MIDLAND, Mich. & TOLEDO, Ohio, Jul 20, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Researchers at Dow
Corning and The
University of Toledo (UT) announced today that the organizations
have signed a memorandum of understanding to engage in collaborative
discussions on photovoltaic (PV) solar research and development efforts
to help reduce the cost of solar energy to make it a viable and
economically competitive energy option globally.
"Both Dow Corning and UT want homes and businesses throughout the world
to take advantage of clean, renewable energy from the sun," said Gregg
Zank, senior vice president and chief technology officer of Dow Corning.
"It is essential that businesses, academics and the government
collaborate in order to accelerate the advancement of solar
technologies."
"UT's capabilities for industrial collaboration have been greatly
strengthened over the last three years through the founding of the
Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization - PVIC
in 2007," said Prof. Robert Collins, the Center's Principal
Investigator, a Distinguished University Professor and the NEG Endowed
Chair in Silicate and Materials. "PVIC affiliated faculty are committed
to a collaboration with Dow Corning in which UT's expertise in
photovoltaic thin film and nanomaterials research and solar cell
development complements Dow Corning's global leadership in materials for
PV manufacturing and installation. PVIC faculty are also deeply
committed to our shared goals of lowering the cost and increasing the
performance of the next generations of photovoltaics products."
The proposed collaboration between Dow Corning and UT, which could
include the addition of other universities or businesses in the future,
offers researchers from both organizations the opportunity to share data
and technology while allowing both to protect their intellectual
property.
The UT has a long history of scientific research and industrial
collaboration in thin-film photovoltaics. Faculty members from various
departments at UT have been actively involved in research and
development of PV materials, devices, and manufacturing for more than 25
years. UT is a leadership node of the Wright Center for Photovoltaics
Innovation and Commercialization, a world-class science and technology
platform established by the state of Ohio to further the research and
applications of clean electricity generation.
Dow Corning's silicon-based materials are used in solar
cell manufacturing, solar module assembly and installation. In the
past five years, Dow Corning and its joint ventures, the Hemlock
Semiconductor Group, have announced investments
of more than $5 billion to research and develop as well as to expand
production of materials critical to the solar industry.
Dow Corning currently has two Solar Solutions Application Centers in the
United States, with similar facilities under construction in Europe and
Korea. These facilities enable Dow Corning engineers and scientists to
work closely with solar energy leaders to research, develop, evaluate
and test silicon and silicone-based materials solutions for use in solar
cells and modules.
Both Dow Corning and UT have been active in engaging U.S. policymakers
to support alternative energy growth in the U.S. To learn more about Dow
Corning's efforts to promote a comprehensive energy policy that will
support the growth and success of a vibrant American solar energy
industry visit www.dowcorning.com/solarpolicy.
The Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization
(PVIC - http://www.pvic.org)
was established in 2007 with an $18.6 million award from the State of
Ohio's Third Frontier program. PVIC, which is built on existing
expertise in Ohio on photovoltaics, glass, metal forming, polymer
technologies, and high-volume manufacturing is a collaborative effort
including UT, Bowling Green State University, the Ohio State University
and more than 35 other organizations. PVIC's mission is to research,
develop, and commercialize new photovoltaic solutions, and to accelerate
the deployment of photovoltaic electricity solutions for Ohio, the
country, and the world. PVIC is also supporting the development of
related academic programs to educate the next-generation workforce.
About Dow Corning
Dow Corning (dowcorning.com) provides performance-enhancing solutions to
serve the diverse needs of more than 25,000 customers worldwide. A
global leader in silicones, silicon-based technology and innovation, Dow
Corning offers more than 7,000 products and services via the company's Dow
Corning(R) and XIAMETER(R) brands. Dow Corning is
equally owned by The Dow Chemical Company
(NYSE:DOW)
and Corning,
Incorporated
(NYSE:GLW)
. More than half of Dow Corning's annual sales
are outside the United States. Dow Corning's global operations adhere to
the American
Chemistry Council's Responsible Care(R) initiative, a stringent set of
standards designed to advance the safe and secure management of chemical
products and processes.
About the University of Toledo
The University of Toledo is home to more than 23,000 students across 10
colleges and three primary campuses and the center of 15 Division 1-A
Rocket athletic teams. With more than 250 doctoral, graduate and
undergraduate programs, UT has earned national
and international acclaim for its expertise in solar and advanced
renewable energy. Its Scott Park Campus has been dedicated to the study
and implementation of alternative energy methods, including solar, wind
and biofuels technology. UT has also established a School of Solar and
Advanced Renewable Energy and is currently recruiting the inaugural
class for its new Professional Master's Degree in Photovoltaics. UT's
Clean and Alternative Energy Incubator has worked with dozens of
entrepreneurs -- many of whom are UT faculty -- to further regional
economic development.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6365911&lang=en
SOURCE: Dow Corning
Dow Corning
Jarrod Erpelding (U.S.A.)
Jarrod.Erpelding@dowcorning.com
989.948.4693
or
The University of Toledo
Jon Strunk
jonathan.strunk@utoledo.edu
419.530.7832
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