Originally a chemical company, DuPont de Nemours has successfully effected the transition towards a wide range of innovative products in the agri-food, construction, communications, transport and renewable energy sectors. Having identified several macro-trends such as the need to increase the world’s food production, the reduction in dependence on fossil fuels, the protection of life and the environment, and the economic growth in developing countries, the company is now focusing its research and development activities on technologies that meet these needs.

Date founded: 1802
Number of employees: 59'000

An industry that is still very young

DuPont has worked on the development of materials for solar panels ever since the early days of photovoltaic systems, and is now the leader in the field. “Most of the photovoltaic panels manufactured in the world contain one or more materials designed by DuPont”, says Simone Arizzi, Research and Development manager for DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions, adding that the company produces some materials that are critical to the composition of a solar panel, such as the conductive paste used in solar cells, or the backsheet films placed on the back face of the module and containing a UV-resistant film. “They’re the only materials that can demonstrate 25 years’ performance on the field. It’s still a very young industry, which started to take off in the 1990s when programmes to promote the installation of the panels began in Germany, and then in Japan.”

Placing the emphasis on research

Over the years, DuPont has acquired a high degree of trust by investing in research and development. “We’re using our experience to develop future generations of photovoltaic panels, which will be more efficient, less expensive and have a longer lifespan.” Today, over 80% of the solar installations in the world are situated in Europe, which is why DuPont opened a research centre at Meyrin in February 2010. “The number of panels installed is going to increase even more rapidly in the next few years. This requires a strong policy to support the development and financing of renewable sources of energy.”
 

Towards greater productivity and flexibility

The company’s primary aim for the future is to increase the energy efficiency of photovoltaic panels in order to reduce the cost per watt installed. It also wants to make the panels lighter and more flexible. In this respect, the company is taking its inspiration from the electronics industry, which led the way in the quest for “smaller, lighter and more efficient”, and from the car industry, which has successfully replaced heavy materials with lighter, plastic materials. “These innovations will enable us to develop photovoltaic solutions that are suitable for the energy constraints in regions that lack a stable electricity supply, and would be the first to be interested in having energy produced locally, efficiently and at a lower cost.”
 

Publication: january 2012
Credits photography: DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions
Portrait: Hélène Lelièvre