Solar Solutions

New Options for Junction Boxes Have Enhanced Adhesion, Improved PV Compatibility and Higher Temperature Resistance

Midland, Mich. – Two new potting agents from Dow Corning designed specifically for solar power applications offer critical junction boxes and delicate photovoltaic circuitry cost-effective electrical insulation and long-lasting protection from moisture, heat and other environmental conditions.

Dow Corning® PV-7030 Potting Agent provides improved adhesion and temperature resistance over traditional potting agents and Dow Corning® PV-7311 Potting Agent has excellent compatibility with PV substrates and junction box materials.

“Potting agents add to the reliability, cost-effectiveness and performance of solar panels,” said Donald L. Buchalski, senior marketing specialist, for Dow Corning's Solar Business Unit. “By designing these new products to meet the unique demands of solar energy applications, we are providing options to improve the manufacturing process that will help make solar power a viable and sustainable energy option globally.”

Dow Corning potting agent options also include Dow Corning ® PV-7010 Potting Agent, a proven solution with fast room temperature cure; and Dow Corning® PV-7020 Potting Agent, which provides higher thermal conductivity for improved bypass diode cooling.

One of the only companies in the world able to provide silicon-based solutions throughout the entire photovoltaic value chain, Dow Corning is investing to expand its portfolio of total solution packages for solar cell manufacturing, module assembly and installation. Solution packages are built on high-performance silicone products such as encapsulants, adhesives, coatings, potting agents and sealants, as well as next-generation solar grade silicon.

The new potting agents are the latest in a series of solar-related investments by Dow Corning:

• In May, the company opened its $3 million, 27,000-square foot, state-of-the-art Solar Solutions Application Center in Freeland, Michigan (U.S.) to collaborate with customers in developing, evaluating and piloting materials solutions used to manufacture solar panels.
• In May 2007, the company announced the largest expansion in the history of the polycrystalline silicon industry at its joint venture Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation—a $1 billion investment in manufacturing capabilities for this critical material to offer broad availability of solar energy.
• In September 2006, the company introduced Dow Corning® PV-1101 Solar Grade Silicon–the industry’s first commercially available metallurgical feedstock produced using large-scale manufacturing processes–which can be blended with polysilicon to help ease silicon shortages and provide solar cell manufacturers with another material option.

About Dow Corning

Dow Corning (www.dowcorning.com) provides performance-enhancing solutions to serve the diverse needs of more than 25,000 customers worldwide. A global leader in silicon-based technology and innovation, offering more than 7,000 products and services, Dow Corning is equally owned by The Dow Chemical Company and Corning, Incorporated. More than half of Dow Corning’s annual sales are outside the United States.