Konarka opens solar manufacturing facility

Konarka Technologies Inc. said today that it has opened a large roll-to-roll flexible thin film solar manufacturing facility in New Bedford.

Konarka, which is based in Lowell, said it is preparing for the commercialization and mass production of its patent-protected thin film solar material, Power Plastic.

Konarka develops and manufactures solar plastic films that convert light to energy. According to Konarka, its nano-enabled polymer photovoltaic materials are lightweight, flexible, and more versatile than traditional solar materials.

The 250,000 square foot facility in New Bedford was previously the location for Polaroid Corp.'s most advanced printing technologies, Konarka said.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)