Dow Corning opens solar module assembly, app center

The Freeland, Mich.-based company said the $3 million facility will allow it to drive solar power innovations.

By Ann Steffora Mutschler, Senior Editor -- Electronic News, 5/16/2008

To collaborate with customers in the development, evaluation and pilot materials used in the manufacture of solar panels, Freeland, Mich.–based semiconductor and photovoltaic manufacturing materials supplier Dow Corning Corp has opened a solar solutions application center at its headquarters.

The company invested more than $3 million in the 27,000-square foot facility that includes a laboratory, pilot equipment and testing facilities, which will be staffed by a team of engineers and scientists. Dow Corning said the facility will be expanded as needed to meet the needs of the growing solar and photovoltaic industry.

Dow Corning said it is investing to expand its products to address the entire photovoltaic value chain of solar cell manufacturing, module assembly and installation including high-performance silicone products such as encapsulants, adhesives, coatings, potting agents and sealants, as well as next-generation solar grade silicon.

“We’re bringing the same kind of in-depth understanding of chemistry and technology that we’ve been applying to many other industries to the solar industry value chain. We’re addressing key issues such as availability of raw materials and cost, durability and performance of solar modules. Today’s energy needs require multiple solutions, and the diverse capabilities and extraordinary potential of solar energy will play a significant role in solving these challenges,” noted Gaetan Borgers, global industry director of Dow Corning’s solar business, in a statement.

In September 2006, Dow Corning said solar is now the company’s primary focus, and at that time announced its silicon feedstock material, PV 1101 SoG silicon, that the company believed was the first commercially available feedstock produced from such technology using large scale manufacturing processes.

Then, in May 2007, the company announced an expansion at its joint venture Hemlock Semiconductor with a $1 billion investment in manufacturing capabilities for this material to offer broad availability of solar energy.

“Dow Corning’s goal is to help the solar industry move towards being economically competitive with conventional energy sources, and become a sustainable energy option globally. This first application center represents our intention to be an active, eager partner with researchers, producers and governments as we help develop affordable and efficient solar energy for the global energy market,” added Eric Peeters, global executive director of Dow Corning’s solar business, in a statement.