BioSolar’s BioBacksheet Will “Help Reduce Cost per Watt of Solar, Making Solar Power a More Cost Effective Initiative,” According to Print and Online Reports

Monday March 23, 6:05 am ET

Company’s Cost-Saving Bio-Based Materials for Global Solar Market Poised to Make Solar Power Cost-Competitive and Decrease Industry’s Dependence on Oil

SANTA CLARITA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–BioSolar, Inc. (BSRC), developer of a breakthrough technology to produce bio-based materials from renewable plant sources that reduce the cost of photovoltaic solar cells, “is challenging (DuPontTM) Tedlar® with a new lower-cost solar panel backsheet made entirely of biomaterials,” according to the February 2009 edition of Plastics Technology.

According to The Residential Solar Power Contractors blog, CaliFinder, BioSolar’s “BioBacksheetTM is not only manufactured with renewable natural resources making it a green product, it’s also cheaper to produce than traditional solar panels and is extremely effective and durable…This new innovation will also help to reduce the cost per watt of solar cells, making solar power a more cost effective initiative.”

BioSolar recently announced plans to expand the company’s BioBacksheet™ technology to accommodate copper-indium-gallium-selenide (CIGS) and cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film modules, as reported on Nanowerk News. In addition, emerging energy news provider, Energy Current, recently reported that the company has “concluded successful testing on BioBacksheetTM samples from its first pre-production runs.”

Designed to replace petroleum-based components with renewable plant sources, BioBacksheet™ is a premium-grade backsheet consisting of a cellulosic film combined with a highly water resistant and high dielectric strength nylon film made from castor beans. The patent-pending BioBacksheet™ technology for crystalline silicon (C-Si) photovoltaic solar cells is in the pre-production phase.

“By removing petroleum from photovoltaic solar modules, BioSolar makes solar energy a true green source of energy,” said Dr. David Lee, BioSolar chairman and CEO. “Whether solar cells are produced using crystalline silicon, thin film or other solar technologies, BioSolar can help reduce the cost per watt through the use of its lower cost bio-based materials.”

DuPont forecasts US$1 billion in photovoltaic sales

3/18/2009 12:34:51 PM

NEW YORK: DuPont (DD) expects to nearly triple its annual photovoltaic sales to more than US$1 billion in 2012 based on strong fundamentals for long-term revenue growth in the photovoltaic solar energy market, combined with the company’s ability to deliver new technologies to the industry.

“Through investments in materials, technology development and manufacturing, DuPont is accelerating its ability to deliver innovations that will improve the lifetime and efficiency of photovoltaic modules,” David B. Miller, group vice president, DuPont Electronic and Communication Technologies, said today at the Jefferies 7th Global Clean Technology Conference. “Photovoltaic technology is in its infancy and the opportunities in this market are extensive. DuPont is uniquely positioned to bring new, advanced technologies for future growth in traditional crystalline silicon and emerging thin film photovoltaic segments. We also are investing in greater production capability to help keep pace with the fast rising global demand.”

DuPont anticipates that the photovoltaic market will grow by double digits over the next several years, driving demand for existing and new materials that are more cost effective. The market size today is about US$30 billion, and according to industry estimates, will increase to US$70 billion by 2013. Within the past year, DuPont has made significant investments in product development and capacity expansions for leading brands critical to photovoltaic module manufacturing, consistent with the rise in demand.

Further accelerating its capability to meet emerging materials requirements through new offerings in the thin film photovoltaic energy market also is critical for DuPont. The growth rate for thin film is projected to be about twice as high as demand for crystalline silicon, and DuPont expects this increase to drive specifications for both new and existing products that serve the thin film industry.

DuPont is a leading material and technology supplier to the photovoltaic industry with more than 25 years of experience in photovoltaic materials development and manufacturing.

Energy Conversion Devices Dims

Carl Gutierrez, 03.17.09, 04:40 PM EDT

Solar company yanks its outlook amid a flailing, uncertain economy.

Energy Conversion Devices (ENER) fell by more than a fifth after it yanked its outlook and said it would cut back on its expansion plans because of the weak economy.

The announcement comes a little more than a month after investors shrugged off a tepid third-quarter and fiscal-year outlook, and instead took the company’s sales guidance as a positive even though it was lowered from previous expectations. (See “Energy Conversion Cuts Its Way To Profit.”)

But now, the projections no long apply because of project financing difficulties caused by the recession–a major issue for the fledging solar industry. Energy Conversion said on Monday that it plans to consolidate some production facilities and eliminate about 70 jobs. Chief Executive Mark Morelli thinks the third quarter should yield a profit.

Energy Conversion solar panels use thin-film technology, but its product is unique in interesting ways. Most solar panels are hard, flat planes, but Energy Conversion’s product can be rolled onto roofs in strips, are lightweight and can become part of the physical roof.

Elsewhere in solarland, Canadian Solar (CSIQ) reported a loss well off expectations on Tuesday. It cited difficult credit conditions, price declines and other factors. Its outlook was in line with expectations, but assumes improved conditions in the second half of the year.

