PHOTOVOLTAICS: ARKEMA'S OBJECTIVES AND RESEARCH

Arkema's researchers work with companies in the sector to improve the performance of polymers designed for the photovoltaic industry.

To ensure its products are best suited to the needs of the industry, Arkema's researchers take account of the entire panel manufacturing cycle, from the initial design of the photovoltaic cells to their eventual recycling.

Two key R&D objectives

• Extend the service life and improve the performance of solar panels: Arkema works to provide companies in the photovoltaic sector with solutions that better protect the electrical circuits and active materials of photovoltaic panels.
• Speed up panel manufacture and reduce production costs: shared development programs have been set up with companies in the photovoltaic sector with a view to continuously improving production processes. "As well as offering polymers that are suited to the production of solar panels, we would like to develop comprehensive solutions that help companies manufacture products more quickly and at a lower cost," explains Dominique Plee, Scientific Director for Energy at Arkema.

Research areas
Arkema constantly monitors the technologies and requirements of the photovoltaic sector.

Solutions, such as the use of organic molecules and polymers and new coating production processes, are currently being studied. These offer shorter production times but shorter service like and may be best used for so-called "nomadic" products (lamps, batteries, coolers, telephones, etc.) that have a shorter service life than solar panels.

Another research focus is photovoltaic roofing for the building industry instead of rooftop solar panels. In the future, roofs could generate electricity while keeping out the elements.