DuPont opens North American photovoltaic research facility in Delaware

DuPont opened a North American photovoltaic applications lab at its Chestnut Run facility in Wilmington, Del., to support materials development for the fast-growing photovoltaic solar energy market. More than 55 representatives from the photovoltaic industry joined DuPont Chair and CEO Ellen Kullman, David B. Miller, president – DuPont Electronics & Communications, and Delaware Governor Jack Markell and other government leaders for the facility’s opening.

The DuPont North American photovoltaic applications lab will support materials development for the fast-growing photovoltaic solar energy market.

“The global demand for renewable energy is strong and growing,” Kullman said. “DuPont is responding to the demand by collaborating with customers, governments and other stakeholders to deliver high-performance innovation that addresses head-on energy challenges today and into the future. This lab will allow us to access tremendous scientific talent to develop the technology and materials for converting the energy of the sun into electricity, contributing to decreasing dependence on fossil fuels.”

The lab will accelerate introduction of new photovoltaic materials and engineering innovations by linking DuPont science and engineering with full-size module fabrication and state-of-the-art testing capabilities. It will provide an enhanced platform to enable innovation, technology exchanges and research collaborations among DuPont, customers, industrial partners, research institutes and universities. The lab is designed to advance state-of-the-art solar module design, accelerate time to market in photovoltaic innovation and deliver cost-effective, high-performance solutions for the photovoltaic industry.

“This lab expands the capabilities of the global network of photovoltaic research and technical centers we have established in Asia and Europe,” said Miller. “As a result, DuPont will accelerate its ability to develop new materials technologies that meet the needs of the market. Through our partnerships, we will be able to help create solar modules that run more efficiently, last longer and make solar energy a viable alternative for everyone.”

DuPont has been at the forefront of innovation in the photovoltaic industry since its inception over 25 years ago. Many DuPont products have set the standard in the industry and continue to lead in their markets with consistently high quality and proven performance. DuPont expects its photovoltaic sales to grow over 50 percent this year, and to exceed $2 billion by 2014. DuPont’s continued growth is supported by new innovations that improve module efficiency and lifetime, and enable new photovoltaic technologies and applications, which ultimately accelerate the industry’s drive to bring down costs to the point that they are in line with other forms of energy.

DuPont – one of the first companies to publicly establish environmental goals 20 years ago – has broadened its sustainability commitments beyond internal footprint reduction to include market-driven targets for both revenue and research and development investment. The goals are tied directly to business growth, specifically to the development of safer and environmentally improved new products for key global markets.

DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in approximately 80 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.