Evergreen Solar Panels Used in 250 Kilowatt Installation at DuPont Research Facility in Hawaii

Wednesday February 4, 5:13 pm ET

One-acre, 1,500 solar panel array at Pioneer Hi-Bred Waimea Research Center in Kauai, Hawaii is DuPonts largest solar installation to date

MARLBORO, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Evergreen Solar, Inc. (ESLR), a manufacturer of STRING RIBBON™ solar power products with its proprietary, low-cost silicon wafer manufacturing technology, announced today that a new 250 kilowatt solar energy power plant using its solar panels is now operational at DuPont’s (DD) Pioneer Hi-Bred Waimea Research Center in Kauai, Hawaii. The solar installation is DuPont’s largest and will supply 85 percent of the overall energy for the Research Center.

The installation contains 1,500 Evergreen Solar panels and occupies an area of one acre. It will generate enough energy each year to power approximately 64 average-sized homes. By generating renewable energy, the facility will offset carbon dioxide emissions equivalent to removing 100 cars from the road annually. DuPont expects to save approximately $200,000 per year in offset energy costs.

“This is a significant solar installation for DuPont and clearly demonstrates their commitment to renewable energy and sustainability not only as a leader in solar power usage but as a key materials and technology supplier to the photovoltaics industry,” said Terry Bailey, Evergreen Solar’s senior vice president of sales and marketing. “DuPont’s choice to use Evergreen Solar’s panels will not only show immediate results in performance but will also help DuPont accomplish its carbon goals since our panels have both the smallest carbon footprint and the quickest energy payback of any manufacturer in the business.”

This is the second solar installation by DuPont to use Evergreen Solar panels, the first of which is located at DuPont’s headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware.

DuPont installs large solar power system in Hawaii

2/2/2009 6:07:35 PM GMT

DuPont solar array at Pioneer Hi-Bred in Hawaii

KAUAI, HAWAII: DuPont (DD) has installed its largest photovoltaic solar energy facility at the company’s Pioneer Hi-Bred Waimea Research Center in Kauai, Hawaii.

The Waimea photovoltaic installation is comprised of 1,500 panels made from several DuPont photovoltaic materials and produced by Evergreen Solar (ESLR) and installed by REC Solar. The one-acre array is capable of generating about 85 percent of the energy needs of the research facility. It is expected to generate 706,205 kilowatt hours (kwh) annually, or enough power for 64 average-size homes.

By using renewable energy, the facility will avoid the emissions (equivalent carbon dioxide) from around 100 cars annually, saving Pioneer about $200,000 per year in avoided purchased electricity costs. The installation was completed and fully operational last month.

DuPont has already installed photovoltaic solar power systems for its R&D and business facilities in Wilmington, Del., and Taoyuan, Taiwan.

“This installation is a great example of our commitment to be both a key materials and technology supplier to the photovoltaic industry, and also a leader of solar power use,” said Marc Doyle, global business director – DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions. “Our products can help make clean renewable energy a reality while also powering our facilities as part of DuPonts sustainability goals.”

Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., a DuPont business, conducts crop seed research and development.

Mattie Yoshioka, president and chief executive officer of Kauai Economic Development Board Inc. noted the enthusiasm of participants at its recent Kauai renewable energy conference, complimented Pioneer Hi-Bred International for continuing the momentum generated at the conference. “Pioneer is a committed member of the science and technology community on Kauai, and they are a demonstrated leader in advancing renewable clean energy here with the establishment of the largest ground solar panel installation on Kauai. What could be better for our island than a renewable energy project using one of Kauais best clean energy resources, sunlight.”

DuPont is a major material and technology supplier to the photovoltaic industry with more than 25 years of experience in photovoltaic materials development.

Canadian Solar Opens New Research Center and Signs Agreements With Leading R&D Organizations

Monday February 2, 10:21 am ET

TORONTO, Feb. 2 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ — Canadian Solar Inc. (CSIQ) today announced the official opening of its new PV Cell Research Center. The new center is located in the Company’s solar cell Fab II in Suzhou and consolidates all of the Company’s R&D facilities in one place.

The purpose of the center is to improve the efficiency and production yield of both regular polysilicon cells and our proprietary solar grade e-cells. CSI has been actively investigating several high efficiency solar cell structures, including selective emitter, N-type and back-contact cells. The Company has signed research partnership contracts with DuPont (DD), University of Toronto and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The partnership with DuPont will focus on improving our solar grade cells. The research center is the only provincially accredited PV cell research center in Jiangsu Province. It is currently staffed by 20 scientists, engineers and technicians, four of whom have PhD’s. The center will ultimately have a staff of 38. The 1500 M2 facility will cost a total of USD $10 million, with the bulk of the expenditures paid in 2008.

Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and CEO stated: “CSI is now executing a four-year cell efficiency research program that will lead to better products and lower costs. Both the solar-grade cells for our e-Modules and regular silicon cells can benefit from this research. The program objective is to significantly improve our cell conversion efficiency. Our goal is to bring our average cell efficiency for polysilicon monocrystalline cells to 18.5% and solar grade cells to 15.5% within 12 months. In this effort, we are proud to partner with some of the world’s leading R&D organizations including DuPont, University of Toronto and Shanghai Jiao Tong University and look forward to jointly exploring new materials and manufacturing methods in order to better our efficiency and product development.”

