ITC Accepts Shoals Technologies Group’s Complaint to Investigate Alleged Importation of Infringing Hikam and Voltage Products

Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. (“Shoals” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: SHLS), a leading provider of electrical balance of systems (“EBOS”) solutions for solar, storage, and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, announced that the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has instituted an investigation into allegations of patent infringement against Hikam America, Inc., based in Chula Vista, California, and Voltage, LLC, based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

The ITC’s decision is based on the previously announced complaint filed by Shoals requesting that the ITC bar the importation of the alleged infringing products into the United States under Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930. As a result of the decision, the ITC will investigate the unlawful imports of certain photovoltaic connectors and components that infringe two valid and enforceable patents owned by Shoals relating to improved connectors for solar panel arrays (U.S. Patent No. 10,553,739 and U.S. Patent No. 10,992,254). Shoals’ complaint requests that the ITC issue a limited exclusion order and a cease and desist order against Hikam, Voltage and related entities to bar the importation into the United States of devices, components and products that are alleged to infringe Shoals’ patents.

“We are pleased with the ITC’s decision to take this next step as we strive to protect Shoals’ innovative products and technologies for the benefit of our customers, shareholders and all of our stakeholders,” said Jeff Tolnar, Interim Chief Executive Officer and President of Shoals.

Invented and manufactured in the United States, Shoals’ patented Big Lead Assembly (BLA) connectors and wire harnesses with in-line fuses are designed to offer significant savings to developers, owners, and engineering, procurement and construction firms of solar installations because they reduce or eliminate the need for combiner boxes, reduce the amount of wire and other materials needed, substantially reduce the labor costs for installation and provide exceptional long-term operations and maintenance benefits. The patented connectors are less expensive to manufacture and transport than alternatives, easy to use, and permit a more simplified component configuration in the solar field.

Shoals Technologies Group | https://www.shoals.com/