Dave Watts MP Gets Solar-Powered At Pilkington UK5
10 March 2011Following the announcement of the reopening of the Pilkington UK5 float line at Greengate Works, St. Helens in January, Dave Watts MP (member for St Helens North) took the opportunity to tour the facility, which has received a multi-million pound upgrade to enable coated glass to be manufactured. The plant will produce glass for solar energy applications, creating around 130 jobs in the local area and taking the NSG Group into a new market for glass, as well as growing its export contributions to the Asian market.
Dave Watts learnt that the glass manufactured at UK5 is part of the Group’s wide range of solar energy products used around the world in the three leading solar technologies aimed at converting solar energy into electricity - thin film photovoltaics, crystalline silicon photovoltaics and concentrated solar power applications – as well as solar thermal applications aimed at generating hot water.
The NSG TEC™ glass manufactured at UK5 is used as an active component in most thin film photovoltaic (PV) modules. It incorporates a transparent conductive coating, which allows solar energy to enter the PV modules, and then conducts the generated electricity out.
Dave Watts met with Phil Brown, Regulatory Marketing Manager and Gary Charlton, MD Building Products UK Upstream who demonstrated the considerable high-tech investments made at the facility which were supported by Regional Assistance Grants.
Gary Charlton explained, “With demand for traditional Building Products glass expected to be lower for some time than, the re-opening of UK5 means the Group’s assets can be used for a brand new application. And as we know the use of solar energy products makes an increasingly important contribution to renewable energy production.
Phil Brown emphasised that the inclusion of energy efficient windows as a home energy saving measure in the Government’s Green Deal, would support the growth of products such as Pilkington K Glass™, used in our energy efficient glazing Pilkington energiKare™, and made at our other operations in St Helens. It would also enable the company to make further investments in the area in future.
Recognising the importance of growth in this area, Dave Watts agreed to lend support to Pilkington and its trade association, the Glass & Glazing Federation, in their campaign to ensure that energy efficient windows are included in the Green Deal.
He commented, “Pilkington has continued to show commitment to energy efficient products with its multi-million pound investment in its UK5 float line at Greengate, which not only supports the local economy but the UK manufacturing industry too”.
For more information visit www.pilkington.co.uk