A senior DuPont Inc. (DD) executive said Wednesday that its fast-growing solar panel unit would hit a key revenue target a year ahead of schedule.

Dave Miller, president of the diversified manufacturer's electronics and communications unit, also predicted that the U.S. would overtake Germany as the world's largest market for the photovoltaic cell technology used in solar panels.

Miller said at an investor presentation that PV revenues would hit $1 billion this year, ahead of its previous 2011 target. Margins in the electronics unit are also seen at 16% to 18% this year, a range previously targeted for 2012. The executive said he wouldn't be "resting on his laurels" and suggested that the 2012 target could be revised.

The expansion of solar-cell installation in homes and commercial buildings has been driven in part by government subsidies, and Miller said these are expected to start running out by 2014 or 2015.

Electronics and communications is the smallest of DuPont's six main business units, with 2009 sales of $1.9 billion. Other products include materials for flat-panel screens and packaging and printing materials.

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