Higher Standard Helps Ensure Long-Term Reliability for Solar Panels

TOKYO, Dec. 18, 2013 – DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions (DuPont) today announced that two of its commercially available solar materials recently passed a stringent quality standard developed by leading solar panel manufacturer, Sharp Corporation (Sharp). The standard was designed to help ensure the reliable lifetime performance of Sharp solar panels by surpassing current International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards, and requiring panel, component and material testing.

Sharp's crystalline silicon-based solar panels are now using DuPont™ Tedlar® polyvinyl fluoride film-based backsheets – essential to protect the panels from the environment and provide electrical insulation, and DuPont™ Solamet® photovoltaic metallization pastes, which help ensure reliable and efficient power output of the solar panels, over their expected lifetime.

The standard is based in part on data gathered from the 30-year operation history of a solar panel, made with DuPont™ Tedlar® polyvinyl fluoride film, installed at the Tsubosaka Temple in Nara, Japan.

"Sharp has imposed a quality assessment standard that exceeds the current industry standards institutionalized by the IEC," said Hideki Yoshioka, general manager, Quality and Environment, Solar System Group – Sharp. "Sharp's standard consists of panel-based testing as well as testing of materials and components. Materials are critical in determining how well and how long panels perform, and we are pleased to collaborate with material manufacturers such as DuPont to gain insights on materials and ensure we exceed the expectations of our valued customers."

Japan is projected to become the world's largest solar market, with 6.9 gigawatts (GW) to 9.4 GW of solar capacity to be added this year, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

"In an environment where some manufacturers are cutting costs by cutting corners on quality, higher standards are essential to ensure the continued growth and success of solar," said Conrad Burke, global marketing director, DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions. "Proven materials that meet these higher standards, such as Tedlar® film and Solamet® pastes, are key foundational elements to support greater power output and durability over an extended time period."

DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions is the leading global supplier of specialty materials to the solar energy industry. More than half of the world's 400 million panels installed since 1975 have DuPont materials in them. To learn more, please visit http://photovoltaics.dupont.com.

DuPont (NYSE: DD) has been bringing world-class science and engineering to the global marketplace in the form of innovative products, materials, and services since 1802. The company believes that by collaborating with customers, governments, NGOs, and thought leaders we can help find solutions to such global challenges as providing enough healthy food for people everywhere, decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, and protecting life and the environment. For additional information about DuPont and its commitment to inclusive innovation, please visit http://www.dupont.com.