SEARCH LANGUAGE French English CONTACT The group Our offer Hurry Investors Shareholders Careers Follow us Air Liquide > Photovoltaic energy Photovoltaic energy Develop alternative energies Faced with the massive use of fossil resources and their harmful effect on the environment, it is essential to develop cleaner alternative energies. Photovoltaic energy is one of these alternative energies. In images, in pictures Photovoltaic energy: How does it work? Global energy needs, more than 80% based on fossil fuels, are constantly growing, due in particular to the emergence of certain economies. They could have increased by 55% by 2030 . The reserves of fossil resources are decreasing and the pollution generated by their combustion, which generates CO 2 , a greenhouse gas, is partly responsible for global warming. Photovoltaic energy is renewable energy and an alternative to petroleum. It directly transforms sunlight into electricity. This transformation is complex and requires the use of photovoltaic panels . Two main technologies exist today: the classic technology, called " crystalline " (85% of the total market) and the more innovative thin film technique , which currently only represents 15% of the market, but which is growing rapidly. Whatever the technology considered, the manufacture of photovoltaic panels requires large quantities of very high purity gas . Air Liquide is the world leader in the supply of gases to the photovoltaic industry and serves more than half of the top ten manufacturers of crystalline silicon solar panels. The Group provides in particular the silane , the "gas dopants " which alter the electronic properties of silicon and used to produce electricity and gas carriers carrying the latter. The Group is also involved in research programs in Europe, America and Asia to develop technologies that use gas more efficiently and reduce the environmental impact of panel manufacturing. Find out more The largest European nitrogen production unit for the German photovoltaic industry Air Liquide strengthens its leadership position in the photovoltaic industry Signing of major contracts with world leaders in photovoltaics Signing of a major photovoltaic contract with 3Sun Photovoltaic energy From photons to electrons Air Liquide and photovoltaic energy Presentation of the Solar activity by O. Blachier The Kiosk by Air Liquide Publications edited by the Group Order your copy CONTACT SITEMAP RSS LEGAL NOTICE © 2014 AIR LIQUIDE