Two years ago, Honeywell began selling protective backings for solar photovoltaic (PV) panels in harsh weather. The product is called the PowerShield PV325.

“Reception has been very positive,” according to  Honeywell’s Market Segment Leader of Barrier Firms, Jim Bratcher. So positive, in fact, that Honeywell has decided to expand its line of panel-protecting materials.

At the 25th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition, September 6-10 in Valencia, Spain, Honeywell introduced its new PowerShield PV270. The new model, like the older one, is meant to protect rigid crystalline silicon PV cells from shortages or complete power outages altogether in extreme temperature or high humidity.

According to MarketWatch, the new product is 30 percent lighter than traditional backing systems for solar panels. The news is a good example of how the solar industry is boosting activity among a broad spectrum of manufacturing companies; it’s not just makers of solar wafers, cells and modules that can take part in the current uptick in global demand for solar power equipment.

Honeywell’s solar-related manufacturing activities extend, in fact, beyond making panel backsheets:

Honeywell also offers printable dopants and chemicals for the manufacture of solar cells, the SOLARC(TM) anti-reflective coating for solar panels, and solar panel installation sales and services. Honeywell sponsors the Solar Decathlon, an international competition organized by the U.S. Department of Energy.

In 2009, the solar energy industry produced about $38.5 billion in revenue — a good sign for companies like Honeywell that are in the business of making products that improve solar panel performance.