Solar panels (solar cell) in solar farm with sunlight to create clean electric power

Solar Energy and Panel Materials

Providing technologies and solutions that enable efficient solar energy equipment to meet the growing need for renewable energy around the world.

Solar power is key to the global energy transition

As the renewable energy market rapidly grows, high-performance solar panel materials are crucial.

Dow supplies a variety of proven solar panel materials, chemistries, and technologies, focusing on high-quality solar panel frame, panel, encapsulant and backing materials and solutions for the manufacture and operation of assets. Together, they provide the performance, durability, and reliability that manufacturers and end users need.

Leveraging over 100 years of expertise, our technologies are enabling solar panel component manufacturers to explore novel and more efficient designs and provide end users with global reliability of supply to meet today’s and tomorrow’s renewable energy needs.

Solar cell panel in country landscape against sunny sky and mountain

Photovoltaics (PV) module materials

Materials selection for PV modules can be a critical factor in the ongoing success of module manufacturers. Dow’s innovative adhesives, encapsulants, coatings, fluids and bonding materials help make the choice for PV manufacturers easier with opportunities for exceptional long-term performance, reliability and ease in application.

 

Select your area of interest below:

Frames and rails are essential for securing photovoltaic (PV) modules, ensuring they are stable and well-positioned for optimal sunlight exposure. Typically made from durable materials like aluminum or stainless steel, they protect against environmental factors, ensuring long-term performance. Dow enhances these systems with advanced materials, including specialized coatings and adhesives, which boost durability, weather resistance, and overall efficiency, making solar installations more reliable and long-lasting. 

Encapsulants protect solar cells from moisture, UV radiation, and mechanical stress, which ensures the long-term durability and efficiency of the panels. Dow provides advanced encapsulants that boost the reliability and lifespan of PV modules. Their products ensure strong adhesion and high optical clarity, helping to enhance the performance and durability of solar energy systems. 

Encapsulants protect solar cells from moisture, UV radiation, and mechanical stress, which ensures the long-term durability and efficiency of the panels. Dow provides advanced encapsulants that boost the reliability and lifespan of PV modules. Their products ensure strong adhesion and high optical clarity, helping to enhance the performance and durability of solar energy systems. 

The backsheet in PV modules protects solar cells from environmental damage, including moisture, UV radiation, and mechanical stress. It also provides electrical insulation, ensuring the safe and reliable operation of the solar panel. Dow offers advanced backsheets that enhance the durability and performance of PV modules. Their solutions provide excellent protection, longevity, and electrical insulation, contributing to more efficient and reliable solar energy systems. 

Junction boxes, power optimizers, and microinverters are vital for PV modules, managing electrical connections, boosting panel performance, and converting DC to AC power for better efficiency. Dow enhances these components with advanced materials and coatings that improve durability, energy conversion, and overall reliability of solar energy systems. 

Solar photovoltaic panel base surrounded by aerial green plants.

Solar solutions to power the future

Explore Dow materials for photovoltaics (PV) assembly and repair. 

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ENGAGE™ PV POE

Engage™ PV polyolefin elastomers offer exceptional flexibility, durability, and impact resistance, making them ideal for various applications. These elastomers enhance the performance of photovoltaic (PV) encapsulants by providing superior UV and thermal stability, ensuring long-lasting protection and efficiency. Compared to alternatives, they offer better processability, compatibility, and improved longevity, making Engage™ PV elastomers a more reliable choice for maximizing the performance and lifespan of PV modules.

DOWSIL™ PV-9001 Backsheet Coating

Get long lasting performance of PV modules by preventing backsheet degradation of PV laminates with DOWSIL™ PV-9001 Backsheet Coating. Discover how this coating can be applied both with or without dismounting the PV modules.

Enabling concentrated solar power with advanced heat transfer fluids

Dow helps you harness the power of the sun with advanced heat transfer fluid technology and support to meet the most challenging system, volume and delivery requirements, all over the world. We’ve proven it where it counts most: in many of the largest CSP projects under the sun. Today, more than 50 CSP plants filled with DOWTHERM™ A provide enough electrical generation capacity to meet the needs of more than 1 million homes at a savings of over 5 million metric tons of CO2 emissions per year.

DOWTHERM™ A Fluid

Versatile Heat Transfer Fluid that can operate in either liquid or vapor phases in order to collect, transport, and store heat in a variety of heat transfer applications, such as concentrated solar power (CSP) systems.

DOWTHERM™ A Fluid

DOWTHERM™ A Fluid provides numerous benefits, like superior thermal stability and efficient heat transfer, making it ideal for diverse industrial applications. Its reliable performance supports temperature control and system efficiency across sectors like chemical processing, energy production, and manufacturing.

Extreme temperature capabilities

Capable of withstanding temperatures as high as 400°C (750°F) to collect and transport heat in CSP systems while operating in either liquid or vapor phase.

Improved overall fluid life

The extreme temperature capabilities of DOWTHERM™ A enable this versatile, high purity fluid to operate for years with excellent thermal stability, great heat transfer fluid efficiency, and improved overall fluid life.

Low viscosity

The viscosity of DOWTHERM™ A Fluid is low throughout its operating temperature range, ensuring excellent system efficiency and pumpability.

Total commitment to safety

Dow provides in-depth technical support, world-scale production capacity, and tailored supply chain and logistics capabilities. 

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Are you ready to harness the power of the sun?

Learn about our commitment to delivering innovative technology solutions to provide sustainable sources of energy on a global scale. 

Solar photovoltaic panel base surrounded by aerial green plants.

Solar solutions to power the future

Explore Dow materials for photovoltaics (PV) assembly and repair. 

Optimized technologies for passive and active solar heating

Active solar thermal systems, such as flat panel collectors, rely on the solar energy to heat-up a fluid, which is circulated in an area that requires heat. This is how, in residential buildings for instance, domestic water can be indirectly (via a heat exchanger) warmed-up, therefore supporting the building’s heating system.

DOWCAL™ 200 Heat Transfer Fluid

DOWCAL™ 200 Heat Transfer Fluid is an optimal heat transfer fluid choice. It prevents pipes from bursting during cold weather and/or eliminates the need for system drainage every year, while maintaining excellent heat transfer efficiencies. In collectors built with aluminum tubes, DOWCAL™ 200 Fluid offers best-in-class corrosion protection, reducing overall collector maintenance cost.

Solar photovoltaic panel base surrounded by aerial green plants.

Solar solutions to power the future

Explore Dow materials for photovoltaics (PV) assembly and repair. 

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