This won't allow a monopoly on the solar market as a whole or even the rooftop solar market, but it could carve out a protected niche with decent margins so the

This won't allow a monopoly on the solar market as a whole or even the rooftop solar market, but it could carve out a protected niche with decent margins so the company can actually turn a profit. It's great for consumers that competition in solar manufacturing and installation is so intense, but that also has some downsides in terms of companies being able to afford R&D, plan for the long term, or even remain solvent three quarters from now. The time limited monopoly granted by patents seems like a reasonable compromise between rewarding invention and promoting competition.