DuPont Invests $100M to Expand Solar Tech Production
Staff Reporter -- EDN, August 25, 2006
Soaring energy costs seem to have boosted recent investments solar energy technology research recently with announcements from Suntech, Evergreen Solar, and Solar EnerTech.
Dupont is no exception. The company has announced it is expanding its production of Tedlar polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) film, investing $50 million into a facility scheduled for completion by 2007.
The expansion has begun at DuPont's Fayetteville, N.C., facility. The business also continues to expand its manufacturing capacity at other sites in Louisville, Ky., and Buffalo, N.Y. Together with additional expansions for other DuPont photovoltaic materials, DuPont's total planned investment is more than $100 million.
The company also announced the launch of DuPont Tedlar PV2100 series films, part of an extended product line used in the protective backsheets of solar panels.
Tedlar films also are used in key applications for aerospace, construction and graphics arts because of their durability and weatherability.
"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," Cynthia Green, VP and general manager of DuPont fluoroproducts, said in a statement.
