 Used for many years for thermal purposes, in particular to heat buildings and to produce hot water, solar energy is now seeing a major expansion through its photovoltaic application.
A clean energy, with endless reserves
The amount of solar energy trapped by the Earth approximately equates to 10,000 times the total amount of energy, all sources taken together, consumed by  mankind. Compared to traditional sources of energy, solar energy generates no greenhouse gas emission and no long-lasting waste.
A market share that is still marginal, but steadily growing
With worldwide installed power of the order of 3,800 MegaWatt peak (MWp) in 2007, electricity of photovoltaic origin today accounts for less than 1% of the world’s electricity production, although its production capacities each year grow by 40%, generating sales of 24 billion euros. Some estimates foresee that installed power worldwide could therefore reach 20,000 MWp by 2012.
 Arkema’s chemistry at the service of tomorrow’s photovoltaic cells
The development and expansion of innovative products are opening the way for the development of ever more efficient photovoltaic cells, in particular by increasing their yield and reducing their production cost. From a 15% effective valorisation of solar energy trapped today, the use of new polymers and nanostructured materials should help this figure rise to 40% in years to come.
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