafer shipments worldwide.

As of the end of June, Jinko Solar held 1,471 invention patents, 1,300 utility model patents, and 60 design patents, the Shanghai-based firm said in a financial report.

Editors: Tang Shihua, Martin Kadiev