PowerFilm, Inc. is a developer and manufacturer of thin, flexible solar panels based on a proprietary low cost production process. The company's objective is to target the building integrated solar power market and to continue to supply products for selected portable and remote solar power applications. PowerFilm is based in the state of Iowa in the U.S.
PowerFilm was founded in 1988 by Dr. Frank Jeffrey and Dr. Derrick Grimmer, both former 3M research physicists, with a combined 65 years of experience in semiconductor and solar energy research and development.
Thin Flexible Solar Panels
Since 1988, the company has focused on developing thin film solar panel technology and an industrial scale manufacturing process to produce low cost solar panels on a high volume basis. Elements of the company's low cost technology and manufacturing process include the use of: a durable, flexible plastic substrate; roll-to-roll manufacturing to minimize handling costs; amorphous silicon to avoid dependence on the silicon wafer market cycle; and printed interconnection to automate the cell connection process.
Having developed and commercialized an industrial scale production process for low cost thin, flexible solar panels, PowerFilm is in the process of expanding production capacity to meet the rapidly growing demand for solar panels.
Thin Film Electronics for Next Generation Flat Panel Displays
In addition to its solar panel products, PowerFilm has sought to leverage its core roll-to-roll manufacturing competence to develop additional thin film semiconductor devices. The company has formed a technology partnership with Hewlett Packard Corporation, one of the world’s leading technology companies, for the development of flexible, low cost backplane drivers for next generation flat panel displays. This development program has been funded by the U.S. Display Consortium. While this project is still in the research and development phase, it may enable the company to play a significant role in the future market for flat panel display technology. Future applications for PowerFilm’s thin film semiconductor know-how could also include RFID tags and electronic paper.
