DuPont and Suntech Power Holdings have signed a strategic agreement to help increase the supply of photovoltaic materials and technologies for the growing global market for solar energy.

The agreement focuses on technology advancements, supply chain optimization cost reduction initiatives, and DuPont Tedlar polyvinyl fluoride film supply. The companies also are pursuing co-marketing opportunities.

The companies' goal is to achieve faster and broader adoption of solar energy to reduce the world's dependence on fossil fuels. They intend to achieve the goal by further improving the technology for solar energy and helping reduce its costs and building greater awareness of its benefits to consumers.

"We're partnering with leading photovoltaic component suppliers around the world as we continue to make solar affordable for everyone, everywhere. With innovative companies like DuPont, the United States is a major contributor to the global photovoltaic supply chain and a net exporter of solar products to China and global markets," said Eric Luo, senior vice president of global supply chain, Suntech.

"Creating higher efficiency solar cells and further extending the long life of solar modules is critical to achieving affordable solar power, and we've worked closely and very successfully with DuPont in this regard. We're taking our collaboration to the next level with this agreement."

In November 2011, Suntech recognized DuPont with its annual Supplier Excellence Award for providing superior supply and technical service, product innovation and collaboration. DuPont supplies DuPont Solamet photovoltaic metallization pastes to help enhance the efficiency of solar cells made by Suntech, as well as DuPont Tedlar polyvinyl fluoride film used in protective backsheets for Suntech solar modules.

These materials are part of DuPont's broad and growing portfolio of products that improve the efficiency and lifetime of solar cells and modules, and help reduce overall system costs to make solar more competitive with traditional sources of energy.

"DuPont and Suntech have the highest standards for product quality, and sustainability is an important value for each of us. With these shared values, we look forward to bringing our offerings to more consumers as the global industry continues to grow," said David B. Miller, president, DuPont Electronics and Technologies.

"Global partnerships, such as our work with Suntech, have been central to the solar industry's growth. Our work together in Masdar is a prime example of the benefits of our collaboration, and of solar energy."

The DuPont collaboration with Suntech was featured as part of a short documentary titled, "City of Science, City of Hope," that recently aired during the BBC News "Horizons" program series. The documentary highlights the role of DuPont materials that enable Suntech solar modules to help power the city of Masdar - one of the most sustainable communities on the planet, and a model of what green urban development can be.