The future of the clean energy market looks affordable, according to a new report from Bloomberg New Energy Finance. The solar energy sector in particular will become cheaper over 15 years due in part to a 60 percent drop in the cost of installing solar panels on farms and rooftops.
David McDougall, the senior business development manager for H.B. Fuller’s photovoltaic group, talked to R&D Magazine about how materials like solar adhesives will play an important role in the development of this market.
Please discuss your background. Where are you from? Where did you go to school?
I have more than 34 years of experience in the chemical and adhesives industries. I started off at Dow Corning after I graduated from Ryerson University in Canada. For the last 12 years, I’ve worked for material suppliers and module manufacturers in the solar industry.
How did your career get started?
Given that a solar cell, at its core, is a semi-conductor, I have a strong background in semi-conductor materials. As the solar industry grew many people migrated from semi-conductor to solar, because of the similarities in materials, processes and equipment. I was part of this migration.
Describe your role at H.B. Fuller.
I’m the senior business development manager for H.B. Fuller’s photovoltaic team. This involves supporting customers with sales and technical service for our incumbent materials. Most significantly, it involves working with our customers and partner companies in discovering and launching new materials.
What are your thoughts on the solar adhesives market? Can you discuss any opportunities or challenges you see for this particular sector when it comes to manufacturing, engineering, etc.?
Some of the trends we’re seeing in the solar industry include the development of more durable modules as well as lighter and thinner materials. With durability, manufacturers are interested in creating longer-lasting modules that can be in the field for 40 or more years. They’re looking to adhesives suppliers to provide stronger materials to enable that reality, which is why material innovation is so critical to the future of solar applications. Manufacturers also are interested in trimming transportation and shipping costs through lighter and thinner materials.
Another priority for the industry is lowering installation costs, as they are responsible for up to 30 percent of a system’s price. One way installers are doing this is by working with materials suppliers to customize a package or installation process that integrates with their procedure. This method incorporates the sealing process into overall procedure, speeding up installation and reducing labor hours.
Finally, where do you see the market for alternative energies moving towards?
The future for renewable energy is strong. In 2015, over 50 percent of the new electricity generation added to the grid in the US came from solar. Prices of solar systems are falling fast, with expectations that these decreases will continue. The future growth of solar, wind and other renewable energy sources is poised to grow significantly. Because the industry is still in the early phases of economic viability, projections are difficult to make, but the consensus is growth will be great.
Independent research studies indicate the PV/solar market will grow 119 percent this year, and that the PV/solar adhesives market itself will reach $115 million this year. H.B. Fuller is poised to support market growth and the related demand for materials.
Greentech Media Research projects that while utility-scale installations will represent 74 percent of the installations for the year, the residential and commercial markets also will experience strong growth in 2016. In terms of regional growth, India, China and the United States all present opportunities as well.
