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Dow Corning has a long-term commitment to solar energy and to the
photovoltaic (PV) industry. This commitment is supported by manufacturing
capabilities for polycrystalline silicon at Dow Corning’s joint venture Hemlock
Semiconductor Corporation, in Hemlock, Mich., U.S. It is also shown in the
production expansion of the first commercially available solar-grade silicon
feedstock derived from metallurgical silicon – at Dow Corning facilities in
Brazil. Increased availability of Dow Corning® PV 1101 SoG Silicon will help PV
cell manufacturers keep pace with the growing demand for clean, renewable solar
energy.
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Dow Corning has a long-term commitment to solar
energy and to the photovoltaic (PV) industry. This commitment is supported by
manufacturing capabilities for polycrystalline silicon at Dow Corning’s joint
venture Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation, in Hemlock, Mich., U.S. It is also
shown in the production expansion of the first commercially available
solar-grade silicon feedstock derived from metallurgical silicon – at Dow
Corning facilities in Brazil. Increased availability of Dow Corning® PV 1101
SoG Silicon will help PV cell manufacturers keep pace with the growing demand
for clean, renewable solar energy.
In addition to feedstock development, Dow Corning Solar Solutions Industry has
been working to expand its total-solution packages for solar cell
manufacturing, module assembly and installation. Solar Solutions has extended
its product line with an encapsulant and potting agents – materials vital in
protection of the solar cells – as well as the first sealant designed to meet
the specific needs of the PV market in China.
Another shining example of Dow Corning’s contributions to solar energy is in
the United States, where the largest photovoltaic solar panel farm in the
country opened at Nellis Air Force Base. SunPower Corporation utilized a Dow
Corning sealant for the SunPower solar panels, which serve a portion of the
70,000-panel solar array for the solar farm and will meet 30 percent of the
base’s electricity requirements. The 15-megawatt solar farm, which covers 140
acres near Las Vegas, Nevada, will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 24,000
tons during the next 30 years.
“Dow Corning is excited about the growing benefits of solar technology,” said
Marie Eckstein, vice president and general manager of Advanced Technologies and
Ventures. “We know that our products will play an important role in extending
the reach of solar power to meet more of the world’s energy needs. That, in
turn will help to reduce global dependence on fossil fuels, while cutting
energy costs and carbon dioxide emissions.”
Dow Corning is driving future developments in solar engineering through solar
car sponsorships – while helping to promote solar energy as a clean,
sustainable alternative for our world and engaging younger generations in
exploring the potential of this renewable resource. In 2007, Dow Corning
sponsored solar car teams from the University of Michigan (U of M) in the
United States and Istanbul Technical University (ITU) in Turkey.
With financial support from companies including Dow Corning, 150 students from
U of M designed and developed their solar energy-powered car and raced it
across the Australian Outback as part of the World Solar Challenge. The car
performed admirably, placing seventh out of 33 teams in the 1,800 mile race,
despite having to restart the course after a crash.
On another continent, Dow Corning helped to sponsor the “Itura” car developed
by the Solar Car Team of ITU. Team members laminated their solar cells using a
Dow Corning coating, which protected the cells against mechanical shock and
provided enhanced waterproof properties. They also used a Dow Corning adhesive
to bond the solar cells to the car's surface, because of its superior stability
even in the harshest conditions. The Itura team took second place in the
Formula-G solar race, held in the Turkish capital of Ankara. |
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