News Article
3M Completes U.S. Manufacturing Expansion For Barrier Solar Film
3M has announced the completion of its manufacturing expansion for its Ultra Barrier Solar Film in Columbia, Missouri. This expansion will support the growing demand for high efficiency flexible (PV) modules.
Designed to address the needs of flexible thin film solar manufacturers, 3M Ultra Barrier Solar Film acts as a replacement for glass with high light transmission. Compared with rigid glass modules, large area, light weight flexible PV modules manufactured with 3M Ultra Barrier Solar Film can achieve significantly lower balance of systems (BOS) costs by requiring less installation time, removing the need for metal racking, and reducing logistics expenditures. 3M Ultra Barrier Films may also enable lower module manufacturing costs by allowing manufacturers to commercialize large area modules assembled in a continuous roll-to-roll process.
3M Ultra Barrier Solar Film is currently available in widths up to 1.2 meters and can be available in wider widths depending on market requirements.
"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."
