$TSLA PREPARES SOLAR PANEL STRATEGY FOR EARTH AND SPACE Tesla is pursuing TOPCon for terrestrial solar and HJT for SpaceX’s next-generation space solar systems For TOPCon, Tesla is said to be choosing LPCVD over the more common PECVD route because its patent teams concluded that LPCVD carries lower First Solar infringement risk. That process choice reportedly pushed Tesla toward Laplace, with a claimed 10 GW first-phase equipment order The bigger risk may now be geopolitical. Tesla appears to be trying to secure Chinese equipment before tariffs or export restrictions worsen, while Chinese authorities are reportedly concerned that Tesla could absorb Chinese technology and later compete with domestic suppliers First Solar is also changing strategy, moving away from a broad ITC Section 337 case toward individual lawsuits against competitors, so TOPCon patent risk remains relevant