Why Should You Hire an Attorney to Obtain a Cleantech Patent?
Clean energy technologies can involve overlapping mechanical, electrical, and software components, making it important to develop a patent strategy that accurately captures the full scope of the innovation rather than just its most visible layer.
An experienced cleantech patent attorney in New Jersey can help you evaluate your invention, identify opportunities for intellectual property protection across hardware and controls, develop patent applications, and build a portfolio as the technology evolves. Patent protection may also play an important role in pursuing investment, licensing, utility partnerships, and commercialization opportunities.
Cleantech Patent Services
A new clean energy technology, an existing innovation, a growing portfolio: Sleman & Lund LLP offers patent and intellectual property services for clean energy innovators at every stage.
Clean Energy Technologies We Serve
Our clean energy patent experience covers a broad range of technologies.
Solar & Photovoltaic Systems
Solar panel design, photovoltaic cell architecture, mounting and tracking systems, and inverter technology.
Wind & Distributed Generation
Turbine components, blade design, distributed generation systems, and microgrid technology.
Smart Grid & Energy Management
Grid monitoring systems, demand-response software, energy management platforms, and IoT-enabled metering.
Energy Storage & Battery Systems
Electrochemical battery design, battery management systems, thermal regulation, and grid-scale storage.
EV Charging & Power Electronics
Charging infrastructure, power conversion systems, circuit breakers, and electrical connectors for energy applications.
Energy-Efficient Building Systems
HVAC systems, building automation, insulation technology, and other mechanical systems built for efficiency.
What Our Client Says
Peter Sleman and his team took over on my case from a different firm and did an amazing job. Their timely and clear communication made sure that my case would be handled appropriately. They've gone above and beyond, making sure to use all available resources so that my case would have a favorable conclusion. I would wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone seeking IP services.
Kevin Lopes
I highly recommend this firm for all your IP needs. Peter's experience and expertise had my patent granted in less than a year, unheard of for a tech patent. His knowledge and quick response time saved me thousands of dollars.
Zack Papadelias
What Sets Us Apart
20+ Years of Clean Energy Patent Experience
Nearly two decades of experience across the mechanical, electrical, and software disciplines that clean energy innovation draws on.
Fortune 500 to Startup Experience
Experience representing both established manufacturers and emerging clean energy ventures.
Engineer-Inventor Experience
Regular work with engineers turning efficiency and energy-transition problems into patentable inventions.
Broad Technical Experience
Experience across electrochemical batteries, circuit breakers, electrical connectors, and mechanical systems built for energy applications.
Practical, Business-Minded Strategy
Patent strategy developed with an eye toward the investment, licensing, and manufacturing partnerships that clean energy companies rely on to scale.
Cleantech Patent Counsel for Companies, Startups & Engineers
Clean Energy Manufacturers
Protecting technologies and developing intellectual property portfolios.
Engineer-Inventors
Protecting inventions developed from real-world energy and efficiency problems.
Cleantech Startups
Building patent protection around emerging clean energy technologies.
Utilities & Grid Technology Providers
Developing intellectual property strategies for evolving energy systems.
Related Industries We Serve
Clean energy technologies can overlap with other industries and technical disciplines. Our experience across related areas can help identify additional intellectual property considerations when an innovation crosses industry boundaries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I patent an improvement to an existing clean energy technology, or does it need to be brand new?
Improvements are patentable and make up a large share of clean energy filings. A better thermal management approach for an existing battery design, or a more efficient mounting system for existing solar hardware, can each stand on their own as a patentable invention if it's new and non-obvious over what's already out there.
Should I patent my process, or keep it as a trade secret?
It depends on how easily the process can be reverse-engineered once your product is on the market. A manufacturing method that's invisible in the finished product may be a better candidate for trade secret protection, while a mechanism or system that's inherent in the product itself is usually better protected by a patent. We help clients weigh that decision before filing anything.
Does publishing research or receiving grant funding affect my ability to patent later?
Public disclosure, including a published paper, a conference presentation, or in some cases grant reporting, can start a clock or create prior art that affects what you can still claim. If you're working with academic partners or federal funding, timing your patent filing around those disclosures matters, and it's worth talking to us before anything goes public.
What happens if a competitor patents something similar to what I'm working on?
It's not automatically the end of your project. We can review the competing patent to see how narrowly or broadly it's written, whether your approach falls outside its claims, and whether there's a design-around that still gets you where you need to be. This kind of freedom-to-operate review is common in fast-moving clean energy markets.
If I plan to sell my clean energy technology internationally, does that change my patent strategy?
Yes. U.S. patent protection only covers the U.S., so technology intended for international markets, especially the EU or Asia, usually requires a coordinated filing strategy across jurisdictions. We help clients plan international filings early so that foreign deadlines aren't missed.