Solar & Wind Energy

Fluoropolymers Propel the Energy Transition Forward

Man working on solar panel arrayFluoropolymers are integral to technologies driving sustainability. As energy consumption increases, the world will need to transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. Fluoropolymers are a key component of these solutions.

As smart grids develop and energy storage needs increase, the use of fluoropolymers in renewable energy generation and storage, like solar installations, wind turbines, energy storage systems, and hydrogen, is expected to grow by a minimum of 20% annually over the next ten years. Fluoropolymers will play a critical part in addressing climate change by powering an energy transition that leads to a cleaner and more prosperous world for all.

Fluoropolymers are a critical and irreplaceable material in renewable energy applications.

Chemours’ fluoropolymers are used in various components of renewable energy installations and energy storage, from solar panels and wind turbines to flow batteries, which increase durability, lower maintenance costs, and increase efficiency. Fluoropolymers facilitate sustainable and renewable energy installations in greater numbers and new locations.

Wind power generators along a road in the hillsWhat are fluoropolymers?

Fluoropolymers are a specialty plastic that possess a unique combination of properties that make them critical to modern life and a wide variety of sectors and industries. They are one specific class of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of thousands of chemical compounds with varying characteristics, properties, and environmental and safety profiles. Importantly, fluoropolymers do not pose a significant risk to human health or the environment when used for their intended purposes. Their unique combination of properties makes them fundamental to the products they enable. There are no alternatives that possess all of these unique properties while delivering the same high level of performance.

Benefits of Fluoropolymers in the Solar and Wind Energy Industry

Critical Fluoropolymer Applications in the Solar & Wind Energy Industry:

  • Renewable energy:

    As smart grids develop and energy storage needs increase, fluoropolymers are critical for renewable energy generation and storage solutions like solar installations, wind turbines, energy storage systems, and hydrogen.

  • Solar installations:

    Fluoropolymers are used in coatings for solar thermal installations as a protective armor from harsh environmental conditions, including extreme heat and moisture.

  • Wind turbines:

    Fluoropolymers are used in paints and coatings on the towers and blades of wind power generators because they provide superior weather resistance and increased service life.

  • Energy storage systems:

    Fluoropolymers are a crucial component of energy storage systems, like lithium-ion batteries and polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells, which comprise an increasing share of renewable energy.