DuPont Invests $50M and Launches PV Solar Panel Materials

Wilmington, Delaware [RenewableEnergyAccess.com] DuPont announced a production expansion of DuPont Tedlar polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) film, and is expanding its Fayetteville, NC, facility with an estimated investment of $50 million and a scheduled completion date of 2007.

By launching DuPont Tedlar PV2100 Series films, which are part of an extended product line used in the protective backsheets of solar panels, as well as expanding its manufacturing capacities in Kentucky and New York, DuPont says its total planned investment will double. DuPont estimates the market for Tedlar films is increasing at more than 30 percent per year. This Series provides increased dimensional stability, tear and abrasion resistance and higher reflectance, which improves output and efficiency and makes them critical to the efficiency, lifetime and overall operation of solar panels, the release states. The films are used in applications for aerospace, construction and graphics arts because of their durability and weatherability. “DuPont and Tedlar have played key roles in the solar energy industry,” said Cynthia Green, vice president and general manager of DuPont Fluoroproducts. “This expansion will allow us to better supply customers in several global market segments as we focus more of our science and innovation on improving the life cycle of solar cells and reducing the cost per watt of electricity to consumers and building owners.”