DuPont Opens Photovoltaic (PV) Technical Center In Shanghai
konaxis.net | 05/11/2009
DuPont just opened a photovoltaic (PV) technical center at its China global R&D Center in Shanghai to “collaborate more closely with our customers in the PV industry”, according to Douglas Muzyka, president -- DuPont Greater China. The center aims to support material developments for the fast growing crystalline silicon photovoltaic solar energy market.
This new facility has three labs that focus on processes including cell to module manufacturing, PV metallization and PV module and reliability testing. It will also provide integrated research, development and technical support for customers in the PV industry in China. The PV technical center can create evaluation facilities resembling its customers' production lines, can conduct more systematic product evaluations, troubleshoot issues more quickly and modify material properties for maximum performance.
The center also will provide an enhanced platform to enable technological exchanges and research collaborations between DuPont and leading Chinese and Asian universities and research institutes. As well as with the Experimental Station, DuPont's global R&D headquarters in the United States.
The China R&D Center is located in Zhangjiang High-tech Park, Pudong, Shanghai, one of China's national level technical parks dedicated to high-tech start-ups and research organizations. DuPont has so far invested approximately $25 million in the center.
The facility opened in 2005 with 100 people and a planned expansion of up to 400 scientists and technicians.
In addition to solar, DuPont is providing key innovative products for the wind, biofuels and fuel cells industries that advance energy efficiency and deliver alternative energy sources to reduce the global reliance on fossil fuels.
DuPont is a leading science-based products and services company and technology supplier to the photovoltaic industry with more than 25 years of experience in photovoltaic materials development and manufacturing.
DuPont 2008 net sales in greater China was $2.07 billion. In 2008, the output of crystalline silicon PV cells and modules in China was about one third of the total volume in the world. DuPont expects to nearly triple its annual photovoltaic sales to more than $1 billion in 2012.
