There are two Suntech Power in the world, it turns out. But one of them has been barred from doing business, at least in Germany.

The Suntech Power Holdings Co. that is based in Wuxi, China and makes crystalline silicon panels said it just obtained a preliminary injunction against the Hong Kong-based Suntech Power Holding Co. and its two known distributors. The Hong Kong company and the distributors now can’t sell solar panels with the Suntech brand in Germany, which is one of the world's largest markets.

It wouldn’t be surprising to hear more about cases of trademark infringement or counterfeit solar panels as solar energy systems become more popular, thanks largely to generous government subsidies in places such as Germany, Spain and the United States.

There were reports of fake solar panels being sold in Uganda last year. Local retailers would change the labels of little-known brands to well-known ones, or they would alter other labels to claim a greater power output. Another news outlet said those panels originally came from China.