23 August 2006 -- To meet the needs of the fast-growing photovoltaic solar energy market, DuPont today announced a production expansion of DuPont Tedlar polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) film. The new facility, with an estimated investment of $50 million, is scheduled for completion by 2007.

The company also announced the launch of DuPont Tedlar PV2100 Series films, part of an extended product line used in the protective backsheets of solar panels, which are critical to the efficiency, lifetime and overall operation of the panels. DuPont Tedlar PV2100 Series films provide increased dimensional stability, tear and abrasion resistance and higher reflectance, which improve output and efficiency.

"DuPont and Tedlar have played key roles in the solar energy industry," said Cynthia Green, vice president and general manager - DuPont Fluoroproducts. "This expansion will allow us to better supply customers in several global market segments as we focus more of our science and innovation on improving the life cycle of solar cells and reducing the cost per watt of electricity to consumers and building owners."

DuPont estimates the market for Tedlar films is increasing at more than 30 percent per year, due to a surge in the production and installation of photovoltaic solar panels around the world.

The newly announced expansion has begun at DuPont's Fayetteville, N.C., facility. The business also continues to expand its manufacturing capacity at other sites in Louisville, Ky., and Buffalo, N.Y. Coupled with additional expansions for other DuPont photovoltaic materials, DuPont's total planned investment is more than $100 million.

The company manufactures eight essential materials used in photovoltaic modules.