Polymers have many potential applications in solar technology that help achieve total systems effectiveness. Representative applications are adhesives, coatings, moisture barriers, structural members, and as optical components of solar systems. In order to optimize a system, one must optimize performance, durability, and costs. Solar exposure results in photodegradation which alters polymer performance and durability as exemplified by polymer cracking (like in an old automobile plastic part) or the loss of strength (like garbage exposed to sunlight). Ultraviolet (UV) absorbers such as THBP, when added to polymers lessen or prevent such degradation by sunlight. The greater the exposure to sunlight the higher the concentration of an UV absorber has to be to achieve system effectiveness (as exemplified by sun-tan lotions) and the more important the price of a given UV absorber, compared to total system price. THBP has been shown to be a preferred UV absorber in solar application, but because of its high current price and foreign supply only, has found limited application. The current project will attempt to develop a lower price process based on fundamental technology developed in U.S . universities and companies. If successful, we will attempt to commercialize the UV absorber in a short period of time. The nascent United States Solar Energy Industry will have the advantage of a lower cost UV absorber and a customer service oriented local small supplier.The potential applications as described by the company: Improved performance, durability and costs of many polymers used in solar energy applications.
