DuPont Apollo opens thin-film PV production facility in China

SHENZHEN, CHINA: DuPont Apollo Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of DuPont, announced the opening of its silicon based thin-film photovoltaic module manufacturing facility. The facility demonstrates the company’s commitment to reduce dependence on fossil fuels by supporting renewable energy technologies such as solar energy.

The 538,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility will have an annual capacity of up to 50 megawatts with a thin-film-on-glass photovoltaic module production line. Full-scale commercial production is targeted for the first quarter 2010.

In addition to providing innovative thin-film photovoltaic modules that are fully International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) certified, DuPont Apollo offers a total system solution focused on the China domestic market to help safeguard customers’ long-term investments in renewable power generation.

“Next generation solar technologies are a critical market opportunity for DuPont to deliver more secure, environmentally sustainable and affordable energy sources for people everywhere,” said David B. Miller, president -- DuPont Electronics & Communications. “Through our work in this venture, DuPont will use its science to produce thin-film solar modules that can help make solar energy a more viable alternative for everyone.”

Thin-film photovoltaic modules are projected to be the fastest growing segment of the solar module industry because of their potential to reduce the cost of producing solar-derived energy -- helping solar energy become more competitive with other forms of energy generation.

Thin-film photovoltaic modules are well-suited to commercial rooftops, building facades, and large-scale solar farm applications. The modules can also generate more wattage output under diffuse lighting conditions, achieving a competitive cost/performance ratio. With silicon consumption of only about 1/200 of traditional crystalline silicon solar cells, thin-film modules consume less silicon metal, resulting in shorter energy payback times.

“The facility is unique because this is the first total solar energy solution provider in China. Under the ‘Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation Circle,’ we have combined our research and development capability with this state-of-the-art facility to support the continued growth of the photovoltaic market,” said Douglas W. Muzyka, president -- DuPont Greater China.

DuPont expects the photovoltaic market will grow rapidly over the next several years due to a surge in innovation aimed at transforming a global petroleum-based economy into one that increasingly and effectively uses non-depletable resources. DuPont expects that overall sales of its family of products into the photovoltaic industry will exceed $1 billion by 2012.