Astrum Solar has announced it has reached an agreement with DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions (DuPont) to collaborate on standards for solar installation offerings and ensure the continued use of premium quality system components.

The agreement is designed to speed home solar installations through the adoption of product specifications that improve efficiency and lifetime, lower costs and increase returns on investments.

One of the fastest-growing companies in the nation, Astrum Solar, enables homeowners to switch to solar power for zero or little money down. DuPont, a leading materials supplier to the photovoltaic industry globally, has materials in more than half of the world's 300 million solar panels installed since 1975 that have been time-tested for more than 5 trillion outdoor panel-hours.

"This agreement will further ease the transition to solar power by increasing the overall value for homeowners," said Astrum Solar Vice President of Policy and Business Development Josh Goldberg.

"DuPont's unsurpassed expertise regarding materials specifications will ensure our customers always benefit from the most efficient, cost-effective system possible."

Materials matter in solar modules as they can significantly improve system efficiency, lifetime and bring down the overall cost of solar electricity. But due to falling prices and narrowing margins for modules, some manufacturers are substituting unproven or inferior quality materials that have the potential to compromise system performance.

DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions and other quality leaders such as Astrum Solar are working to raise awareness of this critical issue and encourage system developers, investors, installers and owners to understand and specify materials that will help ensure superior power output - and return on investment - over time.

With input from DuPont, Astrum Solar will advocate best practice specifications, promote data transparency and provide access to a comprehensive suite of analytical tools to benefit the East Coast's growing solar energy industry. DuPont will collaborate with Astrum Solar on specifications for materials that deliver improved efficiency, lifetime and lower overall system costs to maximize returns for solar installations.

For example, the specification of key materials such as DuPont Tedlar polyvinyl fluoride film-based backsheets that have been proven to protect solar panels for more than 25 years plays an important part in extending the reliable lifetime of a system. The longer solar panels last, the more investment returns improve.

The agreement promotes Astrum Solar's longstanding objective of ensuring each homeowner receives the best-performing solar system available.