SolarWatch

PPG Upgrades Coater to Enable Manufacture of Solar Products

A coater at PPG Industries’ Salem, Ore., glass plant is being upgraded to enable the manufacture of Solarphire AR anti-reflective and 2XAR two-sided, anti-reflective glasses.

PPG’s vice president of flat glass, Richard A. Beuke, says investment in the Salem factory, along with new production of ultra-high light-transmissive glass at its Fresno, Calif., factory, is part of the company’s commitment to serving the West Coast’s growing solar power industry.

“With the new capabilities at Salem and Fresno, we can now produce Solarphire PV (photovoltaic) glass at Fresno, then ship it to Salem for the addition of an anti-reflective coating,” Beuke says. “That enables us not just to accelerate internal production, but to respond more quickly and with a broader range of products to solar industry customers throughout the western U.S. It also enables solar customers to further reduce the carbon footprint of solar cell manufacturing.”

The Salem plant will be expanded and workers added to accommodate increased production volume. “We are very pleased to be adding to our workforce the kinds of green jobs this country needs to help improve the economy and further reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” Beuke adds.

Scott Follett, global director/Solar Performance Group, says that shifting part of the company’s solar glass production from the East Coast to the West Coast will make it easier for customers to manage their production and inventory requirements. “Our goal is to fulfill most standard and in-stock orders for Solarphire PV and Solarphire AR glasses by the next day in California, Arizona and Nevada,” he says.

USG
© Copyright 2012 Key Communications Inc. All rights reserved.
No reproduction of any type without expressed written permission.