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$120 Million for Solar Energy
Life on Earth needs the sun to survive, and we’ve used solar energy throughout history. But truly harnessing solar power as an energy source can be difficult. Photovoltaics, a type of solar cell, convert sunlight directly into electricity. Their development has doubled every two years, with new technology constantly breaking new ground. As more photovoltaics join the market, the drive to produce better and more efficient models becomes greater. Today, Greenwire reported that DuPont (whose chairman and CEO, Charles Holliday, is chairman of the Council on Competitiveness) is trying to stay ahead of the field by investing $120 million into solar energy technology.
Durable Tedlar films, which help block out moisture and ultraviolet light, are used as backsheets in photovoltaic modules and for other applications. DuPont makes Tedlar at plants in Fayetteville and Louisville, as well as at facilities in New York, New Jersey, Iowa and Pennsylvania.
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"The reason we’re going to Louisville and Fayetteville is because we have existing infrastructure there and can get our product to market faster," [DuPont spokeswoman Cathy] Andriadis explained. "This is proof point of our initiative to decrease dependence on fossil fuels."
DuPont’s investment is part of a larger plan by the company to become greener. And in expanding production at plants in America, DuPont is helping America keep its competitive edge.
What other clean energy technologies could use a $120 million investment? Let us know in the comments.
— Matthew Faraci
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Posted on August 21st, 2009 at 2:29pm
Comment by Molly Weasley
I would pay money to install solar panels on my roof, but the cost is still too high. I hope more companies put more money into R&D so that average homeowners can afford them
Also: There's a house being built on my block that is going to be LEEDS certified. But it's taking forever, because the building tradesmen have to keep reinventing how they do things.
Certainly there are companies and universities that can invest in research into how construction had be made more energy-efficient.