The achievement is the result of collaboration over the last four years that has focused on optimizing successive generations of materials and manufacturing technologies to work better together.
"Founded in Norway more than 15 years ago, REC is a pioneer in the solar industry. Our products are manufactured using advanced R&D and the most stringent manufacturing standards. Over the years, our care for quality has translated into proven products known for their strong performance," said Ter Soon Kim, senior vice president, Operations and Technology, REC. "REC solar panels now deliver more power per square meter due to several design improvements, including the use of the newest frontside metallization paste provided by our premier innovation supplier, DuPont."
Solamet® PV18x series photovoltaic metallization pastes are developed by and are available only from DuPont Microcircuit Materials (MCM).
REC, which began operations in its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Singapore in 2010, and DuPont MCM have been working closely since that time to optimize the combination of solar cell technology and Solamet® paste. Through use of successive generations of Solamet® paste materials, the collaborative efforts have led to improved electrical flow in REC solar cells, which has resulted in higher power output for REC’s solar panels. With the most recent generation of Solamet® paste, the PV18x series, REC reports that it has raised the efficiency of its 60 cell multi-crystalline panels in production to 265 peak watts – its highest level yet.
"Constant innovation in Solamet® pastes has been instrumental in ensuring the efficiency improvements and cost effective measures that are moving the solar industry toward grid-parity," said Peter Brenner, global photovoltaics marketing manager, DuPont Microcircuit Materials. "Collaborations with leading companies like REC are critical to the quick delivery of new and improved technologies that fuel further growth in the industry, and for our customers."
DuPont™ Solamet® photovoltaic metallization pastes have helped to enable the conversion efficiencies of mass produced solar cells to nearly double over the past 12 years. Through continued investment in research, development and intellectual property, DuPont continues to focus on increasing solar cell efficiency, extending panel lifetime and lowering overall system costs to make solar energy more competitive with other sources of electricity.
