Plextronics opens new solar inks facility

Plextronics, Inc. has officially opened its new development line, or D-Line, that will focus on technology developments for the company’s printable solar inks. The new manufacturing facility will print solar demonstration modules to be used in research and progression of its solar inks using commercially viable manufacturing techniques.

The opening ceremony saw the attendance of around 150 people for the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the company’s Pittsburgh headquarters (see below).
 
"This line is focused on stimulating broad market commercialization of our innovative ink systems," said Andy Hannah, Plextronics’ President and CEO.  "Sometimes, especially in an emerging market like printed electronics, a company must be willing to take the initial steps to demonstrate to the marketplace what’s possible with new technology. That’s what the D-Line does. It allows customers and partners to witness what can be accomplished with the ink and process technology that’s developed right here at Plextronics."

From left to right: Chris Mann (Director of Manufacturing and Engineering, Plextronics), Sean Armstrong (Manager of Device Fabrication, Plextronics), Sean Rollman (CFO, Plextronics), John Lushetsky (Manager of Solar Energy Technologies Program at the Department of Energy’s office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy), Andy Hannah (CEO, Plextronics), Gregory Fajt (Chief of Staff for Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell), John Benner (Manager of PV Industry Partnerships at the National Renewable Energy Lab) and Dennis Davin (Director, Allegheny County Department of Economic Development).