November 19, 2009

Shenzhen, China: DuPont Apollo Opens Thin Film PV Production Facility

DuPont Apollo has opened its silicon based thin-film PV module manufacturing facility in China. The 538,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility will have an annual capacity of up to 50 MW with a thin-film-on-glass PV module production line. Full-scale commercial production at the facility is targeted for the first quarter 2010.

The facility will reduce dependence on fossil fuels by supporting renewable energy technologies such as solar energy. In addition to providing innovative thin-film photovoltaic modules that are fully International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) certified, DuPont Apollo offers a total system solution focused on the China domestic market to help safeguard customers’ long-term investments in renewable power generation.

“Next generation solar technologies are a critical market opportunity for DuPont to deliver more secure, environmentally sustainable and affordable energy sources for people everywhere,” said David B. Miller, president -- DuPont Electronics & Communications. “Through our work in this venture, DuPont will use its science to produce thin-film solar modules that can help make solar energy a more viable alternative for everyone.”

“The facility is unique because this is the first total solar energy solution provider in China. Under the ‘Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation Circle,’ we have combined our research and development capability with this state-of-the-art facility to support the continued growth of the photovoltaic market,” said Douglas W. Muzyka, president -- DuPont Greater China.

DuPont expects the photovoltaic market will grow rapidly over the next several years due to a surge in innovation aimed at transforming a global petroleum-based economy into one that increasingly and effectively uses non-depletable resources. DuPont expects that overall sales of its family of products into the photovoltaic industry will exceed $1 billion by 2012.

Further details about: DuPont Apollo