Tag Archives: DSM Advanced Solar

The PV Innovation Race is On

By Nathan Arbitman, Contributor

Like many of you, I’ve committed my career to the cleantech industry because of the moral imperative to accelerate the clean energy revolution, as well as the unprecedented wealth creation opportunity this transformation brings. And I’m always asking myself, how we can make this transition happen even faster?

Last December, my business, DSM Advanced Solar, announced the outcome of the latest SunRISE TechBridge Challenge, in which we partnered with a leading cleantech accelerator (Greentown Labs) and PV science institute (Fraunhofer CSE), to find and accelerate cutting-edge solar startups.

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Through this program, DSM has invested in four of the winning companies:

  • Leading Edge Crystal Technologies (Cambridge, MA). Novel manufacturing process to make high performance silicon wafers at a fraction of the cost.
  • NOMADD Desert Solar Solutions (Saudi Arabia). Low-cost waterless automated solar panel cleaning device, which significantly reduces yield losses due to dust.
  • QD Solar (Toronto, Canada). Next generation photovoltaic cells using colloidal quantum dot cell technology.
  • WattGlass Inc. (Fayatteville, AR). Anti-Reflective glass coatings that also have self-cleaning and anti-fogging properties.

    • (For any other fans out there, this episode of the Energy Gang was recorded live at our December event.)

    This is one way that we drive innovation faster – by bringing together entrepreneurs, corporates, scientists and other key stakeholders to spark novel connections and trigger needed investments. I joined DSM Advanced Solar to create opportunities just like this, because I believe that building provocative and powerful partnerships is one of the best ways to accelerate value creation from advanced technology.

    Two market enablers have struck me over my years in the solar space: 1) The key role of science-based innovations to reduce the cost of generating PV electricity and create value for downstream players; and 2) The glaring need for partnerships to make these innovations a reality. DSM is driving both.

    The stunning cost reduction of solar panels has been largely enabled by billions of dollars of investment and advancement in cells and module materials. As a science-based player with a 100-year track record, DSM develops sustainable materials that increase the efficiency of solar modules, bringing down the cost of solar energy and creating value for customers throughout the value chain.

    DSM materials are featured in over 200 million PV modules installed worldwide, representing over 50GW of power. Our first breakthrough was an Anti-Reflective coating for glass, where we remain the industry leader. We also provide a unique Anti-Soiling coating for hot, dry environments that reduces the soiling rate of PV modules and increases returns for investors; and our Endurance backsheets can enable more power generation than alternative products. Next we’ll launch a novel coating for older solar parks that can immediately increase energy yield by 3%.

    Commercializing these technologies requires a long-term commitment to investing in the solar space, a phenomenal team, and capable partners with a shared vision of success. Innovative partnerships are critical to accelerate value creation in this market—now more than ever. We all know that no one company can do this alone. That’s why we routinely work across oceans with companies large and small, from module makers to project developers to asset owners, to bring our innovations—and those of our partners—to life.

    DSM has been operating for over 116 years, but we’re just getting started. If you share our appreciation of the power of science-based innovation to create competitive advantage, then we should talk. To learn more about DSM and our offerings, contact me via LinkedIn or visit www.dsm.com/solar

    Nathan Arbitman is the Director of Strategy & Innovation for DSM Advanced Solar.