Midland, Mich.-based Dow Corning and Santa Clara, Calif.-based Crystal Solar, a solar energy venture company, have announced their intention to work together to supply high-performance, silicon-based materials for photovoltaic cells and modules. The two companies also intend to assess options for developing high-performance building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) solutions for building and construction, focusing on both commercial and residential applications, according to a joint release issued by the companies.
Dow Corning officials say they can provide access to high-quality trichlorosilane, specialized silicon-based materials and supply chain consultancy to support the manufacturing approach developed by Crystal Solar to produce monocrystalline ultra-thin silicon epi-wafers for use in solar panels.
“We are looking forward to collaborating with Crystal Solar on this new opportunity,” says Dan Futter, vice president of Solar Solutions at Dow Corning. “Beyond expanding its key supplier position for feedstock and silicon-based materials for Solar PV, Dow Corning partners with leaders in the solar and renewable energy industries, such as Crystal Solar. At Dow Corning we believe that innovative materials are key to addressing the industry’s challenge to drive down costs, enhance system performance, and help make solar more competitive with traditional energy sources.”
“We are very pleased to be working with Dow Corning on a broad-based framework to make high-efficiency solar panels … ,” adds T.S. Ravi, Crystal Solar’s CEO. “Dow Corning’s reputation for quality and [its] ability to scale globally will help Crystal Solar expand [its] manufacturing footprint significantly.”
