Swiss Dupont Photovoltaic Solutions has entered into a marketing cooperation agreement with Desert Technologies, a solar panel manufacturer, project developer and EPC contractor based in Saudi Arabia. It is expected that the parties will collaborate on a variety of downstream marketing efforts to promote and support the expected growth and expansion of photovoltaic systems in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA).

According to the company, the agreement contemplates that Desert Technologies will evaluate and use Dupont Tedlar polyvinyl fluoride-based backsheets in solar panels and projects and also undertake evaluations of PV cells that are manufactured with Dupont Solamet metallization pastes. In addition, Dupont and Desert Technologies anticipate undertaking certain technical collaborations and efforts to help facilitate the adoption and growth of reliable solar panels and systems in the region that can best withstand the often harsh environment.

According to Nour Mousa, founder and CEO of Desert Technologies, anticipated mono crystalline solar panel production at the new Desert Technologies plant in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia is expected by the end of the year, ramping up capacity to 120 MW. Desert Technologies also has a pipeline of solar projects in the MENA region exceeding 300 MW.

Desert Technologies (DT) was founded by Saudi and international partners in 2012. DT operates through three divisions: EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) contracting, project development and investment, as well as photovoltaic module manufacturing. The company is headquartered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia with offices in Amman, Jordan and Cairo, Egypt.