BioSolar Files Comprehensive Patent for BioBacksheet(TM) Photovoltaic Solar Cell Component

Friday October 24, 6:05 am ET

Company Poised to Reduce Cost of Solar Energy by Swapping Petroleum for Renewable Components

SANTA CLARITA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–BioSolar, Inc. (BSRC) announced today that it has filed a patent application to protect the novel inventions and processes behind its proprietary bio-based backsheet, a protective covering for the back of photovoltaic solar cells traditionally made from expensive petroleum-based film. The comprehensive patent application, filed earlier this week, is expected to give BioSolar full protection on its BioBacksheet™ breakthrough technology made from renewable plant sources that will reduce the cost per watt of solar cells.

“As the solar industry aims to make the world a greener place, the reality is that making solar cells currently relies on the use of petroleum based-products,” said Dr. David Lee, CEO of BioSolar. “The goal of solar is to provide power while reducing our dependence on the world’s petroleum supply and the use of petro-based chemicals in the manufacturing process of green energy presents a fundamental contradiction. Plus, our technology will reduce the final cost per watt of solar electricity by allowing manufacturers to lower the cost of their finished product without being impacted by the volatile cost of petroleum.”

Lee is leading a movement working to make “green” technologies more environmentally-friendly and cost-efficient by developing alternatives to petroleum. BioSolar’s intensive, 18-month research and development program aimed at identifying sustainable resources for photovoltaic backsheet development resulted in the company’s BioBacksheet, a cellulosic plastic equivalent derived from cotton and castor beans materials.

Details of manufacturing methods are disclosed in the patent application, which covers many breakthrough developments including the use of cellulosic film made from cotton with additives and coatings, and also in combination with a type of nylon derived from castor beans.

Expected to cost significantly less than traditional Tedlar®-based backsheet, the petroleum-based film made by DuPont (DD) in use by the majority of silicon-based solar-cell manufacturers today, BioBacksheet meets or exceeds the characteristics of various testing and performance standards for the photovoltaic industry.

“We expect this breakthrough product to be rapidly accepted as the standard for the backsheet component of both traditional and certain thin-film photovoltaic modules,” said Lee. “Patent filing and protection of our intellectual property is an important milestone as we continue our transition into full-scale production with our contract manufacturing partner, Rowland Technologies, Inc.”

DuPont to expand production of Tedlar films

Tue Sep 2, 2008 3:00pm EDT

NEW YORK, Sept 2 (Reuters) – U.S. chemical and electronic materials maker DuPont Co (DD) said on Tuesday it intends to expand production capacity for its Tedlar films, due to a surge in global demand for solar energy.

Tedlar films are used as backsheets in solar panels as they are weather-resistant and durable. The films are also used in applications for aerospace, construction and graphic arts.

The planned expansion will more than double the current global production of the films and it would be the largest capital investment in Tedlar, the company said in a statement.

DuPont said that work on the scope of the expansion and the site selection is under way. It is targeting start-up in late 2009.

DuPont anticipates that the photovoltaic market will grow by more than 50 percent in each of the next few years. DuPont expects that its sales of several product lines to the photovoltaic industry could exceed $1 billion within the next five years.

DuPont eyes $1 billion in solar revenue by 2013

By Steve Gelsi, MarketWatch
Last update: 2:12 p.m. EDT June 9, 2008

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) — E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. will double the manufacturing capacity of its electronic materials plant in Dongguan, China, as part of a move to grow its solar energy products business to $1 billion in five years, the company said Monday.

Wilmington, Del.-based DuPont (DD) , part of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, currently generates about $300 million in revenue from its solar activities. Overall, the company generated more than $29 billion in revenue during 2007.

The materials technology company said it’ll ramp up production of its Solamet thick-film metallization paste for solar cells as it eyes the booming business of generating precious electricity from the sun.

“The photovoltaic industry is in the midst of a substantial surge globally, and demand for solar as a renewable energy source will continue to increase,” said Timothy McCann, vice president and general manager in charge of DuPont Electronic Technologies.

Specifically, the company said it expects that the photovoltaic market will grow by more than 30% in each of the next several years, “driving demand for existing and new materials that are more cost effective.”

The move by DuPont comes after a particularly lucrative period for the solar industry, especially with overseas demand from Europe.

Rival Dow Chemical (DOW) sells a variety of products for solar suppliers, including support foam for photovoltaic panels. Dow’s building products unit is also teaming up with Global Solar Energy on a project to create flexible solar roof shingles.

In the U.S., First Solar (FSLR) and SunPower (SPWR) — the two largest publicly traded standalone solar firms — saw their first-quarter net income by nine times and 12 times, respectively.

Rob Cockerill, photovoltaic marketing manager for DuPont’s microcircuit materials business, said the company’s Solamet metallization paste, which is made from silver and other materials, collects electricity produced by the photovoltaic cell and transports it out of the cell. The metal paste has applications both with traditional solar modules as well as newer, thin film solar arrays.