Complete Solutions Improve Solar Cell Device Performance and Overall Cost
The Dow Chemical Company will showcase its new solutions designed for photovoltaic manufacturers at this year’s 25th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (PVSEC) in Valencia, Spain (stand L3/H4/B4, Hall 4, Feria Valencia). Dow’s photovoltaic solutions can help increase solar cell efficiency and solar module durability, improve device performance at lower cost, and enable widespread adoption of solar energy. Solutions being showcased include:
— Dow’s ENLIGHT(TM) cleaning, texturizing, imaging and metallization solutions to enhance performance in solar cell manufacturing,
— Dow’s ADCOTE(TM) and MOR-FREE(TM) adhesives for module fabrication for long-term durability with improved environmental profile,
— Dow’s new innovative ENLIGHT(TM) Polyolefin Encapsulant Films used as protective encapsulants help lower total module system costs and provide for improved productivity and extended reliability,
— DOWTHERM(TM) and SYLTHERM(TM) heat transfer fluid solutions for solar grade silicon production,
— Dow’s Polyglycol CF fluid for a higher quality experience in slicing silicon wafers.
Solar cell efficiency is the primary measure of device performance. Higher cell efficiencies translate into lower costs, which enable widespread adoption of this renewable energy alternative. Dow Electronic Materials business’ ENLIGHT(TM) metallization, imaging, cleaning and texturizing materials enable improvements in solar cell efficiency, and lower the solar cell manufacturing cost. As the leader in front side metallization using plating chemistry, Dow’s products have successfully been used in commercial scale cell production.
Long-term durability is another key performance measure for photovoltaic module producers. An industrial user or consumer installing a solar panel on its roof expects it to keep running for the next 20 to 25 years. Thus durable materials are selected by module producers to build photovoltaic panels. Dow Adhesive and Functional Polymers business offers a range of durable adhesives for photovoltaic applications. ADCOTE(TM) adhesives exhibit excellent bonding strength properties, good UV stability, high thermal resistance and very good hydrolysis resistance. MOR-FREE(TM) solventless adhesives offer demonstrated laminating capabilities with an improved environmental profile. ENLIGHT(TM) Polyolefin Encapsulant Films are used in the protective layer of photovoltaic modules. The processing and performance benefits of these films can reduce cycle times and improve productivity when the module is produced, and help extend module reliability and service life when in use.
Dow’s innovation for photovoltaic extends beyond the above products. As the global leader for heat transfer solutions, Dow offers SYLTHERM(TM) and DOWTHERM(TM) Fluids not only for Photovoltaic polysilicon purification process, but also for Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) industry. The fluids provide a wide choice of solutions for high and low temperature environments, with outstanding thermo-stability.
In addition to products being showcased, Dow Polyglycols, Surfactants and Fluids business is dedicating resources to the research of a new carrier fluid for the specialized slicing of silicone wafers. The carrier fluid disperses the abrasives, carries away heat, and provides more lubricity. The next generation fluid will enable a more stable and better quality cutting experience, promoting a reduction in slurry consumption.
About Dow
Dow combines the power of science and technology with the “Human Element” to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world’s most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow’s diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2009, Dow had annual sales of $45 billion and employed approximately 52,000 people worldwide. The Company’s more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 214 sites in 37 countries across the globe. References to “Dow” or the “Company” mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.
SOURCE: Dow Electronic Materials
Dow Electronic Materials
Elysia Hsieh, +886-37-539158
ElysiaHsieh@dow.com
or
Dow Adhesive and Functional Polymers
Laura Hadden, 1-215-592-3677
Hadden@dow.com
or
Dow Specialty Packaging & Films
Michelle Kirchman, +1 989-636-0784
MAKirchman@dow.com
or
Dow Polyglycols, Surfactants and Fluids
Harold Nicoll, +1 989-636-5162
HGNicoll@dow.com
