MANUFACTURING GIANT 3M: Completes CoMo solar power plant expansion

COLUMBIA, 7/21/12 (Beat Byte) -- Even without an EEZ -- Columbia's latest corporate tax giveaway -- manufacturer 3M has completed an expansion for its Ultra Barrier Solar Film in Columbia, Missouri. The new technology supports growing demand for high efficiency flexible photovoltaic (PV) modules.

"This manufacturing expansion helps us support our customers’ manufacturing scale-up plans by providing ample capacity to this growing market,” said Derek DeScioli, Global Business Development Manager for the 3M Renewable Energy Division.  “With our new production equipment and continued product innovation, 3M is well positioned to not only increase the performance of our Ultra Barrier Solar Film, but also significantly drive down the costs, further enabling our customers to provide competitive photovoltaic solutions to the commercial rooftop market.”

Ultra Barrier Solar Film replaces glass with better light transmission; moisture barrier performance; and weather durability.

 

Rigid glass modules also require more installation time, metal racking, and other logistics expenditures. Solar films, on the other hand, are so flexible they can be delivered in rolls.  3M Ultra Barrier Solar Film is currently available in widths up to 1.2 meters and can be available in wider widths.

3M’s Renewable Energy Division offers a robust portfolio of new and existing products, bringing more than 100 years of combined expertise in coatings, film, tape, adhesive and optical technologies to the rapidly expanding renewable energy and energy efficiency markets worldwide. In addition to the

3M has expanded global manufacturing capabilities for renewable energy products several fold in recent years.