Dupont has opened the Meyrin Photovoltaic Application Laboratory at its European Technical Center in Geneva in order to address the needs for the fast-growing photovoltaic market, the company said in a statement.

The Meyrin Photovoltaic Application Lab will operate as an open center, enabling technological exchanges and research collaborations between Dupont and customers, industrial partners, institutes and academia. The lab is designed to advance state-of-the-art solar module design, accelerate time to market in photovoltaic innovation and deliver cost-effective, high-performance solutions for the photovoltaic industry.

A new building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) panel system that replaces tile or slate roofs is an example of open innovation. This new innovation was developed at the lab in collaboration with Dupont Building Innovations, Dupont Performance Polymers and industry partners. The company said it significantly improves the ease and speed of installation, offers high-energy efficiency, exceptional water tightness and superior aesthetics to the building. The system was initially developed for the French market where it will be commercialized in the first quarter of 2010. In a second phase, the product will be commercialized in other Southern European markets.