MEOH Methanex Corporation

Dow Chemical (DOW) has secured device patents from the U.S. and European Union (EU) for photovoltaic encapsulant films used in solar panels. These patents cover electronic devices having polyolefin encapsulant films with specific commercially significant physical, mechanical and compositional properties.

 

In addition to U.S. and EU patents, Dow earlier received similar patents in China and Philippines with additional patents pending in a number of countries. 

 

Dow’s ENLIGHT polyolefin encapsulant films have been designed for use in photovoltaic solar panels. Photovoltaics is the conversion of sunlight into electricity.

 

Dow offers several commercial grades of ENLIGHT films that helps customers meet their specific needs. These films offers better module stability and increased electrical performance vis-à-vis conventional encapsulants such as ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA)-based materials.

 

Unlike traditional films, ENLIGHT increases long-term efficiency of photovoltaic panels, helps improve service life, retains module reliability and allows the industry to rein in overall system costs. Modules made with ENLIGHT have shown to maintain efficiency levels even after more than 10,000 hours of damp heat exposure compared with 2,000 hours for EVA-based materials. The ENLIGHT films enable panel manufacturers to potentially increase yield and capacity by reducing production time by up to 30%.

 

Dow continues to develop technologies that exploit the power of the sun and helps in converting solar energy into an efficient source of electricity. In addition to ENLIGHT, the company’s other notable offering includes the DOW POWERHOUSE solar shingle roof system.

 

Dow is benefiting from strong fundamentals in the agriculture and food markets, and is leveraging its North American feedstock advantage. A string of innovative products in its pipeline adds to its strength.

 

Moreover, Dow remains committed to its cost reduction and efficiency programs while reducing debt, improving cash flows and maximizing shareholder returns. The company also continues to invest in attractive regions through highly-accretive projects. 

 

Dow is a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock.

 

Other companies in the chemical industry with favorable Zacks Rank include Methanex Corporation (MEOH), LyondellBasell Industries NV (LYB) and Olin Corp. (OLN). While Methanex retains a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), both LyondellBasell and Olin hold a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).