DuPont the the US Department of Energy have announced plans to collaborate on solar technology research. The research program, a planned USD 9 million investment, will aim to provide more mainstream solar photovoltaic products for commercial and residential applications. DoE will fund the research program with cash from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The three-year research program will accelerate commercialization of ultra-thin protective film than prevents moisture from degrading the performance of PV modules, thus reducing generated electricity.

DuPont will provide USD 6 million, while DoE will contribute USD 3 million to the program. One of the people supporting this project is Senator Ted Kaufman, who worked for DuPont in the 1960's, and who has now been a key figure in getting the research program going.

Initially, the research will concentrate on Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) thin film technology, but will expand onto other PV technologies, and maybe into other industries as well.

This research program is part of the US government's efforts to puch for renewable energy technologies to reduce the country's carbon footprint, increase independence from foreigh energy sources, and create jobs in the recessive economy.