By Renewable Energy Focus staff

Polymers are used in solar PV panels to protect components and increase performance and lifetime.

Arkema has been active in this market since 2001 offering technical plastics designed to extend the lifetime of solar PV panels, and make their manufacture quicker and cheaper.

The joint laboratory near Chambéry, Savoie, will pool Arkema’s expertise in polymers, polymer films and nanomaterials, with the expertise of the INES CEA teams in design and in development processes for solar PV modules – silicon and thin-film.

The cooperation will last for an initial four-year period.