Walloon region grants Dow Corning EUR 1.08 million for Solar Research & Development activities
The Walloon region grants Dow Corning up to EUR 1.089 million in subsidies to support research and development on solar cell technology at the company’s new Solar Energy Exploration and Development Center (SEED) in Seneffe, Belgium. The grant covers up to 40% of project costs related to research personnel and activities over a period of two and a half years, ending in June 2012. The Vice-President of Wallonia and the French Community in Belgium, Jean-Marc Nollet, today visited Dow Corning's European headquarters in Seneffe to sign the contract.
“We welcome the decision of the Walloon authorities to give their continued support to Dow Corning’s investments in innovation and solar energy in this region, where we have been present for 40 years,” said Michel Rens, Admistrateur-Délégué de Dow Corning Europe S.A. “Our research and development work will significantly increase the advantages that silicon-based technology can bring to the solar industry to increase efficiency, durability and ultimately lower the cost of solar energy per kW-hr, making this renewable energy source an even more attractive and sustainable option for a larger number of countries, citizens and consumers. “
The new SEED facilities and new research activities will allow Dow Corning to further expand its collaboration with academic organizations, research institutes and universities in the region, in Belgium and in Europe, to speed up innovation in the area of solar cells and solar modules. The company announced it will work with the Université catholique de Louvain (UCL) to perform research on crystalline silicon solar cells.
Thierry Materne, Vice President Science & Technology, Specialty Chemicals Business, Dow Corning: “With our investments in sustainable innovation we confirm our long-term commitment to the region, Belgium and Europe. The investments help strengthen Europe’s capacity for leading-edge research and development while, at the same time, building economic opportunities to facilitate European businesses compete in the global economy.”
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