3M has announced the expansion of its Ultra Barrier Solar Film manufacturing. 3M has always had its hand in the film market so it just seems natural to see them further expand into the thin film solar market. As a key component supplier to the solar industry, this expansion will support the growing demand for high performing flexible PV modules. The majority of the facility expansion will be located in Columbia, Missouri. Designed to address the needs of flexible thin film solar manufacturers, 3M Ultra Barrier Solar Film acts as a replacement for glass. Compared with glass-glass modules, large area, light weight flexible PV modules manufactured with 3M Ultra Barrier Solar Film can achieve significantly lower costs by requiring less installation time, removing the need for metal racking, and reducing logistics expenditures.
Derek DeScioli, Business Development Manager for the 3M Renewable Energy Division. “3M is a recognized leader in ultra barrier film technology, and we are committed to accelerating our efforts to support the scale-up of our thin film manufacturing customers.We are a recognized leader in ultra barrier film technology, and we are committed to accelerating our efforts to support the scale-up of our thin film manufacturing customers.”
3M’s Renewable Energy Division offers 100 years of combined expertise in coatings, film, tape, adhesive and optical technologies to the rapidly expanding renewable energy and energy efficiency markets worldwide. With all that’s going on at 3M and thin film technology one wonders what Kokak is up to?