DuPont China Holding Co., Ltd. (DuPont) and GD Solar Co., Ltd. (GD Solar) today signed a strategic cooperation agreement focused on collaboration to improve the power output, quality and reliability of solar energy systems to meet the world's growing energy needs.

Under the agreement, DuPont will collaborate with GD Solar on the research and development of materials applied to GD Solar panels and systems. DuPont will supply key photovoltaic materials and work with GD Solar to optimize their performance and application for high-efficiency solar cells and panels, integrated frames, new protective backsheet constructions and other system components.

The companies also will conduct field research on panel reliability and failure modes to learn more about materials' critical impact on the daily operation of solar systems. By improving the power output, quality and reliability of solar panels through such studies, lower overall system costs can be achieved, spurring broader and faster adoption of solar energy.

"Solar energy is clean and sustainable. With the development and transformation of energy resources, solar energy will become a key part of our future energy mix," said Xu Zhong, general manager, GD Solar.

"Since its establishment, GD Solar has been committed to the development and application of new energy and has formed strong R and D and engineering capabilities in solar energy technology development.

"Solar power station projects have been successively built by contract in Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Qinghai and other areas. We are very pleased to enter this strategic cooperation with world-class materials supplier, DuPont. I believe that DuPont can bring new technology innovation and creative ideas to our company because it has more than 30 years of extensive experience and involvement in the solar industry."

"DuPont and GD Solar share a common goal and commitment to help the solar energy industry provide a long-term, sustainable and positive energy source to meet the needs of the growing global population," said Walt Cheng, managing director, DuPont Electronics and Communications, Greater China.

"Through our work with GD Solar, we can further assess the impact of materials on systems and continue to improve their performance."