Dupont Corporation’s flexible photovoltaic cells

Dupont Corporation’s flexible photovoltaic cells

Dupont Corporation and the Department of Energy announced plans to develop a flexible photovoltaic (PV) cell covering on July 1, 2009. PV’s are the most promising solar energy system.

The problem with present PV technology is the cells degrade under atmospheric conditions and are presently covered in glass or other materials that do not lend themselves to building and construction easily. The three year program is planned to accelerate the development of a plastic sheeting covered module for PV cells that makes the cells flexible and form fitting to houses and other objects.

The starting point is the use of Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) type thin film PV modules presently used.

Successful development could make entire houses and building into large PV cells reducing electric demand and reducing pollution from fossil fuels.

The total funding for the project is 9 million dollars. Dupont contributed 6 million dollars and the Department of Energy contributed 3 million dollars. The DOE money comes from the Recovery and Reinvestment Act, passed earlier this year with the support of U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Ted Kaufman. Both Senators represent Delaware where Dupont has huge plants.

Senator Kaufman is a former Dupont employee.