Photovoltaic Technology

Vision:
Konarka makes practical sources of renewable power affordable and universally available.

Company:
Konarka builds power plastic that converts light to energy – anywhere. The Company develops and produces lightactivated power plastic that is inexpensive, lightweight, flexible and versatile. This material makes it possible for devices, systems and structures to have their own lowcost embedded sources of renewable power. By integrating energy generation functionality into everyday devices, Konarka allows manufacturers to offer truly wireless applications.

Opportunity:
The impending energy crisis is very real. Demand for power is skyrocketing as the world’s population continues to expand, the developing world rapidly industrializes and more and more everyday devices, systems and structures go digital. Of the almost four terawatt energy market, renewables currently make up only one percent. Of that, solar is 0.1 percent, yet it’s a $5 billion industry, predicted to grow at 35 to 40 percent annually for the next decade. The trend toward distributed power generation is increasing opportunities for energy technology innovators to propel renewable energy forward to a much more prominent role in meeting the world’s consumption needs.

Product:
Konarka’s light-activated power plastic extends and enhances the functionality of a wide variety of devices, systems and structures. It enables power-consuming applications, such as handheld electronics, sensor networks and roofing materials, to carry on-board energy generation functionality. Konarka’s material is costeffective (1/3 of traditional solar), lightweight (1 to 2 oz. per square foot), aesthetically appealing (can be colored and patterned), integrate-able (can be cut to fit), flexible and versatile so as not to increase or otherwise impede the application’s form factor.

[via Konarka's brochure]